Colonial Granada & Boat Tour (EV, JO)
Enjoy
an all-encompassing walking and boat tour in and around Granada, one of
the oldest cities in the Americas and a Nicaraguan gem esteemed for its
colonial architecture.
After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a leisurely one and three-quarters hour drive north through a gorgeous tropical landscape. This verdant region exemplifies Nicaragua’s nickname, the “Land of Lakes and Volcanoes,” and colonial Granada lies at its heart.
Upon arriving in this historical city, you will board a boat for an immensely scenic cruise off the northern shore of Lake Nicaragua. Now freshwater, the lake was once part of the sea until an ancient volcanic eruption caused it to become an inland basin. As a result, it became the world’s only lake with oceanic marine animals such as sharks and swordfish.
Following your sightseeing cruise, you will tour San Francisco Convent, one of Granada’s oldest buildings. Now a cultural center and museum with fine pre-Columbian statues, the convent has been rebuilt several times over ancient catacombs. Your guided visit showcases some of the most important displays and exhibits housed here, giving you great insight into this city that Spanish conquistadors founded in 1524.
Then, after a traditional Nicaraguan lunch, a walking tour of Granada will reveal more interesting sites, which you may explore further during free time. Signature attractions include the central plaza for shopping and an abundance of colorful colonial architecture, some of it still scorched from the great fire of 1856. At the appointed time and location, you will rejoin your group and transfer back to the pier.
Please note: This tour includes approximately 75-minutes of easy to moderate guided walking over mostly even surfaces, plus any additional walking at the guests’ discretion during free time. There may be some cobblestone surfaces and a few steps to negotiate. Light clothing to include a sweater for the coach; sun cap; sunglasses; sunscreen; a bottle of water from the ship; and flat comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
After departing from the pier, you will drive for approximately forty-five minutes through lush, emerald-green countryside to beautiful Amayo Hacienda on Lake Nicaragua, the country’s largest lake. Once owned by the king of Spain, the estate is now in the hands of the Barrios family, who have graciously opened their doors so you can experience Nicaraguan country life.
While visiting the hacienda, you are free to choose your own activities, and there are plenty of relaxing and highly entertaining opportunities. You might stroll the grounds admiring the tropical vegetation and stunning views of nearby volcanoes, enjoy a refreshing swim in the lake, and even learn to milk a cow in the estate’s dairy. All the while, a Nicaraguan live band will play folkloric tunes in the background, adding a wonderful festivity to the experience.
Still, the day’s highlight is the Caballo Bayo lunch buffet of authentic Nicaraguan cuisine. It’s a bounty of traditional dishes such as annatto-marinated pork, shredded beef stew, blood sausage, mashed beans, boiled yucca, fried plantains and most anything else you can imagine. It’s an absolute feast that you are welcome to indulge in repeatedly.
Following your time enjoying the hospitality of the Barrios family at Amayo Hacienda, you will travel back to the pier, filled with wonderful memories of your Nicaraguan country experience.
Please note: Light clothing to include a sweater for the coach; sun cap; sunglasses; sunscreen; a bottle of water from the ship; and flat comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Anyone wishing to swim does so at their own risk and responsibility and should bring a swimsuit and a towel from the ship.
After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a leisurely one and three-quarters hour drive north through a gorgeous tropical landscape. This verdant region exemplifies Nicaragua’s nickname, the “Land of Lakes and Volcanoes,” and colonial Granada lies at its heart.
Upon arriving in this historical city, you will board a boat for an immensely scenic cruise off the northern shore of Lake Nicaragua. Now freshwater, the lake was once part of the sea until an ancient volcanic eruption caused it to become an inland basin. As a result, it became the world’s only lake with oceanic marine animals such as sharks and swordfish.
Following your sightseeing cruise, you will tour San Francisco Convent, one of Granada’s oldest buildings. Now a cultural center and museum with fine pre-Columbian statues, the convent has been rebuilt several times over ancient catacombs. Your guided visit showcases some of the most important displays and exhibits housed here, giving you great insight into this city that Spanish conquistadors founded in 1524.
Then, after a traditional Nicaraguan lunch, a walking tour of Granada will reveal more interesting sites, which you may explore further during free time. Signature attractions include the central plaza for shopping and an abundance of colorful colonial architecture, some of it still scorched from the great fire of 1856. At the appointed time and location, you will rejoin your group and transfer back to the pier.
Please note: This tour includes approximately 75-minutes of easy to moderate guided walking over mostly even surfaces, plus any additional walking at the guests’ discretion during free time. There may be some cobblestone surfaces and a few steps to negotiate. Light clothing to include a sweater for the coach; sun cap; sunglasses; sunscreen; a bottle of water from the ship; and flat comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Amayo Hacienda Experience & Lake Nicaragua (KE)
Immerse yourself in Nicaraguan country life by visiting an extraordinary lakeside hacienda, where you will dine, swim, enjoy live music and take in breathtaking views of volcanoes.After departing from the pier, you will drive for approximately forty-five minutes through lush, emerald-green countryside to beautiful Amayo Hacienda on Lake Nicaragua, the country’s largest lake. Once owned by the king of Spain, the estate is now in the hands of the Barrios family, who have graciously opened their doors so you can experience Nicaraguan country life.
While visiting the hacienda, you are free to choose your own activities, and there are plenty of relaxing and highly entertaining opportunities. You might stroll the grounds admiring the tropical vegetation and stunning views of nearby volcanoes, enjoy a refreshing swim in the lake, and even learn to milk a cow in the estate’s dairy. All the while, a Nicaraguan live band will play folkloric tunes in the background, adding a wonderful festivity to the experience.
Still, the day’s highlight is the Caballo Bayo lunch buffet of authentic Nicaraguan cuisine. It’s a bounty of traditional dishes such as annatto-marinated pork, shredded beef stew, blood sausage, mashed beans, boiled yucca, fried plantains and most anything else you can imagine. It’s an absolute feast that you are welcome to indulge in repeatedly.
Following your time enjoying the hospitality of the Barrios family at Amayo Hacienda, you will travel back to the pier, filled with wonderful memories of your Nicaraguan country experience.
Please note: Light clothing to include a sweater for the coach; sun cap; sunglasses; sunscreen; a bottle of water from the ship; and flat comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Anyone wishing to swim does so at their own risk and responsibility and should bring a swimsuit and a towel from the ship.
