Viking sun cruise

27 MARCH 2020

Chennai Story Trails -British Colonial Tour
Discover colonial Madras through the buildings the British left behind. Look closely at each structure and you will find stories of grand ambitions and unexpected revolutions; the hopes, fears, and ideas of the creators, as well as the history of this ever-vibrant city. What do buildings tell you about a city? Quite a lot, if you only lent a ear to their stories. The British left behind a rich legacy – their language, their bureaucracy, their education system and their buildings. And these monuments are a window into Chennai’s past. Join Storytrails and take a peek into colonial Madras, where Hindu Gods sit under Muslim domes, where stained glass reflects Kerala-style roofs, and majestic Greek columns stand next to sleek Art Deco edifices.Look more closely at these structures and you will find stories of grand ambitions and unexpected revolutions, determined idealists and rascally traders. Each building is a time capsule which reveals the hopes, fears, and ideas of its creators, as well as the history of this ever-vibrant city.Why does this hot city have the cool-sounding Ice House? What is the link between the railways and the Independence movement? How did Cenotaph Road get its name?Come and discover colonial Madras through the buildings the British left behind.
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30 MARCH 2020

MUZIRIS TOUR WITH BACK WATER CRUISE
You will be picked from the Cochin Port and after a scenic drive you will visit the old synagogues of the Malabar Jews. Paravur Synagogue and Chennamangalam Synagogue were built according to Kerala traditions but they were adapted to meet the liturgical requirements of the Jews. Earlier the Synagogue functioned as a house to pray but now it has been turned to a museum as part of the Muziris Heritage project operated by the State Kerala government. You can also find the first Christian seminary and the first printing press of India near the Chennamangalam Synagogue. Later, we will visit Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, a Hindu temple venerating Goddess Bhadrakali since ancient times. The temple is known for its powerful myths and legends and hence it has attracted many pilgrims for daily worship and festivals. Next we will visit the Kottakavu church, one of the seven original church of the Syrian Christian community of Kerala established by the apostle St.Thomas. The other attractions of the tour include a visit to Paliam Palace and Cheraman Juma Masjid. Paliam Palace was a traditional home of Paliath Achans who were the Prime Ministers to the kings of Kochi. Cheraman Juma Masjid is the first mosque in India which was built after the Chera King met the prophet Muhammad and embraced Islam. The grandeur of the Masjid is still kept intact even after undergoing many renovations. Next we will visit a small archeological site, Pattanam, which contain many artifacts that were traded between Muziris and the rest of the world.

Next we head to the Handloom Weaving Factory. It is a traditional cotton weaving village where six hundred Brahmin families strive hard to produce some of the most exotic sarees, famous for its ‘Kasavu.’ This is truly a unique sight where an entire community puts away their differences and come together for a specific purpose working with sheer hard work and passion. Kuthampully Handloom Industrial Cooperative Society was established in 1972 with 102 enthusiastic supporters who aim to preserve their traditional culture in their weavings. However, modern weaving techniques have seeped into the arena to meet the current trends and hence helped in producing designer clothes. Afterwards, you will be taken back to the port.

85$
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01 APRIL 2020

ANCIENT CHURCHES OF OLD GOA
Ancient Churches of Old Goa Goa is considered as a city of celebration by many. However, the culture in Goa is diverse. With a predominant Portuguese culture, Goa has many places that can be referred to as “cultural delights”. The main cultural characteristics of Goa revolve around churches such as Basilica of Bom Jesus, St. Catherine Cathedral, and Church of St. Catejan. Explore these spiritual marvels that have formed the cultural pillars of old as well as new Goa.

Our Itinerary Our team at Shorexcursionsasia takes you on a tour to explore the ancient churches of India’s richest city Goa. The duration of the tour is around 4 to 4.5 hours. We commence our exploring at Mormugao Cruise Port.

Let’s Go! We, at Shorexcursionsasia, welcome you with a smile & ask your opinion on how you would like to explore Old Goa. The exploratory tour is customizable; mention your specific requirements on our inquiry forms, while discussing them with us.

Let’s explore Basilica of Bom Jesus Around 45 minutes’ drive from Mormugao Cruise Port is Basilica of Bom Jesus. A Roman Catholic Church, which is a part of “Churches and Convents of Goa UNESCO World Heritage Site”, this Basilica of good or holy Jesus is a spiritual sighting to behold. An attractive architecture adorns this church that mesmerizes you spiritually; a spiritual wonder you should not miss.

St. Catherine Cathedral St. Catherine Cathedral is also known as Se Catedral de Santa Catarina. This cathedral is just 2 minutes away from the Basilica of Bom Jesus. There is a dress code that people should follow, which showcases respect to St. Catherine. A mix of Tuscan as well as Corinthian architecture, this place is a must-visit for all art & spiritual lovers.

Church of St. Cajetan The Church of St. Cajetan, 2 minutes away from St. Catherine Cathedral, is modelled on St.Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. A prominent fixture of Old Goa, this church was built by three Italian Priests of the Theatine Order with help from the Portuguese government, in 1643. The architecture reminds everyone of the Greek cross, as well. A spiritual place everyone should visit at least once in a lifetime.

Let’s Meet Again Bring your friends along for a wonderful architectural & spiritual tour of Old Goa. We will take you back to Mormugao Seaport for your onward voyage.

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02 APRIL 2020

Mumbai Highlight Tour
The tour is a special package that helps you explore the important land marks of Mumbai in 5.5 hours.

Itinerary -Our responsible staff will report at the time of ship arrival to board and precede you to tour by chartered car/coach. Gateway of IndiaThe first spot we will cover is the Gateway of India, which is an arch-monument, built in the twentieth-century at Indo-Saracenic style.
Chathrapathi Shivaji Terminus-Then we will head to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or Victoria Terminus, an ancient train station in Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival architecture, built-in 1978. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mumbai.
Dhobi Ghat-On the way, we can stopover at Dhobi Ghat, which was an open-air laundromat built-in 1890. The view here is colorful and amazing. Mani Bhavan-Mani Bhavan is a must-visit museum while exploring Mumbai. This is a historic building dedicated to Gandhi. Here you can have a glance over the memories of Gandhi’s political activities in Mumbai.
Haji Ali Dargha-Located near to the heart of the city, the Haji Ali Dargah mosque with Indo-Islamic Architecture will offer you an amazing experience, exploring more about with legends about doomed lovers. The dargah includes the tomb of Haji Ali Shah Bukhari.
Malabar Hill and Banganga Tank-The final point of the tour is Malabar hill, where you can get the marvelous view of Banganga Tank, which is an ancient water tank as a part of the Walkeshwar Temple Complex. Spend some time relaxing enjoying the view.
Back To Dock We will transfer you to the port to return before the ship’s departure.
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05 APRIL 2020

MUSCAT COASTAL TOUR WITH SUNSET CRUISE
Unwind your day’s hard labour and tiredness with a refreshing cruise through the coastline of Muscat. As the sun goes down, so does the city backs off for the night to emerge with a new bang and new vistas. And the serenity is best experienced with a cruise on a traditional dhow boat. The towering hills of Muscat disappear behind the shadow cast by the starlit and moonlit sky. The cool breeze tucks you at the skin with a warm touch and caresses through your hair. Many of the important landmarks such as the Al Bustan Palace will lit up with night lights and impart a grand stature. Feast your eyes to a magical sunset. Dine to a hearty buffet of continental and oriental dishes, accompanied by a variety of juices, thirst quenchers and delicious desserts. Relax and sway to the melodious music overplayed on the cruise and add a romantic touch to the evening. Afterwards, dock back to the outer terrace and fill in with the most stunning views of night life.
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