Connected to the far eastern side of Sealand Island, a few kilometers away from the Swedish coasts, Copenhagen offers you the high color of Scandinavian capitals. You can discover the city's riches that weave through the canal networks and through the historical districts of Christiansborg and Nyhavn. Many palaces provide an apercu of Danish history. For eating, you can try out the smorebrod, a traditional dish composed of several kinds of smoked fish. Embark in the evening and start your journey. 

The former Hanseatic capital founded in the 12th century, nicknamed “the Queen of the Hansa”, Lübeck is a small and typically German city in the Baltic. Now a maritime trading center, its old town, surrounded by water, bears witness to a thousand years of history. With its seven church steeples and five main churches, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Don’t miss out on discovering its many monuments dating back to the Gothic period, the Renaissance, the baroque era, and even the classic period. Its patrician houses and fortifications from another time give it a unique identity.

Spanning around one hundred kilometers, the Kiel Canal links the North Sea to the Baltic Sea, crossing the Jutland peninsula. It is the world’s busiest artificial waterway.

Optional Excursion:

Maritime Kiel - See how the Baltic Sea reaches right into the heart of the city! Kiel, being the capital of the state of Schleswig-Holstein, is a traditional maritime and naval city. From the pier, board your coach for a panoramic city tour. See the famous town hall and have a look at the impressive Kiel Canal, connecting the North Sea with the Baltic. Afterwards, the coach takes you along the eastern shore of the Kiel Fjord to the town of Laboe with its famous Navy Memorial. Learn more about the history of the German navy and see an impressive exhibition composed of fascinating details. Nothing beats the view from the top of the building! On the beach right below, a World War II submarine, the U995, shows you how cramped the life of the crew must have been. Next, enjoy some free time in Laboe before re-boarding your coach for the ride back to the western side of Kiel Fjord.

Lying at the mouth of the Harinxma canal in the Frise province of the Netherlands, Harlingen has always had a very close relationship with the sea. Once a whale fishing center and today a port specialized in shrimp fishing, its dynamism has transformed it into a modern city which also offers travelers museums and sites of interest. The local museum, the Hannemahuis, is housed in an 18th-century dwelling and presents a collection of regional furniture and objects retracing the history of the city. The lighthouse and the city hall with their typically Dutch architecture also deserve a visit.

Amsterdam is above all a city of water. Omnipresent, it guides the traveler’s steps, from street to street, from canal to canal, its bridges seeming to bend their arches to form allegiances with him. Let yourself fall in love with the grace and romanticism that emanate from this charming scene. Known around the world for its museums and the finest collection of the Dutch and Flemish masters of the golden age, this city is home to many other treasures. Take a stroll through the old district or pay a visit to a diamond house – do not miss this “treasure chest” of the Netherlands

Optional Excursions:

Canal Cruise & Anne Frank - Begin your tour with a short transfer to the Westerkerk (Western Church) and the small statue of Anne Frank. Take a short walk to the Anne Frank House where you visit the former hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her diary. The museum tells the history of the eight people in hiding and those who helped them during World War II. Anne Frank's diary is among the original objects on display. Due to the limited size of the interior of the Anne Frank House, the visit is self-guided. Despite all the renovations, the core of the museum, the Secret Annex, has remained in authentic condition.

Following the visit to the Anne Frank House, enjoy a one-hour scenic canal boat ride through the Amsterdam canals aboard a glass-topped canal boat. Pass narrow houses with hoists and cranes - a reminder of the city's canal-based commercial heritage - historic bridges and sites before ending your excursion with a scenic drive around the center of Amsterdam. Enjoy highlights as the baroque Royal Palace at Dam Square, the Nieuwe Kerk, Mint Tower, and the 15th-century Weeper's tower before returning to your ship.

Scenic Villages of Holland - Depart from the Amsterdam cruise terminal through typical Dutch countryside to the village of Zaandam. Your guide leads you through the faithfully re-created town of Zaanse Schans. Carefully designed to replicate the Zaan community of around 1700, this "open air" museum is a popular attraction. As you stroll through the cobbled streets watching craftsmen practicing the trades of yesterday, get a glimpse of what Dutch life was once like. Drive through the lush lowlands to the town of Edam. Enjoy an interesting walking tour of this tranquil 17th-century town, best known for its distinctive Edam cheese. Picturesque canals, traditional drawbridges, and charming homes with overflowing flower gardens make this a delightful visit. After your visit to Edam, also stop at a local cheese farm where you can sample some of the delicious produce before returning to your ship by coach.

Located on the Flemish coastline, half way between France and the Netherlands, the elegant city of Ostend is a favorite summer destination for Belgians. You can enjoy the “queen of beaches”, a stretch of fine white sand punctuated by breakwaters, covered by the North Sea at high tide. The seafront boasts sumptuous facades from the Belle Epoque, such as Villa Maritza, which stands witness to this seaside town’s rich past. Art amateurs enjoy the excellent Kunstmuseumaan Zee, where a retrospective of Belgian art dating from 1830 is on display.

Optional Excursions: 

Historical Bruges - Bruges in French or Brugge in Flemish is an exquisitely preserved medieval town. It had the good fortune to be linked with the sea by a navigable waterway and the city became a leading member of the Hanseatic League in the 13th century, when the town established Europe's first stock exchange. Upon arrival in Bruges a guided walk through the historical center introduces you to this beautiful, romantic city. During the walk, your guide points out such major sights as the Market Square with its Guild houses and the Belfry Tower. The Stadhuis, or Town Hall, dating from the 14th century, has a wonderfully ornate facade covered with statues and the Oude Griffe, the former Recorder's House from the 1530s, is ornamented with impressive windows. Pass the Chapel of the Holy Blood. Take a rest with a 30-minute guided canal boat cruise. See the beauty of medieval Bruges from a different perspective from the canals and waterways of the city. Free time is given to browse through the lace and chocolate shops around the Walplein Square before boarding the coach for the return to the ship.

Ghent & Canal Cruise - This dynamic modern city has a center straight out of the Middle Ages. It was weavers from Ghent, joined by others from Bruges, who took up arms to defeat the French in 1302. Arrive at the center of the medieval city of Ghent, where you begin your walking tour at St. Michael's Bridge, with its view of Ghent's three glorious medieval steeples. The closest is that of the early Gothic St. Nicholas Church. Behind is the Belfry dating from 1314 and in the background rises the honey-colored tower of St. Bavo's Cathedral.

The guide leads you to the pontoon to board a canal boat for a fun and thorough exploration of the city. As you cruise through the historic city see highlights such as the impressive Castle of the Counts, the Fish Market, 13th-century monasteries, and the ancient port of Ghent along with its mercantile houses. After your canal cruise, continue your walking tour, passing the old port, the Meat House, and the City Hall to reach St. Bavo's Cathedral. Inside, see the ornate wooden pulpit and the world-famous oil painting of The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers. Then, enjoy some free time for shopping before re-boarding your coach and returning to the pier and your ship.

The main residence of the British monarch, financial hub and seat of British government, London is the economic and cultural heart of the country. A city of contrasts, attached to its traditions while buzzing with modernity, the capital of the United Kingdom has countless historic districts and notable sites to explore. From Hyde Park to the City through Westminster and Trafalgar Square, get ready to take on London's frenetic tempo. In between a visit to the National Gallery, a stroll through Covent Garden, and a trip to Tower Bridge, you can take a quiet breather in one of London's many beautiful parks and gardens. Disembark after breakfast and continue your independent journey back home.