Located at the end of Byfjord, Bergen was the capital of Norway in the 12th and 13th centuries and has preserved some very beautiful monuments from the time when it was home to royalty. Wandering through Bergen’s streets means going back in time, in search of the hidden treasures that have been listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. A veritable open-air museum, Bergen is home to a thriving artistic community of painters, potters, jewelers. The Bergen cable car offers you a splendid panorama over the port and the surrounding fjords. Do not miss the visit to the old quarter with its narrow streets, a testimony of the power of the Hanseatic League that controlled trade in Northern Europe at the end of the Middle Ages. Embark and start your incredible journey.

Optional Excursions:

Bryggen Walking Tour - Bergen is a city full of contrasts, a mixture of new and old side by side. This walking tour takes you along the Bergenhus fortress dating back to the Middle Ages with the old coronation hall and the tower of Rosenkranz. Shortly after, reach Bryggen and the old Hanseatic merchant buildings that were struck by a disastrous fire in 1702. However, they were rebuilt like they stood in the Middle Ages. The whole area is under protection and is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Walk up one of the narrow alleyways running between the rows of houses. Today artists and craftsmen have moved in and facing the harbor are restaurants and shops of various kinds. Visit St Mary's church, the oldest stonebuilding in town. In former days, it was called "the German church" because it was solely used by the Hanseatic merchants who have adorned the church over the centuries with several precious objects.

Next, visit the Hanseatic Museum that gives an authentic picture of the working life of the German merchants and the apprentices. Return to the harbor passing the "Bryggen museum", an archaeological museum housing findings from the Middle Ages, and follow the road along the port observing the bustling traffic on the way back to the ship.

Mount Floien Hike - Your tour starts at the pier where you meet your guide and walk to Fløibanen station. From the lower station of Fløibanen the ride takes approximately 8 minutes to the top of Mount Fløien at some 1000 ft, and on the way up, you can enjoy a magnificent view of Bergen and surroundings. The hiking tour starts on one of the many gravel roads, through slightly hilly woodland to the little, idyllic lake called Skomakerdiket, then uphill to join the main path, Blåmansveien. As you get higher, the view gets better! The fjord with a multitude of islands lies beneath you as well as the town, and far out to the West the North Sea. Head up the Rundemansvegroad and, as you leave the trees behind, there is a wide view to all sides, reaching the highest point, Rundemanen, at some 1800 ft. After a well-deserved break, return to the Funicular station for the ride back and join your ship after a 15-minute walk back.

With its two wooden churches, one red and the other white, plus its breathtaking view of the mouth of the river Oldeelva, Olden looks just like a picture post card. Located a few kilometers from the Jostedalsbreen park, home to one of the last glacier polar icecaps, this little village is a definite must for exploring the blue languages of the Briksdal or Kjennalen glaciers. Make sure you find some time to visit the Norwegian Glacier Museum. Another gem is Lake Lovatn and its turquoise waters inviting you to quiet contemplation.

Optional Excursions: 

Nordfjord Panorama - This tour gives you the most fantastic views of the Nordfjord, the fifth largest fjord in Norway and also of the Hornindal Lake, which is the deepest lake in Northern Europe! The first part of the tour is along the northern banks of the Nordfjord. The road is passing through the beautiful settlements of Blakset, Fjelli, and Hopland. At Nos you have a stunning viewpoint where you make a stop and see Nordfjord and its mountain areas. Another panorama is at Kvalen before you go down to the fjord again in Hennebygda. Continue to Nordfjordeid where you stop for refreshments at Nordfjord Hotel (or Bryggen Hotel). Coffee or tea and cakes are served. The return drive to Olden is along the crystal-clear Hornindal Lake with picturesque small islands and surrounded by the high ragged mountains.

Briksdal Glacier - Briksdal Glacier is a part of the Jostedal glacier icefield, which is the largest glacier on the European mainland. The wild glacier is a fantastic work of nature. The glacier slope plunges from a height of 1,200 meters, over 3,937 feet down to the lush, narrow Briksdal Valley. Briksdalsbreen Glacier lies at the end of enchanting Oldedalen valley. Board a motorcoach and start the tour. The trip through Oldedalen valley is an amazing symphony of scenic splendors from wild flowers to awe-inspiring mountains that are reflected in crystal-clear lake waters, to great waterfalls that cascade from vertical mountainsides.

Your motorcoach stops at the mountain lodge and from the lodge it is about 3km, a 45-minute walk on a gravel road up to the glacier. During your walk enjoy the view onto the gigantic glacier. If you don't want to walk that far, the other option is to be driven in cars (7 seats in each) from the Lodge up to a parking lot which is a 10-minute walk from the glacier. Please note that you pay directly on the site for the transfer by vehicle. This service cannot be prebooked and unfortunately during the high season, vehicles are not always running.

Nestled in the heart of the fjord country, less than 200 kilometers from Bergen, the picturesque village of Flåm – pronounced Flôm – offers you an experience of authentic Norway. You can mosey around the brightly colored streets and admire the majestic contours of the surrounding mountains. The town is also the departure point for the mythical train route Flamsbana, 20 kilometrers long, whose journey offers a superb view of the scenery, as sublime as it is pristine. This attraction makes Flåm one of the country’s main tourist destinations. 

Optional Excursions:

Kayak - After a safety briefing and equipment distribution, start your 1 1/2 hour kayking adventure. Paddle between the rugged mountains on the smooth Aurlandsfjord. Aurlandsfjord is a branch off of the main Sognefjorden, Norway's longest fjord, and a part of the World Heritage Area surrounding Nærøyfjord (UNESCO's World Heritage). Breathe in the fresh air and drink the pure water straight from one of many waterfalls and rivers ending into the fjord. During the paddle, see mountain farms climbing the hillside and with a bit of luck, grazing goats and sheep close to the edge of the fjord. This excursion is recommended as a first time paddle trip.

A lively harbor town, Göteborg is located on the west coast of Sweden, at the crossing of the Göta älv river and the bay of Cattégat. In the old Haga district, you can peruse hippy-chic fashion boutiques and bohemian cafés in the ground floors of traditional wood houses. On the majestic Gustave-Adolphe square, see elegant neoclassical buildings. Not far from here is the municipal museum dedicated to the town’s history. In addition, sail along Göteborg’s numerous canals. As for eating, it’s the fish and shellfish which make the gastronomic reputation of this beautiful stopover.

Optional Excursions:

Gothenburg City Tour - Discover Gothenburg's charms and history. First, travel to the view point Klippan, offering a splendid view of the Archipelago and Älvsborg Bridge and to Masthuggs Church for a spectacular view of the city and port. Continue to the Botanical Gardens for a short visit in the beautifully arranged park setting. Get the chance to witness the rock garden and the rhododendron valley. Then proceed into the city center and Götaplatsen, the cultural hub of the city flanked by the Museum of Fine Arts, the Concert Hall, the Municipal Theatre, and the Library. This square is dominated by Carl Milles' imposing sculpture - the Poseidon Fountain.

Drive along Avenyn, Gothenburg's loveliest and busiest street, to Gustav Adolfs Torg, named after the city's founder, with the City Hall, the Court House and the Stock Exchange. On the return way to the ship, pass by Feskekôrka (the Fish Church). This indoor fish market got its name from the building's resemblance to a Gothic church. Opened in 1874, it was designed by the city architect Victor von Gegerfelt. Feskekôrka is a legendary institution in Gothenburg symbolizing the city's oldest trade.

Panoramic Gothenburg & Canal Cruise - Start your tour with a drive up to the Masthuggs Church where you have a magnificent view of Gothenburg and the port. 
In the heart of the city, pass Götaplatsen, with the famous Poseidon Fountain by Carl Milles. The Museum of Fine Arts, the Concert Hall, and the Municipal Theatre are also located at Götaplatsen. Drive along Avenyn, the main street, and the Grand Boulevard of Gothenburg with a great number of nice restaurants, bars, and shops. At Gustav Adolf's Square, see the City Hall, the Court House, and the Stock Exchange. At Kungsbroplatsen, leave your coach and board the Sightseeing Boat, Paddan, or the Toad, a sight so typical for Gothenburg. The classic city tour on the Paddan boats shows off the beauty of Gothenburg from a waterside perspective. 

West Coast Panorama - Your tour starts with a drive north along the Swedish west coast, today one of the most popular holiday areas in Sweden with many small coastal villages. A short drive north of Gothenburg you pass the small, historical town of Kungälv, with its ruins - Bohus Fortress. Continue through the town of Stenungsund, that along with the islands Tjörn and Orust are called the Best Coast: two large islands surrounded by many smaller islands, to the west of a forested mainland. 

Drive across the bridge and continue through the landscape of Tjörn towards the old fishing village  Klädesholmen, where in the 19th century the foundations for a fish processing industry were formed. After a guided walking tour of this fishing village, continue to the main village of Skärhamn, a shipping center where as they say "the sea lies just outside the window". Here you also find the Watercolour Museum where you can see work of leading contemporary international watercolorists or classical watercolor paintings of the past. The museum visit is not included but can be visited on your own during the free time in Skärhamn. Or enjoy some free time in Skärhamn before returning to Gothenburg and the ship.

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 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. Disembark after breakfast and continue your independent journey back home.