From the North Sea to the Baltic

You arrive in Bergen at the edge of Byfjord, once Norway’s seat of power during the medieval era. You walk streets lined with preserved royal-era landmarks and UNESCO-listed heritage sites. You explore neighborhoods filled with galleries, workshops, and local artisans. You ride the Bergen cable car for wide views over the harbor and surrounding fjords. You navigate the old quarter’s narrow lanes, where Hanseatic merchants once dominated Northern European trade.

You sail deep into Lysefjorden near Stavanger, surrounded by steep granite walls, clear water, and dense greenery. You pass towering cliffs and follow calm fjord waters framed by rugged terrain. You view Preikestolen rising more than 600 meters above the fjord. You continue past Florli, home to the world’s longest wooden stairway with 4,444 steps, and reach Kjerag, where a massive boulder rests between two rock faces.

Like a painter’s palette, the former industrial town of Egersund unveils its colors as if to better charm its passing visitors. Its small wooden houses, among the best conserved in Norway, certainly display colorful façades that distinguish them from the other municipalities of the southern Norwegian coast, which opted for white at a time when this was a sign of wealth. Admire the façades of Strandgaten, the former main street of the town, and wander the old district of Hauen, which is now full of cafés, galleries and boutiques. Also make a detour to the Heidningeholmen Church, whose foundations date back to the 17th century, and dive into Egersund’s past.

Included Excursions

Panoramic Egersund
Duration : 3h30
The charming little town of Egersund, protected by Eger island, dates back to early 17th century. The town used to be the largest harbor in Norway when measured in quantity of fish brought in each. Today, the main industry is situated on Eger island, shipyards and workshops of various kinds.
From the pier, board your local coach and start your panoramic exploration through Egersund surroundings. Your trip takes you inland via the main road running from Oslo to Stavanger. Discover the beautiful hilly landscape dotted with lakes before turning off towards the coast at Heskestad.
Reach Hauge i Dalane where you will enjoy a stop at Sokndal church which was built in 1803. This is one of the few Louis-Seize-style churches in Norway with local rococo-ornaments that were rediscovered during its restoration in 1928.

After your visit, re-board your coach for a little detour down to the idyllic Sokndalstrand, which used to be a vital port in bygone days. The dwellings are close to 200 years old and so are the picturesque warehouses along the river.

Continue in easterly direction via hairpin-bends and tunnels through the very special landscape of Dalane. Here close to the coast, the hard Labrador-rock dominates. Descend to the Joessingfjord, a name that became known all over Norway and beyond when the British battleship Cossack forced its way in the 3 km long fjord arm to free 300 British sailors who were captured onboard the German ship Altmark. 
Your return journey goes via Sogndal back to Egersund.

The team recommend you wear comfortable shoes and windproof clothes. This tour is a panoramic tour including a 2h45 drive and photostops.

Egersund city walk and tasting
Duration : 3h00
The charming little town of Egersund, protected by Eger island, dates back to early 17th century. The town used to be the largest harbor in Norway when measured in quantity of fish brought in each. Today, the main industry is situated on Eger island, shipyards and workshops of various kinds.

From the pier, meet your local guide and start your exploration of the town. Discover the residential area along the fjord before reaching the town center for a closer look. Luckily the old timber houses have survived through the ages. There were plans all through this century to demolish the old buildings and put up modern blocks, but due to lack of funds the plans were never put into practice. 

Then, stroll through the streets, passing the old wooden church, before arriving "Berentsens Bryggehus", the area's local brewery dating back to 1895. Take the opportunity to discover this historic distillery, proud of the inhabitants of the region. Enjoy a guided walk of the brewery and distillery and learn more about its production. Finally, you will participate to a tasting experience of 4 different types of beer. 
After the visit, get back to the ship with your guide.

This excursion involves walking approximately 1h15 on mostly flat ground. The team recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and a windproof jacket. Order of the visits may vary.

Trollpikken Hike
 Duration : 3h00
An emblematic rock in the region, Trollpikken stands in a mineral landscape shaped by glaciers over 10,000 years ago. On a hike, discover this natural phenomenon that attracts crowds each year due its shape, which is surprising to say the least.

The history of Trollpikken goes back to time immemorial, long before the appearance of the first civilizations and even before dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Nestled in the heart of the mountains, this imposing monolith was born from molten rock thousands of years ago. Over the ages, the unrelenting forces of nature shaped and eroded the mountain, gradually revealing this astonishing rock formation.

On a guided hike, explore the geological history of the region, between lunar rock and slow glacial motion, revealing that mother nature clearly has a sense of humor.

This excursion involves walking a distance of approximately 4.6 km (2.9 miles) on uneven and sometimes steep ground. The team recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes, wind-resistant and waterproof clothing as well as a fleece, and bringing a backpack. The excursion is not accessible for persons with reduced mobility.

Located in the region of Sørlandet, the town of Kristiansand has prospered for a long time from its building industry and shipbuilding installations. Today, the town offers its timeless charm and mild climate the whole year round. You’ll be amazed by its vibrant pastel colors, and its streets laid out in right angles. Among the districts worth exploring is Posebyen with its wooden houses inhabited in the olden days by workers and craftsmen. Here you can really get to grips with the town’s energy.

Spend exceptional moments sailing aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration vessel and the first PC2-class polar cruise ship capable of sailing into the very heart of the ice, on seas and oceans which the frozen conditions render inaccessible to ordinary ships. Le Commandant Charcot is fitted with oceanographic and scientific equipment selected by a committee of experts. Take advantage of the on-board lectures and opportunities for discussion with these specialists to learn more about the poles. Participate in furthering scientific research with PONANT and let travelers discover together what these fascinating destinations have yet to reveal.

This old Hanseatic city lies to the west coast of Gotland, a Swedish island in the Baltic sea. Pass through the spectacular Visby fortifications and visit the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll discover the grand Visby homes of rich merchants as well as the lovely low wooden houses in the little cobbled streets. Don’t miss Saint Mary’s cathedral with its octagonal steeples, as well as Powder tower along the fortifications. Make sure you stop over in one of the rose-adorned cafés; indeed roses abound in this town where you can taste one of the island’s specialties, namely saffron pancakes with red fruit.

Included Excursion

Free time in Visby
Duration : 6h00
Imagine disembarking in a place surrounded by natural beauty and cultural treasures, where each landscape promises a unique adventure. On this escapade, you will be free to roam, alone or with a PONANT destination expert, and discover the hidden gems of the place at your own pace. Take the time to immerse yourself in the history and culture, savor the local cuisine, stroll around and explore the local arts and crafts, or unwind on a heavenly beach. This will be an opportunity to lose yourself in the beauty of the moment and fully enjoy the essence of the town.  

Visby, a medieval gem cradled by the Baltic Sea, invites you to enjoy an enchanted interlude. Let the whispers of the past guide you as you wander its centuries-old ramparts and cobbled streets. Stroll at your leisure under the gentle Gotland sun, explore the remains of medieval churches and let the sparkling sea whisper its secrets to you. The cafés, tucked away in shady corners, invite you to linger a while, savor a tasty dish and daydream. No pre-booking required; open to all guests.      

The capital of Sweden occupies an archipelago in the east of the country at the junction of Malar Lake and the Baltic sea. In Gamla stan, meaning “old town” in Swedish, you can stroll at your leisure in picturesque medieval streets until you reach the majestic Royal Palace. On the green island of Djurgården, you can visit several very different kinds of cultural centers: the Vasa museum is dedicated to a 17th century three-mast, the ecomuseum of Skansen presents traditional customs, and the ABBA museum is dedicated to the legendary pop group. For a fantastic, all-encompassing view of Stockholm, you can take a ride in SkyView, a glass-encased sphere gondola that takes you to the top of the world’s largest building, the Ericsson Globe, a Stockholm landmark.

Opening onto the Baltic sea, to the far north of Estonia, the town of Tallinn will win you over with the picturesque charm of its architecture. You can meander through its little streets in the heart of the medieval center where its gothic town hall has been standing since 1404. The Kiek in de Kök tower, the Orthodox Alexander Nevski cathedral, or Toompea castle give visitors a taste of this town’s rich past. The city was particularly active during the medieval period, as is demonstrated by the very beautiful monuments from this period that are still visible. Don't hesitate to lose yourself in the heart of Tallinn, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Seated in the southern peninsula of Finland, Helsinki offers the buzz of a cosmopolitan city that has opted for both elegance and beauty. Explore its historical center where the soft hues of neoclassical buildings are juxtaposed with spectacular modern constructions. The bustling Kallio district is teeming with boutiques and restaurants where you can taste some local specialties like graavilohi - a sweet, marinated, aromatic salmon dish. Keskuspuisto park, a stone’s throw from the center, is a good place to sit and unwind.