The North Sea: Hamburg to Oslo

Arrive in Hamburg and transfer to the Sea Cloud II. Settle in to your cabin and attend dinner as the ship sets sail.

Spread across seven islands, originally interspersed with a network of canals and partly built on stilts, the provincial capital of Arendal has often been compared to Venice. The widest of the town's canals protected the Tyholmen Peninsula against devastating fires in the 19th century. Much of the pretty old town is listed as a heritage site and is famous for its outstanding restaurants. It takes you back to the heyday of sailing vessels when Arendal had the largest sailing fleet in Norway and was a flourishing center for shipbuilding and exports of wood and iron ore. Magnificent views of the harbor and islands are to be had from the narrow streets lined with colorful wooden houses which surround the striking Trefoldighetskirken (Trinity Church) on the west side of the Pollen dock.

With its idyllic islands and summery beaches, the 75-mile long Oslofjord forms a picturesque entrance to the Norwegian capital. Up in Holmenkollen there is a gigantic ski jump offering the best views of the city, while below on the banks of the fjord is the futuristic Oslo Opera House, which was modelled on a glacier. The city-center harbor with its monumental city hall, where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded every year, is flanked by the imposing medieval Akershus fortress and the post-modern architecture of the new Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen districts, including a new promenade along the fjord. Areas of this trendy city are changing, as part of a new harbor front development, there are plans to build a new boulevard and a Munch museum.

Disembark the ship after breakfast and transfer to the city for your continued independent journeys.