Vibrant Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, sits on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager. Originally a Viking fishing village established in the 10th century, Copenhagen today is one the world’s most liveable cities. Its open spaces and lively street life, along with city planning favoring cyclists and pedestrians, encourage inhabitants to enjoy a lifestyle with an emphasis on community, culture and cuisine. Copenhagen is a highly cultured city, offering highlights including the National Gallery of Denmark, which holds 240,000 works of art, the Ny Carlsberg Museum with its spectacular collection of ancient sculptures from Egypt, Rome and Greece and Rosenborg Castle, where the Danish Crown Jewels are exhibited.

Denmark’s second largest city is an important port and home to Scandinavia’s largest university. Its 12th Century Cathedral and the charming Old Town Museum contrast nicely with the ultra-modern architecture springing up in the former “Docklands” and the ARoS Art Museum. It is also enjoys one of Europe’s youngest urban demographics, with a lively nightlife and busy cultural scene including a famous annual international jazz festival. Originally a Viking settlement, Aarhus has its own Tivoli amusement park with four roller coasters in the city center, a world-class concert hall and orchestra and a large Botanical Gardens.

Gothenburg is situated on the Göta älv River on Sweden’s west coast. An important seaport, it's known for tree-lined boulevards, quaint cafes, shops, theaters and sculptured gardens. The 340-acre (137 hectare) Trädgardsföreningen Park is a natural gem and a wonderful place to relax along a scenic 17th century canal. At Slottskogen Park one can view many of Sweden’s wildlife species, in particular the impressive elk, known in North America as a moose. Local people refer to the park as the ‘green lungs of the city.’  Explore the nearby botanical gardens with its beautifully sculpted flower beds, and award-winning stone gardens, where North America, Europe and Asia are represented by some 5000 plant species. Those with an interest in modern architecture should discover the prize-winning wonder of Museum für Weltkultur.
Gothenburg was founded as a trading colony in 1621 by King Gustavus Adolphus and is now the largest port in the Nordic countries. Gregarious and beautiful Gothenburg will charm everyone!

The popular vacation town of Arendal is a beautifully preserved historical city with colorful wooden houses dating from the 17th century. The copper-plated spire and red brick walls of Trinity Church dominate the skyline from the center of town. The charming inner harbor, with its wooden sailing vessels, fishing boats and historic motor-launches, is lined with numerous cafes, restaurants and pubs and comprises the busiest part of the town. True to its maritime background, Arendal has three historic lighthouses nearby. Situated on Norway’s southern coast, it resembles a sleepy, charming seaside village and boasts a colorful history.  The village was established in the middle of 16th century, and became a prominent center of shipbuilding, shipping, and timber trade. By the end of the 19th century, Arendal was one of the biggest ports in the country. Its Old Norse name means ‘Eagle Valley,’ ǫrn being the word for eagle and dair meaning valley.

Enjoy the amenities on board the Ovation. 

The delightfully attractive city of Amsterdam is home to many of the world's great art treasures, and is a major center of the glamorous diamond trade as well. Unique architectural styles of the past blend with superb modern structures, and the web of curved and straight canals makes the city as easy to traverse by water as by land. The hospitality of the local people has been remarked upon by generations of travelers, and the Dutch's respect for and tolerance of the beliefs of others has attracted refugees from around the world for centuries.

This coastal port is our portal to the fairytale charms of Bruges, and almost unbearably romantic medieval town laced with canals. The central square confronts the visitor with four solid walls of fretted towers, elaborate edifices and soaring spires. One of the best ways to enjoy the town is to ride the swan-dotted canals on a boat tour. Or sroll around and pop into any of the open buildings to absorb the confectionary decoration. Speaking of confections, the town is justly famous for its fine Belgian chocolate. They even have a museum dedicated the Flemish invention of thinly cut, crisply fried potatoes that earned the inaccurate misnomer “French Fries!”

Crossing the English Channel from continental Europe to Great Britain, the first view of England is the milky-white strip of land called the White Cliffs of Dover. As you get closer, the coastline unfolds before you in all its striking beauty. White chalk cliffs with streaks of black flint rise straight from the sea to a height of 350’ (110 m).
Numerous archaeological finds reveal people were present in the area during the Stone Age. Yet the first record of Dover is from Romans, who valued its close proximity to the mainland. A mere 21 miles (33 km) separate Dover from the closest point in France. A Roman-built lighthouse in the area is the tallest Roman structure still standing in Britain. The remains of a Roman villa with the only preserved Roman wall mural outside of Italy are another unique survivor from ancient times which make Dover one of a kind.