North Europe from Hamburg

The biggest port of Germany, a notorious red-light-district and elegant mansions along the Elbe River – it’s all in Hamburg! You can get to know the vibrant city of Hamburg during this great tour! On your way there is much to see: you will pass the downtown Alster Lake and the city’s exclusive residential areas, the Jungfernstieg with its luxury shops and shopping malls, the Renaissance-style City Hall and Stock Exchange, modern downtown architecture, parks and gardens, the TV tower, the exhibition centre, 19th century court buildings and plenty more. Time and traffic permitting, you will have the chance to hop off the bus for photo-stops. You will complete your tour of Hamburg with an outside visit of the city’s famous landmark “Michel” – St. Michaelis Church. The “Kramer Amtsstuben”, a well preserved complex of restored buildings, presenting the living conditions in the early 18th century will be also shown in detail.

We visit Ålesund to discover the wonderful grandeur of the fjords and then enjoy the Art Nouveau style of the city. It’s hard travel to Ålesund without succumbing to the unique charm of this city. The administrative centre of the same name is also the Norwegian epicentre of Art Nouveau. Once landed at the port of Ålesund, you can start your tour at the fjords, mysterious sea inlets surrounded by sheer cliffs. If you get the chance, look out for the picturesque midnight sun. And dont forget to sample the Pinnekjøtt watered with brandy!

The Norway fjords and wildlife, waterfalls and clear lakes are what we discover stopping at Hellesylt. Hellesylt is a small village located within the Sunnylvsfjord, southwest of Norway. Pretty, traditional houses are surrounded by unspoiled nature. Upon arrival you will be able to admire the harbour, the ancient port used by the Vikings, while from the hill overlooking the town you can enjoy an amazing view. During the stop in Hellesylt, remember to visit the Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you can see the famous Seven Sisters Waterfall that drops off a very steep cliff.

The Geiranger fjord is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so its no wonder that we are astounded when we arrive in port. The port of Geiranger is situated at the foot of the little village in the south of Norway. Geirangerfjord, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005. It offers stunning natural scenery and unparalleled beauty. The countless waterfalls that cascade down from the rocks gave rise to legends that youll discover during your excursion in an inflatable boat. Take advantage of the stop in Geiranger to admire the beautiful views over the fjord offered on our hike to the mountains.

Molde, situated on the Romsdalsfjord, is known as the “city of roses”, because it is the only Norwegian city where the climate allows them to grow. Molde, nicknamed the rose city because of the many roses that are located in its grounds, is situated on a magnificent fjord in southwestern Norway. Once you arrive at the port of Molde, visit the Museum of Romsdal, which exhibits the different buildings and regional interiors from the 16th to the 19th century. Finally, take advantage of the break to travel a road surrounded by greenery and leading you to the Varden viewpoint. From here you can enjoy a great view of the city, the beautiful fjord of Romsdal and its surrounding 222 snowy peaks.

The only city on the Swedish island of Gotland, Visby tells its ancient stories of Viking peoples and mediaeval merchants to the tourists who visit its lands. The port of Visby is located at the foot of the hill on which its majestic city walls still stand. Over three kilometres long and dotted with towers, the boundary wall is perfectly preserved and encircles the beautiful historic centre. Taking a cruise to Visby is rather like discovering a place suspended in time, with red-roofed houses decorated with beautiful roses, cobblestone streets, which shops and delicious cafes open onto, and an amazing 15 churches. The 12th century Lutheran Cathedral in Visby is a must-see on your cruise. The ruins of the St. Nicholas’ Church are also very beautiful. Walking down on the promenade towards the port of Visby, you can admire the beauty of the island’s coastline, lapped by the Baltic Sea and dotted with limestone formations known as rauk. Visby tells its ancient stories of Viking peoples and mediaeval merchants to the tourists who visit its lands. Taking a cruise to Visby is rather like discovering a place suspended in time, with red-roofed houses decorated with beautiful roses, cobblestone streets, which shops open onto, delicious cafes and an amazing 15 churches.

Haugesund is a port of Norway we visit on our Costa Cruise to Northern Europe. The young and vital city is full of positive energy. Situated on the southwest coast of Norway, not too far from Bergen, Haugesund is a port city of at least 40,000 inhabitants. Here you can stroll along the harbour watching the fishermen or walk along the Haraldsgata, the shopping street filled with bars and restaurants. The city is a culturally vibrant place that hosts various festivals, but it is also the starting point for excursions and walks. From the port of Haugesund you can go to the island of Utsira where you will find many rare birds that you can watch from specially constructed huts.

The biggest port of Germany, a notorious red-light-district and elegant mansions along the Elbe River – it’s all in Hamburg! You can get to know the vibrant city of Hamburg during this great tour! On your way there is much to see: you will pass the downtown Alster Lake and the city’s exclusive residential areas, the Jungfernstieg with its luxury shops and shopping malls, the Renaissance-style City Hall and Stock Exchange, modern downtown architecture, parks and gardens, the TV tower, the exhibition centre, 19th century court buildings and plenty more. Time and traffic permitting, you will have the chance to hop off the bus for photo-stops. You will complete your tour of Hamburg with an outside visit of the city’s famous landmark “Michel” – St. Michaelis Church. The “Kramer Amtsstuben”, a well preserved complex of restored buildings, presenting the living conditions in the early 18th century will be also shown in detail.