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.

Måløy is a town in the municipality of Kinn in Vestland county, Norway. Måløy is located on the southeastern side of the island of Vågsøy, about 3 kilometres northeast of the village of Holvika and about 6 kilometres south of the village of Raudeberg.

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 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.

Norway best expresses its compelling power in the small ports like Flåm, poetically set like a jewel in the fjords. Flåm is a small village of 450 inhabitants situated in the south of the country at the end of one of the inlets of the Sognefjord, the deepest in Norway. Take advantage of the break to get on the train that leads to Myrdal for two hours of breathtaking views amid waterfalls, rivers, fjords and mountains. On your return to the port of Flåm, take a walk along the fjord and be enchanted by the beauty of nature.

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.