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.

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.

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.

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.

The world has a petroleum museum and it is located in Stavanger in Norway. We can visit the museum during our cruise in the northern seas. Stavanger is Norway’s third largest city and has prospered from its oil activities. Today, it is a pillar of the domestic economy and a key protagonist in the European Community. Dont miss the opportunity to visit the Petroleum Museum, with its unusual modern architecture. Also take the time to climb to the top of Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) to admire the breath-taking view. Youll feel like you’ve travelled back in time when you explore the Gamale, a district full of houses built in white wood.

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.