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.

The port of South Queensferry is in Scotland and it’s only a short hop to Edinburgh with our Costa Cruise in Great Britain. South Queensferry is located at the mouth of the River Forth and is joined to North Queensferry by a railroad bridge, an engineering marvel declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in June 2015. South Queensferry is only 16 km from Edinburgh, an ideal destination for an excursion. Similar to Rome, the city sits on seven hills, and its historical districts, the Old Town, the New Town and Edinburgh Castle are also UNESCO World Heritage sites. If you visit Edinburgh, remember to have a pint of ale in Rose Street or George Street in the New Town, famous for its pubs and lively clubs.

The port of South Queensferry is in Scotland and it’s only a short hop to Edinburgh with our Costa Cruise in Great Britain. South Queensferry is located at the mouth of the River Forth and is joined to North Queensferry by a railroad bridge, an engineering marvel declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in June 2015. South Queensferry is only 16 km from Edinburgh, an ideal destination for an excursion. Similar to Rome, the city sits on seven hills, and its historical districts, the Old Town, the New Town and Edinburgh Castle are also UNESCO World Heritage sites. If you visit Edinburgh, remember to have a pint of ale in Rose Street or George Street in the New Town, famous for its pubs and lively clubs.

Scotland is a land of mysterious castles, armour and legendary warriors who sprout from the fog on their steeds. Here we visit Invergordon near Loch Ness. The first things you see when you arrive in Invergordon are the endless plains dotted with castles. The port of Invergordon enlivens the city, where there is an almost intimate feel with its cafes, restaurants and the friendliness of its inhabitants. You can take a trip to the unmissable Loch Ness. Visit Urquhart Castle before returning to town and take a look around the Naval Museum. But above all, be enchanted by the architecture of buildings decorated with murals.

Kirkwall is the largest town of Orkney, an archipelago to the north of mainland Scotland. The name Kirkwall comes from the Norse name Kirkjuvágr, which later changed to Kirkvoe, Kirkwaa and Kirkwall.

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.

The ancient Norwegian city of Bergen is embraced by the mountains and waters of the fjord, it is a natural fusion that makes it a unique destination in Northern Europe. A cruise to Bergen will take you to the mediaeval district of Bryggen, a World Heritage Site. It is located on the citys waterfront and embodies the history of the ancient port of Bergen. Once a city of the Hanseatic League, the alliance that controlled the trade routes of Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea in the 14th century, today its past is palpable along the narrow alleys lined with colourful wooden houses and in the fish market. The Hanseatic Museum is the perfect place to discover the fascinating life of the port of Bergen in mediaeval times and its strategic role in the North. A trip to Bergen will take you on a stunning cruise to the most remote and magical fjords in Norway. If you are looking for a bird’s-eye view over the natural splendour that surrounds the city, choose between a shore excursion with the hike over the seven mountains or the funicular ascent to the top of Monte Fløyen.

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.

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!

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 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.