Southampton to Southampton

The south of England boasts a dramatic coastline that encloses some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain. The landscape of hills and heaths, downs and forests, valleys and dales, is without rival. Southampton serves as your gateway to the countryside – and to a wide variety of historic sites, national landmarks and charming. And of course, London is a two-hour drive by modern highway.

The United Kingdom’s premier passenger ship port, Southampton was home for many years to the great transatlantic liners of yesteryear.

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Norway’s fourth largest city, Stavanger lies at the mouth of the Gandsfjord. The old port, attests to the sea’s enduring role in Norwegian history. Here, Vikings once sailed on voyages of conquest and exploration. In later centuries, the port served as a major hub for Norway’s mercantile and fishing fleets. By the mid-20th century, however, Stavanger had fallen on hard times as the fishing grounds dwindled. In 1969, the discovery of North Sea oil opened a new chapter in Stavanger’s history.

At the “Sword in the Rock” Monument, three giant crossed Viking swords commemorate King Harald Fair Hair’s unification of Norway in 872 following his victory at the Battle of Hafrsfjord.

By the mid-19th century, European travelers were cruising the waters of the Nordfjord and visiting the village of Olden. The Romantic Movement inspired this new taste for dramatic landscape – and Norway had plenty of dramatic landscape. Then as now, travelers were impressed, moved, and not frequently overwhelmed by the stark contrast between peaceful rural farmsteads and a towering wilderness of mountain peaks and glaciers.

For many years Olden was home to American landscape artist William H. Singer (1868-1943). Scion of a Pittsburgh steel family, Singer provided Olden with a road and a regional hospital.

Situated in the heart of the Norwegian fjords, the port of Skjolden-Sognefjord is your gateway to a world of wonder: this land abounds with national treasures, thundering waterfalls, two UNESCO sites, ice-blue fjords hemmed in by sky-reaching mountains and scenery so unbelievably spectacular you just may lose your breath. From the ruggedly handsome mountains in Jotunheimen National Park to the humble stave churches that dot the landscape, this captivating area is yours to discover.

Bergen has played a crucial role in Norwegian history and culture since Olav the Good founded the city in 1070. Perched between the sea and seven hills, Bergen has witnessed Vikings setting sail on voyages of exploration, trade and war. In the Middle Ages, its old port was a major trading hub for the Hanseatic League, the band of Germanic merchants whose trading empire encircled the Baltic and North Seas. In the 19th century, Bergen was home to such cultural luminaries as the virtuoso violinist Ole Bull and the composer Edvard Grieg.

The city retains much of its 18th- and 19th-century charm. Visitors to Bergen will encounter a city that offers a heady blend of natural beauty, history and culture.

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The south of England boasts a dramatic coastline that encloses some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain. The landscape of hills and heaths, downs and forests, valleys and dales, is without rival. Southampton serves as your gateway to the countryside – and to a wide variety of historic sites, national landmarks and charming. And of course, London is a two-hour drive by modern highway.

The United Kingdom’s premier passenger ship port, Southampton was home for many years to the great transatlantic liners of yesteryear.

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Norway’s fifth largest city was founded by Christian IV in the year 1641 as a market town and administrative center on Norway’s then-strategic southern coast. The city is separated from Denmark by the Skagerrak, the long strait that connects the Baltic and North Seas. Today the capital of the Aust-Agder region is one of Norway’s most popular vacation destinations: the city and the surrounding countryside boast the sunniest summer weather in Norway.

The oldest of the Scandinavian capitals, Oslo boasts one of the most fabled maritime and cultural histories in the entire world: it was the homeland of the seafaring Vikings.

The dramatic beauty of the city’s setting is understandably inspiring. One need only look out upon the breathtaking Oslofjord, glistening lakes and enchanting woodlands to see why a people might want to discover more beauty.

Copenhagen was founded during the 12th century. The city owes much of its charm to the buildings erected by Denmark’s monarchs, and boasts a treasure trove of late-Renaissance and Rococo architecture.

Copenhagen deserves its accolade as the Venice of the North. Founded on a series of islands and islets, the city today is laced with graceful canals and boasts some of the most delightful architecture in Northern Europe. See the fabled statue of Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid, a symbol of the city. Stroll along the old harbor of Nyhavn, lined with cafés, restaurants and 500-year-old gabled houses. Browse the superb shops on the world-famous Stroget or view the Rococo palaces lining Amalienborg Square. Best of all, savor the taste of local delicacies while wandering the paths of Tivoli Gardens, one of Europe’s most celebrated pleasure gardens.

On Denmark’s northern tip, where the Baltic meets the North Sea, lies Skagen (pronounced “Skain”). Skagen is a fishing town with a maritime history that reaches back to the early Middle Ages. Boasting white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and stunning natural landscapes, the area has lured artists since the mid-19th century, drawn to the radiant light’s interplay on the rugged landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes. The town has been featured in world-famous paintings by artists such as Michael and Anna Ancher and P.S. Krøyer, and the area has long enjoyed a rich artistic heritage. Guided bicycle excursions give a unique, up-close perspective on this pretty town, with its picturesque white-picket fenced neighborhoods featuring brightly painted yellow houses crowned by red-tiled roofs. Stroll through one of the many art galleries and museums, such as Skagen Art Museum and the Skagen Odde Nature Center. When it’s time to taste the delicacies of the region, head to Pakhuset for a chance to discover one of Skagen’s most iconic foods-marinated herring accompanied by Aquavit, a traditional spirit of Scandinavia infused with spices and herbs. A visit to Grenen, where the North and Baltic Seas converge, is a must for all voyagers-you can even straddle the waters with a foot in each mighty sea.

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The south of England boasts a dramatic coastline that encloses some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain. The landscape of hills and heaths, downs and forests, valleys and dales, is without rival. Southampton serves as your gateway to the countryside – and to a wide variety of historic sites, national landmarks and charming. And of course, London is a two-hour drive by modern highway.

The United Kingdom’s premier passenger ship port, Southampton was home for many years to the great transatlantic liners of yesteryear.