Viking Sagas, North Cape & The Midnight Sun Cruise

Day 1 - Rotterdam

Arrive: Sat 01 June 2024 / Depart: Sat 01 June 2024 at 16:00

Often called the gateway to Europe, the port city of Rotterdam is full of old-world charm. The harbor offers amazing views and a maze of wharves and canals, along with towering spires make for a beautiful sight. Take a stroll and duck into one of the pubs or eateries along the way. Only three pre World War II buildings in the city centre have survived and are worth a look - city hall, St. Laurence church and the White House. Explore the Museum Boymans van Beuningen, which houses a unique collection dating from the 14th century, or the Museum Voor Volkenkunde - home to ethnological exhibits. Exquisite architecture can be seen in many areas of Rotterdam, most notably in the Delfshaven quarter of the city - where 18th century houses are on display. For a laugh, check out Kijk-Kubus, an upside-down house.

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - Scenic Cruising Oslo Fjord

Day 3 - Oslo

Arrive: Mon 03 June 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 03 June 2024 at 16:00

At the head of Oslofjord, Norway's handsome capital is the logical first stop in Scandinavia. Thor Heyerdahl's raft, Kon Tiki, recalls a voyage between Easter Island and Tahiti to prove a theory about the earliest colonization of Oceania. Watch the changing of the palace guard; ferry to the open-air Folke Museum with its 12th-century stave church

Day 4 - Kristiansand, Norway

Arrive: Tue 04 June 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 04 June 2024 at 17:00

One of southern Norway's most picturesque attractions. Take a walk among the white wooden houses, or visit the variety of shops. You'll discover the town's interesting geometric layout designed during the Renaissance.

Day 5 - Stavanger, Norway

Arrive: Wed 05 June 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Wed 05 June 2024 at 15:00

Stroll cobbled lanes in the Old Quarter, restored thanks to North Sea oil money. Feeling fearless? Cruise Lysefjord to sail under Prekestolen (Pulpit Rock), a huge cube that looms 1500 feet above your boat.

Day 6 - Scenic Cruising Sognefjord

Day 6 - Skjolden

Arrive: Thu 06 June 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 06 June 2024 at 15:00

Surrounded by steep hills and stunning waterfalls, Skjolden is located at the head Sognefjord--the world's longest navigable fjord. Visit Urnes Stave Church, the oldest stave church found in Norway, included on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, and take a hike in Jostedalsbreen National Park for views you'll never forget.

Day 7 - At Sea

Day 8 - Rotterdam

Arrive: Sat 08 June 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 08 June 2024 at 15:00

Often called the gateway to Europe, the port city of Rotterdam is full of old-world charm. The harbor offers amazing views and a maze of wharves and canals, along with towering spires make for a beautiful sight. Take a stroll and duck into one of the pubs or eateries along the way. Only three pre World War II buildings in the city centre have survived and are worth a look - city hall, St. Laurence church and the White House. Explore the Museum Boymans van Beuningen, which houses a unique collection dating from the 14th century, or the Museum Voor Volkenkunde - home to ethnological exhibits. Exquisite architecture can be seen in many areas of Rotterdam, most notably in the Delfshaven quarter of the city - where 18th century houses are on display. For a laugh, check out Kijk-Kubus, an upside-down house.

Day 9 - At Sea

Day 10 - Alesund

Arrive: Mon 10 June 2024 at 10:00 / Depart: Mon 10 June 2024 at 18:00

Ålesund, a quaint fishing town of approximately 45,000 in western Norway, has been called Norway’s most beautiful city. A fire in 1904 destroyed much of it, resulting in the town being rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style—also known as Jugendstil—that was popular around the turn of the 20th century. A year after the fire, Norway gained its independence from Sweden, which led to a campaign to build a "Norwegian town" to mark the creation of the new nation. The colorful buildings feature castlelike turrets and spires with intricate facades of ornamental flowers, gargoyles and Viking-inspired decorations. Bordering the Norwegian Sea, this area is also famous for its mountain ranges and fjords. For those looking for a more active visit, Ålesund offers great hiking, mountain biking and kayaking. One of the highlights is climbing the 418 steps that lead up Mount Aksla for a spectacular view of the city and the Sunnmøre Alps. Nearby is the Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its beautiful waterfalls. This is also home to Atlanterhavsparken, or the Atlantic Sea Park, one of the largest aquariums in Europe.

Day 11 - Trondheim

Arrive: Tue 11 June 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 11 June 2024 at 16:00

Although a popular cruise destination, Norway’s Viking capital is often overlooked by other travelers in favor of Oslo and the fjords. Yet Norway’s third-biggest city has plenty to offer those who make the time to explore. The compact city center, enclosed by the Nidelva River, is easy to get around on foot. Within a couple of hours you can explore the main downtown sights and still have time for a bite to eat. The medieval Gothic grandeur of the Nidaros Cathedral is a must-see, as is the historic riverside Bakklandet neighborhood just a few steps away. Despite so much history, the city has a youthful feel to it, thanks to the dominance of NTNU, Norway’s leading technology university. The presence of thousands of students means Trondheim scores well on café culture and shopping. Music lovers will feel right at home here. The Rockheim and Ringve museums chronicle the importance of music to the city’s past, while vinyl stores and basement bars showcase the present.

Day 12 - At Sea

Day 13 - Honningsvag, Norway

Arrive: Thu 13 June 2024 at 11:00 / Depart: Thu 13 June 2024 at 18:00

For many travelers, the sparsely populated settlement of Honningsvåg is nothing more than a pit stop en route to the North Cape, the northernmost point of continental Europe. (The North Cape is rightly an iconic bucket-list destination with postcard views across the open ocean.) But amidst its colorful buildings, Honningsvåg has a lively cultural life powered by local spirit and an economy driven by shipping through the Barents Sea, which is ice-free year round thanks to the warming influences of the Gulf Stream. The town's several notable cultural institutions include a museum and a busy cultural center. Honningsvåg is also a terrific base for exploring the rest of rugged arctic Norway, whether on foot, all-terrain vehicle or on the water. Back in town, be sure to stop by the statue of Bamse, the Saint Bernard dog that became the mascot of the Free Norwegian Forces during World War II. The city was destroyed in bombing during the war and the harrowing experiences of that period are documented at the church, which gave temporary shelter to the residents.

Day 13 - Scenic cruising North Cape

Day 14 - Harstad

Arrive: Fri 14 June 2024 at 12:00 / Depart: Fri 14 June 2024 at 20:00

Located north of the Arctic Circle, Harstad has a surprisingly mild climate. During the summer months, bask in the midnight sun, head out on one of the area’s scenic hiking trails, explore Trondene Church, built in 1250, or make a big splash in the Grottebadet Waterpark

Day 15 - Bodo

Arrive: Sat 15 June 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 15 June 2024 at 15:00

If there is a gateway to Norway’s Arctic region, it is the small coastal city of Bodø, in Nordland County. As was true of many of the country’s industrial ports, Bodø was heavily bombed by the Germans in World War II, which accounts for its largely contemporary look today—even more so with the new state-of-the-art Stormen concert hall and library complex. It’s worth a stop to admire the spacious blond-wood interiors of this institution that's helping to promote Sami culture. With a backdrop of snowcapped peaks, tiny Bodø is nicely walkable, especially along its concrete breakwater, which, as part of the Artscape Nordland program, includes a dramatic work by British sculptor Tony Cragg in which seven gray boulders with holes drilled through them produce “a place where land and water meet, where nature and construction collide.” As part of a recent street art festival, the facades of dozens of buildings are now covered in works by international artists. For those who thrill to jet planes, the Royal Norwegian Air Force and NATO train here, and the city is home to the Norwegian Aviation Museum. An added bonus from early June to mid-July: Visitors can take in the spectacle of the midnight sun.

Day 16 - At Sea

Day 17 - Kirkwall

Arrive: Mon 17 June 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 17 June 2024 at 16:00

While the southernmost isles of Orkney closely straddle the northeast corner of the Scottish mainland, historically the archipelago (around 70 islands in all) and its people have had as much in common with Scandinavia as they have had with Scotland. In fact, until the 15th century, the Orkney Islands were politically part of Norway. Today the Orcadians are a fairly tight-knit and cooperative group of Scots—a rich community of artists and crofters (small-holding farmers), fisherfolk and those in the trades. A key attraction for tourists is the wealth of prehistoric sites on Orkney, including standing stones, burial chambers and even Stone Age settlements, such as Skara Brae, inhabited sometime around 3000 B.C.E. More recently, because of its isolation, Orkney was chosen as the place to keep Italian prisoners of war during WWII; a chapel built by them is a popular site to visit. The island capital is Kirkwall (originally Kirkjuvagr meaning Church Bay). Here you'll find the Cathedral of St. Magnus—one of only two pre–Reformation cathedrals still largely intact in Scotland (the other is Glasgow's St. Mungo). Nearby, the historic town district includes the Earl's Palace, built for the infamous Earl Patrick Stewart, whose father was a bastard son of King James V and who was executed in 1615 for treason.

Day 18 - Portree, Isle of Skye

Arrive: Tue 18 June 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 18 June 2024 at 16:00

The largest town on Skye - located in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland - this port's harbor is fringed by steep cliffs and the town's Gaelic heritage in evident in the local attractions. Harry Potter fans will recognize that the town is home to the fictional Pride of Portree. Everything is a short stroll away within Portree, and nearby Glasgow provides further opportunities for exploration. The mountainous Isle of Skye provides breathtaking vistas from nearly every destination. Play a round of golf in nearby Sconser or go pony trekking at Skeabost. Skye is also the ideal place for fishing and bird watching. Sample the local whisky at Talisker Distillery in Carbost or simply find a quiet spot to admire the views.

Day 19 - Invergordon

Arrive: Wed 19 June 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 19 June 2024 at 17:00

The skirl of Highland bagpipes calls you ashore. Go in search of your clan tartan, and "Nessie," the spurious monster often sighted in Loch Ness.

Day 20 - South Queensferry

Arrive: Thu 20 June 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 20 June 2024 at 17:00

History was made in this port, just across the Firth of Forth from Rosyth, when the future Queen Margaret of Scotland arrived around 1071. Her devout religious attitude established 'Queen's Ferry' as the place for pilgrims from abroad to alight on their way to St. Andrews—Scotland's ecclesiastical capital in the Middle Ages. Margaret's legacy continues less than a dozen miles away at Edinburgh Castle. A key attraction up on the castle's rock is St. Margaret's Chapel, believed to be the oldest section of the fortifications and the place where she worshipped. There's more to Scotland's capital than the Castle, though. Edinburgh proudly displays multiple exhibits on national and international scientific achievement at the National Museum of Scotland, as well as some fantastic works of visual art at the National Galleries of Scotland. South Queensferry's moorings are also within easy striking distance of Scotland's largest metropolis: the city of Glasgow. Transformed in many ways since the post–WWII days when it had a reputation for grime and crime, the city is among the most vibrant in the U.K.: It is Scotland's de-facto capital of modern culture, with the hippest DJs and most accomplished conceptual artists.

Day 21 - At Sea

Day 22 - Rotterdam

Arrive: Sat 22 June 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 22 June 2024

Often called the gateway to Europe, the port city of Rotterdam is full of old-world charm. The harbor offers amazing views and a maze of wharves and canals, along with towering spires make for a beautiful sight. Take a stroll and duck into one of the pubs or eateries along the way. Only three pre World War II buildings in the city centre have survived and are worth a look - city hall, St. Laurence church and the White House. Explore the Museum Boymans van Beuningen, which houses a unique collection dating from the 14th century, or the Museum Voor Volkenkunde - home to ethnological exhibits. Exquisite architecture can be seen in many areas of Rotterdam, most notably in the Delfshaven quarter of the city - where 18th century houses are on display. For a laugh, check out Kijk-Kubus, an upside-down house.