Oktoberfest European Capitals Cruise

Day 1 - Southampton

Arrive: Mon 04 October 2027 / Depart: Mon 04 October 2027

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.

Day 2 - Paris

Arrive: Tue 05 October 2027 / Depart: Tue 05 October 2027

Le Havre is a major port in northern France's Normandy region, where the Seine River meets the English Channel. It's joined to the city across the estuary, Honfleur, by the Pont de Normandie cable-stayed bridge. Following WWII, Le Havre's heavily damaged city center was famously redesigned by Belgian architect Auguste Perret.

Day 3 - At Sea

Day 4 - Hamburg, Germany

Arrive: Thu 07 October 2027

Germany's leading seaport, Hamburg is the gateway to Berlin - and a fascinating place to visit in it own right. Situated on the banks of the Elbe, the city is built over the water and boasts more than 2,100 bridges, more bridges than in Venice and Amsterdam combined. Established by Charlemagne in the 9th century, Hamburg has managed to preserve its Gothic old quarter. The city's other attractions range from St. Pauli, the ribald red-light district, to the fashionable shops of Jungfernsteig and the St. Michael's Church, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture.

Day 5 - Hamburg, Germany

Depart: Fri 08 October 2027

Germany's leading seaport, Hamburg is the gateway to Berlin - and a fascinating place to visit in it own right. Situated on the banks of the Elbe, the city is built over the water and boasts more than 2,100 bridges, more bridges than in Venice and Amsterdam combined. Established by Charlemagne in the 9th century, Hamburg has managed to preserve its Gothic old quarter. The city's other attractions range from St. Pauli, the ribald red-light district, to the fashionable shops of Jungfernsteig and the St. Michael's Church, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture.

Day 6 - At Sea

Day 7 - Copenhagen, Denmark

Arrive: Sun 10 October 2027 / Depart: Sun 10 October 2027

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.

Day 8 - Skagen

Arrive: Mon 11 October 2027 / Depart: Mon 11 October 2027

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.

Day 9 - Aarhus

Arrive: Tue 12 October 2027 / Depart: Tue 12 October 2027

It's easy to assume that Aarhus stands in Copenhagen's shadow - Aarhus after all is the second largest city in Denmark, and its university is both the country's second oldest and second largest. Yet Aarhus boasts singular virtues and charms. Despite a relatively modern cityscape, Aarhus is the oldest city in Scandinavia, mentioned in Icelandic sagas and chronicles. Excavated glass pearls and rune fragments date the city to centuries before its official founding in 770. Aarhus also boasts a lively cultural scene with an acclaimed International Art & Culture Festival in late August. It is also rich in parks and green areas. Located on Jutland's east coast, Aarhus is surrounded by dense forests, and provides easy access to Denmark's scenic Lake District west of the city and it also holds the queen's summer residence beautifully set at the rim of the forest overlooking the sea. Originally constructed in the 12th century, Aarhus's Domkirke is one of the great cathedrals in Scandinavia. Its immense copper spire stands over 300 feet high, making it - ironically - the second tallest bell tower in Northern Europe.

Day 10 - At Sea

Day 11 - Rotterdam

Arrive: Thu 14 October 2027 / Depart: Thu 14 October 2027

The largest port in Europe, Rotterdam is an intriguing mix of the old and the new. The city's lineage is ancient - Count Willem III granted city rights to the sleepy fishing village on the Rotte in 1328, yet much of the city dates from the six decades following the end of World War II. An important industrial center and a major European port, Rotterdam was among the first targets of the Nazi blitzkrieg against the West. On May 14, 1940, the German Luftwaffe firebombed the city, Rotterdam was gutted. The post-war years saw a slow rebuilding but by the early 1960s the maze of port facilities extended all the way to the North Sea. Today, this city of over half a million is the economic powerhouse, not just of the Netherlands but of Northern Europe. The Nazi bombardment of 1940 gutted most of the old city. As a result, Rotterdam's architecture is an intriguing mix of old and new: modern glass skyscrapers often stand adjacent to 19th- and 18th-century buildings.

Day 12 - Zeebrugge

Arrive: Fri 15 October 2027 / Depart: Fri 15 October 2027

Zeebrugge is a Belgian port and seaside resort. It's linked to the city of Bruges by the Baudouin Canal. The old fish market in the marina houses Seafront, a theme park focusing on the local seafaring and fishing heritage. Exhibits include a Russian submarine.

Day 13 - Southampton

Arrive: Sat 16 October 2027 / Depart: Sat 16 October 2027

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.