Nordic Wonders and Fjords of Norway

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Skagen is Denmark’s northernmost town. It’s renowned for its captivating light, which has inspired many Scandinavian painters and became an artist colony at the end of the 19th century. Immerse yourself in the rich artistic heritage of this charming coastal town, where the beauty of nature meets the creativity of human expression. Explore the Skagens Museum, home to the world's largest collection of Skagen painters, including masterpieces by P.S. Krøyer and Anna Archer.  Scenic Eclipse II will depart Skagen this afternoon bound for Gothenburg, Sweden, where more adventures await. 

Don’t tell the residents of Göteborg that they live in Sweden’s “second city,” but not because they will get upset (people here are known for their amiability and good humor). They just may not understand what you are talking about. People who call Göteborg (pronounced YOO-teh-bor; most visitors stick with the simpler “Gothenburg”) home seem to forget that the city is diminutive in size and status compared to Stockholm.Spend a couple of days here and you’ll forget, too. You’ll find it’s easier to ask what Göteborg hasn’t got to offer rather than what it has. Culturally it is superb, boasting a fine opera house and theater, one of the country’s best art museums, as well as a fantastic applied-arts museum. There’s plenty of history to soak up, from the ancient port that gave the city its start to the 19th-century factory buildings and workers’ houses that helped put it on the commercial map. For those looking for nature, the wild-west coast and tame green fields are both within striking distance. And don’t forget the food. Since its inception in 1983, more than half of the “Swedish Chef of the Year” competition winners were cooking in Göteborg.

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Scandinavia’s largest port and Sweden’s ‘second city’, Gothenburg is a vibrant centre with a rich maritime heritage and modern sophistication. Explore its picturesque canals, historic architecture and dynamic cultural scene. Its gritty industrial area has been transformed in recent years, with warehouses turned into art galleries and chic boutiques. Visit the excellent Gothenburg Maritime Museum and stroll the streets of the charming Haga district, filled with picturesque wooden houses. Savour culinary delights at the famous fish market, Feskekôrka, or visit one of the six Michelin-starred restaurants in the city.

Oslo is the capital of Norway and is also its largest city, situated at the head of Oslo Fjord and surrounded by hills and forests. Home to some 50 museums and full of galleries, cafés, a sculpture park and the Royal Palace, this vibrant city with its handsome 19th-century buildings and wide streets has much to offer. Its history dates back 1,000 years, and includes a rich seafaring heritage that ranges from the Viking era to Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon Tiki expedition. Discover more about this exciting city on our varied selection of excursions.

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Wake this morning in Oslo, Norway’s compact and cultured capital city. Flanked by the mountains and the sea, it’s home to striking landmarks like the Royal Palace and Oslo Opera House. Discover the city's rich maritime history at the Norwegian Maritime Museum, learn about its proud tradition of international peacemaking at the Nobel Peace Centre and marvel at the stunning works of Norwegian artist Edvard Munch in the Munch Museum. This evening, Scenic Eclipse II will sail back out through Oslofjord, a serene waterway that connects Oslo to the ocean. Stand on your private verandah to admire the picturesque views under the slowly setting sun.

Nicknamed “Sommerbyen” (“Summer City”), Norway’s fifth-largest city has 78,000 inhabitants. Norwegians come here for its sun-soaked beaches and beautiful harbor. Kristiansand has also become known internationally for the outdoor Quart Festival, which hosts local and international rock bands every July. According to legend, in 1641 King Christian IV marked the four corners of Kristiansand with his walking stick, and within that framework the grid of wide streets was laid down. The center of town, called the Kvadraturen, still retains the grid, even after numerous fires. In the northeast corner is Posebyen, one of northern Europe’s largest collections of low, connected wooden house settlements, and there’s a market here every Saturday in summer. Kristiansand’s Fisketorvet (fish market) is near the south corner of the town’s grid, right on the sea.

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The southernmost city in Norway, Kristiansand gets more sunlight per year than anywhere else in the country. Make the most of the glorious weather as you explore its historic neighbourhoods, lined with colourful wooden houses, tumbling flowerboxes and cobblestone streets. Discover the city's maritime heritage at the Kristiansand Museum, which includes an open-air display of more than 30 buildings dating back to the 15th century. Stroll along the picturesque waterfront promenade lined with cafes and boutiques, venture into the surrounding countryside for outdoor adventures, or dip your toes in the water at the palm-fringed beach.

Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Stavanger flourished in the 19th century as a fishing port. While other towns in Norway have suffered with the decline of this industry, Stavanger has kept its economy booming by diversifying, first into shipbuilding and now into oil. These two contrasting industries have created a city of two halves – a modern area of high-rise buildings and a historic centre with cobbled streets and old wooden houses. The city centre was the birthplace of Alexander Kielland, one of the great 19th-century Norwegian novelists. Stavanger Cathedral, dating from 1125, is an impressive building and the only medieval cathedral in Norway that has not been substantially altered since it was first built. From Stavanger you can explore the attractive blue waters of Lysefjord, surrounded by cliffs and striking rock formations, and also visit Hafrsfjord where the Viking King Harald won an important battle that started the Unification of Norway. Those preferring to explore on their own may wish to visit the interesting Petroleum Museum.

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Nestled on Norway's southwestern coast, the ancient city of Stavanger boasts a rich Viking heritage. Dating back to the 9th century, it’s often referred to as the ‘Cradle of the Vikings’. Stavanger is a compact city that’s easy to explore on foot – stroll past the well-preserved white wooden houses of the old town and along Øvre Holmegate, known as the ‘street of colours’. Learn more about the city's fascinating past and seafaring legacy at the Stavanger Maritime Museum, housed in a historic wharf side warehouse. Stavanger is also renowned for its culinary scene, with a bustling fish market offering fresh seafood delights.

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Rosendal is a hidden gem of Norway, renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty. Explore the historic Baroniet Rosendal, one of the country's oldest manor houses, surrounded by lush gardens and majestic mountains. The surrounding area is famous for its hiking trails and active travellers will be rewarded with stunning vistas.This evening, you will cruise through the spectacular Hardangerfjord, marvelling at the cascading waterfalls, towering cliffs and quaint villages dotting the fjord's rugged coastline. Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of Norway's fjordland. 

Vík í Mýrdal is a remote seafront village in south Iceland. It sits in the shadow of Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which covers the Katla volcano. Reyniskirkja is a wooden church dating to 1929. Reynisfjara beach has black pebbles, basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar offshore rock formations. The cliffs of Reynisfjall mountain are home to seabirds such as puffins. Just west, the Dyrhólaey peninsula has a large rock arch.

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The picturesque village of Vik offers stunning vistas of towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and lush green valleys. Explore the historic Stave Church, one of the finest examples of medieval wooden architecture in the country and delve into Vik's rich Viking heritage at local museums.  This afternoon, cruise through Sognefjord, the largest fjord in Norway, known as the ‘King of the Fjords’. Be mesmerised by the fjord's majestic beauty, with its dramatic cliffs, emerald waters, and charming villages nestled along the shores. Take in the views from the Observation Terrace or breathe in the fresh fjord air as you sit back in one of the cabanas. 

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Nestled at the heart of Sognefjord and flanked by steep mountains, the tiny village of Flam is one of Norway’s most popular destinations. Here you can take one of the world’s most spectacular railway journeys, the 20km Flam Railway, which offers unobstructed views of the valley as it winds gently through the peaks towards the town centre. Depart after lunch for an awe-inspiring scenic cruise through the majestic Nærøyfjord. This World Heritage-listed site is the most wild and beautiful arm of Sognefjord, with its towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Later, be immersed in the charming village of Gudvangen, nestled amidst dramatic landscapes.

On an arm of Sognefjord, Gudvangen is at the foot of steep cliffs soaring 5,500 feet above the water’s surface and plunging deep to form one of the region’s deepest fjord basins. Snow-capped mountains, green cliffs, and veils of tumbling waterfalls characterize the vertical landscape on the approach to Gudvangen. The fjord is so narrow in places that during winter the sun can’t reach the valley floor. Mystical Gudvangen is the site of white caves and medieval stave churches. Standing sentinel over the ornate entrances to the venerable wooden sanctuaries are visages of fierce trolls and dragons, carved by long-dead Viking craftsman from the region.

Surrounded by mountains and sparkling fjords, the waterside city of Bergen has a spectacular setting. There has been a settlement here since medieval times and the colourful waterfront buildings of the Hanseatic wharf, known as Bryggen, are testament to its fascinating history of trade. As Norway’s best known medieval settlement, the Bryggen is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Our comprehensive selection of excursions allows you to discover the many sides of Bergen, such as the fish market and narrow cobbled streets, as well as stunning views of the city from the summit of Mt Fløyen. Alternatively, those who have visited the city previously may like to experience one of the tours that travel further afield. Just 300 yards from the main piers, you will find the Fortress Museum (Fesningsmuseum), which has an interesting collection of objects related to World War II.

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Arrive this morning in Norway’s second largest city, the Hanseatic fishing port of Bergen, which dates back to the 12th century. Surrounded by seven hills, it’s considered one of the prettiest cities in Norway and the harbour is lined with multi-coloured wooden buildings, which have become a national icon. As a World Heritage-listed city and a European City of Culture, the Bergen region has the ideal balance of nature, culture and urban life. Ascend Mount Fløyen for breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, wander through the bustling fish market, or visit one of the fascinating museums showcasing Bergen's maritime history.

Surrounded by mountains and sparkling fjords, the waterside city of Bergen has a spectacular setting. There has been a settlement here since medieval times and the colourful waterfront buildings of the Hanseatic wharf, known as Bryggen, are testament to its fascinating history of trade. As Norway’s best known medieval settlement, the Bryggen is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Our comprehensive selection of excursions allows you to discover the many sides of Bergen, such as the fish market and narrow cobbled streets, as well as stunning views of the city from the summit of Mt Fløyen. Alternatively, those who have visited the city previously may like to experience one of the tours that travel further afield. Just 300 yards from the main piers, you will find the Fortress Museum (Fesningsmuseum), which has an interesting collection of objects related to World War II.

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Your unforgettable journey finishes today in Bergen. Savour one last luxurious breakfast on board your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht before saying farewell to the crew and new friends who have shared this journey with you. You'll be transferred to the airport for your onward journey or return flight home, taking with you memories that will last a lifetime. Please book your flight to depart out of Bergen after 12:00 PM.+All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits. #Spa treatments at additional cost.^Flights on board our two helicopters and submersible experiences are at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, availability, weight restrictions, medical approval and weather, ice and tidal conditions.  Helicopter is not in operation in France and the UK/Scotland. Submersible is not in operation in France and Spain. Please note the itinerary is a guide and may be subject to changes for operational reasons. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.