Norway to Portugal: The History & Traditions of Europe

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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Join the Captain on the bridge as we sail into Stavanger. The open bridge policy provides an opportunity to learn about the technical abilities of your Discovery Yacht while enjoying one of the best viewing areas on the ship.Stavanger is renowned for its spectacular fjords, towering cliff faces and long white sandy beaches. It’s a fascinating mix of old and new with museums for everything from Vikings to sardines. Explore the well-preserved Old Town, where you can see quaint white cottages with beautiful gardens as you walk cobblestone streets and visit Norway’s oldest cathedral, the medieval Stavanger Cathedral.   Freechoice: Canning Museum with Tasting: Visit the old Canning Museum for tasting samples of King Oscar Sardines.  Highlights of Stavanger: Visit fertile farmland, the Petroleum Museum and Old Stavanger on this immersive tour.  Lysefjord Cruise: Delight in Stavanger's breathtaking natural scenery on a 3-hour relaxing boat ride through the majestic Lysefjord. Old Town and Beer Tasting: Experience Stavanger's Old Town on this delightful walking tour, then quench your thirst with a refreshing beer tasting at the renowned Stavanger Pub. Stavanger Panorama: Embark on a breathtaking panoramic tour of Stavanger's most iconic sights, from the bustling market to Stavanger Cathedral. 

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Start your day with a class in the PURE: Yoga & Pilates Studio, where sessions include Aerial Yoga, TRX suspension training and Tibetan sound bowl healing, or take a one-on-one fitness coaching session in the gym. We’ll arrive at Skagen around lunchtime, so you’re free to enjoy a leisurely or active morning before going ashore.   Denmark’s northernmost town, Skagen, has inspired many Scandinavian painters with its distinctive light and became an artist colony at the end of the 19th Century. See the world’s largest collection of Skagen painters including works by P.S Krøyer and Anna Archer in the Skagens Museum. Freechoice: Discovering the Skagen Painters Legacy: Tour Skagen Museum, home of works by artists who flocked to the town in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. WW2 Museum tour: Discover Northern Denmark role during WWII on this museum and bunker tour.  Skagen Nature Hike with Grey Light House: Embark on a guided journey through Skagen's unique landscape and rich history.  The top of Denmark: Tour Skagen’s attractions including the Buried Church and Museum of Local History and take a bus to Europe’s northernmost point. The Ultimate Bike Adventure: Embark on an unforgettable journey through Skagen on a guided bike tour.  

By the 11th century, Copenhagen was already an important trading and fishing centre and today you will find an attractive city which, although the largest in Scandinavia, has managed to retain its low-level skyline. Discover some of the famous attractions including Gefion Fountain and Amalienborg Palace, perhaps cruise the city’s waterways, visit Rosenborg Castle or explore the medieval fishing village of Dragoer. Once the home of Hans Christian Andersen, Copenhagen features many reminders of its fairytale heritage and lives up to the reputation immortalised in the famous song ‘Wonderful Copenhagen’.

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One of Scandinavia’s brightest jewels, Copenhagen is a city full of exceptional architecture, art, history and food. The Danish capital embraces conscious and sustainable living and is one of the world’s best cities to explore by bike.  Your late-night departure allows you to see the Tivoli Gardens transformed into a wonderland of lights. One of the oldest theme parks in the world, it was founded in 1843. Enjoy from nostalgic experiences to thrill seeker rides, including a wooden rollercoaster from 1914.  Freechoice: Visit Carlsberg Brewery: Explore beer-making history and innovation at Carlsberg Brewery, passing through vibrant Copenhagen neighbourhoods. Walk & Cruise: Explore Copenhagen’s highlights on foot and by canal cruise, visit attractions such as Gefion Fountain, the Little Mermaid and Christiansborg Palace. The Royal City of Copenhagen: Discover Copenhagen’s royal history at Rosenborg Castle, Christiansborg Castle, Amalienborg Palace and other royal landmarks. On Wheels with Danish Specialties (E-Bike tour): Cycle past iconic sites like The Little Mermaid, Nyhavn, and Rosenborg Castle, stopping to sample Danish delicacies. Enchanting Tivoli: Enjoy a panoramic drive of Copenhagen’s top sights and a guided walk through Tivoli Gardens with tea and Danish pastry. 

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Sail through the world’s busiest man-made canal as your Discovery Yacht travels from the Baltic Sea to the North Sea. Meet the captain and his crew on the bridge for some of the best views of the canal. Alternatively, take a seat in the Observation Lounge and sip specialty teas and aromatic Illy coffee or lie back in one of the cabanas near the Sky Bar and watch dozens of ships go by.

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Part of The Hague, Scheveningen attracts young and old visitors with its long beaches and seaside attractions including the SEA LIFE Aquarium and Museum Sculptures at the Sea. The Scheveningen Pier features shops, restaurants, and rides including a luxury VIP gondola with a glass bottom on the 40m high Ferris wheel. The historic city centre of The Hague is only 7km from the pier. Walk along broad avenues lined with 18th century baroque and classical buildings in the justice capital of the world.  Freechoice: Amsterdam and Canal Cruise: Enjoy a canal cruise through Amsterdam, followed by lunch and free time to explore the city. Gouda and Cheese farm: Visit a 17th-century farm to learn about cheese-making, enjoy a tasting and a walking tour of charming Gouda. The Hague and Mauritshuis: Explore The Hague’s highlights and visit the Mauritshuis Museum, home to Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. Bites and Stories Food Tour: Discover The Hague’s history and culture through a guided walking food tour with tastings at five unique locations. RIB Boat Tour: Experience an exhilarating RIB powerboat ride at Scheveningen. 

Honfleur, the most picturesque of the Côte Fleurie’s seaside towns, is a time-burnished place with a surplus of half-timber houses and cobbled streets that are lined with a stunning selection of stylish boutiques. Much of its Renaissance architecture remains intact—especially around the 17th-century Vieux Bassin harbor, where the water is fronted on one side by two-story stone houses with low, sloping roofs and on the other by tall slate-topped houses with wooden facades. Maritime expeditions (including some of the first voyages to Canada) departed from here; later, Impressionists were inspired to capture it on canvas. But the town as a whole has become increasingly crowded since the Pont de Normandie opened in 1995. Providing a direct link with Upper Normandy, the world’s sixth-largest cable-stayed bridge is supported by two concrete pylons taller than the Eiffel Tower and designed to resist winds of 257 kph (160 mph).

Honfleur, the most picturesque of the Côte Fleurie’s seaside towns, is a time-burnished place with a surplus of half-timber houses and cobbled streets that are lined with a stunning selection of stylish boutiques. Much of its Renaissance architecture remains intact—especially around the 17th-century Vieux Bassin harbor, where the water is fronted on one side by two-story stone houses with low, sloping roofs and on the other by tall slate-topped houses with wooden facades. Maritime expeditions (including some of the first voyages to Canada) departed from here; later, Impressionists were inspired to capture it on canvas. But the town as a whole has become increasingly crowded since the Pont de Normandie opened in 1995. Providing a direct link with Upper Normandy, the world’s sixth-largest cable-stayed bridge is supported by two concrete pylons taller than the Eiffel Tower and designed to resist winds of 257 kph (160 mph).

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One of the prettiest ports in France, Honfleur is where the River Seine meets the English Channel on the Normandy Coast. The port dates back to the 17th century and the historic waterfront features colourful and tile clad buildings including boutique shops, cafes and restaurants.  Stroll streets where Claude Monet and his mentor Eugene Boudin once set up their easels to paint and visit the Museum Eugene Boudin to see paintings by both artists and their contemporaries.  Freechoice: Honfleur & A Sweet Break: Explore Honfleur’s charming streets, timber-framed houses, St Catherine’s Church, and the Old Port and enjoy a café stop with pastries and free time. The American landing in Normandy: Visit the Landing Museum at Arromanches, dedicated to the D-Day landings at Normandy during WWII, the American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, and Pointe du Hoc, with lunch at Château La Chenevière. Pays d’Auge & Calvados Tasting: Enjoy a scenic drive through the Pays d’Auge region, visit a distillery to see Calvados production, and sample this iconic brandy. Hiking Etretat & Free Time: Hike along Etretat’s dramatic cliffs and explore the town’s charming streets during your free time. 

Cobblestone streets, blooming floral displays, and tiny churches welcome you to this wonderfully pretty harbour. The town of St Peter Port is as pretty as they come, with glowing flower displays painting practically every street corner and window-ledge with colour. As the capital, and main port of Guernsey, St Peter Port puts all of the island’s gorgeous beaches, wonderful history and inspiring stories at your fingertips. Feel the gut punch of the midday gun firing at Castle Cornet, which stands guard over one of the world’s prettiest ports. This 800-year-old, Medieval castle offers staggering views of the harbour from its imposing, craggy island location, and you can look out across to the looming shorelines of the other Channel Islands from its weathered battlements. With four well-tended gardens, and five museums offering a rich overview of Guernsey’s history, you’ll want to leave a few hours aside to explore the many treasures that lie within the castle’s walls.

Day programme:

Spend the morning exploring the enchanting town of St Peter Port. The steep cobbled streets are best explored with a local expert or alternatively, go at your own pace browsing specialty shops and boutiques. The 800-year old Castle Cornet is where historic gardens and four museums share panoramic views. Nearby at Hauteville House step, Victor Hugo wrote Les Misérables and more in during his time in exile. Hugo designed the eclectic home himself, which is unlike anything you will see again.  As we sail out in the afternoon, enjoy a beverage in one of your Discovery Yacht’s nine all-inclusive bars+ and for dinner tonight choose between steak and seafood at Elements, channel the spirit of Asia at Koko’s or journey to France at Lumière. Freechoice: Castle Cornet & Town Walk: Explore St Peter Port and visit Castle Cornet, guarding the harbour for 800 years, with museums, gardens, and stunning coastal views. Cliff Walk & Cream Tea: Hike Guernsey’s scenic cliffs, spotting ancient fortifications and wildlife. End with a cream tea at Jerbourg Hotel, enjoying coastal views. Scenic Island Drive: Discover Guernsey’s diverse landscapes and learn about its history, including life under German occupation. German Occupation Museum: Explore artifacts and stories from Guernsey’s WWII occupation, followed by a scenic drive. Cycle Tour: Ride along Guernsey’s west coast, exploring nature reserves, WWII bunkers, and charming harbours. 

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A welcoming blend of seaside town and old town, Vilagarcía de Arousa has soft sandy beaches and an old quarter where some buildings date back to the 12th century. In Vilagarcía de Arousa, stroll through the town’s parks and gardens including the Pazo of Rubiáns where more than 4,500 camellias grow in a historic garden. Try one of the seafood restaurants along the seafront before your late night departure or have dinner at your favourite restaurant on board.   Freechoice: Gardens of Galician Mansions: Visit the 17th-century Pazo de Oca with its stately facade, aqueduct, and lush gardens featuring swans, boxwood, and magnolias. At Pazo de Rivadulla, stroll through English-style gardens with waterfalls and Virginia tulip trees. Discover Las Rias Bajas: At the 600-year-old Pazo de Rubianes, explore its monumental trees and vibrant camellias. Enjoy a boat cruise in O Grove and learn about mussel farming on a traditional floating platform. Visit Pontevedra and Combarro: Explore Combarro’s granaries and mussel farms before heading to Pontevedra to visit the historic Santo Domingo Church and Plaza de Peregrina. 

Ever since the Romans constructed a fort here and began using it as a trading post, Oporto has been a prosperous commercial centre. In the 15th and 16th centuries the city benefited from the wealth generated by Portugal’s maritime discoveries, and later, the establishment of a lucrative wine trade with Britain compensated for the loss of the spice trade. Today, Portugal’s second-largest city is a thriving, cosmopolitan place and is famous for its production of the fortified, sweet ‘port’ wine. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city was also awarded the status of European Capital of Culture in 2001. A large sandbar prevents ships from sailing into Oporto itself, so for over a century they have used nearby Leixões instead, a man-made seaport constructed nine miles from the city. Leixões is one of Portugal’s major sea ports and is also home to one of the country’s oldest football clubs, winners of the Taça de Portugal cup in 1961.

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One of Portugal’s largest sea ports, Leixões is just 8km from the heart of Porto, where the city shares its name with one of Portugal’s best-known exports, port wine.  Located at the mouth of the Douro River, Porto is a World Heritage-listed city of baroque splendour, Gothic cathedrals, and incredible food. Wander through winding alleys lined with houses decorated with Portuguese tiles, see the city’s street art, and take in the views from the cable car and funicular. Freechoice: Easy Porto City Tour with Gaia Cellar Visit: Experience Porto’s most emblematic places then visit Gaia for a tasting at the famous port wine cellar Caves Ferreira. Porto Active City Tour with Palacio da Bolsa visit: Enjoy an active walking tour of Porto’s highlights then visit the Palacio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange). Porto Highlights & River Cruise: Enjoy a panoramic bus ride towards Ribeira and embark on a river cruise down the Douro River. Delight your taste buds with the famous local Port Wine served onboard. 

Set on seven hills on the banks of the River Tagus, Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since the 13th century. It is a city famous for its majestic architecture, old wooden trams, Moorish features and more than twenty centuries of history. Following disastrous earthquakes in the 18th century, Lisbon was rebuilt by the Marques de Pombal who created an elegant city with wide boulevards and a great riverfront and square, Praça do Comércio. Today there are distinct modern and ancient sections, combining great shopping with culture and sightseeing in the Old Town, built on the city’s terraced hillsides. The distance between the ship and your tour vehicle may vary. This distance is not included in the excursion grades.

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Welcome to Lisbon, Portugal’s coastal capital where you can walk along mosaic streets, visit ancient ruins and white-domed cathedrals and feast on Portuguese tarts. Savour one last breakfast on your Discovery Yacht before saying farewell to the crew and your fellow guests as you take memories from your Scandinavia to the Iberian Peninsula voyage.  Please book your flight to depart out of Lisbon after 12:00 PM.^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. Submersible is not in operation in France and Spain.#Spa treatments at additional cost. +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. Specialty restaurants require a reservation, enquire on board.     The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the cruise will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.