Northern Europe & Fjords from Hamburg

The biggest port of Germany, a notorious red-light-district and elegant mansions along the Elbe River – it’s all in Hamburg! You can get to know the vibrant city of Hamburg during this great tour! On your way there is much to see: you will pass the downtown Alster Lake and the city’s exclusive residential areas, the Jungfernstieg with its luxury shops and shopping malls, the Renaissance-style City Hall and Stock Exchange, modern downtown architecture, parks and gardens, the TV tower, the exhibition centre, 19th century court buildings and plenty more. Time and traffic permitting, you will have the chance to hop off the bus for photo-stops. You will complete your tour of Hamburg with an outside visit of the city’s famous landmark “Michel” - St. Michaelis Church. The "Kramer Amtsstuben", a well preserved complex of restored buildings, presenting the living conditions in the early 18th century will be also shown in detail.

Haugesund is a port of Norway we visit on our Costa Cruise to Northern Europe. The young and vital city is full of positive energy. Situated on the southwest coast of Norway, not too far from Bergen, Haugesund is a port city of at least 40,000 inhabitants. Here you can stroll along the harbour watching the fishermen or walk along the Haraldsgata, the shopping street filled with bars and restaurants. The city is a culturally vibrant place that hosts various festivals, but it is also the starting point for excursions and walks. From the port of Haugesund you can go to the island of Utsira where you will find many rare birds that you can watch from specially constructed huts.

The Geiranger fjord is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so it's no wonder that we are astounded when we arrive in port. The port of Geiranger is situated at the foot of the little village in the south of Norway. Geirangerfjord, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005. It offers stunning natural scenery and unparalleled beauty. The countless waterfalls that cascade down from the rocks gave rise to legends that you'll discover during your excursion in an inflatable boat. Take advantage of the stop in Geiranger to admire the beautiful views over the fjord offered on our hike to the mountains.

Måløy is a town in the municipality of Kinn in Vestland county, Norway. Måløy is located on the southeastern side of the island of Vågsøy, about 3 kilometres northeast of the village of Holvika and about 6 kilometres south of the village of Raudeberg.

Norway best expresses its compelling power in the small ports like Flåm, poetically set like a jewel in the fjords. Flåm is a small village of 450 inhabitants situated in the south of the country at the end of one of the inlets of the Sognefjord, the deepest in Norway. Take advantage of the break to get on the train that leads to Myrdal for two hours of breathtaking views amid waterfalls, rivers, fjords and mountains. On your return to the port of Flåm, take a walk along the fjord and be enchanted by the beauty of nature.

The ancient Norwegian city of Bergen is embraced by the mountains and waters of the fjord, it is a natural fusion that makes it a unique destination in Northern Europe. A cruise to Bergen will take you to the mediaeval district of Bryggen, a World Heritage Site. It is located on the city's waterfront and embodies the history of the ancient port of Bergen. Once a city of the Hanseatic League, the alliance that controlled the trade routes of Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea in the 14th century, today its past is palpable along the narrow alleys lined with colourful wooden houses and in the fish market. The Hanseatic Museum is the perfect place to discover the fascinating life of the port of Bergen in mediaeval times and its strategic role in the North. A trip to Bergen will take you on a stunning cruise to the most remote and magical fjords in Norway. If you are looking for a bird’s-eye view over the natural splendour that surrounds the city, choose between a shore excursion with the…

The Norwegian village of Vik stands on a huge bay between the sea and the mountains of Sognefjord, and is believed by many to be where the Viking civilisation originated. Similarly to the nearby village of Flam, it is located at one of the most beautiful spots on the spectacular Sognefjord, 'the fjord of all fjords'. A number of sites in the area, including ancient Borgund Hopperstand, Undredal Kaupanger and Umes, have been declared monuments of great historical interest by Unesco. The area features a number of fascinating museums and the local population defend their heritage with enthusiasm. As well as beautifully preserved ancient churches the area also exhibits evidence of former pagan worship. Arriving at Vik by sea is a magnificent experience, offering incredible views of the dramatic landscape. Breath-taking views can also be enjoyed via a short railway journey that climbs 900 metres into the mountains, a marvellous feat of engineering.

The biggest port of Germany, a notorious red-light-district and elegant mansions along the Elbe River – it’s all in Hamburg! You can get to know the vibrant city of Hamburg during this great tour! On your way there is much to see: you will pass the downtown Alster Lake and the city’s exclusive residential areas, the Jungfernstieg with its luxury shops and shopping malls, the Renaissance-style City Hall and Stock Exchange, modern downtown architecture, parks and gardens, the TV tower, the exhibition centre, 19th century court buildings and plenty more. Time and traffic permitting, you will have the chance to hop off the bus for photo-stops. You will complete your tour of Hamburg with an outside visit of the city’s famous landmark “Michel” - St. Michaelis Church. The "Kramer Amtsstuben", a well preserved complex of restored buildings, presenting the living conditions in the early 18th century will be also shown in detail.