Gems of Denmark and Scandinavia

Embark Spirit of Discovery.

Depart 1700.

Spend the day at sea.

See what we have to offer at sea.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Skagen is set at the northern tip of the Jutland Peninsula, near the confluence of Baltic and North Sea. A group of artists, drawn by Skagen’s special blend of exceptional light quality, rugged landscapes and simple way of life, established a colony here during the late 1800s. Their legacy can be found throughout this popular holiday destination which continues to attract visitors with its shifting sands and white sand beaches, colourful cottages and relaxed atmosphere. The Skagen Museum features work by Karl Madsen, Peder Kroyer and Viggo Johansen.

Included excursion

Look forward to an introductory tour of Skagen.

Optional excursion

A tractor-trailer ride will take you to Denmark’s most northerly point where two seas collide.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Born by Christian IV’s desire to fortify Jutland, the town of Fredericia has some carefully preserved ramparts and defensive earthworks, with canons still in place. Within the town places of historic interest are helpfully signposted, including the Landsoldat statue of one of the many soldiers who fought to break the siege of the city by the Slesvig-Holsteners in the 19th century. You can learn about the town’s military history in the City Museum. Further afield, across the Little Belt Bridge, the city of Odense on the island of Funen is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. Fredericia is a new port of call for Spirit of Discovery.

Included excursion

An included excursion offers an introduction to the local area.

Optional excursion

Head to the island of Funen to visit the city of Odense, birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen.

Spend the day at sea.

See what we have to offer at sea.

Arrive 1300 on August 11.
Depart 1300 on August 12.

Look forward to an extended stay in historic Riga. The capital’s central location on the Baltic Sea saw it flourish during the Middle Ages as a member of the prosperous Hanseatic League. Reshaped by fire and war over the passing centuries, it has retained a wealth of architectural highlights. Chief among them is the UNESCO-listed old town and Europe’s most extensive collection of Art Nouveau architecture. Of particular note are the replica medieval guildhall – the House of the Black Heads, St Peter’s Church with its 403-foot-high spire and the still bustling Central Market.

Included excursion

An included excursion offers an introduction to the city.

Optional excursion

See the sights of Riga from the water on a relaxing canal cruise.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Lithuania’s third largest city was built in the Middle Ages by the Teutonic Order, a German crusading military force. Once known as Memel, and part of the Prussian kingdom for centuries, it has had a turbulent history with repeated invasions from Sweden, Russia and Germany. Much of the city was destroyed by fire in the 19th century and rebuilt predominantly in an Art Nouveau style. Klaipeda has numerous sculptures, including a statue of Ann from Tharau and a Magical Mouse, a diminutive bronze sculpture reputed to convert good wishes into reality.

Included excursion

See more of your surroundings on an included excursion.

Optional excursions

Learn more about village life in Lithuania.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Gdansk’s medieval quarter was fully restored following heavy damage during World War Two and features Dutch-style terraces of narrow multi-storied townhouses. The main square is fronted by the Gothic town hall and Artus Court, once a social hub for medieval merchants. Neighbouring St Mary’s Basilica is one of the largest brick-built churches in the world. Other attractions include the European Solidarity Centre museum and Oliwa Cathedral with its ornate Baroque and Rococo interior.

Included excursion

An included excursion will reveal some of the city’s attractions on foot.

Optional excursion

A visit to the former concentration camp of Stutthof provides a sobering insight to the Nazi occupation.

Spend the day at sea.

See what we have to offer at sea.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The cosmopolitan Danish capital is an eclectic mix of architectural styles which attest to its long history. Once a small village, it was fortified when Bishop Absalon of Roskilde built a castle here in 1167. Attractions include Tivoli Gardens, characterful Nyhavn Canal graced with 17th-century houses, the Baroque-inspired Christiansborg Palace and Rococo Amalienborg Palace, residence of the Danish Royal Family. The Little Mermaid Statue, which has been plucked straight from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy-tale of the same name, graces the waterfront.

Included excursion

An included excursion takes you on a scenic canal cruise through Copenhagen.

Optional excursions

A visit to the Christiansborg Palace reveals its resplendent interior.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The attractive waterside city of Aalborg lies in the north Jutland region of Denmark is best known for its revitalised waterfront on the Limfjord. The city boasts more than 300 shops and is home to the Kunsten – a Museum of Modern Art designed by the iconic Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. Beneath one of the city’s busy shopping streets lies a Franciscan Monastery Museum documenting the medieval history of the monastery, which was established in around 1250. Today, the city has a thriving art and culture scene with an vast collection of street art.

Included excursion

Enjoy an included excursion exploring the highlights of Aalborg.

Optional excursion

See sites associated with World War Two.

Arrive 0900. Depart 1700.

The sunny southern Skagerrak coast paints a different picture of Norway with its lowland countryside interrupted only by the occasional painted waterfront house. Along its scalloped coastline lies the popular holiday resort of Kristiansand, founded in 1641 by King Christian IV. At its heart is the Quadrature, where streets follow an orderly Renaissance style grid pattern.

Included excursion

An included excursion will offer an introduction to the local area.

Optional excursion

Take a scenic coastal drive to the pretty town of Lillesand.

Spend the day at sea.

See what we have to offer at sea.

Arrive 0700.

Disembark Spirit of Discovery after breakfast.