Scandinavian Highlights

Dover

Embark Spirit of Adventure.

Depart 1700.

Spend the day at sea.

Skagen, Denmark.

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, Viggo Johansen. Get an overview of the town on an included panoramic excursion.

Enjoy an overview of Skagen on a panoramic excursion.

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

Spend the day at sea.

Visby, Gotland, Sweden.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The medieval walled city of Visby stands as a reminder of the Hanseatic League’s power and influence. Set on the strategically located island of Gotland, it was the Baltic’s main centre of trade during the 12th to 14th centuries. Limestone towers and red-roofed merchant houses are encircled by remarkedly well-preserved 13th-century ramparts, and the unique UNESCO-listed townscape is dominated by the towers of St Mary’s Cathedral which was constructed between 1190 and 1225.

Optional excursions

Take a guided stroll through the historic heart of Visby and visit the 11th-century St Mary’s Cathedral.

Stockholm, Sweden.

Arrive 1000 on July 8. Depart 1700 on July 9.

Spread across an archipelago of 14 islands, Sweden’s capital offers a scenic approach by sea. Its distinct districts are linked by scores of bridges. The most notable and oldest quarter is medieval Gamla Stan, home to the Royal Palace and a warren of narrow lanes crowded by 16th and 17th-century gabled merchant houses.

Included excursion

Get a sense of the city’s splendid coastal setting and scale on an included panoramic excursion.

Optional excursion

Turku, Finland.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Cruise through the Finnish archipelago to reach Turku. Founded almost 800 years ago, Turku is Finland’s oldest city and was the country’s capital from 1809 to 1812. The city grew from the eastern shore of the Aurajoki river, which remains a popular meeting place for locals. From the medieval cathedral you can follow the river to reach 13th-century Turku Castle, where Finland’s history is documented within its museum.

Helsinki, Finland.

Arrive 0830. Depart 1700.

Surrounded by an archipelago of over 330 islands, Finland’s capital is aptly known as the ‘Daughter of the Baltic’. The historic Market Square is filled with stalls selling a wide variety of local produce and marks the heart of the city. Nearby lies architect Carl Ludvig Engel’s Senate Square, home to the neoclassical Helsinki Cathedral, and Tempeli Rock Square with its Rock Church. Ferries set sail from here for Suomenlinna fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Included excursion

An included panoramic excursion will showcase the city’s array of grand architecture and more.

Optional excursions

Seek out sights associated with composer Jean Sibelius, such as a quasi-abstract sculpture dedicated to the city’s most famous son or visit the Rock Church on Tempeli Rock Square.

Spend the day at sea.

Copenhagen, Denmark.

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. An included excursion will help you get your bearings.

Included excursion

A panoramic tour is a great way to see some of the city’s attractions.

Optional excursions

A visit to the Christiansborg and Amalienborg Palaces will contrast their resplendent interiors, follow the trail of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen and enjoy a canal cruise to see the city from a different angle.

Aalborg, Denmark.

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.

Arendal, Norway.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Lighthouses line the rugged coast on the scenic approach to Arendal, a picturesque harbour town set against a forested hill. The heart of the old town, known as the Tyholmen, is situated near the harbour. Its narrow streets are bordered by elegant old buildings which are a legacy of the town's heyday when, in the 18th century, it was a major player in Europe's shipbuilding industry. The architectural highlight is the town hall, a white-painted wooden pile, which was originally built in 1812 as a merchant's private mansion.

Spend the day at sea.

Dover.

Arrive 0730.

Disembark Spirit of Adventure after breakfast.