Explore nearly 850 years of history on this introductory look at enchanting Copenhagen, featuring sights ranging from beautiful Langelinie and the Little Mermaid to the inner city’s Old Quarter. Aboard a comfortable motor coach, you pass the City Hall and the Stock Exchange with its stunning spire of entwining Dragon tails. Then glimpse Nyhavn's colorful old harbor before taking a brief stroll at the Royal Amalienborg Palaces. Other highlights passed include the Christiansborg Parliament Buildings, the beloved Tivoli Gardens and the Glyptotek Art Museum - just to mention a few.

One of the finest ways to fully appreciate Copenhagen’s myriad charms is to explore its wondrous sights on foot, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide. From the pier, you follow the waterfront toward the city center passing the famous statue of the Little Mermaid. Then continue along the 17th -century Kastellet coastal fortification to the nearby Gefion Fountain. There are views of Churchill Park and the Museum of Danish Occupation 1940-1945 before entering the Frederikstaden district, which was founded in the 18th century by King Frederik 5. After continuing along the waterfront you reach the Amalienborg Palace complex where you learn about Denmark’s long and colorful royal history. The complex consists of four identical palaces surrounding an octagonal courtyard which is flanked by the massive Marble Church and the royal seaside garden of Amaliehaven. Soon you reach the colorful Nyhavn canal district, the oldest part of Copenhagen’s harbor. Its lines of colorful step-gable buildings containing cafes, bars and restaurants, make this a popular outdoor summer destination. Hans Christian Andersen was especially fond of Nyhavn and lived at three different addresses here. From Nyhavn, you continue to elegant King's New Square, which was inspired by the Place Vendome in Paris. It is flanked by noblemen's palaces, the Royal Theater and the historic Hotel D'Angleterre. Soon after entering the beautiful Kongens Have (King's Garden), you see quaint Rosenborg Castle, probably the most fairy-tale-like of all Copenhagen’s castles. Then make your way through the yellow 17th century Nyboder naval barracks, which are still occupied by armed forces personnel. After skirting the Kastellet coastal fortress, your walk concludes back at the pier.

Discover some of Denmark's finest architectural landmarks on this delightful countryside sojourn in North Zealand, featuring several of its most handsome castles. Your coach journey begins by passing through peaceful Danish countryside with rolling farmlands dotted with picturesque thatched-roof houses. Upon arrival at the town of Hilleroed, you take a guided tour of Frederiksborg Castle, one of the finest examples of Danish Renaissance architecture and recognized as the country’s finest castle. Originally built in the early-17th century, it was later rebuilt after a fire and re-opened as a museum of Danish art and history. View its outstanding collection of historical paintings and portraits, as well as period art and furniture. You also see the small chapel that is home to the Compenius organ which was completed in 1610 and still is use as the world's oldest organ. Then continue to the village of Fredensborg for a brief stop at Fredensborg Palace. Also known as the Palace of Peace, it is now the summer residence of the Royal family. Following a tasty traditional-style lunch, you drive north to visit Kronborg Castle, forever immortalized as the setting of the Shakespearen play, Hamlet. Following an interior visit to this castle you rejoin the coach for the return to Copenhagen along the coastal road past lovely vistas of the sea and impressive manor houses.

Leave the bustling capital of Copenhagen behind for an entirely smaller and quainter destination, Dragoer fishing village. Dragoer is located on the southeastern coast of the island of Amager. Dragoer was an international marketplace for merchants who came there every year to buy the herring with which the sound abounded. It developed into a prosperous shipping town until the end of the 19th century. Dragoer has many very well preserved historical buildings due to extensive preservation efforts and local legislation making the town largely pedestrian as early as the 1930s. The old part of town is cozy, with a picturesque maze of alleys with yellow painted houses, red tile roofs and cobblestone streets lined with colorful hollyhocks. Many of these buildings are hundreds of years old. Enjoy a guided stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets and have some free time to appreciate the quaint and peaceful atmosphere. Finish your visit with a refreshment stop at one of the lovely old inns for coffee and Danish pastry before returning to Copenhagen by bus.

Board a comfortable canal boat for a guided cruise through the harbor of Copenhagen and the scenic canals of Christianshavn with its picturesque old buildings. During the cruise you will see some of the major sites such as Holmen’s Church, Thorvaldsens Museum, the old naval base at Holmen and the old Stock Exchange with its unique spire of entwined dragons tails and the new Royal Library, known as the Black Diamond. You will also see Nyhavn - a colorful and lively waterfront district that was once the favorite haunt for sailors. Today the canal district is lined with 500-year-old gabled houses, pavement cafés and bars. A stop will be made to see the Little Mermaid, the fairytale creation of Hans Christian Andersen. Next up you will visit Tivoli Gardens, the famous amusement park and pleasure garden that is one of the oldest amusement park to survive intact to the present day. Tivoli has a variety of attractions: buildings in the exotic style of an imaginary Orient: a theatre, band stands, restaurants and cafés, flower gardens, and mechanical amusement rides. Your guide will provide you with a brief overview of Tivoli Gardens after which you will be free to stroll around the park and enjoy the special atmosphere, the beautiful flowers, the fun rides and the magic that is Tivoli. You will rejoin your local escort and bus for the ride back to your awaiting ship.

This guided walk will take you through a lovely and unique area and into the backyards of the homes, many of which have been transformed into lovely gardens. Kristiansand was founded in 1641 by King Christian IV of Denmark-Norway. The central part of the city – The Quadrature – which covers a half-mile square area is made up of rectangular blocks. You will see the old part of the city – locally known as “Posebyen” – that constitutes the largest collection of low, continuous wooden houses in northern Europe, and are under special regulations due to their historical and architectural value. This precinct is also home to a mixture of arts and crafts, workshops and small industry, and is still a popular residential area.

This boat trip along the island-speckled coast to the neighboring town of Lillesand is one of the highlights of a visit to Kristiansand. Board your vessel at the pier bound for the small port of Lillesand along the lovely and extremely narrow Blindleia Passage, meaning "blind or dead-end." Along the way, you will view charming villages and tidy white houses that were once the homes of fishermen and are now popular vacation spots Arriving in port, you'll transfer to your motor coach to continue sightseeing to the charming little town of Lillesand. This picturesque village of some 9,000 inhabitants is one of the most popular seaside resorts in Norway. After a brief orientation, you'll have free time to independently explore its narrow lanes lined with chic shops, galleries and cafés. Each one, from a real ironmonger to an award-winning butcher's shop, is a delightful discovery. Browse for souvenirs, gifts, art and local crafts during your visit to Lillesand. Return by coach to the pier in Kristiansand where your ship awaits you.

Your tour will start from the pier, passing Akershus Fortress, Oslo City Hall, the Royal Palace, the Parliament, and the National Theatre en route to the Vigeland Sculpture Park. The more than 150 sculptures of the park were created and completed by one man, Gustav Vigeland. You will walk together with your guide through the park and the coach will be waiting to drive you through the residential area of Frogner, and to the borough of Grunerløkka, one of Oslo's most exciting and multicultural areas, where you will find a young, hip and relaxed café and pub scene. ICEBAR OSLO is the only permanent bar in Norway made entirely of ice and is kept at minus 5 degrees at all times. Everything inside is made out of crystal clear ice harvested from the frozen Torne River in Northern Sweden. The ICEBAR is operated in 45-minute time slots and you will be given a designer thermal cape with a hood to keep you warm during your visit. Enjoy your choice of the ICEBAR’s custom designed drinks in a glass made of ice.

The history of a beautiful city comes alive as you delight in this guided walk through Oslo. Joining your guide at the pier, begin your stroll under the protective shadow of the imposing Akershus Fortress and Castle. Pass the statue of Franklin D. Roosevelt before stopping at City Hall, a modern landmark containing the works of some of Norway’s most distinguished artists and since 1990 the venue every 10th December for the presentation of the Nobel Peace Prize. During your visit, view impressive frescoes, sculptures and woodcarvings, along with the largest mural in Europe. Next, walk by the National Theatre, the Royal Palace and the Royal Guard. Turning down the main street, Karl Johan, you will pass the University of Oslo and the Ibsen Museum, which was once the apartment of famed playwright Henrik Ibsen. During the tour a stop will be made at Grand Hotel, the venue for the yearly Nobel Peace Prize dinner, for light refreshments. Back when Oslo was called Kristiania, the world-famous dramatist, Henrik Ibsen, would take a daily stroll down to the Grand Café to lunch with some of the most famous writers, artists, academics and diplomats of the day. The Café opened in 1874, and quickly became a favored venue for the capital's cultured bourgeoisie. There is still a sense of history about the Grand Café. On your return walk you will pass the 19th-century Parliament Building and the medieval Akershus Fortress on the way back to the yacht.

When you think of Norway, what probably comes to mind is a proud seafaring culture, quaint wooden villages and of course, the Vikings. This excursion provides an in-depth look at the history of the Norwegian Vikings and two of our most famous explorers as you venture to the island of Bygdøy to visit 3 of its fascinating museums. Your motor coach travels along the harbor past a residential area, and then past a yacht harbor, where you might see the king’s yacht, Norge, anchored.Your first stop at Bygdøy is the Viking Ships Museum. Marvel at the fine artistry of three graceful Viking ships, which are the best preserved in existence, and view artifacts unearthed from chieftains’ burial mounds. The adventures of a great explorer are next on your itinerary with a visit to the Kon Tiki Museum. Housed here is the balsa raft used by Thor Heyerdahl during his 1947 voyage from Peru to Polynesia. Additional displays illuminate Heyerdahl’s expeditions to the Galapagos and Easter Islands. Yet another of the museum’s treasures is Ra II, the papyrus boat Heyerdahl used to cross the Atlantic in 1970. Your excursion now takes you to ship of Fram, an expedition ship famed for its journeys farther south and north than any other vessel of its time. Built in 1892, the ship was used by many explorers such as Roald Amundsen and Fritjof Nansen on expeditions to the Arctic and the South Pole. For anyone interested in the Arctic and ships, the Fram and surrounding displays will be an absolute delight. The ship is exhibited in its entirety, including its original interior and inventory. A comprehensive history of the Arctic exploration is compellingly presented around the vessel. After the visit at the Fram Museum, you return to the pier where the tour ends.

The tour will start boarding a motor coach from the pier, viewing Akershus Fortress, the Royal Palace, the Parliament, and the National Theatre. You will make a photo stop at Oslo’s Opera House, opened in 2008, before continuing to the Vigeland Sculpture Park. The more than 150 sculptures of the park were created and completed by one man, Gustav Vigeland. You will walk together with your guide through the park. Your tour will continue through one of Oslo’s most expensive residential neighborhoods and make the climb up Holmenkollen Hill a world-renowned ski jumping area. You will marvel at the spectacular view of the city and the Oslofjord far below. Your last stop will be at the Viking Ship Museum where the finds from the great ship burials at Oseberg, Gokstad and Tune are exhibited. The three ships, which are the best preserved Viking ships in existence, were found in large burial mounds in the Oslo fjord region. These exhibits are some of the finest examples of art and craftsmanship, as well as objects of daily use, made in Norway 1,100 to 1,200 years ago.

Take a stroll through the city accompanied by your local guide and discover why Skagen would be a painter’s favorite location. A favored summer resort for intellectuals, Skagen quickly became an artist’s community in the early seventeenth century. Known for its unique bright light found nowhere else in Denmark, Skagen still continues to attract artists and upcoming painters looking for tranquility and inspiration. You will visit some of the galleries in the artisan’s colony near the pier. Enjoy their masterpieces at your leisure and observe how the contrast of light, shadows and movement has inspired their painting style. Then you will visit the art studio of Peder Munk Ravn, one of Skagen’s local painters with more than 40 years of experience. His philosophy of enriching the soul with harmony, happiness and color is revealed through his work. He will stimulate your inner artist to help transform your impressions and create your own unique Skagen painting. After this unforgettable experience you will return to the pier and before sailing, your framed masterpiece will be delivered to your yacht.

Treat yourself to a truly sumptuous culinary experience! Just a short drive from the pier, begin your adventure at the Brøndums Hotel, a favorite lodging destination for artists during the 17th century. You will enjoy a taste of the famous Skagen ham – a delicacy made by butcher Munch in his local shop, and you will be introduced to the elaborate making of this native delight, a process that takes a year to complete. You will continue your gastronomic tour at the Skagen Microbrewery, located in an old power plant, it opened in 2005 and brews 23 different selections. As part of your guided tour you will learn the process of brewing beer and taste five different kinds of specialty beer. End your adventure at Pakhuset where you will sample some of Skagen’s best culinary secrets. The menu includes typical Danish dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients and here you will sample five different types of herring along with homemade aquavit.

Explore the history of Skagen on foot during this scenic excursion to the Skagen Museum, and a visit to a private home. You will depart from the pier walking to the Skagen Museum of local history, a combined open-air and exhibition display of houses from three periods of Skagen’s history. You will try your hand at some old crafts in the “do it yourself” room. Next, proceed for a visit to a private local home; the best way to get acquainted with the native culture and daily lifestyle of the Skagen people. Your host will share timeless traditions and stories with you in a casual setting. Coffee and typical Danish pastries will be served during your visit. Then you will walk back to the pier.

The small fishing village of Skagen is Denmark’s northern-most town, and as late as 1890 there were no roads connecting the small town to the rest of Denmark. Landing in the bustling fishing harbor, you will board a motor coach to start your exploration. Your first stop will be at the Skagen Museum. Between 1830 and 1930 a group of artists were drawn to Skagen for the very special light found only in this part of the country. They produced some of the finest works of Danish golden age paintings – most of which are now on display at the museum. Next, you will visit Denmark’s most northerly point, Grenen, where two seas, the Skagerak and the Kattegat, meet. Board a tractor trolley for the drive through the sand. Grenen means ’the twig’ in Danish and refers not only to the shape of the spit but to the way it sways slowly between east and west, according to wind and currents. You will also see Skagen’s collection of lighthouses; dating from 1627, to the still active grey lighthouse built in 1858. Return by bus back to the pier.

This guided bike trip starts at the pier. Along the way, you see the special fishermen’s cottages that dot the area, continue past the Swedish Seamen’s Church and through the western part of town to the Skagen Museum of local history. You will continue on to the former royal summer residence Klitgaarden – now a resort for authors, artists and scientists and the sand church which has sunk and become covered by sand over the years, so only the spire can be seen. View the home of artist P.S. Kroeyer and the home of the Danish poet and writer Holger Drachmann, who founded the artist colony in Skagen. Continue past the town hall and follow the beach road to view the old timbered lighthouse. Back in the harbor area, you will explore the charming eastern part of town where the Skagen Museum and the Brøndum Hotel are located.

The tour goes north to the Gräne farm in Stenkyrka. Nestled in the lush countryside is this traditional farm, run by Per-Olof and Lori Björkegren. Lori is American and met with Per-Olof when they were at a wedding in the U.S. The farm has been in the family Björkegren’s possession for thirteen generations. The focus on the farm today is meat production and Lori and Per-Olof offers some of the farm’s Gotland specialties including pastrami, meatballs and the farm's home-made lemonade. The journey continues to another Gotlandic specialty - a prosperous and flowering meadow at the evocative ruins of Elinghems old parish church. The church was built in the 1200s but was abandoned four centuries later. From Elinghem we transfer to Tjauls farm on the western side of the island. Tjauls is a stately Gotland farm with beautiful location, just five minutes from the sea. The owners, Berra Marcusson and Ulrika Pettersson, have recently taken over the farm and the business is under construction. Ulrika is a riding instructor with 20 Western horses and organizes horse riding and various experiences on horseback on the island. Berra Marcusson is known as “the man who repeatedly ran the Dakar Rally on a motorcycle”, one of the world's toughest rallies. Berra organizes events and motorcycle rides both on Gotland and in various countries around the world. Both are social and popular lecturers who likes to tell about their adventures. Here is the possibility to anyone to test the Enduro motorcycle or the Western Riding. The bus will drive back to Visby for a guided tour in Visby, one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Visby is the capital of the Island of Gotland and can be appreciated as much for the depth of its fascinating historical significance, as its modern day charm as a clean, very pretty, small city in which parks, gardens and flowers abound. History tells of the Viking Age, a flourishing medieval period and the growth of the powerful Hanseatic League, but today Visby is equally as well known as the town of roses and ruins. Because of its unique cultural values, the Hanseatic Town of Visby has been listed by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage. Since the end of the 19th century, the ruins of Visby have been protected as historical monuments. The sea wall was first built in the 12th and 13th centuries and the town wall was added in the early 13th century. Today the wall is the best-preserved town wall in northern Europe. Behind the town wall with its 44 guard towers, this medieval stone city awaits your discovery. Arriving in the city center, join your guide for a walking tour along Standgatan, the old Hanseatic main street lined with the original gabled houses and one of Visbys best-preserved sites, the Old Pharmacy. Visit the Botanical Gardens which were created in 1855 and are home to a variety of different trees, such as magnolias and acacias and of course a lot of lovely flowers. You will also visit the Cathedral Santa Maria, once a church for German merchants, pass some of the many church ruins and walk through the narrow winding medieval streets. Your guide will then take you to her lovely home, a house just next to the town where you will be served a drink and some local snacks and get a true insight into local life before returning to your ship.

Visby’s uniqueness lies in the fact that the medieval part of the city is surrounded by the still intact, massive City Wall, the best-preserved town wall in northern Europe. Your tour will begin with a drive up to Högklint, a steep cliff south of Visby, for a spectacular view of the Baltic Sea and the walled city of Visby itself. Back in Visby you will walk to Almedalen, where the medieval harbor once was located, but what is now a green park, with a panoramic view of the town. Then you will continue walking along Strandgatan, the old Hanseatic main street lined with the original gabled houses and one of Visby’s best-preserved sites, the Old Pharmacy. Visit the Botanical Gardens with a variety of trees, such as magnolias and acacias and of course many lovely flowers. Then your bus will take you to one of the towers. From there you will take a guided walk through the narrow medieval lanes, visiting the impressive Cathedral of St Mary’s and pass many of the evocative ruins of medieval churches and monasteries. From Almedalen Park the bus will take you back to the ship. This tour offers many photographic opportunities.

You will meet your guide at the pier and walk to the bike rental to start your tour of Visby. Get on your bike and head to Almedalen, which was once the old harbor and is now a beautiful park. You will pass the Powder Tower and the Botanical Garden and continue uphill by bike to Klinten, where you will stop for a panoramic view of the medieval town and the cathedral. Through narrow lanes you will pass the eastern gate and go about three miles south of Visby to Fridhem. This boarding house used to be the summer palace of Princess Eugenie and here you will have time for a cup of coffee or tea. Before you return to Visby you will make a stop at Högklint, a steep cliff from where you can see Visby.

On your scenic coach ride to Berlin you will have a morning snack, as well as the attention of the host/hostess, who will be passing out information about Berlin, Germany and the places you will visit. Upon arrival, you will have an introductory sightseeing tour on your way to the first highlight, the Pergamon Museum, one of Europe's most impressive museums. The collection of architectural treasures is outstanding and includes Greek, Assyrian and Babylonian art. A 60- minute self- guided acoustic tour will show the Pergamon Altar and the Ishtar Gate of Babylon. A short walking tour of the Museum Island will give you a deeper understanding of the wealth of culture on this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The next stop will be at the German Historical Museum, where a deluxe three course lunch will be served. Following the lunch, the bus will take your next highlight: a 60- minute visit with a guided tour of the Berlin Cathedral. The largest and most beautiful Protestant Church in Germany will also be the scene of an organ concert and a private tour of the most famous pipe organ in Germany. The sightseeing portion of the tour will include extended photo stops at the Brandenburg Gate, Charlottenburg Palace, the East Side Gallery and Checkpoint Charlie. On your trip back to the ship on the bus you will have the chance to relax and lean back while enjoying your snack box.

Starting with a scenic ride through the North German countryside, you have time to relax before the arrival in Berlin where the guide is joining the tour. The morning hours are used to discover the city and see the most important sites of the troubled Berlin history. Drive past Kurfürstendamm before the tour continues through Tiergarten Park with the Victory Column and a stop at the Reichstag. From now on, the tour is entering the former eastern parts of Berlin via the Brandenburg Gate, the symbol for the unified city, towards Unter den Linden. Here old and recent history is changing at every corner. Enjoy the panoramic drive towards Gendarmenmarkt, probably the most scenic square in the city before you stop at Checkpoint Charlie and one of the last remains of the Wall to get in touch with the feeling of a divided city. After lunch, we will change from public to private. Located in an old WWII bunker, Boros is opening the doors to his private collection of modern art. Each room, surrounded by thick concrete walls is featuring exposes of international art and represents the young and innovative Berlin. A guided tour will be given through the collection, but don‘t expect to understand each and every piece. The next stop is a trace back in time. Despite the young city, Berlin features some 20th century apartments reflecting the grand style of living several decades ago. Tim, the house lord is inviting you to a glass of champagne in his rooms. Unanswered the question whether he is living in a museum due to the classic interior, or the apartment can be a museum. Tim is keen to tell the story behind the sofa your are sitting on or the necessity of 2.5 metres high ceilings decorated with stucco. From life to living: Use the time to get first hand experience on social and cultural life in an extraordinary changed city of Berlin.

This tour is designed for the guests who have either been to Berlin before or have specific venues they want to visit that are not included in our other tour programs. Drive to the heart of downtown Berlin from where you will have access to local busses, the subway or taxis. The bus transfer to Berlin will include a snack and an escort will be onboard to/from Berlin to assist with any questions you may have. The tour does not include any entrance fees or lunch but you will have a snack on the bus ride back to your vessel. You will also be provided with a survival kit which will include general information, emergency telephone numbers etc. Upon arrival, you will be informed by your escort of the designated meeting time and place for the return journey to the ship. You will have approximately 6 hours of independent time to explore Berlin on your own. As local currency will be required for entrance to the attractions, local transportation and lunch, you should plan to exchange your money on board the vessel or at a currency exchange once in Berlin.

After a 40 minutes trip through the unspoiled Mecklenburg countryside we will arrive at the pyramid shaped vitreous amber manufactory in the small town of Ribnitz-Damgarten. Here, you will be given the unique opportunity to watch craftsmen fashion Amber into adornments. During the guided inside visit, guests will get an idea of the “lost wax method“and observe the creation of jewelry by the goldsmith. Europe’s biggest collections of different types of amber can be seen whether they are already processed or still natural. Among the huge exhibition of rings, bracelets and pendants there might be even some “jewel” to be found for our guests during the free-time given. Following the narrated tour, guests will have the opportunity to participate in the production of this precious jewelry themselves. Polish the piece of amber handed out, stamp a hole in it and take it home as a souvenir on a leather band. Only a stone’s throw away from the amber manufactory, nestled in the wide forest around the sleepy village of Gelbensande, the Hunting Lodge Gelbensande is located. During the inside visit you will see the detailed drawings and construction plans exhibited. The castle’s collection of plates is also remarkable. It includes valuable Danish porcelain manufactured on special occasions like the coronations of Danish Kings and Queens and given to the Grand Duke as a present.