2027 Scandinavia & Northern Europe Tour

Late this afternoon, we report to the airport and join the flight to Dubai.

We arrive in Dubai early this morning and after clearing Customs and Immigration formalities, we are met and transferred to our hotel for an overnight stay. There is time to rest up after the flight until mid-afternoon when we visit the Museum of the Future. One of Dubai’s most famous landmarks, the museum takes pride of place along the city’s superhighway, Sheikh Zayed Road. Founded by the Dubai Future Foundation and launched on 22 February 2022, the museum explores how society could evolve in the coming decades using science and technology. Termed a ‘living museum’, it incorporates elements of traditional exhibitions, immersive theatre and themed attractions, so visitors can look beyond the present and towards the future’s limitless possibilities. Visitors have the chance to engage with this game-changing technology. Each floor of the museum is designed like an expansive, interactive movie set, brought to life by expert storytellers, technologists and visionary artists. There is time for exploration before we return to the hotel for dinner this evening.

We depart Dubai early this morning, arriving in Stockholm early afternoon. Prior to checking into our hotel, we enjoy a sightseeing tour which features City Hall, where the Nobel Prize Banquets are held; see the Royal Palace; learn about the Swedish welfare state and realities of maintaining these first-class benefits; visit the 17^th century Vasa Galleon Warship, the most expensive and ornamented ship built in 17th Century. At the end of the tour, after checking into the hotel, the rest of the day is free until we meet for dinner this evening.

This morning we enjoy the ‘under the bridges’ of Stockholm cruise which shows the city from a different perspective. Sail under the fifteen bridges and locks connecting the Baltic Sea and Lake Malaren, see the various Islands making Stockholm such a beauty on water. There is so much to enjoy about this city, a favourite with many of our travellers.

Today we travel by train from Stockholm to Copenhagen, enjoying the scenery as we pass lots of small towns and fertile farmland along the way. We arrive in Copenhagen late afternoon where we will be met and transferred to our hotel. We have a 3 night stay in Copenhagen, which sits on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager.

Today’s excursion takes us to the island of Fyn and the city of Odense which was the childhood home of Hans Christian Andersen and where he received inspiration for so many of his famous tales. We visit his home and the museum before returning to Copenhagen.

Meet Hans Christian Andersens ‘Little Mermaid’ gazing wistfully across the harbour, followed by a highlight visit inside the Danish Parliament Building to marvel at the opulent interior.  See the Rosenborg and Amalienborg Palaces – we may see the changing of the guard; the Cathedral and the 19^th century Theatre Royal. This evening, we visit the world famous Tivoli Gardens and enjoy dinner amidst the glittering lights.

From Copenhagen, we travel south through the island of Zealand and crossing the border into Germany.

We will arrive to the maritime city of Hamburg. Check into your hotel and this evening enjoy an orientation walking tour and Dinner.

Today, discover this great maritime city during our city tour. We will see the historic centre including St Michaelis Church and St Pauli Quarter. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city further on your own or take an optional cruise to see the city from a different point of view.

Today, travel west to charming Bremen. On arrival, join an insightful tour through the city’s picturesque centre, lined with quaint red brick houses. See the market-square, the statue of Brother’s Grimm, “The Bremen Town Musicians” and visit the ornate 15^th century Rathaus (Town Hall). Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and your evening at leisure.

Admire the picturesque German countryside and cross the border to the Netherlands and arriving in the capital, Amsterdam in the early afternoon. We transfer to our hotel and take a wonderful cruise tour through the canals of the city.

This morning, we enjoy a sightseeing tour around Amsterdam itself. The city is famous for its three rings of canals lined by elaborately decorated merchants’ residences and warehouses built during the 17th century. We see Dam Square, the Royal Palace, Skinny Bridge and much more. We take a cruise on the canals in a glass topped boat before spending the afternoon at leisure.

This morning is free for you to enjoy at your own pace. Art enthusiasts may choose to visit the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum, while others might prefer a stroll through the Flower Market along the Singel Canal—the world’s only floating flower market. In the early afternoon, we transfer to Rotterdam to board our luxury floating home, the “Zuiderdam.” Our ship is scheduled to depart at 4:00 pm.

Enjoy the opportunity to get acquainted with your floating hotel and the many activities that are offered during sea days.

Norway’s splendors are at peak beauty on cruises to Maloy. This charming coastal village on the island of Vågsøy, is so staggeringly gorgeous, those lucky enough to come ashore are prone to audibly ooh and ahh. Snow-dappled mountains layer as far as one can see against a winding ribbon of deep blue water. Måløy is one of Norway’s most-treasured fishing ports – savour fish and chips or fish stew. Other things to do in Måløy include stretching out on the silvery sands of Refviksanden, widely considered the country’s best swimming beach. Take photos at Kannesteinen Rock, a mushroom-shaped stone sculpted by water erosion. Tour the Måløy Raid Center, a war-knowledge center that sets the scene for a pivotal moment in World War II with audio, photos and documents. Marvel at several lighthouses, positioned on ridges surrounded by roiling sea – Kråkenes Lighthouse holds several high-wind records and is a popular place to watch storms roll in.  Arrives 8.00am, Departs 5.00pm

Although a popular cruise destination, Norway’s Viking capital is often overlooked by other travellers in favour of Oslo and the fjords. Yet Norway’s third-biggest city has plenty to offer those who make the time to explore.  The compact city centre, enclosed by the Nidelva River, is easy to get around on foot. Within a couple of hours, you can explore the main downtown sights and still have time for a bite to eat. The medieval Gothic grandeur of the Nidaros Cathedral is a must-see, as is the historic riverside Bakklandet neighbourhood just a few steps away.
Arrives 8.00am, Departs 5.00pm

Nestled in the heart of Nordfjord in western Norway, Nordfjordeid is a charming town that bridges ancient Viking history and dramatic fjord-land scenery. It lies on a narrow isthmus between Eidsfjorden (a branch of Nordfjorden) and inland valleys, making its surroundings rich in natural beauty. One of the biggest draws is the Sagastad Viking Center, home to a full-scale reconstruction of the Myklebust ship, the largest Viking longship ever discovered. Nearby you’ll also find the historic Myklebust Burial Mound, where excavations have revealed traces of Viking-age structures. Though modest in size, Nordfjordeid offers plenty for visitors: cozy cafés & boutique shops along the old town street (Eidsgata), cultural hubs like the Operahuset Nordfjord (opera house), parks by the fjord, and trails for hiking. The fjord-region around Nordfjordeid is especially dramatic: on one side, rugged coastline; on the other, glaciers, mountains and waterfalls. If you enjoy nature, history, quiet streets, and dramatic landscapes — Nordfjordeid is one of those places that rewards slower travel.

Arrives 7.00am, Departs 5.00pm

Surrounded by steep hills and stunning waterfalls, Skjolden is located at the head of Sognefjord, the world’s longest navigable fjord. Visit Urnes Stave Church, the oldest stave church found in Norway, included on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, and take a hike in Jostedalsbreen National Park for views you’ll never forget.
Arrives 7.00am, Departs 4.00pm

In the shadow of snowy peaks and near stunning blue-green fjords, Eidfjord is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful villages in Norway. Even though it has a population of less than 1,000, scores of visitors come here each year to bask in the area’s natural splendour.

Hardangervidda, near Eidfjord, is Europe’s largest mountain plateau as well as Norway’s largest national park. Interestingly, the legendary polar explorer Roald Amundsen, who led the first expedition to reach the South Pole, and Fridtjof Nansen, who made the first successful crossing of the Greenland interior, both used Hardangervidda to prepare for their expeditions. Walking, hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing are popular, and the area is home to Europe’s largest population of wild reindeer.

Arrives 10.00am, Departs 7.00pm

Before this port city on Norway’s western coast earned its status as the epicentre of “black gold” and the extraction of North Sea oil, it was a shipbuilding and fish-canning town. Fuelled by its wealth as one of the world’s top energy capitals, it’s now home to top-notch fusion restaurants and a bustling nightlife that caters to a never-ending influx of expatriates. Amidst this financial boom, though, Stavanger has managed to hold on to its heritage and soul: Archaeological museums and reconstructed settlements pay due reverence to the city’s Viking past. The cobblestoned Old Town is a well-preserved core of white wooden cottages near an Anglo-Norman cathedral, the oldest in Norway. Natural beauty abounds, too, with the nearby Lysefjord and its impressive Preikestolen (“The Pulpit Rock”) drawing a steady stream of visitors during the summer.

Arrives 8.00am, Departs 5.00pm

Sadly, it is time farewell our ship as we disembark this morning. We make our way by coach back to Amsterdam, in time to join our flight back to Dubai. Arrival time is late evening and overnight accommodation is reserved at the airport.

Time for the last leg of our journey on our flight home.

Arrival is mid morning.