Explore with Viking—North & Baltic Seas

Discover the natural beauty and charming villages of the idyllic island of Bornholm. This picturesque Danish island is nicknamed solskinsøen (Sunshine Island) and klippeøen (Rock Island) for its weather and geology, respectively. Embark on a scenic drive by motor coach through the lush green fields of the island’s western coast en route to the largest castle ruins in Northern Europe, Hammershus. Continue along the island’s rugged northern side and glimpse Gudhjem, a small village situated on the steep cliffs. Leave the coastal road and visit one of the four round churches that can be found on Bornholm; these peculiar buildings were not just churches but served as fortresses during times of conflict. From the small village of Østerlars, travel through the island’s interior and return to your ship.

Meet your local guide at the pier and board a motor coach for a scenic ride to Rostock. Upon arrival, begin your walking tour, passing the iconic sights of the city. See the 13th-century Town Hall, which was originally built in the Gothic style but transformed during the 18th century with the addition of a baroque facade and banquet hall. View the Gothic St. Mary’s Church and its cross-shaped basilica and learn about its astronomical clock, built in 1472 by Hans Düringer. Visit University Square and see the handsome terra-cotta Hauptgebäude, the university’s main building. Admire its centerpiece, the Brunnen der Lebensfreude, also known as the Fountain of Happiness. Enjoy free time to explore the pedestrian district of Kröpeliner Strasse, which runs east from the Neuer Markt to the 14th-century Kröpeliner Tor, a former town gate, before returning to your ship.

Set out to explore Ålborg’s highlights and visit our own Viking market during a walking excursion. Meet your guide at the pier and enjoy a gentle stroll to Aalborghus Castle, passing the centuries-old dungeons. Here, you will explore its grounds and visit our very own Viking market where you may sample local snacks and delicacies as you admire your surroundings. Next, walk to the Vor Frue Kirke (Church of Our Lady), which to this day still houses one of the original church bells dating back to the 12th century. Visit the charming old town and see the 14th-century Gothic Budolfi Church, where you will pause for photos. Finally, stroll by one of Ålborg’s real treasures, Jens Bang’s Stonehouse. Bang was famously snubbed by the town’s government, and his statuesque Renaissance-style home was never approved by the local gentry.

Get to know one of the finest medieval Old Towns of Northern Europe on a two-mile walking tour with a local guide. A scenic drive leads past the medieval town wall, the National Opera and Freedom Square. At Toompea, or Dome Hill, enjoy a stroll along cobblestone lanes past the Estonian Parliament, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and St. Mary’s Cathedral. Along the way, pause at lovely vantage points that overlook a magnificent canvas of red rooftops, slender steeples and the sea. Your walk descends into Lower Town, where you will explore a web of narrow 13th-century streets. Pass the Great Guild House, House of the Brotherhood of the Blackheads, Church of the Holy Spirit and two 15th-century gems: the Town Council’s Apothecary and the Town Hall. Along Katariina Passage and Muurivahe Lane, you can browse handicraft workshops and a street market lined with wool and linen products.

Witness one of the world’s most iconic skylines during an evening cruise along the River Thames. Depart your ship, board your private clipper and sail through history as you glide past London’s landmarks. Sit back and relax with a glass of prosecco as your guide points out the city’s famous attractions, including the Tower of London that has protected the Crown Jewels of England’s kings and queens for centuries. Cruise under Tower Bridge and trace the Victoria Embankment to Westminster, where you will view the looming London Eye and Elizabeth Tower, known the world over as Big Ben, whose historic clock tower has seen six monarchs and 41 prime ministers since its famous bell first chimed across London. During your panoramic cruise, hear the legendary tales behind the sites as your vessel returns to Greenwich and back to your awaiting ship.

Experience the magnificent Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, up close. Proceed to your embarkation point with your guide. There, you will don your required life jacket and board a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB. For the next 50 minutes, you will skim along the waters at high speed, sea spray in your face and the soaring slopes of Geirangerfjord around you. You will stop for more intimate views of the natural landscapes. The waterfalls that plummet into the fjord’s waters—Seven Sisters, Suitor and Bridal Veil—are especially thrilling to witness up close. You will also see abandoned farms that once thrived in the Geirangerfjord, once-proud homesteads standing quietly in the shadow of giants. By tour’s end, you will have seen a rare and exciting perspective of the fjord. Please dress for the weather of the day and wear shoes that can get wet.

Witness untold centuries of human settlement during visits to Orkney’s Neolithic and Viking sites. Take a drive through rolling landscapes, passing prehistoric sites such as the Standing Stones of Stenness, dating to the third millennium BC. Stop at the well-preserved Stone Age settlement of Skara Brae, and explore one of Europe’s most complete Neolithic villages. Older than Stonehenge, it has been called the “Scottish Pompeii” because of its remarkably preserved dwellings. Visit the 17th-century Skaill House, built by Bishop George Graham. All 12 of its lairds have been related during its 400-year history, and the house features memorabilia collected from each generation. Return to your motor coach and continue on this circular route, following the coastline of Scapa Flow.

Drive through Lerwick, capital of the Shetland Islands, to the island’s southerly point on a panoramic tour. Pass through the rural townships of Fladdabister and—conditions permitting—admire the magnificent Mousa Broch, the world’s tallest and best-preserved roundhouse. Continue south, passing St. Ninian’s Isle, where the famous Pictish hoard of silver dating from the 9th century was found in 1958. Arrive in Jarlshof and explore the prehistoric Norse settlements, one of the most interesting archaeological sites in Britain. Over 5,000 years old, it features a remarkable sequence of stone structures. Continue to the historic village of Hoswick and visit the Visitor Centre. Through informative displays gain an understanding of the culture of Shetland, then spend time browsing the original Shetland garments in the knitwear shop before returning to your awaiting ship.

See Bergen both up close and from a bird’s-eye perspective on this expansive tour. With your guide, pass the medieval fortress at the entrance to the harbor. Stroll along the seafront to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bryggen, the picturesque wharf that helped put Bergen at the center of the Hanseatic League. Visit the Schøtstuene Museum and explore its multipurpose rooms in which wealthy Hanseatic merchants gathered during the winter months. Embark on a scenic drive through the city for a visit to the elegant Fantoft Stave Church. Built entirely of wood in 1150, it was moved to this site in 1883 to preserve it as part of the nation’s heritage. Return to the city where you will ascend Mt. Fløien via funicular railway. From the summit, enjoy spectacular views of Bergen’s seaside setting before returning to your ship.

Marvel at Norway’s stunning beauty during a full-day excursion to Flåm, one of its most scenic coastal villages. You will find the countryside as breathtaking as your destination while riding by motor coach from the shores of Hardangerfjord to Sognefjord, crossing scenic mountain passes and driving through manmade tunnels en route. Travel through picturesque woodland to the Tvinde Waterfall cascading down the steep cliffside. After a short stroll close to the waterfall, continue to Flåm. Then, board the Flåm Railway for a thrilling ride as you climb nearly 3,000 feet through 20 tunnels and over numerous bridges. Change trains at Myrdal and continue through more spectacular vistas, alighting in Voss, settled among snowcapped mountains, forests, lakes and rivers. Stop for a delicious lunch at its famous hotel before returning to your ship, seeing more beautiful scenery via motor coach.

Take in the sights of Stockholm, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, stunningly set on Sweden’s east coast. Also known as the "Venice of Scandinavia," this vibrant city is made up of 14 islands, connected to the mainland by 57 bridges. Begin your journey with a guided drive by motor coach. Hear stories about Swedish life and culture as you travel through the city streets, passing by famous sights including the City Hall, Parliament, the Royal Palace and the Royal Opera. Continue your journey on foot through the old town, calling at a local café to enjoy a Swedish fika, a traditional coffee break accompanied by a cinnamon bun. Cap your day with more time to explore the cobblestone streets of the old town on your own, returning to your ship either independently or with the complimentary shuttle. Alternatively, re-board your coach and take a scenic drive back to your ship.

Explore the Polar Museum, the Tromsø Museum and take in breathtaking vistas via cable car. For adventurers and explorers, Tromsø is the “Gateway to the Arctic.” You will begin at the fascinating Polar Museum, located in a wharf house dating to 1837. Here, gain a glimpse of Arctic life and learn about the expeditions of explorer and native son Roald Amundsen, who reached the North Pole in 1926. After, board a cable car at Tromsø Fjellheis and ascend to the 1,378-foot summit of Mount Storsteinen. From the top, marvel at the Tromsø cityscape nestled amid islands and sea, then return to the city and continue to the informative Tromsø Museum. Here, delve into the natural history of the region, including changes to the Arctic environment, and learn more about the elusive northern lights during your guided visit. En route back to your ship, enjoy a brief city tour.

Get an in-depth look at the history of the Vikings and Norway’s most notable explorers. Norway’s long history of exploration extends back to the Viking Age. At the Kon-Tiki Museum, learn about the voyages of renowned explorer Thor Heyerdahl. Browse numerous texts, maps and books, and view the Kon-Tiki balsa-wood raft Heyerdahl, used to sail from Peru to Polynesia in 1947. Explore the Fram Museum, which chronicles the polar expeditions of Norwegian explorers, including Roald Amundsen-the first person to reach both the North and South Poles. Cap your excursion with a visit to the Norwegian Maritime Museum to discover Norway’s seafaring history, and see its nautical paintings by famous artists such as Hans Gude and Axel Revold. There, enjoy a short film on Viking traditions and culture, and see a replica of the Gokstad ship, the largest Viking ship in Norway.

Immerse yourself in the history of the Vikings on this excursion to a longhouse. Explore the site of an ancient Viking homestead at Borg, discovered accidentally by a farmer plowing his land during the early 1980s; researchers believe it was the home of a local chieftain during the Middle Ages. Admire the archaeology and faithful reconstruction—particularly in the main building, the Chieftain’s House, which houses various exhibitions in the 272-foot-long space. You can also see the nearby Tufta excavation site, where markings on the ground denote where the location of the turf walls and square pillars of the original structure were found. Learn about living conditions during the Viking era and enjoy a tasting of dried cod, accompanied by a glass of mjød (mead). After time to explore this engrossing piece of Viking history, you will return to your ship.

Take a classic tour by some of London’s most famous landmarks, accompanied by a renowned Blue Badge licensed guide. Upon arrival in the city, you will pass Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Parliament Square and Big Ben. See the imposing yet delicate Westminster Abbey and its vast flying buttresses. Drive through Trafalgar Square and down Whitehall, the government district where you will view The Cenotaph war memorial and the gates to 10 Downing Street, home of the prime minister. Enjoy time for lunch and shopping in Covent Garden. A drive along the Thames features the Royal Festival Hall, the National Theater, Tate Modern and the OXO Tower. Stop for exterior photos at Sir Christopher Wren’s greatest masterpiece, St. Paul’s Cathedral. At the famed Tower of London, gaze upon the stunning Crown Jewels and hear tales of the Traitor’s Gate and the White Tower.

Enjoy a sweeping view of one of Norway’s most beautiful regions and explore nature. Embark on a scenic drive by motor coach up the valley to Øvre Eidfjord and the Norwegian Nature Center. Here, learn about the nature and wildlife on Hardangervidda, Europe’s largest mountain plateau. In this lively center of exhibitions, aquariums and an inspiring “Super Videography” display, you will gain insight into the staggering beauty of this pristine slice of Norway. You will enjoy more than an hour to explore the exhibits independently. Don’t miss the center’s highlight: a five-screen panoramic movie where you can immerse yourself on a journey past fjords, mountains and waterfalls, with drops over steep gorges and gentle sequences over mountain lakes and glaciers. After your visit, your bus will drive you back to Eidfjord.