Explore with Viking—Scandinavia

Take in the sights of Stockholm, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, stunningly set on Sweden’s east coast. Stockholm is a thriving city, known as the "Venice of Scandinavia" with its 14 islands and 57 bridges that connect them to the mainland. Begin your tour by motor coach as you hear exciting stories from your guide about Swedish life and culture. Learn about the city’s history and see its famous sights including the City Hall, Parliament, the Royal Palace and the Royal Opera. Walk through the old town to a café, where you will enjoy a Swedish fika, a traditional coffee break accompanied by a cinnamon bun. You can choose to end your tour with a stroll through the cobblestone streets of old town on your own, returning to your ship either independently or with the complimentary shuttle. Or, if you prefer, you can resume your panoramic tour and take the coach directly to your ship.

Explore the history and streets of Gamla Stan, the old town of Stockholm, on this engaging walking excursion. Concentrated primarily on the island of Stadsholmen, Gamla Stan was founded in 1252 and is the oldest section of the Swedish capital. Your guided walking tour will take you along the narrow, cobblestone streets to Stortorget, a historic square surrounded by old merchant homes built in the North German style and the Stockholm Stock Exchange Building. Walk down the narrowest alleyway in Stockholm—Mårten Trotzigs Gränd—which decreases to less than three feet wide. See the baroque-style Royal Palace, built in the 18th century and consisting of more than 600 rooms; and neighboring Storkyrkan Church, Gamla Stan’s oldest church and the former coronation site for Swedish kings before returning to your ship.

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.

Explore the landmarks of Copenhagen and learn about the city’s history during a walking excursion. With a local guide, you will stop to see the Little Mermaid statue sitting serenely in the harbor at Langelinie and visit the courtyard at the 18th-century Amalienborg Palace. Continue to Copenhagen’s largest monument, the Gefion Fountain, followed by Amalienborg Palace, the winter residence of the Queen of Denmark, the sovereign of one of the world’s oldest monarchies. Here, admire the royal rococo buildings and square, plus the stunning Marble Church, New Opera House and flourishing Amaliehaven (Amalie Garden) with its geometrical layout, colorful plants and centerpiece fountain. En route back to your ship, walk through the 17th-century Citadel—one of Europe’s best-preserved fortresses surrounded by eight moats, tall ramparts and cannon bastions.

Experience historic Ålborg and the surrounding countryside, heading out of town to meet locals past and present. Visit the Fyrkat reconstructed farm on the outskirts of the hometown of Viking king Harald Bluetooth, and witness firsthand some of the local traditions, chores and cultural practices that date back to the Viking era. Stop at the Fyrkat Fortress; built in 980 AD, it is supposedly one of the oldest ring fortresses in Denmark. Sample a glass of mead as your guide regales you with tales of Vikings past. Continue to Lindholm Hoje, where you will learn about the importance of this ancient burial site featuring more than 700 gravesites and 150 stone ships. See history come alive at the museum exhibit, where accounts of the inhabitants’ lives are conveyed through reconstructions, illustrations and animations. At tour’s end, you will return to your ship.

Venture into the pristine countryside outside Bergen to witness life on a traditional Norwegian farm. Drive with your guide through vistas of soaring mountains and tranquil lakes to the idyllic working farm at Øvre Eide, nestled on the beautiful Jordal Lake. Here, surrounded by green fields and magnificent scenery, the owner will greet you and lead a relaxed and leisurely guided tour of his tranquil property. Along the way, you will pause with him as he shares the farm’s history and local heritage and provides some insight into the evolving ways of farming in Norway. You will also meet some of the animals typically found on Nordic farms, from Norwegian fjord horses to Norwegian spel sheep. Then you are invited to join him in the beautiful main house for freshly made almond pralines, pastries with berries and cream and natural fruit juice, coffee, tea and hot chocolate.

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.

Follow your own interests in Berlin, from its historic sites to its lesser-known gems. Transfer to the city by train early in the morning along with your escort, who will provide you with a map and some tips during an orientation tour. Set off on your own in the city center, with 3½ to 4 hours to explore. Call on Checkpoint Charlie and see remnants of the Berlin Wall or explore Alexanderplatz. Admire the remarkable glass cupola of the Reichstag or visit a museum on the renowned Museum Island. For lunch, perhaps stop at a sidewalk café and enjoy a fine German wine while you observe modern Berliners strolling by. At the allotted time, meet your escort at a prearranged location and return to your ship via train in time for dinner.

Journey through a region known as the “Garden of England” to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Canterbury. This is a quintessential medieval city in one of the most attractive corners of rural England, made famous by Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Pilgrims once flocked to the city to visit the shrine of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. Spend time exploring the magnificent cathedral, labyrinth of medieval streets and quaint shops before heading off to Leeds Castle. Built on an island in the middle of a lake, Leeds Castle is the oldest and most romantic castle in England. It was built by the Normans in 1119, and its most famous owner, Henry VIII, was responsible for turning Leeds into a truly royal palace. Enjoy free time at the castle during a guided visit and explore the beautiful grounds at your leisure.

See Aberdeen’s best-known landmarks, visit an award-winning beachfront and explore a historic fishing village. Set off on a panoramic drive by motor coach through the port city of Aberdeen, known for its many gray stone public and residential buildings, which have earned it the nickname “Granite City”. Take in important sights and landmarks as you travel to Aberdeen Beach. Stroll along this beautiful, award-winning stretch of sand to reach Footdee, or “Fittie” as it is known to locals, one of the UK’s most unique communities. A picturesque village designed by the same architect who envisioned Balmoral Castle, Footdee was created in 1809 to provide housing for local fishermen. Narrow alleyways lead past quaint huddles of single-storey cottages organized in squares to face away from the ocean as protection against fierce storms from the sea. After, return to your ship.

Embark on a leisurely cruise across the extensive harbor and the Christianshavn and Frederiksholm Canals. After boarding your boat, settle in for a narrated overview of the city, an intriguing blend of pioneering modern architecture, historic landmarks and recreational quays. Pass the Christiansborg Palace, home of the Danish Parliament, and admire the distinctive spire of entwined dragon tails atop the old Stock Exchange. Pass the colorful Nyhavn Canal, lined with 500-year-old gabled houses; this neighborhood was once home to Hans Christian Andersen. You will also pass Amalienborg Palace, the Rococo-style royal winter residence, built in the 18th century. After pausing at the famous Little Mermaid statue, continue to the old naval base of Holmen. You will also see the Royal Library, nicknamed the “Black Diamond,” the Copenhagen Opera House and the Royal Danish Playhouse.

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.