North Europe from Hamburg

The biggest port of Germany, a notorious red-light-district and elegant mansions along the Elbe River – it’s all in Hamburg! You can get to know the vibrant city of Hamburg during this great tour! On your way there is much to see: you will pass the downtown Alster Lake and the city’s exclusive residential areas, the Jungfernstieg with its luxury shops and shopping malls, the Renaissance-style City Hall and Stock Exchange, modern downtown architecture, parks and gardens, the TV tower, the exhibition centre, 19th century court buildings and plenty more. Time and traffic permitting, you will have the chance to hop off the bus for photo-stops. You will complete your tour of Hamburg with an outside visit of the city’s famous landmark “Michel” – St. Michaelis Church. The “Kramer Amtsstuben”, a well preserved complex of restored buildings, presenting the living conditions in the early 18th century will be also shown in detail.

The City of Newcastle upon Tyne, to distinguish it from the other Newcastles around the world, is located in the North of England. Founded in Roman times with the name of Pons Aelius, it became famous in the 20th century for its shipyards and coal exports. Today it is a bustling English city where you can breathe the real British atmosphere “”and have some interesting cultural visits. Popular attractions include Keep Castle, a Norman fortress from the 12th century, later transformed into a mediaeval castle; Saltwell Park, a typical Victorian Park with gardens, ponds and a maze of hedges; finally the Millenium Bridge which connects Newcastle to the twin city of Gateshead.

The port of South Queensferry is in Scotland and it’s only a short hop to Edinburgh with our Costa Cruise in Great Britain. South Queensferry is located at the mouth of the River Forth and is joined to North Queensferry by a railroad bridge, an engineering marvel declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in June 2015. South Queensferry is only 16 km from Edinburgh, an ideal destination for an excursion. Similar to Rome, the city sits on seven hills, and its historical districts, the Old Town, the New Town and Edinburgh Castle are also UNESCO World Heritage sites. If you visit Edinburgh, remember to have a pint of ale in Rose Street or George Street in the New Town, famous for its pubs and lively clubs.

Scotland is a land of mysterious castles, armour and legendary warriors who sprout from the fog on their steeds. Here we visit Invergordon near Loch Ness. The first things you see when you arrive in Invergordon are the endless plains dotted with castles. The port of Invergordon enlivens the city, where there is an almost intimate feel with its cafes, restaurants and the friendliness of its inhabitants. You can take a trip to the unmissable Loch Ness. Visit Urquhart Castle before returning to town and take a look around the Naval Museum. But above all, be enchanted by the architecture of buildings decorated with murals.

The biggest port of Germany, a notorious red-light-district and elegant mansions along the Elbe River – it’s all in Hamburg! You can get to know the vibrant city of Hamburg during this great tour! On your way there is much to see: you will pass the downtown Alster Lake and the city’s exclusive residential areas, the Jungfernstieg with its luxury shops and shopping malls, the Renaissance-style City Hall and Stock Exchange, modern downtown architecture, parks and gardens, the TV tower, the exhibition centre, 19th century court buildings and plenty more. Time and traffic permitting, you will have the chance to hop off the bus for photo-stops. You will complete your tour of Hamburg with an outside visit of the city’s famous landmark “Michel” – St. Michaelis Church. The “Kramer Amtsstuben”, a well preserved complex of restored buildings, presenting the living conditions in the early 18th century will be also shown in detail.

The world has a petroleum museum and it is located in Stavanger in Norway. We can visit the museum during our cruise in the northern seas. Stavanger is Norway’s third largest city and has prospered from its oil activities. Today, it is a pillar of the domestic economy and a key protagonist in the European Community. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Petroleum Museum, with its unusual modern architecture. Also take the time to climb to the top of Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) to admire the breath-taking view. You’ll feel like you’ve travelled back in time when you explore the Gamale, a district full of houses built in white wood.

Norway best expresses its compelling power in the small ports like Flåm, poetically set like a jewel in the fjords. Flåm is a small village of 450 inhabitants situated in the south of the country at the end of one of the inlets of the Sognefjord, the deepest in Norway. Take advantage of the break to get on the train that leads to Myrdal for two hours of breathtaking views amid waterfalls, rivers, fjords and mountains. On your return to the port of Flåm, take a walk along the fjord and be enchanted by the beauty of nature.

The Norwegian village of Vik stands on a huge bay between the sea and the mountains of Sognefjord, and is believed by many to be where the Viking civilisation originated. Similarly to the nearby village of Flam, it is located at one of the most beautiful spots on the spectacular Sognefjord, ‘the fjord of all fjords’. A number of sites in the area, including ancient Borgund Hopperstand, Undredal Kaupanger and Umes, have been declared monuments of great historical interest by Unesco. The area features a number of fascinating museums and the local population defend their heritage with enthusiasm. As well as beautifully preserved ancient churches the area also exhibits evidence of former pagan worship. Arriving at Vik by sea is a magnificent experience, offering incredible views of the dramatic landscape. Breath-taking views can also be enjoyed via a short railway journey that climbs 900 metres into the mountains, a marvellous feat of engineering.

The biggest port of Germany, a notorious red-light-district and elegant mansions along the Elbe River – it’s all in Hamburg! You can get to know the vibrant city of Hamburg during this great tour! On your way there is much to see: you will pass the downtown Alster Lake and the city’s exclusive residential areas, the Jungfernstieg with its luxury shops and shopping malls, the Renaissance-style City Hall and Stock Exchange, modern downtown architecture, parks and gardens, the TV tower, the exhibition centre, 19th century court buildings and plenty more. Time and traffic permitting, you will have the chance to hop off the bus for photo-stops. You will complete your tour of Hamburg with an outside visit of the city’s famous landmark “Michel” – St. Michaelis Church. The “Kramer Amtsstuben”, a well preserved complex of restored buildings, presenting the living conditions in the early 18th century will be also shown in detail.