Amsterdam to London Marina departing 2 Jun 2023

Take a boat ride along Amsterdam’s charming canals past sturdy old houses and under quaint bridges. Visit one of the city’s superb museums housing many of the Dutch Masters’ most outstanding works, or learn about Anne Frank and the city’s Jewish heritage. Journey into the countryside and see historic windmills and the fascinating porcelain works in Delft.

Founded in 1641 near the southern tip of Norway, Kristiansand once claimed the world’s largest fleet of sailing ships. Today the proud city exudes an energy that peaks in summer, when your ship calls. The Posebyen old quarter boasts a collection of historic wooden houses surrounded by shops and restaurants. Museums abound and include the Agder Museum of Natural History and Botanical Garden, which opened in 1828. Kristiansand Zoo, said to be Norway’s most visited attraction, covers 150 acres of Nordic terrain where animals like red pandas, moose and Bactrian camels roam in wide-open spaces.

Overlooking a gorgeous fjord, Norway’s capital and largest city simply radiates with natural beauty and sophistication. Oslo’s rich seafaring history is on display at the Viking Ships Museum, rivaled only by the Kon-Tiki Museum, which holds the balsawood raft that Norwegian adventurer Thor Heyerdahl used to sail from Peru to Polynesia. History aside, Oslo exudes a love of the outdoors in city parks like Vigeland, which is adorned with over 200 life-size sculptures by artist Gustav Vigeland. Much of Oslo is heavily forested with pines, making it one of Europe’s greenest cities.

One look at the abundance of canals and gabled houses in Gothenburg, and it’s clear that the Dutch founded this robust city on the Göta River. That was in 1621, close to the time that mighty Elfsborg Fortress was built at the harbor’s mouth. Touring the citadel is fascinating, as are the 17th-century Crown House, Maritiman ship museum, and Gothenburg Art Museum, with masterpieces from Edvard Munch to Picasso. Gothenburg is one of Sweden’s greenest cities, compliments of parks such as Slottsskogen. For a vibrant atmosphere, walk along Kungsportavenyn, Gothenburg’s main street, which is a hive of cafés, boutiques and plazas.

See another side of this lovely city with a cruise along its charming canals. Visit the quaint old harbor at Nyhavn and beautiful Rosenborg Castle and, of course, the famed statue of the Little Mermaid. Or venture into the countryside and enjoy its panoramic vistas, fairy tale castles and the village of Fredensborg.

Revel in the playful spirit of Malmö, which is linked to Copenhagen by the Øresund Bridge, a marvel of engineering that is Europe’s longest railway and road bridge. As you gaze at Malmö’s twinkling skyline, you’ll immediately catch sight of the soaring Turning Torso skyscraper, a daring statement by revered Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Tour the splendidly preserved Malmöhus Castle, a Renaissance fortification surrounded by a leafy park sprinkled with sculptures. In expansive Stortorget, Malmö’s main square, admire the elaborate City Hall before making your way down Södergatan, an elegant avenue brimming with eclectic boutiques.

Denmark’s second largest city, Aarhus is an attractively compact medieval town full of modern flair – chic galleries, cutting edge restaurants and intriguing museums. The laid-back ambiance and welcoming locals only add to the appeal of the “World’s Smallest Big City.” Stroll the cobblestone streets of the 14th-century Latin Quarter and pop into one of the many eateries for a smørrebrød sandwich in between browsing the boutiques. Whether you visit one of the notable museums such as the innovative Moesgaard Museum or the showstopping ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, tour the lush botanical gardens of Marselisborg Palace, or explore the open-air museum of urban history at Den Gamle By, it’s easy to see why Aarhus is Denmark’s rising star.

A centuries-old fishing village, Skagen is perched along the windswept sand dunes at the northernmost point of Denmark, where the North Sea and the Baltic merge in a frenzy of crashing currents. The town has long been depicted by painters because of its spectacular scenery, charming communities and the remarkable quality of its light, inspiring a group of artists known as the Skagen Painters. See their work at the Skagen Museum, and then learn the science behind the region’s natural wonders at the nature center, housed in a striking building designed by architect Jørn Utzon of Sydney Opera House fame.

Although you can visit one of the world’s best ship museums in Bremerhaven at the Schiffahrtsmuseum and head into nearby Bremen for a picnic in lovely Bürgerpark, Hamburg is the main attraction. View famed works of art at the Hamburger Kunsthalle, have a cup of coffee on one of the terraces of the Alsterarkaden, stroll through the historic warehouse district or enjoy the view from the top of 400-year-old St. Michaelis Church.

Although you can visit one of the world’s best ship museums in Bremerhaven at the Schiffahrtsmuseum and head into nearby Bremen for a picnic in lovely Bürgerpark, Hamburg is the main attraction. View famed works of art at the Hamburger Kunsthalle, have a cup of coffee on one of the terraces of the Alsterarkaden, stroll through the historic warehouse district or enjoy the view from the top of 400-year-old St. Michaelis Church.

Enjoy a taste of the Highlands here in the rugged landscape and heathered moors, the ruined castles, steep cliffs and sea air. Drive through beautiful valleys and flower-filled meadows with romping Shetland ponies to quaint villages like Scalloway with its ruined castle, or explore the fascinating Jarlshof prehistoric site, occupied for more than 4,000 years.

This starkly beautiful island holds many ancient treasures like the enigmatic Standing Stones of Stenness and the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, amazingly discovered with furniture and indoor drains preserved. Visit the imposing trio of St. Magnus Cathedral, the nearby ruins of the Earl’s Palace, and the earlier Bishop’s Palace.

Known as “Inverbreakie” until the early 18th century, Invergordon has long been recognized for its rich naval history and jewel of a harbor in the northern Highlands. Invergordon perches on the northern bank of the Cromarty Firth, a lengthy estuary that provides welcome sanctuary for a multitude of water birds and one of only two species of resident bottlenose dolphin in the British Isles. Venture into the Highlands, where the local clan castles perch on craggy hills and on the shores of lochs and firths. And there’s always the chance to see the mysterious Loch Ness Monster.

Savor the old town’s marvelous Georgian and Victorian architecture and impressive Edinburgh Castle, high on its volcanic crag with a fabulous view. Stroll along the medieval Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse to see the abbey and Queen Mary’s chambers. Visit St. Giles’ Cathedral where John Knox once preached.

A delightful blend of ancient and modern, Newcastle is one of the liveliest cities in northern England. Originally built in the 11th century, the Castle Keep was the “new castle” for which the city is named. Stroll along the River Tyne and marvel at the different bridges that have transformed the face of the city. Modern art is the main attraction at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, while the history of Newcastle unfolds at the Great North Museum.

Rotterdam holds the impressive title of Europe’s largest port and that vibrancy extends throughout the city. To get your bearings, go up the Euromast and Space Tower, the highest point in the Netherlands. Riding a small boat through the many channels and waterways provides another unique perspective. The only truly historic sections are the 17th-century Delfshaven and Oude Haven; the rest of Rotterdam boasts highly contemporary, often whimsical architecture. For a respite, enjoy the Arboretum Trompenburg, a garden oasis of more than 4,000 plants. Art from Dutch and Flemish masters such as Rembrandt can be seen in the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen.

Step back in time to the 14th century as you meander along the narrow streets of this medieval gem past gabled buildings and through the bustling market. Take a boat ride along the city’s canals. Or spend the day exploring Brussels and its famed Grand Place or Antwerp, home of Rubens and Bruegel, seeing the verdant countryside along the way.

Take a trip up to London and get a bird’s eye view of the city from the London Eye. See sights like Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Piccadilly. Stroll along Lower Regent Street or visit the British Museum.