Northern countries Cruise - from Tromsø - 126478

The small Norwegian fishing town of Honningsvag is just 25 km from the Northern Cape. It is the second most northerly point of Europe and lies on the Norwegian island of Magerøy. From the Northern Cape you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Arctic Sea, but the most beautiful attraction is the Midnight Sun. This wonder of nature exists only to the north of the Arctic circle and occurs because in summer in the Arctic zones, the sun remains above the horizon.

The Norwegian harbour town of Alta lies in the beautiful countryside at the mouth of the "Altaelv", one of the best salmon rivers in the world. The town was once a small market place visited twice a year by the shamans; today it has a population of 16,000 and is an important economic and administrative centre for the western Finnmark. Sights include: the main attraction is "Hjemmeluft", the huge area covered with rock carvings, which was discovered in 1973 and can be accessed via the "Alta-Museum" in the southern part of Bossekop.

The port of Harstad is on Hinnoya, the largest of the Norwegian islands. It is here that the Norwegian Northern Festival, the 'culture week' is held every June. Sights include: the outdoor museum "Lundesnes", the barrow at Elgsnes, the cave paintings on Kjeoya, the Medieval church in Trondenes, the Tjeldsund bridge, the church in Harstad (built in 1966), and the observation point "Aunfjell" in the South of Harstad.

The student town of Trondheim is one of the largest towns in Norway, with a population of 150,000. The coronation city is steeped in history but at the same time, with its important university, the vibrant shopping area and several museums, it is very modern. Outdoor concerts during the summer months or the famous cathedral concerts during the St. Olavs festival mean Trondheim is a popular metropolis in central Norway, and with a bit of luck you can even fish for salmon from right in the city centre! Sights include: the cathedral, the archbishop's residency, the Museum for Arts and Crafts, the old town bridge, the Maritime Museum and the Science Museum.

Molde is one of the municipalities of Norway. The city is perfect for entertainment and relaxation. The altarpieces, mosaics and glass paintings as well as the 60 houses in the typical traditional Fjord country style are particularly lovely. The entire island is set out in the form of a fishing village. Sights include: the Molde cathedral, built in 1957, the town hall dating from 1966 with a little rose garden on its roof, Romsdal Museum, and the medieval church on the island of Veøy.

This town in the West of Norway lies at the eastern end of Geirangerfjord, known for its deep gullies and high mountains. The harbour town boasts a large number of small hotels. Sights include: the observation points "Flydalsjuvet" and "Dalsnibba", the "Bride's Veil", "Friaren" and "the seven sisters" waterfalls, the geological park, the church, the "Fjord Experience Centre" which provides information about the history of the area, and the 'royal' farmstead "Skageflå".

Norway's fourth-largest city grew important through herring fishing. At the beginning of the 20th century it was also home to the largest canned foods industry in the world. Today, Norway's oil capital is characterised by a mixture of Nordic rustic charm and a cosmopolitan atmosphere, which visitors can experience during a visit to the fish market in particular. Since the city has been spared any fires, entire districts with the original old wooden houses have been preserved. Almost 200 of these restored white wooden buildings in narrow steep cobbled streets with gas laterns in the Gamle Stavanger area are a reminder of the time of the city's founding. Sights include: Canning Industry Museum, the Maritime Museum, Utstein monastery, Lysefjord, Romanesque-gothic cathedral.

The second-largest city in Germany (with a population of 1.8 million) lies at the Elbe and Alster rivers. Due to its location, Hamburg has a dense network of waterways and has more bridges than even Venice! The Hanseatic city is one of the most important economic centres in Germany on account of the overseas port and the media and cultural centre. This city of contrasts has a highly developed entertainment culture that visitors can experience first hand in the legendary 'St. Pauli' area and in Hamburg's many music halls and theatres. The 1,200-year-old city is loved by culture-vultures and scenesters alike, and buildings with ultra-modern shops and bars are sprouting up all over the city between the traditional office buildings. Other attractions include: the "Michel", the entire port development, the "Jungfernstieg", the "Reeperbahn', the TV tower, Hagenbeck Zoo, the warehouse area "Speicherstadt", Mönckebergstraße, St. Jacobi Church and the fish market.