Northern countries Cruise - from Dover - 134889

The port of Dover is just 28 km from France. 14 million passengers pass through here on the journey between the British Isles and the French mainland. But what Dover is most famous for is its beautiful white cliffs, upon which, hardly visible, stands the largest fort in England. Other sights include: Dover Castle and the lighthouse.

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.

Brønnøysund is an idyllic little town where the sea and the land meet. It was the Church, the fishing industry, trade and services that shaped Brönnöysund. The town's name derives from the various wells and sources used by the sailors. The town was established around the turn of the century. Sights include: the old town with its turn-of-the-century houses, the "Havngata", the Bronnoy Church, the recreation area at Svarthopen, the Hulebo caves near Frokenosen and "Torghatten" - mountain with the hole.

The small town of Svolvaer is the principal town on the Lofoten Islands and lies on the island of Vagan. The small fishing harbour has a population of 4,000 and a regular ferry connection. Visitors can join in fishing aboard a real Lofoten fish cutter, catching mainly cod, shell fish and lythe.

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 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.

Copenhagen is not only the capital of Denmark, but also the most multifaceted city in Scandinavia. A quarter of all Danes live in and around Copenhagen and yet the city remains, essentially, clearly laid out and easy to navigate. The massive bridge over the Bresund connecting Denmark with Sweden means Copenhagen has become an even more important hub in Scandinavia in the new millenium. Visitors from all over the world come to Copenhagen to have fun at Tivoli, to see the mermaid, the changing of the guard at the Queen's castle and much much more besides. Sights include: Vor Frelser Kirke (Our Saviour's Church), the round tower, the town hall, the little mermaid, Tivoli, the commodity exchange, Denmark's Royal Library, Thorvaldsen Museum, Amalienborg castle, and Tycho Brahes Planetarium.