Baltic Sea Cruise - from Southampton - 125477

Southampton is the largest port in Great Britain. It is from here that the Mayflower set sail for the New World, as commemorated by the Mayflower Memorial. The town's landmark is the 'Bargate', a city gate built by the Normans. Southampton is also known as the entertainment capital on the South coast. Cinemas, theatres, museums, bars and pubs, art galleries and all kinds of watersports attract thousands of visitors.

Zeebrugge, the largest fishing port in Belgium, is linked to Bruges, of which it is a subdivision, by means of a twelve kilometre long canal. Bruges is well worth a look. Along the long beach promenade there are lots of cafés where you can sit and relax. The fish auction hall at the rear of the harbour is one of the largest and most modern in Europe and can be seen during a tour of the harbour. Zeebrugge also has a yacht marina, with space to accommodate around one hundred ships. Sights include: St. George's Memorial, Pierre Vandamme sea-lock, the diamond museum, the Memling Museum, the Church of Our Lady, the Oldtimer and Motorbike Museum, Minne Water Park, and the home brewery 'De Halve Maan'.

Oslo, located at the end of the Oslofjord, is the capital city of Norway. Over the past few years Oslo has developed into a modern capital, encompassing more and more neighbouring towns into its urban area. There are a good 50 museums for tourists to visit; some of the most interesting of these are to be found on the 'museum island' of Bygdoy. A stroll through Vigeland Park with its obeslisks and monumental stone figures is also well worth it, as is a vist to the Holmenkollen ski-jump with a stunning view of the city and the Oslofjord. Other attractions worth a visit are the town hall, which appears a litte clumsy from the outside but boasts huge interior frescoes, the fort at Akershus at the eastern side of the port and the cathedral. Oslo has a population of 486,311. The famous Hollmenkollen ski-jump provides a fantastic view of the enchanting capital of Norway. A visit to the historic area of Oslo close to the fort of Akershus is also very enjoyable. Karl Johans Gate between the castle and the parliament with its numerous shops and cafés is the perfect place to take a lazy stroll. Sights include: the Norwegian outdoor museum with its wooden "Stavkirke" on Bygdoy; the Viking Ship Museum with the Oseberg ship; Fram museum with the Polar ship 'Fram' on Bygdoy; Thor Heyerdal Museum with Kon Tiki on Bygdoy; the Munch Museum; the National Gallery; the Arts and Crafts Museum; the Historical Museum; the Resistance Museum; the Gallery of Modern Art; the Maritime Museum; the Zoological Museum; the town hall (Oslo's landmark); the castle; Storting (Houses of Parliament); Vigeland sculpture park in Frogner Park; Akershuscastle, which is medieval in parts; the view from Holmenkollen - the ski-jump and museum; the cathedral (1697); the Defense Museum.

Norway's number one holiday destination - that's what the people in Kristiansund proudly call their city. Kristiansund is known not only for its attractive location at Skagerrak, the must-see fjord coastline with its skerries offshore and the attractive hinterland; the city also has the greatest number of sunshine hours per year in all of Norway. Kristiansund has lots to offer both in the cultural and the educational sphere. A stroll through the city centre reveals the strict rectalinear street plan. The streets look like a chess board, reminiscent of the American cities, although on a much smaller scale. It was in Kristiansund that town planners first came up with this idea. The reason for the striking arrangement of the streets is the planned construction of the city. At the time it was founded in the Middle Ages, this type of layout was the ideal. Old, well-restored wooden houses, which today are under preservation order, are a reminder of Kristiansand's past. The marketplace in the centre, surrounded by the cathedral, the town hall, the city hall and Wergeland park forms the genteel suburb of the city.

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.

The port of Gdynia is famous for its large wharfs and the vibrant streets lined with many designer boutiques, bars and cafés. The town is built atop seven hills and is bordered by the long North Sea beach and the forests of Poland. The cultural capital of Poland hosts the international jazz festival "Gdynia Summer Jazz Days" in June and the Polish Film Festival at the end of September. It also holds frequent sailing regattas during the summer months. Sights include: the pier at "Skwer Kosciuszki", the war ship "Blyskawica" (which has been converted into a museum), the frigate "Dar Pomorze" and the Oceanographic Museum.

Visby's picturesque half-timbered houses nestle enclosed by the 3.6 km long medieval city wall - the only one in Scandinavia The imposing warehouses dating from the Hanseatic area, ruins covered in ivy and the high towers of St. Mary's church all stand taller than the city wall. Visby does not simply dwell on its historic past; it is a very vibrant town with many festivals, a busy yacht and ferry port and a sandy beach directly by the gates of the defensive wall. The sights are close to one another and the best way to explore this old Hanseatic city is on foot. The wide range of cultural activities, festivals and other events, ranging from traditional folk dancing to rock concerts, from mystery plays to avantgarde music, from antiques markets to art exhibitions, mean there is something to suit every taste. Sights include: the city wall, Fornsal museum, St. Mary's church, church ruins.

Stockholm with its fantastic location at the mouth of the Mälaren at the Baltic Sea is a mixture of illustrious beauty and regal splendour, a vibrant modern city with a historical charm. Built over 14 islands, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful capital cities in Europe. Opulent buildings, park areas, an inner city with countless old alleyways and historic sites and a rich cultural heritage are what make Stockholm so special. In addition, the water in Stockholm is so clean that you can even go swimming and fishing in the middle of the city! The old town is surrounded by beautiful old houses and the royal palace, which has been the home of the Swedish kings and queens since the 12th century. Sights include: Stor Church and Riddarholm Church, the old town, the castle, the parliament building, the town hall, Drottningholm castle, the Wasa Museum with the wreck of the "Wasa" ship and the outdoor museum at Skansen.

Stockholm with its fantastic location at the mouth of the Mälaren at the Baltic Sea is a mixture of illustrious beauty and regal splendour, a vibrant modern city with a historical charm. Built over 14 islands, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful capital cities in Europe. Opulent buildings, park areas, an inner city with countless old alleyways and historic sites and a rich cultural heritage are what make Stockholm so special. In addition, the water in Stockholm is so clean that you can even go swimming and fishing in the middle of the city! The old town is surrounded by beautiful old houses and the royal palace, which has been the home of the Swedish kings and queens since the 12th century. Sights include: Stor Church and Riddarholm Church, the old town, the castle, the parliament building, the town hall, Drottningholm castle, the Wasa Museum with the wreck of the "Wasa" ship and the outdoor museum at Skansen.

Visby's picturesque half-timbered houses nestle enclosed by the 3.6 km long medieval city wall - the only one in Scandinavia The imposing warehouses dating from the Hanseatic area, ruins covered in ivy and the high towers of St. Mary's church all stand taller than the city wall. Visby does not simply dwell on its historic past; it is a very vibrant town with many festivals, a busy yacht and ferry port and a sandy beach directly by the gates of the defensive wall. The sights are close to one another and the best way to explore this old Hanseatic city is on foot. The wide range of cultural activities, festivals and other events, ranging from traditional folk dancing to rock concerts, from mystery plays to avantgarde music, from antiques markets to art exhibitions, mean there is something to suit every taste. Sights include: the city wall, Fornsal museum, St. Mary's church, church ruins.

The port of Gdynia is famous for its large wharfs and the vibrant streets lined with many designer boutiques, bars and cafés. The town is built atop seven hills and is bordered by the long North Sea beach and the forests of Poland. The cultural capital of Poland hosts the international jazz festival "Gdynia Summer Jazz Days" in June and the Polish Film Festival at the end of September. It also holds frequent sailing regattas during the summer months. Sights include: the pier at "Skwer Kosciuszki", the war ship "Blyskawica" (which has been converted into a museum), the frigate "Dar Pomorze" and the Oceanographic Museum.

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.

Olden is in an eldorado of deep fjords, high mountains and imposing glaciers. From here it is just a short journey to the most famous glacier in Norway, Briksdalsbreen. Even the view of the colourful glacial stream that meanders harmoniously down the valley and through the town is sure to stick in your memory. Olden is the perfect starting point for trips to the Briksdal glacier, Vestkapp, Fjærland with its glacier museum, Geiranger and Dalsnibba, Videseter and the old Strynefjellsweg, Jostedal National Park Centre as well as Stryn summer skiing centre with glacier climbing facilities.

Akureyri, located at the end of the 90 km long Eyjafjördhur is by far the largest city in the country outside the capital, with a population of 14,500. Akureyri is the transport and cultural hub of the North. The main economic elements are: fish processing, ship-building yard, the export port and some light industry. Akureyri is famous for its pleasant climate, i.e. little rain and warm summers. The Fjord location at the foot of mountains measuring up to 1,400 m high and "an extraordinary amount of vegetation" in the cityscape contribute to its reputation as the most beautiful city on the island so one might almost forget that it lies just 100 km South of the Arctic circle. The old part of the city, "Fjaran", with nostalgic wooden buildings, is to the South of the modern city centre. Sights include: the ice cathedral, Museum of Local HIstory, the Nonni house and the Botanic Gardens.

Ísafjörður comprises several districts stretching from the end of the Fjords on the Northern side to the original settlement, where the harbour is. On the other side of the fjord is the airport - although really it is nothing more than a runway with a tiny check-in building. Although all of the fjords in the North-West are losing inhabitants to more prosperous areas, Ísafjörður has been successful in keeping its residents and has even recorded a slight growth in population, to around 3,500. The town was founded as a settlement for the Hanseatics and later taken over by the Danes. Ísafjörður is an excellent example of the development of Icelandic architecture. There are five listed buildings in Ísafjörður - all of which were built in the 18th century. The oldest house dates from the mid-18th century, the most recent from 1788. Four of the houses are in Neostikaupstaour and one is in Haestikaupstaour. Other sights include: the museum

Reykjavik, the trading and cultural centre of Iceland at the South-West coast of the island was named "smoking bay" after the famous hot springs of Laugardalur. Today it has a population of around 130,000 - approximately 1/3 of the total population. The capital of iceland has plenty of tourist attractions. A stroll through the old town leads to the main shopping street, Laugavegur, and the pedestrian zone, past the historic Höfdi House (where Reagan and Gorbatschow held their summit in 1986) to the modern basalt church 'Hallgrimskirka'. The church tower offers the best view of the city. Tracing the footsteps of Icelandic history, there are many archaeological finds and artefacts from Viking times on display in the National Museum and art lovers will enjoy the Einar Jonsson Museum with its wonderful sculpture garden.