Northern countries Cruise - from Hamburg - 102098

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.

The Norwegian harbour town of Eidfjord is famous for its candle factory located in the town centre, where visitors can buy hand-made candles. The Hardanger National Park with its impressive waterfalls is in the direct vicinity of Eidfjord. Other attractions include Eidfjord church, an exhibition of works by the painter Nils Bergslien, and the "Troll Train".

The port of Ålesund, which stretches across three islands, was reconstructed after the great fire of 1904 with Art Nouveau architecture. The best view of the city and the skerries before the coast is to be had from the observation hill "Aksla", which can be reached on foot via 418 steps or - the more comfortable option - by car. The panorama restaurant "Fjellstua" is located here. The Ålesund Museum provides an insight into the city's history. At Atlanterhavs Park, visitors can marvel at the creatures that inhabit the Atlantic in a huge sea water aquarium. Around 4 km to the east of the city centre is the Sunnmøre Museum which has various sections. The Medieval Museum gives an idea of what daily life was like at that time and there is also an outdoor museum and a maritime exhibition with old fishing boots and reconstructed Viking ships. The popular trip to the bird island "Runde", to the South-West of Ålesund, provides a very special natural phenomenon.

Leknes is the second-largest town on Vestågøy and the centre of the Lofoten Archipelago. The Lofoten Islands are a group of islands stretching around 170 km in the Atlantic and are among the most fascinating areas of the Norwegian coast. The port is also the trading and administrative centre of the municipality of Vestvågøy and the largest nearby shopping town for residents of the neighbouring islands. Sights include: the town hall, exhibition hall for works of art by local artists and craftsmen in the municipal town hall, and the churches of Borge and Buksnes, which are not far from the town.

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.

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.