Northern countries Cruise - from Hamburg - 111793

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.

Cobh is one of the islands in the harbour of Cork. Connected to the mainland by a causeway, it represents an important part of Irish history. It was from there that two and a half million of the six million Irish emigrants who were forced away during the potato famine of 1848 to 1850 left from. Only a few returned. But Cobh was also the port for the rich - this was the Titanic's last port of call before she set off across the Atlantic to her fate. Following a visit by the Queen in 1849, Cobh was re-named "Queenstown" but got its old name back in 1921. Sights include St. Coleman's cathedral, Queenstown/Cobh Museum, the Wildlife Park, the Botanic Gardens and the Golf Club.

Greenland's capital city Nuuk is the centre of life in this country - it is the centre for trade, shipping, industry and the administration. With a population of 13,500, Nuuk is the largest city not only in Greenland, but in the whole Arctic region. Over the last 30 years, Nuuk has undergone considerable modern development.

Greenland's capital city Nuuk is the centre of life in this country - it is the centre for trade, shipping, industry and the administration. With a population of 13,500, Nuuk is the largest city not only in Greenland, but in the whole Arctic region. Over the last 30 years, Nuuk has undergone considerable modern development.

Jakobshavn - or Ilulissat as it is called in Greenlandic - lies at 68 degrees North latitude and 51 degrees West longitude, around 290 kilometres North of Arctic Circle in the Disko bay on the West coast of Greenland. The town has a population of around 4,300; the number of dogs here is far greater - 6,000 in total, and all of them sled dogs. There are hardly any cars, and the few cars here are mainly taxis that travel the small number of roads - but not for any great distance, since the metalled roads end just behind the last houses. The dog sleds have right of way during the winter months in any case. A mere two kilometres behind the last houses of Ilulissat, a huge glacier constantly pushes new icebergs into Disko bay. It is these ephemeral creations that gave the burgeoning small town its name: Ilulissat means "Cliffs of Ice".

Jakobshavn - or Ilulissat as it is called in Greenlandic - lies at 68 degrees North latitude and 51 degrees West longitude, around 290 kilometres North of Arctic Circle in the Disko bay on the West coast of Greenland. The town has a population of around 4,300; the number of dogs here is far greater - 6,000 in total, and all of them sled dogs. There are hardly any cars, and the few cars here are mainly taxis that travel the small number of roads - but not for any great distance, since the metalled roads end just behind the last houses. The dog sleds have right of way during the winter months in any case. A mere two kilometres behind the last houses of Ilulissat, a huge glacier constantly pushes new icebergs into Disko bay. It is these ephemeral creations that gave the burgeoning small town its name: Ilulissat means "Cliffs of Ice".

With a population of 5,000, Sisimiut is the second-largest town in Greenland. The Greenlandic name, Sisimiut, means "foxhole inhabitant". The town has the most northerly port that remains ice-free all year. Accordingly, the fishing industry and the export of prawns are booming. The town is proud to be home to the most modern shrimp factory in the world. Sisimiut is also the first settlement North of the Arctic Circle where the Inuit kept sled dogs for use in the Winter. The museum and the old town with the oldest wooden church in Greenland, which dates from 1775, are particularly worth seeing.

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.

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.

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.