Northern countries Cruise - from Kiel - 116822

Kiel is the regional capital of Schleswig-Holstein. In this shipyard and maritime town steeped in tradition visitors can take a walk in the countryside and enjoy the fresh air while still having all the amenities of a city close at hand. This combination of closeness to nature and city life gives the residents of Kiel a special attitude to life. With a population of 250,000 Kiel is the cultural and economic centre of the region. Those living in the surrounding area come to Kiel specially to enjoy the varied cultural life with opera and theatre performances, concert halls, a children and youth theatre, museums, exhibitions, free cultural facilities and trendy clubs and eateries. Kiel's signature event is the annual 'Kieler Woche' - the largest sailing festival in the world!

Bergen is one of the most charming cities in Norway, not least due to its unique setting between seven hills. With a population of 218,000 it is the second-largest city in the country and the capital of "Fylke Hordaland". The town of Bergen was granted the city charter in 1070 by Bishop Olav Kyrre. Not that long after, in 1217, King Hakon IV. declared the town to the Norwegian seat of government. Today, the oldest and most famous wooden houses of the city are at the "Bryggen", the former dock of the Hanseatic League. These unique buildings were among four properties in Norway to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Sights include: the Hanseatic museum, the Bryggen Museum, Bergenshus fort, St. Mary's Church and the Leprosy Museum, and the aquarium.

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.

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.

Hammerfest is the most northerly town in the world. It was here that the precise measurement of the world began in 1819. The meridian column at the harbour is a memorial to that time. From Salen hill you can enjoy a fantastic view of the many colourful wooden houses in this little town, grouped around the bay in a semi-circle. Other sights include: the look-out post "Varden", the Museum of Reconstruction, the Catholic Church, and the polar bear club.

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 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.

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".

Kiel is the regional capital of Schleswig-Holstein. In this shipyard and maritime town steeped in tradition visitors can take a walk in the countryside and enjoy the fresh air while still having all the amenities of a city close at hand. This combination of closeness to nature and city life gives the residents of Kiel a special attitude to life. With a population of 250,000 Kiel is the cultural and economic centre of the region. Those living in the surrounding area come to Kiel specially to enjoy the varied cultural life with opera and theatre performances, concert halls, a children and youth theatre, museums, exhibitions, free cultural facilities and trendy clubs and eateries. Kiel's signature event is the annual 'Kieler Woche' - the largest sailing festival in the world!