Northern countries Cruise - from Copenhagen - 118959

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.

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.

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 student town of Trondheim is one of the largest towns in Norway, with a population of 150,000. The coronation city is steeped in history but at the same time, with its important university, the vibrant shopping area and several museums, it is very modern. Outdoor concerts during the summer months or the famous cathedral concerts during the St. Olavs festival mean Trondheim is a popular metropolis in central Norway, and with a bit of luck you can even fish for salmon from right in the city centre! Sights include: the cathedral, the archbishop's residency, the Museum for Arts and Crafts, the old town bridge, the Maritime Museum and the Science Museum.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.