Northern countries Cruise - from Bremerhaven - 123897

Bremerhaven, an administrative district in its own right in the federal state of Bremen, lies to the North of Bremen, on the lower Weser. Founded in 1827, the first regular connection between America and Europe set out from Bremerhaven in 1847. In 1938, Bremerhaven was amalgamated with the town of Wesermünde. In 1947, Wesermünde was re-named Bremerhaven, forming the federal state of Bremen. Sights include: the Atlanticum, the German Shipping Museum, the Historical Museum, the Kunsthalle Bremerhaven, the harbour museum, the museum ships the "Wal", the "Gera" and "Goliath", the fishing harbour, the "Wilhelm Bauer" submarine and the zoo.

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.

Brønnøysund is an idyllic little town where the sea and the land meet. It was the Church, the fishing industry, trade and services that shaped Brönnöysund. The town's name derives from the various wells and sources used by the sailors. The town was established around the turn of the century. Sights include: the old town with its turn-of-the-century houses, the "Havngata", the Bronnoy Church, the recreation area at Svarthopen, the Hulebo caves near Frokenosen and "Torghatten" - mountain with the hole.

Bodø, which has a population of 40,000 is considered in Norway to be one of the most important ferry ports, since it has connections to the Lofoten islands and other sea ports. It is also seen as a good starting point from which to observe the midnight sun between June 4th and July 18th. The main attraction in Bodø is the aviation centre with sea planes and a converted "JU 52". Other sights include: the Kjerringøy outdoor museum and the SAS Hotel with an observation platform from which one can enjoy a fantastic view of the entire city and the port.

The Norwegian harbour town of Alta lies in the beautiful countryside at the mouth of the "Altaelv", one of the best salmon rivers in the world. The town was once a small market place visited twice a year by the shamans; today it has a population of 16,000 and is an important economic and administrative centre for the western Finnmark. Sights include: the main attraction is "Hjemmeluft", the huge area covered with rock carvings, which was discovered in 1973 and can be accessed via the "Alta-Museum" in the southern part of Bossekop.

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.

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 Norwegian town of Hellesylt lies by the Storfjord (Sunnylvsfjord), direct at the opening of the huge Geirangerfjord. The wild Norang valley with its famous mountains "Slogen", "Smorskredtind", "Skruven", and "Kvitegga" is directly nearby. Just 200 m from the ferry quay the powerful Hellesylter waterfall surges over countless huge rocks. Here, visitors can also enjoy watching the sweet little white-throated dippers diving into the water.

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".

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.

Bremerhaven, an administrative district in its own right in the federal state of Bremen, lies to the North of Bremen, on the lower Weser. Founded in 1827, the first regular connection between America and Europe set out from Bremerhaven in 1847. In 1938, Bremerhaven was amalgamated with the town of Wesermünde. In 1947, Wesermünde was re-named Bremerhaven, forming the federal state of Bremen. Sights include: the Atlanticum, the German Shipping Museum, the Historical Museum, the Kunsthalle Bremerhaven, the harbour museum, the museum ships the "Wal", the "Gera" and "Goliath", the fishing harbour, the "Wilhelm Bauer" submarine and the zoo.