European Wonders: Scandinavia to Portugal - Cruise & Land Journey

Bergen is a Hanseatic fishing port dating back to the 12th century. It’s now Norway’s second largest city, however it possesses the charm and warmth of a small town. Surrounded by seven hills that are dotted with colourful houses, the city coined ‘Heart of the Fjords’ is considered one of the prettiest in the country. Check into your hotel for a two-night Special Stay.

During the Middle Ages, Bergen was Norway’s major seaport as well as its capital, a proud legacy that persists today. Today you will have the opportunity to explore the city and drive to Troldhaugen, the former home of Edvard Grieg, Norway’s most celebrated composer and pianist.   Scenic Freechoice: Mount Fløyen: Journey 320 metres up the funicular railway to Mount Fløyen for a spectacular view of the city and fjord.Fantoft Stave Church: Take the tram to explore the Fantoft Stave Church, an exquisite reconstruction of a 12th century church in a style that is unique to Norway.

Set off east today towards the wildly beautiful Hardanger Fjord. Cross the Hardanger Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world, before reaching the tiny fjord-side village of Lofthus, overlooking the majestic Folgefonna glacier. It’s known as the orchard of Hardanger and in spring the hillsides are covered in white blossoms, while in summer the trees are laden with fruit, including the juiciest apples.Enjoy an overnight Special Stay complete with dramatic fjord views.

Drive through the majestic Hardangervidda, Europe’s highest mountain plateau, home to Norway’s largest herd of wild reindeer. Your destination is Oslo, the capital of Norway set on the country’s southern coast. A metropolitan hub surrounded by forests and fjords, Oslo is a modern and diverse city known for its excellent museums and dreamy green spaces.Check into your hotel for a two-night Special Stay.Scenic EnrichMunch Museum: Join an art specialist to explore one of the most comprehensive one-man museums in the world, home to over half of Edvard Munch’s paintings, including ‘The Scream’. Then, unwind at the museum’s rooftop bar and take in panoramic views of the city skyline, the Oslofjord, and even the Opera House from a unique perspective, all while enjoying a glass of wine. 

Oslo is the capital of Norway and is also its largest city, situated at the head of Oslo Fjord and surrounded by hills and forests. Home to some 50 museums and full of galleries, cafés, a sculpture park and the Royal Palace, this vibrant city with its handsome 19th-century buildings and wide streets has much to offer. Its history dates back 1,000 years, and includes a rich seafaring heritage that ranges from the Viking era to Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon Tiki expedition. Discover more about this exciting city on our varied selection of excursions.

From the eighth to the 11th centuries, the Vikings journeyed across Europe in search of land and trade. Discover their fascinating history and Norway’s nautical traditions during your visit to the Bygdoy Peninsula. Learn about modern seafaring at the Kon-Tiki Museum, dedicated to the epic sea voyages of Thor Heyerdahl, and delve into polar exploration at the Fram Museum, where you can step on board the legendary Fram Polar Ship. Sailing between 1893 and 1912, it is the strongest wooden ship ever built and still holds the records for sailing farthest north and farthest south.Then, for a truly unique experience, ascend to Holmenkollen Ski Museum with an elevator ride to the ski jump tower’s summit. 

Transfer to the airport for your flight to the trendy Swedish capital, Stockholm. Built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges and looking proudly out onto the Baltic Sea, Stockholm is said to be one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world.Stockholm is famous for its graceful architecture, greenery, fresh air and proximity to the water. Learn more about this captivating city as you spend the next two nights at your Special Stay hotel.

Stockholm is a city in the flush of its second youth. Since the mid-1990s, Sweden's capital has emerged from its cold, Nordic shadow to take the stage as a truly international city. What started with entry into the European Union in 1995 gained pace with the extraordinary IT boom of the late 1990s, strengthened with the Skype-led IT second wave of 2003, and solidified with the hedge-fund invasion that is still happening today as Stockholm gains even more global confidence. And despite more recent economic turmoil, Stockholm's 1 million or so inhabitants have, almost as one, realized that their city is one to rival Paris, London, New York, or any other great metropolis.With this realization comes change. Stockholm has become a city of design, fashion, innovation, technology, and world-class food, pairing homegrown talent with an international outlook. The streets are flowing with a young and confident population keen to drink in everything the city has to offer. The glittering feeling of optimism, success, and living in the here and now is rampant in Stockholm.Stockholm also has plenty of history. Positioned where the waters of Lake Mälaren rush into the Baltic, it’s been an important trading site and a wealthy international city for centuries. Built on 14 islands joined by bridges crossing open bays and narrow channels, Stockholm boasts the story of its history in its glorious medieval old town, grand palaces, ancient churches, sturdy edifices, public parks, and 19th-century museums—its history is soaked into the very fabric of its airy boulevards, built as a public display of trading glory.

Your local guide will unveil the city’s most treasured sites today. Discover the City Hall, one of Sweden’s most famous buildings with its iconic spire featuring the golden Three Crowns, as well as Riddarholm Church and the Royal Palace. Then visit the Vasa Ship Museum on the island of Djurgården, where the 17th century warship Vasa is now housed after it tragically sank on its inaugural voyage in 1628.This evening, enjoy a dinner featuring Swedish cuisine with European influences in a stunning setting.

Welcome to Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. Your exploration begins with a two-night Special Stay. Learn its intriguing history, from humble origins as a fishing village to its heyday as the glittering capital of the Danish Empire and its current position as one of the world’s premier design capitals. The stories and characters of Copenhagen’s past can be discovered in its sumptuous palaces, copper-roofed town houses and atmospheric cobbled squares. Soak up the atmosphere of this modern and diverse city.

By the 11th century, Copenhagen was already an important trading and fishing centre and today you will find an attractive city which, although the largest in Scandinavia, has managed to retain its low-level skyline. Discover some of the famous attractions including Gefion Fountain and Amalienborg Palace, perhaps cruise the city’s waterways, visit Rosenborg Castle or explore the medieval fishing village of Dragoer. Once the home of Hans Christian Andersen, Copenhagen features many reminders of its fairytale heritage and lives up to the reputation immortalised in the famous song ‘Wonderful Copenhagen’.

This morning, visit Rosenborg Castle, an elegant Renaissance residence originally built in 1606 as a royal summer retreat. The castle houses some of Denmark’s most important cultural treasures spanning more than 400 years, including royal artworks, the Crown Jewels, and Royal Regalia.In the afternoon, indulge in a scenic canal cruise, drifting effortlessly through Copenhagen’s historic waterways while viewing celebrated landmarks such as Christiansborg Palace, the striking Black Diamond Library, and the iconic Little Mermaid statue.This evening, delight in a farewell dinner at Kilden i Haven, one of Copenhagen’s most distinguished dining venues, elegantly set within the enchanting surroundings of Tivoli Gardens, with park entrance included.

Your Scandinavian Land Journey has come to a close, and your Signature Yacht Cruise begins in one of the region's brightest gems—Copenhagen. A city brimming with stunning architecture, art, history, and culinary delights, Copenhagen also champions sustainable living and is renowned as one of the best places in the world to explore by bike.

A charming seaside retreat on Germany’s Baltic coast, Travemünde blends maritime history with relaxed coastal elegance. Founded as a fishing village in the 12th century, this picturesque port has long been a favorite getaway for those seeking fresh sea air, sandy beaches, and a laid-back atmosphere. As the gateway to Lübeck, a World Heritage-listed city, Travemünde offers a seamless blend of history, culture, and scenic beauty. Stroll along its lively promenade, admire historic sailing ships, or simply soak in the serene coastal ambiance of this timeless Baltic gem. 

Sail through the world’s busiest man-made canal as your Discovery Yacht travels from the Baltic Sea to the North Sea. Meet the Captain and his crew on the bridge for some of the best views of the canal. Alternatively, take a seat in the Observation Lounge and sip specialty teas and aromatic Illy coffee or lie back in one of the cabanas near the Sky Bar and watch dozens of ships go by.

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea before arriving in Amsterdam this afternoon. After breakfast on your private verandah or the Yacht Club, perhaps book a massage# at the Senses Spa.The 550m2 wellness area features  infrared saunas and Salt Therapy Lounge ice fountains  and sun beds on the spa terrace. When your Discovery Yacht arrives in Amsterdam, you'll be perfectly positioned to explore the city's iconic canals, historic landmarks, and vibrant culture right from the heart of this enchanting destination, with the added luxury of an overnight stay to fully immerse yourself in its charm. 

Amsterdam combines the unrivaled beauty of the 17th-century Golden Age city center with plenty of museums and art of the highest order, not to mention a remarkably laid-back atmosphere. It all comes together to make this one of the world's most appealing and offbeat metropolises in the world. Built on a latticework of concentric canals like an aquatic rainbow, Amsterdam is known as the City of Canals—but it's no Venice, content to live on moonlight serenades and former glory. Quite the contrary: on nearly every street here you'll find old and new side by side—quiet corners where time seems to be holding its breath next to streets like neon-lit Kalverstraat, and Red Light ladies strutting by the city's oldest church. Indeed, Amsterdam has as many lovely facets as a 40-carat diamond polished by one of the city's gem cutters. It's certainly a metropolis, but a rather small and very accessible one. Locals tend to refer to it as a big village, albeit one that happens to pack the cultural wallop of a major world destination. There are scores of concerts every day, numerous museums, summertime festivals, and, of course, a legendary year-round party scene. It's pretty much impossible to resist Amsterdam's charms. With 7,000 registered monuments, most of which began as the residences and warehouses of humble merchants, set on 160 man-made canals, and traversed by 1,500 or so bridges, Amsterdam has the largest historical inner city in Europe. Its famous circle of waterways, the grachtengordel, was a 17th-century urban expansion plan for the rich and is a lasting testament to the city’s Golden Age. This town is endearing because of its kinder, gentler nature—but a reputation for championing sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll does not alone account for Amsterdam's being one of the most popular destinations in Europe: consider that within a single square mile the city harbors some of the greatest achievements in Western art, from Rembrandt to Van Gogh. Not to mention that this is one of Europe's great walking cities, with so many of its treasures in the untouted details: tiny alleyways barely visible on the map, hidden garden courtyards, shop windows, floating houseboats, hidden hofjes(courtyards with almshouses), sudden vistas of church spires, and gabled roofs that look like so many unframed paintings. And don’t forget that the joy lies in details: elaborate gables and witty gable stones denoting the trade of a previous owner. Keep in mind that those XXX symbols you see all over town are not a mark of the city's triple-X reputation. They're part of Amsterdam's official coat of arms—three St. Andrew's crosses, believed to represent the three dangers that have traditionally plagued the city: flood, fire, and pestilence. The coat's motto ("Valiant, determined, compassionate") was introduced in 1947 by Queen Wilhelmina in remembrance of the 1941 February Strike in Amsterdam—the first time in Europe that non-Jewish people protested against the persecution of Jews by the Nazi regime.

Discover hidden treasures as you explore Amsterdam's canal-woven heart, where charming secret gardens, boutique Dutch homewares, and unique niche restaurants await. Keep an eye out for the tens of thousands of bikes zipping by—cycling is a way of life here in one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities. Immerse yourself in the city’s rich art, history, and the quintessential Dutch concept of gezellig, which embodies a sense of cosziness and conviviality. Today, choose from our wide range of Scenic Freechoice activities.  

Experience 6-star ultra-luxury as you cruise the English Channel today, en route to Honfleur, one of France’s most beloved seaside towns. As you cruise these historic waters, take in the stunning coastal views and prepare to explore the charm of Honfleur. Your Discovery Yacht   will dock for an overnight stay, giving you time to immerse yourself in this picturesque destination.Those artistically inclined may discover the carefully curated artwork on board, including Teatime by Francois Bertrand and three custom installations by British graffiti artist Carl Hush in Koko’s.

Honfleur, the most picturesque of the Côte Fleurie's seaside towns, is a time-burnished place with a surplus of half-timber houses and cobbled streets that are lined with a stunning selection of stylish boutiques. Much of its Renaissance architecture remains intact—especially around the 17th-century Vieux Bassin harbor, where the water is fronted on one side by two-story stone houses with low, sloping roofs and on the other by tall slate-topped houses with wooden facades. Maritime expeditions (including some of the first voyages to Canada) departed from here; later, Impressionists were inspired to capture it on canvas. But the town as a whole has become increasingly crowded since the Pont de Normandie opened in 1995. Providing a direct link with Upper Normandy, the world's sixth-largest cable-stayed bridge is supported by two concrete pylons taller than the Eiffel Tower and designed to resist winds of 257 kph (160 mph).

One of the prettiest ports in France, Honfleur is where the River Seine meets the English Channel on the Normandy Coast. The port dates back to the 17th century and the historic waterfront features colourful and tile clad buildings including boutique shops, cafes and restaurants.   Stroll streets where Claude Monet and his mentor Eugene Boudin once set up their easels to paint and visit the Museum Eugene Boudin to see paintings by both artists and their contemporaries.   

Spend the morning exploring enchanting St Peter Port. The steep cobbled streets are best explored with a local expert, or go at your own pace browsing specialty shops and boutiques.  The 800-year old Castle Cornet is where historic gardens and four museums share panoramic views. Nearby at Hauteville House step, Victor Hugo wrote Les Misérables and more in during his time in exile.  Enjoy a drink as we sail out in the afternoon, and for dinner enjoy steak and seafood at Elements, channel the spirit of Asia at Koko’s or journey to France at Lumière (available by on board reservation).  

A welcoming blend of seaside town and old town, Vilagarcía de Arousa has soft sandy beaches and an old quarter where some buildings date back to the 12th century.  In Vilagarcía de Arousa, stroll through the town’s parks and gardens including the Pazo of Rubiáns where more than 4,500 camellias grow in a historic garden. Try one of the seafood restaurants along the seafront before your late-night departure or have dinner at your favourite restaurant on board.  

One of Portugal’s largest seaports, Leixões is just 8 kilometres from the heart of Porto, where the city shares its name with one of Portugal’s best-known exports, port wine.   Located at the mouth of the Douro River, Porto is a World Heritage-listed city of baroque splendour, Gothic cathedrals, and incredible food. Wander through winding alleys lined with houses decorated with Portuguese tiles, see the city’s street art, and take in the views from the cable car and funicular.  

Welcome to Lisbon, Portugal’s coastal capital where you can walk along mosaic streets, visit ancient ruins and white-domed cathedrals and feast on Portuguese tarts. Savour one last breakfast on your Discovery Yacht before saying farewell to the crew and your fellow guests as you take memories from your Scandinavia to the Iberian Peninsula voyage.   Please book your flight to depart out of Lisbon after 12:00 PM.#Spa treatments at additional cost. +All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits. Specialty restaurants require a reservation, enquire on board. ^Flights on board our two helicopters and submersible experiences are at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, availability, weight restrictions, medical approval and weather conditions. Helicopter not operational in Netherlands or France. Submersible not available in Europe.The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.