Norway, Sweden and Denmark

9 Days

Overview

Experience the wide breadth of Nordic culture and nature as you embark on a voyage through the cities, villages and natural landscapes of Scandinavia. Hike and kayak along remote, windswept coastlines that showcase the region’s rugged beauty and wildlife. Indulge in fresh seafood, traditional pastries and innovative Nordic dishes with locally sourced produce and fish. Become immersed in centuries-old history at every turn, from rich seafaring traditions to famed Nordic artists.

This itinerary also operates in reverse for select voyages.

Arrive in Edinburgh and transfer to the city center. Known throughout time for its hill fort, now the iconic Edinburgh Castle, this vibrant city offers a variety of experiences throughout its streets. Explore the city at your own pace before embarking the ship in the afternoon.

Sail to Moray Firth, a quiet triangular inlet in northeast Scotland. Sitting in the North Sea, it has a multitude of rivers and smaller inlets feeding into its basin. The River Spey—the second longest river in Scotland—runs through its interior out to its coastline. Known for its purity and natural beauty, the water has given rise to vibrant marine life, like bottlenose dolphins and wild salmon, coastal boatbuilding traditions and an iconic whisky trail in the valleys along its path.

Sail across the North Sea to Norway. These waters have been a connecting route between Shetland and Norse Kingdoms as far back as the ninth century. Enjoy the day on board to edit photos or attend a presentation about the region with one of your naturalists. Schedule a massage with the wellness specialist or spend time on the observation deck as you watch for the migrating wildlife that call this region home.

Considered by many to be one of the prettiest villages in all of Norway, Mandal sits at the far southern tip of the country. Perched in a harbour and surrounded by whitewashed buildings, this coastal village is the oldest market town in the region, dating back to the 1500s. Beyond its trade history, Mandal is known for its local artists and its vast natural beauty. Stroll Sjøsanden, one of Norway’s best beaches, and tour the birthplace of Gustav Vigeland, one of Norway’s greatest artists at the Vigeland House.

Perched at the edge of Raet National Marine Park, Arendal provides a gateway into a nature lovers paradise. With an archipelago filled with different landscapes to discover, and an old town filled with architecture from the mid-1800’s, Arendal offers a wide variety of interests to be explored. Venture out into the archipelago for nature hikes, or enjoy a guided walk-through town ending at the historical museum and its archives.

Comprising 150 square miles around the islands in the Koster archipelago, Kosterhavet National Park is the first National Marine Park in Sweden. It contains over 6,000 marine species—including 200 that cannot be found anywhere else in Sweden, like the cold-water coral Lophelia pertus —and one of the country’s two coral reefs. Spend two days island hopping, kayaking, and hiking as you experience the natural beauty of this archipelago.

Arrive in North Zealand today, known for its windswept coast lined with sand dunes, quaint villages and a refuge for the Danish Royal Family. Take advantage of the many options along the northern coast, including a visit to Knud Rasmussen’s summer home looking out over the North Sea towards his beloved Greenland. Alternatively, venture out into the water on a seaweed safari, learning about the over 30 species of seaweed and their uses, or walk the halls of historic Fredericksborg Castle, the largest in the Nordic region, dating from the 1600s.

Disembark in Copenhagen and transfer to the airport for flights home.