Itinerary
Day 1 : Edinburgh/SCOTLAND
Dominated by the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle, this picturesque city offers shopping on Princes Street, the grandeur of the Royal Mile, St. Giles Cathedral and historic Palace of Holyrood House, where Queen Mary lived and many Scottish kings were wed. Or you could venture across the moors to marvel at the scenic Highlands.
Day 2 : Edinburgh/SCOTLAND
Dominated by the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle, this picturesque city offers shopping on Princes Street, the grandeur of the Royal Mile, St. Giles Cathedral and historic Palace of Holyrood House, where Queen Mary lived and many Scottish kings were wed. Or you could venture across the moors to marvel at the scenic Highlands.
Day 3 : Kirkwall
Day 4 : Lerwick
There are 100 islands comprising the Shetlands, the area known for its beautiful woolens. They were first settled by the Vikings, and only became Scottish in the 15th century. Today, ferries run to Aberdeen, and to Norway. Lerwick enjoys the tradition of raising sheep and fishing, and the riches of oil in the North Sea.
Day 5 : Alesund/NORWAY
Day 6 : At Sea
Day 7 : At Sea
Day 8 : Svalbard/NORWAY
In Spitsbergen''s main settlement located at the head of Advent Bay, you''ll experience the "Land of the Midnight Sun" as you look out on a coastline full of seals, walrus, and whales, not to mention thousands of species of seabirds.
Day 9 : At Sea
Day 10 : Honningsvag/NORWAY
Welcome to the top of the world! The village of Honningsvag is the northernmost community in Europe, set in a land of vast forests, dramatic fjords and crashing waterfalls, bathed in the eerie light of the Midnight Sun. Just up the coast is the North Cape, Europe's northernmost point, with breathtaking views towards the Barents Sea and the polar north.
Day 11 : Alta/NORWAY
Day 12 : Harstad/NORWAY
Day 13 : Bodo/NORWAY
Day 14 : Trondheim/NORWAY
Norway's royal residence since 997 AD, when King Olaf I founded Trondheim, the city still boasts Stiftsgarden, the huge wooden palace. A century later, St. Olaf II began to perform miracles for the people, making Trondheim a major pilgrimage destination. Be sure to visit Nidaros Cathedral, where the Norwegian kings are still crowned, which is certainly one of Europe's premier Gothic-style churches.
Day 15 : At Sea
Day 16 : At Sea
Day 17 : Bruges/BELGIUM
A crossroad in the English Channel for centuries, Zeebrugge is the entry to Flanders, whose golden age heritage resides in three historic cities: Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges-a jewel of a town beribboned with picturesque canals and a truly charming medieval beauty. In this region, museums proudly display the glories of the old Flemish masters, from Van Dyck to Rubens, and summertime is delightful when window boxes boast colorful flowers and the graceful arcs of windmills can be seen.
Day 18 : Amsterdam/NETHERLANDS
One of Europe's leading cities, Amsterdam's rings of canals and traditional Dutch architecture are unmistakable. Rich in art, history and culture, Amsterdam is home to the Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank's house, and the Rijksmuseum, which houses many works by Rembrandt and Vermeer.
Day 19 : Amsterdam/NETHERLANDS
One of Europe's leading cities, Amsterdam's rings of canals and traditional Dutch architecture are unmistakable. Rich in art, history and culture, Amsterdam is home to the Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank's house, and the Rijksmuseum, which houses many works by Rembrandt and Vermeer.
Day 20 : London/ENGLAND
From the port of Tilbury, it's a short trip to London proper. Even if you've seen the sights (Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Parliament and Buckingham Palace, to name a few), there is always a good play or musical in the West End, or shopping at Harrod's to pass the time.
Day 21 : At Sea
Day 22 : Belfast
Day 23 : Douglas
Day 24 : Dublin/IRELAND
...Dublin is an extraordinary city that is best experienced on foot...The charming suburbs are glorious, and the small cafes and coffeehouses are enchanting. There are a number of elegant museums in Dublin, and a couple of outstanding galleries and concert theaters. You will never get bored in Dublin, and this is why many visitors to the area stay here longer than planned...
Day 25 : Plymouth/ENGLAND
Day 26 : Paris/FRANCE
The mark of a great city is the many different impressions it can leave on any one person. When I say Paris, what do you think of first? The Eiffel Tower? The Louvre? The Arc de Triomphe? Notre Dame? Do you think fashion, romance, food, or fun? It is this diversity that elevates Paris to the top of any list that tries to compare the world''s best cities.
Day 27 : At Sea
Day 28 : Brussels/BELGIUM
The chief city of Belgium's Flemish region, Antwerp was renowned for centuries as a center of the diamond trade, and recently designated a "Cultural Capital of Europe." Its Royal Museum contains magnificent works by Rubens, Van Dyck, and other old masters.
Day 29 : Brussels/BELGIUM
The chief city of Belgium's Flemish region, Antwerp was renowned for centuries as a center of the diamond trade, and recently designated a "Cultural Capital of Europe." Its Royal Museum contains magnificent works by Rubens, Van Dyck, and other old masters.