Norwegian Fjords 7-nights
Serenade of The Seas

The coastal city of Copenhagen is packed with old-world fairytale charm alongside some of the world’s most avant garde architecture. It is a vibrant, modern city with a long and fascinating history; it has been the capital of Denmark for nearly 600 years and is home to the oldest resident monarchy in the world.

The biggest city in Scandinavia, Copenhagen occupies a pleasant and strategic spot on the Baltic east coast of Denmark’s largest island, Zealand, its harbour overlooked by the world-famous statue of the ‘Little Mermaid’.

One of the first impressions that strike visitors to this busy, dynamic capital is the cleanliness and orderliness that prevails in its medieval, cobbled old city streets and along the picturesque canals in Christianshavn. Most of the myriad attractions for visitors are situated within about one square mile (3sqkm) of flat terrain in the centre, making it easy to explore on foot (or by bicycle, which is the vehicle of choice for locals).

Five streets in the heart of the city have been merged to provide the world’s longest pedestrian mall, running between Rådhuspladsen and Kongens Nytorv, which is packed with historic gabled buildings, dynamic department stores, numerous interesting little shops, restaurants, pavement cafes, theatres, and world-class museums and galleries.

Despite the condensed city centre, Copenhagen is not short on green lungs: parks such as the ever-popular Tivoli Gardens abound in this city, which prides itself on its strict anti-pollution laws and lack of glass and chrome skyscrapers.

The family-friendly city that spawned beloved storyteller Hans Christian Andersen is, indeed, a modern, urban fairytale: one of Europe’s finest capitals, Copenhagen retains a provincial charm and sense of history along with cutting-edge efficiency, offering its justifiably proud citizens an extremely high standard of living.

The historic city of Bergen was medieval Norway’s capital, and is today an international tourist centre and gateway to the famously beautiful fjords. It has a spectacular setting on a sheltered harbour of the North Sea, situated among seven hills that form a delightful backdrop to the brightly painted wooden houses along the waterfront, and is one of Norway’s most enjoyable cities.

Bergen’s history is closely linked to the sea. It became a major trading port of the medieval merchants of the Hanseatic League, who dominated European trade during the Middle Ages. The hub of the city’s social life is around the Torget, the picturesque harbour-side market plaza that is surrounded by an assortment of cafes, restaurants and pubs, and home to the vibrant fish market. Flanking one side of the harbour is a colourful row of old wooden houses, part of the historic wharf area and the remaining legacy of the Hanseatics, from where narrow cobbled streets wind their way up between the quaint houses of the picturesque old neighbourhood.

The city centre is divided into two parts: the old Hanseatic town along the wharf, and the modern centre stretching inland from the harbour. Bergen has a pleasant, slow pace and a cultured atmosphere with numerous interesting museums, galleries, an aquarium and surviving medieval buildings. A cable car and a funicular carry visitors to the top of two of Bergen’s hills, Mount Ulriken and Mount Floyen, to enjoy splendid views over the city and coast. Mount Floyen is covered in forest with a well-marked series of walking trails. Boat trips to the fjords are very popular and many cruises depart from Bergen’s port into the gorgeous waterways that network the region.

Situated on the southwest coast, Stavanger is Norway’s fourth largest city, and its petroleum capital. A modern city, with excellent public transport, it also boasts the area known as ‘Gamle Stavanger’, a cobble-stoned old suburb full of 18th-century wooden houses, where many local artists have taken up residence. The old quarter spreads out from the harbour and the waterfront is also a hub of activity for travellers, bustling at night with crowds of locals and visitors, particularly during summer. Stavanger is a fun mix of old and new, a cosmopolitan port city with a charming historic atmosphere.

Sightseeing attractions in Stavanger include the Oil Museum, the Canning Museum, and the Rogaland Art Museum, among many others. The city is also known for its rich and varied nightlife, which is considered some of the best that Norway has to offer. In the summer, visitors can take advantage of Stavanger’s many climbing and hiking opportunities, or hang out on Solastranden, a long, sandy beach close to the airport; and in winter, can ice skate on the city’s largest lake, Stokkavannet.

Several low-cost airlines regularly serve Stavanger’s Sola Airport making it a popular entry-point for travellers to Norway. Situated on the west coast of Norway, Stavanger is within easy reach of Bergen and the famous fjordlands.

The largest and most important port in southeast Norway. A popular shopping area. Kristiansand, city and seaport in southern Norway, on the Skagerrak Strait. It is the seat of Vest-Agder County. Fish products, paper, pulp, and timber are shipped from here, and tourism is important. Kristiansand was founded in 1641 by Christian IV, king of Denmark and Norway. The city became an Episcopal see in 1682. Population (1993 estimate) 67,113.

The coastal city of Copenhagen is packed with old-world fairytale charm alongside some of the world’s most avant garde architecture. It is a vibrant, modern city with a long and fascinating history; it has been the capital of Denmark for nearly 600 years and is home to the oldest resident monarchy in the world.

The biggest city in Scandinavia, Copenhagen occupies a pleasant and strategic spot on the Baltic east coast of Denmark’s largest island, Zealand, its harbour overlooked by the world-famous statue of the ‘Little Mermaid’.

One of the first impressions that strike visitors to this busy, dynamic capital is the cleanliness and orderliness that prevails in its medieval, cobbled old city streets and along the picturesque canals in Christianshavn. Most of the myriad attractions for visitors are situated within about one square mile (3sqkm) of flat terrain in the centre, making it easy to explore on foot (or by bicycle, which is the vehicle of choice for locals).

Five streets in the heart of the city have been merged to provide the world’s longest pedestrian mall, running between Rådhuspladsen and Kongens Nytorv, which is packed with historic gabled buildings, dynamic department stores, numerous interesting little shops, restaurants, pavement cafes, theatres, and world-class museums and galleries.

Despite the condensed city centre, Copenhagen is not short on green lungs: parks such as the ever-popular Tivoli Gardens abound in this city, which prides itself on its strict anti-pollution laws and lack of glass and chrome skyscrapers.

The family-friendly city that spawned beloved storyteller Hans Christian Andersen is, indeed, a modern, urban fairytale: one of Europe’s finest capitals, Copenhagen retains a provincial charm and sense of history along with cutting-edge efficiency, offering its justifiably proud citizens an extremely high standard of living.