FROM KIEL TO HAMBURG

With its mix of world-famous landmarks and modern charm, Copenhagen appeals to every visitor. The Little Mermaid at Langelinie is the city’s most famous attraction. The colourful waterfront at Nyhavn with its lively cafes is a great place to while away some time, while Amalienborg Palace and the Tivoli amusement park will take you on a journey through the past and present of the Danish capital. In its majestic setting amidst well-kept rose gardens, Rosenborg Castle is home to the Danish Crown Jewels. As well as its historic sites, Copenhagen is a paradise for design fans: the cubist Royal Library and the Royal Opera House are outstanding examples of modern Scandinavian architecture.

You will can gather exciting impressions until late in the evening – because your ship has an overnight lay time here.

Oslo lies between thick forests and the deep-blue Oslofjord – a city that combines innovative architecture, first-class museums and encounters with nature. The fast-growing capital city of Norway is impressive with its modern districts and interesting sights, such as the Barcode Buildings, the opera house, the Astrup Fearnley Museum, the new Munch Museum and the National Museum. Iconic historical sights can be seen at the Akershus Fortress on the Oslofjord. Another highlight of the city is the Holmenkollen, a 371 m (1,218 ft) hill featuring the world-famous ski jump – a mecca for winter sports and a famous Oslo landmark that’s popular with visitors.

Kristiansand lies on the estuary of the River Otra in the Skagerrak strait. A particularly charming aspect of the capital of the Norwegian Sorlandet region is the harbour promenade, where cafes and restaurants are the ideal place to enjoy the maritime atmosphere. The sandy headland on which the city was founded in 1641 by King Christian IV, is a great place for an extended stroll, while the nearby city beach and traditional wooden houses in the old town offer relaxation and variety. A walk around the boutiques in the historic city centre will round off your stay in Kristiansand perfectly.

Nestled between picturesque fjords and steep hillsides, Norway’s second largest city, Bergen, exudes the charm of a lively coastal city. The Hanseatic quarter of Bryggen, with its colourful wooden houses as a reminder of the city’s trading and seafaring history, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and gives Bergen its unique character. A walk along the harbour, where fishing boats moor up in the mornings, leads you to the busy fish market – a place full of aromas where fresh specialities are sold straight off the boats. The city brings visitors under its spell with its harmonious blend of history, liveliness and breathtaking natural scenery.

Between the medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town, Edinburgh offers a fascinating mix of history and modernity. The impressive Scottish capital looks back over a long history and is famous for Edinburgh Castle, which sits proudly on top of Castle Rock where you can enjoy the wonderful views. Princes Street Gardens are a great place to wander around in the city centre, while the many pubs in the narrow, winding streets will tempt you to make a detour – Edinburgh has more pubs than almost anywhere else in Europe. However, the city is also a literary centre and home to some famous authors: Joanne K. Rowling and Robert Louis Stevenson found inspiration in the uniquely special atmosphere of the city.

As England’s northernmost major city, Newcastle upon Tyne is the gateway to Scotland. This lively student city impressively combines history and modernity: today a dynamic metropolis with galleries and contemporary architecture, but around 1,800 years ago, the site featured the Roman fortification Pons Aelius, part of the legendary Hadrian’s Wall. Then as now, the city’s appearance is dominated by the River Tyne, which is spanned by seven bridges, including the futuristic Millennium Bridge: an innovative mechanism allows it to rotate around its longitudinal axis – an elegant spectacle when the bridge opens to allow ships to pass through.

The striking white cliffs of Dover rise up to 106 m (347 ft) above the deep-blue waves – with their bright limestone visible from afar, they have always been considered a symbol of the region. Dover itself is a coastal town in the county of Kent and one of the most important ferry ports in Great Britain. Only about two hours from London, it is a popular starting point for exploring the British capital: the metropolis of contrasts is a lively mosaic of history and modernity, culture and culinary indulgence, inviting visitors to explore its many sights.

On the banks of the River Schelde, Antwerp is one of Belgium’s liveliest port and cultural cities. Since the Middle Ages, Europe’s second-largest port has brought prosperity to the city and connected it to the North Sea. Still today, the magnificent guild houses on the Grote Markt and the impressive railway station stand as testament to the riches of the past. In the 17th century, it was home to Peter Paul Rubens – and you can admire his impressive artworks in his former residence and studio as well as in the Gothic Church of Our Lady. The cathedral has the highest church tower in Flanders and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Superlatives are also to be found in the Diamond Quarter, famous for the Antwerp Cut.