Nordic Wonders and Fjords of Norway

Welcome to Copenhagen, a city that epitomises Scandinavian cool. Denmark’s vibrant capital is full of exceptional architecture, art, history and food.

Board your 6-star Discovery Yacht this afternoon. The Captain and crew of Scenic Eclipse will welcome you on board with a glass of Champagne as you familiarise yourself with your new home. With only up to 228 guests on board, you’ll experience an immersive, engaging cruise through this fascinating part of the world. Join your fellow guests on the Sky Deck to toast the start of an unforgettable voyage.

Please book your flight to arrive into Copenhagen prior to 01:00 PM.

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’.

Skagen is Denmark’s northernmost town. It’s renowned for its captivating light, which has inspired many Scandinavian painters and became an artist colony at the end of the 19th century. Immerse yourself in the rich artistic heritage of this charming coastal town, where the beauty of nature meets the creativity of human expression. Explore the Skagens Museum, home to the world's largest collection of Skagen painters, including masterpieces by P.S. Krøyer and Anna Archer.

Scenic Eclipse II will depart Skagen this afternoon bound for Gothenburg, Sweden, where more adventures await.

Skagen is a charming old seaside village nestled amid pristine dunes, picturesque moors and long sand beaches. During the Middle Ages, Skagen was known for its herring catch, and remains a major fishing center today. With the introduction of the railway, a group of impressionist painters discovered the area’s seascapes and soft evening light and journeyed here to found the Skagen Painters; their work is showcased at the small Skagens Museum. The lure of Skagen inspired royalty to visit: King Christian X was so taken with the setting that he built a summer residence here.

Scandinavia’s largest port and Sweden’s ‘second city’, Gothenburg is a vibrant centre with a rich maritime heritage and modern sophistication. Explore its picturesque canals, historic architecture and dynamic cultural scene. Its gritty industrial area has been transformed in recent years, with warehouses turned into art galleries and chic boutiques. Visit the excellent Gothenburg Maritime Museum and stroll the streets of the charming Haga district, filled with picturesque wooden houses. Savour culinary delights at the famous fish market, Feskekôrka, or visit one of the six Michelin-starred restaurants in the city.

Don't tell the residents of Göteborg that they live in Sweden's "second city," but not because they will get upset (people here are known for their amiability and good humor). They just may not understand what you are talking about. People who call Göteborg (pronounced YOO-teh-bor; most visitors stick with the simpler "Gothenburg") home seem to forget that the city is diminutive in size and status compared to Stockholm.Spend a couple of days here and you'll forget, too. You'll find it's easier to ask what Göteborg hasn't got to offer rather than what it has. Culturally it is superb, boasting a fine opera house and theater, one of the country's best art museums, as well as a fantastic applied-arts museum. There's plenty of history to soak up, from the ancient port that gave the city its start to the 19th-century factory buildings and workers' houses that helped put it on the commercial map. For those looking for nature, the wild-west coast and tame green fields are both within striking distance. And don't forget the food. Since its inception in 1983, more than half of the "Swedish Chef of the Year" competition winners were cooking in Göteborg.

Wake this morning in Oslo, Norway’s compact and cultured capital city. Flanked by the mountains and the sea, it’s home to striking landmarks like the Royal Palace and Oslo Opera House. Discover the city's rich maritime history at the Norwegian Maritime Museum, learn about its proud tradition of international peacemaking at the Nobel Peace Centre and marvel at the stunning works of Norwegian artist Edvard Munch in the Munch Museum.

This evening, Scenic Eclipse II will sail back out through Oslofjord, a serene waterway that connects Oslo to the ocean. Stand on your private verandah to admire the picturesque views under the slowly setting sun.

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.

The southernmost city in Norway, Kristiansand gets more sunlight per year than anywhere else in the country. Make the most of the glorious weather as you explore its historic neighbourhoods, lined with colourful wooden houses, tumbling flowerboxes and cobblestone streets. Discover the city's maritime heritage at the Kristiansand Museum, which includes an open-air display of more than 30 buildings dating back to the 15th century. Stroll along the picturesque waterfront promenade lined with cafes and boutiques, venture into the surrounding countryside for outdoor adventures, or dip your toes in the water at the palm-fringed beach.

Nicknamed "Sommerbyen" ("Summer City"), Norway's fifth-largest city has 78,000 inhabitants. Norwegians come here for its sun-soaked beaches and beautiful harbor. Kristiansand has also become known internationally for the outdoor Quart Festival, which hosts local and international rock bands every July. According to legend, in 1641 King Christian IV marked the four corners of Kristiansand with his walking stick, and within that framework the grid of wide streets was laid down. The center of town, called the Kvadraturen, still retains the grid, even after numerous fires. In the northeast corner is Posebyen, one of northern Europe's largest collections of low, connected wooden house settlements, and there's a market here every Saturday in summer. Kristiansand's Fisketorvet (fish market) is near the south corner of the town's grid, right on the sea.

Nestled on Norway's southwestern coast, the ancient city of Stavanger boasts a rich Viking heritage. Dating back to the 9th century, it’s often referred to as the ‘Cradle of the Vikings’. Stavanger is a compact city that’s easy to explore on foot – stroll past the well-preserved white wooden houses of the old town and along Øvre Holmegate, known as the ‘street of colours’. Learn more about the city's fascinating past and seafaring legacy at the Stavanger Maritime Museum, housed in a historic wharf side warehouse. Stavanger is also renowned for its culinary scene, with a bustling fish market offering fresh seafood delights.

Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Stavanger flourished in the 19th century as a fishing port. While other towns in Norway have suffered with the decline of this industry, Stavanger has kept its economy booming by diversifying, first into shipbuilding and now into oil. These two contrasting industries have created a city of two halves – a modern area of high-rise buildings and a historic centre with cobbled streets and old wooden houses. The city centre was the birthplace of Alexander Kielland, one of the great 19th-century Norwegian novelists. Stavanger Cathedral, dating from 1125, is an impressive building and the only medieval cathedral in Norway that has not been substantially altered since it was first built. From Stavanger you can explore the attractive blue waters of Lysefjord, surrounded by cliffs and striking rock formations, and also visit Hafrsfjord where the Viking King Harald won an important battle that started the Unification of Norway. Those preferring to explore on their own may wish to visit the interesting Petroleum Museum.

Rosendal is a hidden gem of Norway, renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty. Explore the historic Baroniet Rosendal, one of the country's oldest manor houses, surrounded by lush gardens and majestic mountains. The surrounding area is famous for its hiking trails and active travellers will be rewarded with stunning vistas.

This evening, you will cruise through the spectacular Hardangerfjord, marvelling at the cascading waterfalls, towering cliffs and quaint villages dotting the fjord's rugged coastline. Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of Norway's fjordland.

Rosendal, with its mountains and waterfalls, is one of Norway's more romantic villages. Cut off from the rest of the world by high mountains and the Folgefonna National Park, and home to just 800 year-round inhabitants, to say the village is in a little world of its own is no exaggeration! While Rosendal might lack for urban excitement, you certainly couldn't want to find a more beautiful setting. Soaring mountain peaks, narrow winding fjords, impressive waterfalls, and the third-largest glacier in Norway are all par for the norm here, as are breathtaking glacier views and some of the freshest air you'll ever experience. The village was famously a wedding present to Ludvig Holgersen Rosenkrantz's daughter in 1658. Rosenkrantz was the wealthiest man in the country at the time, owning over 500 farms all over western Norway. The great manor house built shortly after the wedding still stands, along with beautifully maintained gardens that were added 300 years later. The house is a wonderful reflection of the different periods' styles of the various illustrious owners and restoration has been painstakingly carried out. The oldest rooms are still decorated as they were in the early 19th century while the library is the only 17th century room in Norway kept in its entirety, complete with the original rich French tapestry from the 1660s. No visit to this little village would be complete without a taste of local life. Pop into a tea shop for a traditional griddlecake, enjoyed amid splendid waterfront views.

The picturesque village of Vik offers stunning vistas of towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and lush green valleys. Explore the historic Stave Church, one of the finest examples of medieval wooden architecture in the country and delve into Vik's rich Viking heritage at local museums.

This afternoon, cruise through Sognefjord, the largest fjord in Norway, known as the ‘King of the Fjords’. Be mesmerised by the fjord's majestic beauty, with its dramatic cliffs, emerald waters, and charming villages nestled along the shores. Take in the views from the Observation Terrace or breathe in the fresh fjord air as you sit back in one of the cabanas.

Vík í Mýrdal is a remote seafront village in south Iceland. It sits in the shadow of Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which covers the Katla volcano. Reyniskirkja is a wooden church dating to 1929. Reynisfjara beach has black pebbles, basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar offshore rock formations. The cliffs of Reynisfjall mountain are home to seabirds such as puffins. Just west, the Dyrhólaey peninsula has a large rock arch.

Cruising through Sognefjord, Norway's longest and deepest fjord, is an unforgettable journey into some of the country's most spectacular scenery. Towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, snow-capped peaks, and charming villages line the crystal-clear waters, creating breathtaking views at every turn. As the ship glides through the tranquil fjord, guests can admire the dramatic landscapes from the open decks, capture stunning photographs, or simply relax while surrounded by nature's grandeur. This scenic cruising experience offers a true taste of Norway's majestic fjord country and is often regarded as one of the highlights of any Norwegian voyage.

The charming village of Flåm sits eight hours inland through the breathtaking Aurlandsfjord. It is world-renowned as one of the world’s most spectacularly scenic places and the gateway to sprawling green valleys dwarfed by towering peaks. These primeval mountains, glacial lakes and glorious waterfalls were sculpted during the Ice Age. The landscape around Flåm is dramatically steep and the town is the starting point of the world-renowned Flåm Railway, which chugs through the magnificent scenery of Norway, past roaring waterfalls and breathtaking vistas.

On an arm of Sognefjord, Gudvangen is at the foot of steep cliffs soaring 5,500 feet above the water's surface and plunging deep to form one of the region's deepest fjord basins. Snow-capped mountains, green cliffs, and veils of tumbling waterfalls characterize the vertical landscape on the approach to Gudvangen. The fjord is so narrow in places that during winter the sun can't reach the valley floor. Mystical Gudvangen is the site of white caves and medieval stave churches. Standing sentinel over the ornate entrances to the venerable wooden sanctuaries are visages of fierce trolls and dragons, carved by long-dead Viking craftsman from the region.

Arrive this morning in Norway’s second largest city, the Hanseatic fishing port of Bergen, which dates back to the 12th century. Surrounded by seven hills, it’s considered one of the prettiest cities in Norway and the harbour is lined with multi-coloured wooden buildings, which have become a national icon. As a World Heritage-listed city and a European City of Culture, the Bergen region has the ideal balance of nature, culture and urban life. Ascend Mount Fløyen for breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, wander through the bustling fish market, or visit one of the fascinating museums showcasing Bergen's maritime history.

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Bergen is home to the Hanseatic League’s only kontor (trading enclave) still in existence. Bryggen wharf, a row of timbered Hanseatic warehouses along a quaint quay, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Narrow wooden walkways are flanked by parallel rows of small, vibrantly painted buildings overlooking the picturesque Vågen Harbor. This is perhaps the most charming district of Bergen and a delight to explore, from its tight-knit community of workshops where artisans sell their wares to its cafés where freshly prepared smørbrød, or open-faced sandwiches, are on the menu.