Copenhagen, Flam, Alesund, Stavanger, Kiel

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, was founded in the 12th century and owes much of its charm to the buildings erected by Denmark's monarchs, boasting a treasure trove of late-Renaissance and Rococo architecture. Built on a series of islands and islets, it is laced with graceful canals and boasts some of the most delightful architecture in Northern Europe. During your visit, you will see the fabled statue of Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid, a symbol of the city that keeps a thoughtful watch on the harbor, stroll along the old harbor of Nyhavn, lined with cafés, restaurants and 500-year-old gabled houses, browse the superb shops on the world-famous Stroget or view the Rococo palaces lining Amalienborg Square. Best of all, savor the taste of local delicacies while wandering the paths of Tivoli Gardens, one of Europe's most celebrated pleasure gardens.

Centrally located at the head of Aurlandsfjord, the-17-kms-long tributary of the 204-km-long and up to 1308-m-deep Sognefjord, Flåm is surrounded by snowcapped mountains, isolated farmsteads and waterfalls and offers some of the most popular attractions in Norway, the famous Flåmsbana – the Flåm Railway- which is widely recognized as one of the steepest and most beautiful railways in the world. One of the most dramatic train rides in Europe, the Flåmsbanen takes an hour to cover 12 miles, hugging cliffs, plunging through tunnels and pausing for its passengers to admire the views as it ascends the Flåm Valley to a desolate mountain plateau. Kjosfossen is the waterfall highlight of the Flam Railway. Flåm is also home of the spectacular Nærøyfjord, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Ålesund is a picturesque fishing port at the mouth of Stor Fjord located between Bergen and Trondheim in the district of Sunnmøre and is the gateway to the surrounding fjords- Geirangefjord and Hjørundfjord- and the stunning Sunnmøre Alps. A massive fire, which burst in 1904, destroyed 800 buildings in this fishing port, which was reborn with the support of Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm II and rebuilt in the then-popular Art Nouveau style, known as Jugendstil. The result is one of the prettiest ports in Norway, boasting llovely buildings with medieval facades, elegant turrets and spires along the streets of the city center. Today, it is still one of Norway's most important fishing harbors and the world's largest supplier of Klipfish - dried cod. Your walk will lead you through Gågata pedstrial way, canalι Brosundet and Aalesunds Museum, while Aksla hill in the heart of the city (a mere 418 step climb if you are feeling mildly energetic!), offers a great panoramic view.

The biggest city of Rogaland county is very conveniently located in the south-western corner of Norway and forms the shortcut to the Norwegian fjords. The Stavanger region claims to be the cradle of the Vikings. Having been European Capital of Culture in 2008 has added extra cultural dimensions to “The Petroleum Capital of Norway”, another title that Stavanger holds, as it is considered the center of the oil industry in Norway. Cruise ships dock in the very city center, near the oldest part of the town, so, take a short walk to see the the main square and social hub,  the bronge statue of Nobelist Alexander Kielland (1849-1906), the lovely cathedral and the charming historic area Gamle, with its cobbled pedestrian streets and colorful collection of 18th- and 19th-century wooden structures, Stavanger domkirke (St. Svithun's cathedral) and the Norwegian Petroleum Museum (Norskolje Museum).The best views of Stavanger and the surrounding area are to be had from Vålandshaug hill (85 m).

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, was founded in the 12th century and owes much of its charm to the buildings erected by Denmark's monarchs, boasting a treasure trove of late-Renaissance and Rococo architecture. Built on a series of islands and islets, it is laced with graceful canals and boasts some of the most delightful architecture in Northern Europe. During your visit, you will see the fabled statue of Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid, a symbol of the city that keeps a thoughtful watch on the harbor, stroll along the old harbor of Nyhavn, lined with cafés, restaurants and 500-year-old gabled houses, browse the superb shops on the world-famous Stroget or view the Rococo palaces lining Amalienborg Square. Best of all, savor the taste of local delicacies while wandering the paths of Tivoli Gardens, one of Europe's most celebrated pleasure gardens.