Viking: 14 nights from Bergen with Viking Sky (Aug 12, 2024)

Bergen

Eidfjord

Stavanger

Stavanger is a Norwegian city in Rogaland County and its origins are said to be dated back to 10.000 years ago. It received the status of “city” in XII Century and it was in the same period that it became a bishopric, acquiring a big religious power. The city lost this role after the Protestant Reform in 1536. Stavanger lived an economic boom at the end of 60’s: this area became an important base for oil extractions in the North Sea.
Stavanger is a very active cultural city and it was chosen as European Cultutural Capital in 2008.
Stavanger is a well-known touristic resort due to its breath-taking landscapes of the city and the neighbouring areas. You can’t miss out the Preikestolen, a rock 604 metres high where you can enjoy an amazing view and that is visited every year by more and more tourists.
The city is lively and rich of attractions for your leisure time: there are plenty of restaurants, bars and sops. The city centre is quite small and it’s better to visit it by foot to enjoy the positive atmosphere to the fullest. Visiting Stavanger on a cruise to Northern Europe is one of the best ways to benefit from the landscape and for having a direct contact with nature.

Oslo

Oslo, located in the southeastern part of the country, is the capital and largest city of Norway. Oslo is a vibrant city that seamlessly blends its rich history with modern urban development, making it a dynamic and attractive place to live and visit.

It was founded around 1040 by King Harald Hardrada and became the capital of the country in 1299 under King Håkon V. The city was partly destroyed by a fire in 1624 and its reconstruction began under the reign of King Christian IV. King Christian IV renamed the city Christiania. The original name, Oslo, was restored in 1925. Oslo is known for its beautiful natural surroundings, including forests, hills, and lakes. Thanks to its beautiful landscapes, it is possible to take part in numerous outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and boating.

These unique characteristics make the city the ideal destination for nature lovers. The city is home to several renowned museums, including the Viking Ship Museum, the Munch Museum (dedicated to the works of Edvard Munch, famous for "The Scream"), and the National Gallery. Do not miss the opportunity to visit one of them and share your pictures with your friends! Every year Oslo holds one of the most important cultural events, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually in the city at the City Hall.

Oslo

Oslo, located in the southeastern part of the country, is the capital and largest city of Norway. Oslo is a vibrant city that seamlessly blends its rich history with modern urban development, making it a dynamic and attractive place to live and visit.

It was founded around 1040 by King Harald Hardrada and became the capital of the country in 1299 under King Håkon V. The city was partly destroyed by a fire in 1624 and its reconstruction began under the reign of King Christian IV. King Christian IV renamed the city Christiania. The original name, Oslo, was restored in 1925. Oslo is known for its beautiful natural surroundings, including forests, hills, and lakes. Thanks to its beautiful landscapes, it is possible to take part in numerous outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and boating.

These unique characteristics make the city the ideal destination for nature lovers. The city is home to several renowned museums, including the Viking Ship Museum, the Munch Museum (dedicated to the works of Edvard Munch, famous for "The Scream"), and the National Gallery. Do not miss the opportunity to visit one of them and share your pictures with your friends! Every year Oslo holds one of the most important cultural events, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually in the city at the City Hall.

Aalborg

Copenaghen

Copenhagen, literally "port of the merchants", is the capital of Denmark and one of the country's most densely populated cities. Originally a city mainly inhabited by fishermen, it became a fundamentally important port for trade.
Copenhagen is a year-round tourist destination and in summer the flow of tourists increases considerably thanks to Northern Europe cruises.

It is very common to add a stay in the city before a cruise, to take in its distinguishing relaxing atmosphere and see what it has to offer. Among its famous attractions you cannot miss the statue of the Mermaid which is located right at the entrance to the port and the Tivoli Gardens, one of the world's largest amusement parks, opened in 1843 and loved by everyone.

Copenhagen (København in Danish and 'Copenaga' in Italian [no source]) is the capital and the most populous city of Denmark with 518,574 inhabitants in the municipality (1,167,569 in the urban area). The city stretches across the islands of Sjælland and Amager and is separated from the city of Malmö in Sweden by the strait of Øresund.

Berlin

The history of Berlin
Berlin, with its rich history that lasts for centuries, is a veritable stage for the European history. From the Prussian times to the Cold war, every corner of the city tells stories full of greatness, division, creativity and rebirth. After having become the capital of the unified Germany, Berlin has swifted the injuries from the past into symbols of peace and unity, as shown by the famous Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate.

Climate and when to visit
Berlin's climate is continental, with cold winters and hot summers. The best season to visit the city is between spring and autumn, when the weather is mild and the days are long. These periods offer the ideal opportunity to explore Berlin's many parks and open-air spaces and to attend cultural events taking place in the city.

Attractions and places to visit
Berlin is a paradise for history and culture lovers. The city offers attractions such as the Reichstag, with its glass dome designed by Norman Foster and the impressive Museum Island complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The arts and culture scene is vibrant, with contemporary art galleries, theatres and live performance spaces. You can't leave Berlin without visiting Checkpoint Charlie and the Tiergarten park, or without exploring the districts of Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg.

LOCAL CUISINE AND TYPICAL PRODUCTS
Berlin cuisine is a fascinating mix of tradition and innovation, where typical dishes such as the currywurst and the döner kebab coexist with international gastronomy. Markets such as the Markthalle Neun offer a variety of both local and international products, while historic pubs and modern cafés represent perfect places for tasting local specialities.

CONCLUSION: DEPART FROM BERLIN FOR A CRUISE
Although Berlin is famous for its land-based history and culture, it is also a great starting point for river cruises. Cruising on rivers such as the Spree and Havel, you can discover enchanting natural landscapes and historic cities. A cruise from Berlin allows you to combine the urban experience with the relaxation and pleasure of travelling on water, making a visit to the German capital a truly complete and unforgettable experience.

Ronne

Gdansk

Mariehamn

Stockholm

The capital of Sweden is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, a mirage of saffron-coloured and iridescent terracotta buildings amidst the blue of the water and skies that are even bluer than the Swedish summer, or candidly covered with snow and dotted with winter lights. It is also a vibrant, modern city, famous for the production of elegant design, cutting edge fashion and world-class nightclubs.

The old city, Gamla Stan, is a compact little maze that seems to have been built for very small, thin people. The red, orange and vanilla stucco walls of buildings that seem to curve into each other are home to countless souvenir shops and ice cream parlours.

Just south of Gamla Stan there is another island-district, Södermalm, where waterfront hills are adorned with beautiful homes and the main streets are dotted with bohemian shops, art galleries and clubs. On the other side of Gamla Stan is the main centre of the city, a bustling metropolis where boutiques and restaurants liven up the cool Swedish evenings.

Stockholm

The capital of Sweden is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, a mirage of saffron-coloured and iridescent terracotta buildings amidst the blue of the water and skies that are even bluer than the Swedish summer, or candidly covered with snow and dotted with winter lights. It is also a vibrant, modern city, famous for the production of elegant design, cutting edge fashion and world-class nightclubs.

The old city, Gamla Stan, is a compact little maze that seems to have been built for very small, thin people. The red, orange and vanilla stucco walls of buildings that seem to curve into each other are home to countless souvenir shops and ice cream parlours.

Just south of Gamla Stan there is another island-district, Södermalm, where waterfront hills are adorned with beautiful homes and the main streets are dotted with bohemian shops, art galleries and clubs. On the other side of Gamla Stan is the main centre of the city, a bustling metropolis where boutiques and restaurants liven up the cool Swedish evenings.