Explora Journeys Northern Europe: 23 nights from Southampton with Explora III
Aug 17, 2026

Mandal

Stavanger

Stavanger is a Norwegian city located in the county of Rogaland, and it is a very ancient city. It seems that the first settlements took place about 10,000 years ago. It received city status in the 12th century, and in the same period, it became a bishop's seat, acquiring great importance from a religious point of view. It lost this role following the Protestant Reformation of 1536. Stavanger experienced the economic boom in the late 1960s: this area, in fact, became an important oil extraction base in the North Sea.
From a cultural point of view, Stavanger is a very active city: it was chosen, in fact, in 2008 as European Capital of Culture. Stavanger is a popular tourist destination thanks to the breathtaking landscapes that the city itself and the surrounding areas offer.
You cannot miss the Preikestolen, a rock 604 meters high from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view and which is visited every year by an ever-increasing number of tourists.
The city is very lively and full of attractions for leisure, including restaurants, clubs, and shops. The historic center is quite small and it is worth visiting on foot to fully enjoy the positive atmosphere that you breathe. Visiting Stavanger via a cruise in Northern Europe is one of the best ways to fully enjoy the landscape and to experience direct contact with nature.

Olden

Olden is a small town located in the Norwegian fjords.

Bergen

Surrounded by seven hills and seven fjords, Bergen is a beautiful, charming city with beauty and entertainment for all tastes. With the bustling port of Vågen as its centrepiece, Bergen climbs up the hills with hundreds of timber-clad houses, while cable cars offer splendid views from above. Great museums, friendly people and a dynamic cultural life make Bergen a popular destination in recent times, also thanks to the surrounding natural beauty. The wonderful natural beauties of this region will leave you speechless. HardangerFjord, Sognefjord and Geirangerfjord are similar if we consider some aspects such as: steep walls of crystal- clear rock plummeting with sublime force directly into the sea, often decorated with waterfalls and small farms that blend harmoniously with the natural landscape.

With the lively port of Vågen as its fulcrum, Bergen climbs the hills with hundreds of wooden-clad houses, while cable cars offer a splendid view from above. Great museums, friendly people and a dynamic cultural life make Bergen a very popular destination in recent times, also thanks to the surrounding natural beauty. This spectacular region will dazzle you with a truly indescribable scenario. Hardanger Fjord, Sognefjord and Geirangerfjord are all variations on the same theme: steep walls of crystalline rock that plunge with sublime force directly into the sea, often decorated with waterfalls and small farms that blend harmoniously with the natural landscape.

Flam

Flaam is a small town with about 500 inhabitants. It is part of the municipality of Aurland, the typical example of a rural Norwegian municipality.

Flam is a good starting point for all those looking for authentic natural and cultural experiences.

Despite its small size, Flaam continues to be a destination throughout the year. The Flåmsbana is undoubtedly the most famous attraction in Flaam. This spectacular railway connects Flaam with the city of Myrdal.
What makes the station so amazing is largely the combination of the height difference of 863.5 meters. Every year, about 585,000 travelers experience traveling on one of the steepest railway lines in the world on normal tracks.

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.

Tallinn

Tallinn is the capital of Estonia as well as its main port, it is located on the northern coast of the country, overlooking the Baltic Sea, 80 kilometers south of Helsinki and is also the most populous city and major economic and commercial center of the country.

Stockholm

The capital of Sweden is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, a mirage of buildings in saffron colors and iridescent terracottas between the blue of the water and the even bluer skies of the Swedish summer, or candid, covered with snow and dotted with winter lights. It is also a lively, modern city, famous for the production of elegant design, cutting-edge fashion and world-class nightclubs.

The old town, Gamla Stan, is a compact little labyrinth seemingly built for small, thin people. The red, orange, and vanilla stucco walls of the buildings that seem to curve in towards each other house countless souvenir shops and ice cream parlors.

Just south of Gamla Stan is another island-neighborhood, Södermalm, where hills high waterfront are embellished by beautiful residences and the main avenues are lined with bohemian shops, art galleries, and Clubs. On the other side of Gamla Stan is the main city center, a bustling metropolis where boutiques and restaurants enliven the cool Swedish evenings.

Stockholm

The capital of Sweden is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, a mirage of buildings in saffron colors and iridescent terracottas between the blue of the water and the even bluer skies of the Swedish summer, or candid, covered with snow and dotted with winter lights. It is also a lively, modern city, famous for the production of elegant design, cutting-edge fashion and world-class nightclubs.

The old town, Gamla Stan, is a compact little labyrinth seemingly built for small, thin people. The red, orange, and vanilla stucco walls of the buildings that seem to curve in towards each other house countless souvenir shops and ice cream parlors.

Just south of Gamla Stan is another island-neighborhood, Södermalm, where hills high waterfront are embellished by beautiful residences and the main avenues are lined with bohemian shops, art galleries, and Clubs. On the other side of Gamla Stan is the main city center, a bustling metropolis where boutiques and restaurants enliven the cool Swedish evenings.

Riga

Riga, the capital of Latvia and the largest metropolis in the Baltic States, has the craziest nightlife of the three states.

The city is located near the Daugava Rigaian bay. Even today, Riga is very interesting when it comes to business opportunities and activities. The old port is famous for its Art Nouveau buildings, generous in constructions and a well-preserved center. After the particularly depressed economic period after independence in 1991 the country lost many of its industries in the great post-Soviet whale hunt, it is now highly developed in its education system and has a great cultural value and therefore cannot be considered as the backbone of the Latvian economy, as well as the largest center of education and science. Every year numerous exhibitions, conferences and cultural events take place in Riga and contribute to the city's international reputation. And it is charming to walk through the alleys of the historic center to admire splendid buildings such as the House of the Three Brothers, they are three houses next to each other in Maza Pils iela where a museum of architecture is currently housed, the House of the Blackheads, one of the best-known buildings in the Old Town. Don't miss the churches of St. Peter and St. John and the Cathedral.
Riga has many bars, clubs and discos, mainly located in the historic center.

 

 

Visby

Visby is the capital of Gotland, the largest island in the Baltic Sea, located halfway between Sweden and Latvia, one of the preeminent medieval cities of Scandinavia and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Visby is a popular vacation destination for Scandinavians during the summer and receives thousands of tourists every year. And 'by far the most populous location outside the Swedish mainland.
Every August, it hosts its medieval week, with authentic dress, parties and jousting. But there is no need to visit Visby in August to get a sense of its medieval history. Just follow the streets that wind throughout the city, take a tour of its historic center and visit the 13th century church.
The Fornsal Museum highlights 8,000 years of local history. The collection includes: stones painted with a date prior to the Vikings, old tombstones, silver treasures and medieval sculptures.
In the city of Gotland has an extraordinary collection of medieval churches, 93 of which are still in use today. Some still have medieval glass paintings and the majority of them contain medieval frescoes.

Ronne

Rønne is the main city of the small rocky island of Bornholm, it is also a port metropolis that connects Bornholm in Denmark (Køge, south of Copenhagen), Sweden, Germany, and Poland. The city of Ronne and Nexø were bombed after the end of the Second World War. Despite this, there are still many old buildings rich in history. The Swedish State donated 175 particular red wooden houses to help rebuild the city, which are still visible today. Cultural capital of the island: it has the oldest theater in Denmark, the Bornholm Concert Hall. Considered as a starting point for excursions around the island, it has been given the name of Pearl of the Baltic. With its beautiful countryside, rocky coasts and sandy beaches, the place is a popular tourist destination. Discover the medieval fortress of Hammershus, the largest in Northern Europe, a round church from the Middle Ages, a traditional mill, herring smoke, and much more. The easternmost point of Denmark is the island of Christiansø, characterized by the absence of cars. The island mainly lives on fishing, handicrafts, agriculture, and summer tourism, but is also committed to the growth and development of renewable energy.

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.

Aarhus

Aarhus is a dynamic city on the peninsula of Jutland in Denmark. From here, the beach, the harbor and the forest are all within a 15-minute bike ride. 315,000 people live in Aarhus and 1.2 million people live in the metropolitan area of ​​Aarhus Area.

Aarhus is a dynamic city on the peninsula of Jutland in Denmark. The beach, the port and the forest can be reached in 15 minutes by bycicle. 315.000 inhabitants live in Aarhus and 1,2 million people live in the metropolitan area of Aarhus Area. Aarhus has been selected ar European Capital of Culture for the year 2017 and is a combination of innovation, media and communications with architecture and design and has a wide variety of cultural institutions. In Aarhus you can find gatherings of highly specialised companies, research and educational structures guided by a desire of collaboration and innovation. Aarhus stands out in renewable energy, food, health and productivity. As it is a university city, the atmosphere is a vibrating mixture of young energy. Welcome to Aarhus.

Lysekil

Oslo

Oslo, located in the south-eastern part of the country, is the capital and largest city of Norway. Oslo is a lively city that perfectly 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 partially 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 only in 1925. Oslo is known for its beautiful natural landscapes, including forests, hills and lakes. Thanks to its beautiful landscapes, it is possible to practice numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing and canoeing.

These unique features make the city an ideal destination for nature lovers. The city is home to several world-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. Don't miss the opportunity to visit one of these museums and share your photos with your friends! Every year, Oslo hosts one of the most important cultural events, the Nobel Peace Prize, which is awarded annually in the city at the City Hall.

Hamburg

Hamburg is without a doubt the best city in Europe for seeing unique bridges. Its tourist sites are characterised by the typical bohemian style of the sailors and its port.

Just behind Berlin in terms of size and population, the city of Hamburg is home to one of the largest ports in Europe. You will understand why it is know as the 'Venice of the North', when you explore its many canals and waterways. Do not forget to take a trip to the fish market and to the merchants' district, where you will find unique architecture and impressive red brick buildings. Having a delicious dinner by the river or spending a night in the university district is a must.
Hamburg is a destination with many tourist attractions, especially its ancient port and the exclusive lake located in the city centre.
You should also be sure to visit the renowned Kunsthalle (north of the Hauptbahnhof). The Kunsthalle houses an art collection of international importance, covering everything from medieval portraits to 20th century minimalism.
The Rathaus, a neo-Renaissance style building, is home to Hamburg's city hall. When Parliament is not in session, several guided tours are available.
There are also big exhibitions and historical events that are great for tourists.

Southampton

Southampton is a city positioned in the South of Great Britain and its port is one of the main ports in Europe. From the port of Southamptos it is possible to set sail for a Cunard transatlantic cruise and reach New York, or visit Amsterdam and Belgium with an MSC cruise. The city offers, further to the New Forest National Park, a wide natural park with its suggestive woods, also many museums and art galleries and remarkable architectural works. Noteworthy is King John’s Palace, of Norman origins as well as the old walls with 7 entrances to the city. An evidence of the Victorian Age is Tudor House, collecting objects dated back to that period. For the art lovers, Southampton City Art Gallery offers exhibitions of any kind of art, from drawing to photography with shows that attract many visitors.

Southampton: The UK's Grand Gateway to Global Cruises

Set sail from Southampton, the historic and vibrant port city on England's south coast, renowned as the UK's premier cruise departure point. With its rich maritime heritage, including its association with the Titanic, and excellent transport links, Southampton offers a grand beginning to voyages across the Atlantic, to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and beyond. Before embarking, explore its ancient city walls, maritime museums, and lively shopping districts. Southampton provides a seamless and exciting start to your global cruise adventure.

World-Class Journeys Begin from Southampton

Cruises departing from Southampton open up a world of possibilities, from transatlantic crossings to the Americas, sun-drenched Mediterranean escapes, and captivating Northern European explorations. Whether you dream of iconic cityscapes, breathtaking natural wonders, or culturally immersive experiences, Southampton serves as an ideal launchpad. Enjoy the convenience of a world-class port and the anticipation of new discoveries as you leave the shores of England for unforgettable experiences on the open water, promising relaxation, entertainment, and endless exploration. Each voyage from Southampton promises a journey of a lifetime.