28-night Visions Of The North Voyage

Ålesund Walking Tour – 3 Hours

Ålesund differs from most other Norwegian cities with its large concentration of buildings in the Jugend style of architecture. The explanation for this is simple; the town burned to the ground during the Great Fire of 1904. Rebuilding the city took a full three years, aided by numerous local contributions and large donations from the German Kaiser Wilhelm II.
The city planners agreed on consistently using the contemporary style of architecture, Jugend style (also known as Art Nouveau). It is a style characterized by artistic playfulness, fetching inspiration from organic forms and shapes in nature.
This combination of fjords, mountains and a town centre built in so-called art nouveau-style are some of the factors that resulted in Ålesund pinching first place in a survey by the Norwegian daily newspaper Dagbladet. Larger cities like Bergen (second place) and Trondheim (fourth place) – perhaps more famous for their beauty – were not considered to be as scenic as Ålesund when the Norwegians themselves cast their votes.
Walking tour through the winding old city streets, you will learn about the town's historic past. The tour takes in the Art Nouveau houses in the town itself, taking a stroll in the magnificent central district that displays beautiful houses with numerous and elaborate towers, spears and ornaments.
 

Ålesund City Tour – 4 Hours

Experience the splendid beauty and history of Ålesund during this picturesque 4 hour excursion through the city and its surroundings, via private vehicle, driver and local English Speaking Guide. Ålesund, a city built in an Art Nouveau style following a catastrophic fire in 1904. One of a few Art Nouveau towns in the world (Jugend style), Ålesund is home to an atmospheric distinct character that is warmly embraced by the locals.
Drive towards the Art Nouveau center of the town, marvel at the amazing decorations and colourful facades. A brief walking tour through the winding old city streets follows where you will learn about the town's historic past. A stop is made on route to the Art Nouveau Centre for a fascinating insight into Art Nouveau through authentic interiors and objects, as well as a captivating multimedia program called “From Ashes to Art Nouveau”. Here you can experience the devastating 1904 fire via film together with photographs and impressive sound and light effects.
Board your vehicle for the journey out of town towards Borgund, the largest trading centre in Sunnmøre during the Viking Era. Here you will view the picturesque Borgund Church followed by a visit to the inviting Sunnmøre Open Air Folk Museum, focusing on Norwegian coastal culture. Enjoy a stroll between the picturesque houses and the indoor exhibitions and get an insight into the cultural and architectural history of Sunnmøre and the Norwegian coastal culture. Heading back towards the city center, we detour with a drive up Mount Aksla. From this location, a panoramic view of the archipelago, the beautiful town center of Ålesund lying quietly below and the spectacular Sunnmøre Alps opens up in front of you. Return journey back to the city center.
 

Ålesund Kajak Tour – 2 hours

The prefect trip to explore Ålesund, and highly recommended for families. Stories about the area, why Ålesund is built in the Jugend style amongst much more is just some of the info you will get on this sea kayaking in Ålesund. The tour will start and end in Ålesund with about 7 km trip.  
During this trip we take several photo-stops where your able to get some great photos. You will get equipped with all the mandatory equipment and get a safety briefing before we head into our kayaks. The trip will be adapted to the weather conditions.
Basis: Private tour.
Duration:      2 hours Kayaking
Start / End:   City center.
Vehicle:        None.
Guide: English-speaking. Other languages on request.   
Entrances:     None.
Meals: None.
Difficulty:    Grade Easy. Kayaking at leisure pace, walking required over uneven surfaces. No experience required, but you should be able to swim.
Notes:         Tour program may be reversed for logistic / planning purposes. Kayaking equipment and life jackets will be provided. Please bring: Hat, Sun Cream, sunglasses, windproof – and waterproof clothes, spare clothes, swimming suit, towel and water bottle.

 

Trondheim Walking Tour with visit to Nidaros Cathedral -3 hours

Experience Trondheim, strolling through the Old Town and passing by the Royal Residence, the main Square, the Old Town Bridge as well as the Historical Wharves. In this walking tour you will also visit Nidaros Cathedral, the world’s northernmost Gothic cathedral. Built from 1070 over the tomb of St. Olav, the Viking king who brought Christianity to Norway, the cathedral was completed around 1300. In the summer months, you can climb the 172 steps to the top of the tower and be rewarded with an unrivaled view of the city.

Trondheim City Tour with visit to Nidaros Cathedral and Trøndelag Folk Museum - 4 hours

This is a tour around Trondheim centre and its outskirts. You'll pass by the main highligts of the city, the old town bridge, the Norwegian University of Science and Technologi (NTNU) at the Kristiansten Fort, the Royal Residence and many more. 

The tour continues with a visit to Nidaros Cathedral, the world’s northernmost Gothic cathedral. Built from 1070 over the tomb of St. Olav, the Viking king who brought Christianity to Norway, the cathedral was completed around 1300. In the summer months, you can climb the 172 steps to the top of the tower and be rewarded with an unrivaled view of the city.

You will also visit Trøndelag Open-Air Folk Museum, also known as “Sverresborg”. This is an open air museum with more than 80 historical buildings and several indoor exhibitions. The museum’s old town is comprised of buildings that were originally located in downtown Trondheim, and offers a charming representation of the wooden houses that have dominated the cityscape from the 18th century up until today. The museum’s rural department is located around the ruins of the castle, and consists of farmsteads and houses surrounded by picturesque nature. The houses are all originally from the Trøndelag region. In the rural department you will also find our Sami collection, the Haltdalen stave church, the Lo church and the old school.

Belfast: Cultural Belfast - 8 hours

Belfast may be a small city, but it has a wealth of culture and excitement on offer for you to discover! Firstly, visit the purpose-built iconic ‘Titanic Belfast’. With over nine galleries, the Titanic story is brought to life for you with exhibitions, rides, full-scale reconstructions and lots
of interactive fun.

After a hearty Irish lunch (payable locally) head into Belfast city where your guide unravels stories related to “the troubles” of Northern Ireland. You cannot miss the murals across Belfast that offer a fascinating history in pictures. Although huge strides have been made in the fight to combat sectarianism in the city, the marks of the past can still be witnessed across the city, adorning the sides of buildings and walls. A tour of Belfast wouldn’t be complete without enjoying a pint of Guinness at the famous Crown Bar in the city centre. This 19th-century bar is an experience that is unique to Northern Ireland. You are privately transferred back to board your cruise after your tour.

Highlights:

• Explore the 'Titanic Belfast' and learn about the ship's fascinating history
• Learn about Belfast's turbulent past and visit the famous Crown Bar in the city centre

• Private transport by luxury car or minivan
• An expert local guide for 8 hours
• Entrance fees to all sights and museums
• All taxes

• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities

Belfast: Highlights of Belfast - 6 hours

Today you are met by your expert local guide for a sightseeing in Belfast and the surrounding area. Spend the morning on a panoramic tour of the city centre, where you see the impressive City Hall in Donegall Square, St. Anne’s Cathedral and the buildings of Queen’s University. During this tour, your guide talks to you about the sectarian divisions that have been so prominent in Belfast in recent years. You also visit the Titanic Quarter, so-called as it was here that the ill-fated liner was being constructed a century ago. Your guide shows you where the ship was constructed and the Thomson Dock where it had its final fit-out.

Highlights:

• Take a panoramic tour of Belfast’s city centre to see the impressive City Hall and the buildings of Queen’s University
• Visit the Titanic Quarter where the ill-fated liner was constructed a century ago

Belfast - Tour of Antrim Coast - Full Day Tour

Arrive at The Giants Causeway Centre.  

• Private Driver Guide
• Giants Causeway visitor Centre
• Entrance to Dunluce Castle
• Lunch Including Tea and Coffee

Dublin: Highlights of Dublin City - 8 hours

Dublin: An Introduction to Dublin - 4 hours

Disembark for a city adventure this morning accompanied by your expert guide and driver. Your tour of Dublin begins with the impressive Trinity College; Ireland's oldest university. Explore the Old Library, which houses 200,000 antiquarian texts and the oldest surviving harp in Ireland. Here you will see the world-famous Book of Kells; a fabulous example of early Irish manuscript illumination. Hand-crafted by monks, it contains the four gospels and has been resident at Trinity College since the 17th century. Continue to St. Patrick's Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland, where you have the opportunity to see a memorial to Jonathan Swift, the author of 'Gulliver's Travels', who became Dean of St. Patrick's in 1713. Afterwards you are transferred back to port.

Highlights:

• See the world-famous Book of Kells, a fabulous example of early Irish manuscript illumination
• Continue to St Patrick’s Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland and home of a memorial to the writer Jonathan Swift

• Private transport by luxury car or minivan
• An expert local driver-guide for 4 hours
• Entrance fees to all sights and museums
• All taxes

• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities

Dublin - Dublin City & Powerscourt - Full Day Tour

Upon arrival in Dublin Port, you will meet with your private driver/guide and transfer directly to Powerscourt House & Gardens in Co. Wicklow

This stunning 18th Century Stately home comprises extensive gardens, which are open to the public; as is the Main House.    There is a lovely restaurant in the house, overlooking the gardens and Wicklow Mountains, which offers the finest in Irish artisan, home cooked cuisine.   The 34,000 acres of this estate extend along both shores of the River Dargle .  Powerscourt is one of the finest properties in Europe, designed and laid out by Daniel Robertson between 1745 and 1767.  This property is filled with splendid Greek and Italian-inspired statuary, decorative ironwork, a petrified-moss grotto, lovely herbaceous borders, a Japanese garden, a circular pond and fountain with statues of winged horses, and an occasional herd of deer.  Opportunity for shopping at Avoca Handweavers now located in Powerscourt House. Enjoy lunch here at Powerscourt or at a traditional Irish pub in the city centre.

Upon your return from Powerscourt Estate, your private driver guide will take you on your tour of Dublin City. 

Whilst Dublin is a vibrant and bustling city, by European standards it is a small city with a population of just over 1 million people. Much of Dublin’s streetscapes are adorned with beautiful 18^th century townhouses and a number of city parks, such as St. Stephen’s Green and indeed Merrion Square. The highlights of any tour in Dublin may include a visit to Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse… and –if time permits –St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  

Following the city tour, your driver will return you to your ship.


Inclusions

• Private Driver Guide
• Entrance to Powerscourt House & Gardens
• Lunch

Honfleur - Etretat / Fecamp - 8 hours

Honfleur - Normandy Landing Beaches - 8 hours

Honfleur - Pays d'Auge Gourmet Tour - 8 hours

Honfleur - Flower Coast - 8 hours