An Extended Journey From Medieval Canals To Nordic Design

Sail into this vibrant quay with enough shops and entertainment to form its own village. Modern and lively, this coastal town bustles with waterfront restaurants, heritage charm, bars, cinemas and offers great access to other spots in the South of England. Sit back and drift through heavenly countryside to ancient Stonehenge, see if the King is at home in Windsor, learn secrets from the Bombay Sapphire gin distillery or slip up to London for some rich British culture. Then enjoy a cup of tea as you reflect on formal traditions, perfect your cockney accent and recall England's green and pleasant lands.

Fill your senses with wonderful Flemish flavour in UNESCO-praised Bruges. Relax amongst tree-lined canals and cobbled pathways to learn secrets of the city's world-famous chocolate. Partake in beer tasting, beer blending and beer sinking. Explore the medieval streets of the old town for classic cathedrals, gabled facades and unique Art Deco taverns. Head out to the pretty countryside, ride along canals and shop for comic books, lace and yet more chocolate. And as you slowly savour the taste of Belgian sustainable culture, enjoy a classic waffle that melts in your mouth.

Dive into the UNESCO heart of Amsterdam, where water is the essence of life. Cruise, bike and walk amongst its series of concentric, semi-circular canals, the Grachtengordel, that are crisscrossed by hundreds of bridges connecting about 90 islands. Walk the 9 Staatjes neighbourhood, where young Anne Franke penned her poignant diary. Seek the cities favourite sons, Rembrandt and Vermeer, in the royal Rijksmuseum Museum, which ranks amongst the best bucket-list experiences. Binge on luxury at Bijenkorf in darling Dam Square or delve into its modern moments in the creative food scene, open-minded attitude, and novel designs.

Known as the gateway to the world and bearing the most bridges, immerse yourself with Hamburgers to the sound of canals and cuisine, architecture and music. Prepare to be submerged in culture; from affluent villas to modest Almshouses, the last castle, an inner-city lake, a floating landing platform, the neo-Renaissance Town hall, an industrial underground tunnel and baroque masterpiece, St Nicholas Church.

Wander to the solid brick warehouse district of UNESCO Hafen City; touch the shining wave of glass of the futuristic Elbphilharmonie, listen to crystal clear acoustics that pair with Sydney's Opera House and enjoy views of the River Elbe. Hamburg offers unique, memorable entertainment - for all your senses.

With more time to reflect, rejuvenate, and embrace the Ocean State of Mind, days at sea with Explora Journeys invite moments of unhurried exploration. Against a backdrop of endless blue, indulge in a varied programme of wellness, dining and entertainment, enriching the mind and indulging the senses, designed to satisfy even the most curious of minds. These moments at sea offer a rare chance to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. With so many onboard experiences, each day at sea is unique and memorable.

A historic Nordic hub that lives like a quaint neighbourhood, Aarhus is Denmark's second-largest city where old-world charms mingle with vibrant modern marvels. See where art and engineering intersect at ARoS Art Museum, a free space for unequalled creativity that goes beyond traditional thinking.

Travel into the past in Den Gamle By (The Old Town) which recreates Denmark's long history or head to the architecturally dramatic Moesgaard Museum with a mummified bog body man and Iron Age artifacts. Hop a bike and pedal to picture-perfect places including cobbled Møllestien Street, The Dome Skyspace, or cosy Latin Quarter for cool Scan designs. Cap off the day with a stroll up high-street Strøget for rooftop cocktails at fashionable Salling.

Rejoice in one of the happiest and most vibrant capital cities in the world. Relax like a local alongside joyful Danes and varied culture; the Gefion Fountain, the Little Mermaid statue, Old Citadel, the Amalien Palace with four Rococo buildings, medieval history, charming fishing villages, leading examples of sustainable living and - of course - flaky Danish pastries. Cycling is the preferred way to shuttle across town and it's well worth the pedal to enjoy the trendy, cosy neighbourhood of Norrebro, Christiansborg Palace and the waterfront home of Christian Andersen. Genuine, vibrant and welcoming... rather like the smiles of those that live here.

Tucked away at the end of its own spellbinding Baltic fjord, Kiel is the gateway to the thousand-year-old mercantile cities of the Hanseatic League. History is gently woven into Hamburg's modern urban scene, which unfolds from the rust-red neo-Gothic warehouses of Speicherstadt to the vibrant harbourside district. Indulge in a slice of marzipan cake and a novel by Lübeck-born Thomas Mann among the medieval alleys and courtyards of Lübeck's UNESCO-protected Old Town, where Gothic architecture and Nordic traditions fuse into their own unique aesthetic.

The beautiful harbour town of Rønne is housed on the rocky island of Bornholm, home to narrow streets lined with merchant timber houses and small craft shops proudly displaying creative passion. Gently stroll to the heart of the art scene at Hjorths Fabrik museum and join workshops to create your own ceramic artefacts. In contrast to the bustling harbour, discover the fascinating street food market and cruise across waters in a private yacht. Charming and romantic, use a bike and roll around this pretty town at your own pace.

With more time to reflect, rejuvenate, and embrace the Ocean State of Mind, days at sea with Explora Journeys invite moments of unhurried exploration. Against a backdrop of endless blue, indulge in a varied programme of wellness, dining and entertainment, enriching the mind and indulging the senses, designed to satisfy even the most curious of minds. These moments at sea offer a rare chance to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. With so many onboard experiences, each day at sea is unique and memorable.

Romantic and revered, Tallinn boasts one of the best-preserved UNESCO old towns bursting with medieval magic. Hundreds of years of conquests and cross-culture history all fuel its current burgeoning status as one of Europe's most desirable jewels. Stoll cobbled alleys; squeeze through St. Catherine's Passage; scout the 13th century Toompea Castle. Hop two wheels to explore the national park and shore then have a Soviet flashback in the posh Kadriorg Palace (built for Catherine I) or below the black domes of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

Helsinki fuses urban design with a nourishing dose of nature. Nordic architecture merges with an archipelago of over 300 islands, an eco-friendly farm and a National Park. Get your Scandi style fix in Design District and feast on the neoclassical architecture of Senate Square, crowned by the frosted peaks of Helsinki Cathedral. Sustainability is central to Helsinki, where wellbeing thrives with inviting beaches, coastal kayaking and lake-side hiking. Roam to neighbouring Haikko, cook on a private island, fly by helicopter, feed reindeer and seek wellbeing in verdant Finnish forests.

Spanning 14 islands linked by more than 50 bridges, Sweden's capital is often called the Venice of the North. A city where waterways and heritage blend effortlessly, Stockholm invites exploration on foot or by bicycle. Discover the cobbled charm of Gamla Stan, home to the narrow Mårten Trotzigs Gränd and the stately City Hall.

Step inside the remarkable Vasa Museum to see the 17th-century warship that lay beneath the sea for over 300 years, or visit Skansen — the world's first open-air museum — for a glimpse into Swedish traditions. Across the water at Drottningholm Palace, the royal residence, the 18th-century Court Theatre still preserves its original stage machinery. Finally, stroll along the elegant Strandvägen waterfront, lined with grand townhouses and yachts gently swaying in the harbour.