Scandinavia & the Kiel Canal

Begin a two-day stay in Amsterdam today, city of charming canals, elegant gabled houses and Dutch painting masters. Explore its vast network of waterways via glass-topped canal boat, passing through intimate neighborhoods and under quaint arched bridges. You might also visit the world-renowned Rijksmuseum, home to Rembrandt's masterwork The Nightwatch, and the excellent Van Gogh Museum. Take a break from your sightseeing to try a classic Dutch stroopwafel.

Explore Amsterdam, the celebrated city of canals. This elegant city was born from the Dutch Golden Age, when merchants fed their coffers from the Indonesian spice trade and commissioned great works of art. You can see many of them, including Rembrandt's The Night Watch, in the excellent Rijksmuseum. Embark on a canal cruise to get acquainted with the city's charms and experience its laid-back rhythm. Don't forget to stop for a sweet or savory classic Dutch pancake, a favorite local treat.

In Hamburg, Germany's easygoing city-state on the Elbe River, you will explore the major sites built upon its power as a member of the Hanseatic League. See the Church of St. Michael with its soaring clock tower and cupola; the impressive Rathaus, or City Hall; and the historic Speicherstadt, literally 'City of Warehouses,' that once served as a major trade center. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the world's largest warehouse district. You will also enjoy free time to explore on your own, perhaps pausing for a bier in a brauhaus, before we overnight here.

Enjoy another day in Hamburg, Germany's easygoing city-state on the Elbe River, where you can join one of our optional tours or venture out into the city on your own. We depart for Kiel late this evening; if you are enjoying a midnight snack at Mamsen's, feel free to view the Kiel Canal from the Explorers' Lounge.

Explore Kiel, the capital of the German province of Schleswig-Holstein. As the gateway to the eastern end of the Kiel Canal, it is one of coastal Germany's busiest cities. An orientation tour introduces you to some of its architectural gems, from the Rathaus, or Town Hall, with its Venetian-style bell tower, to the Kiel Opera House, perched elegantly on the waterfront. You will also spend time in Laboe, a small community with a long beach on the Kiel Fjord.

Discover the small Danish city of Fredericia today, once in the running to be Denmark's capital for its central location in the country. Its fortress walls were built following the destruction of the Thirty Years' War. A walking tour through its unusual perpendicular streets reveals its many churches built to attract new citizens. A stroll about its ramparts provides a fascinating and rewarding glimpse of the city and its coastal setting. Statues of historic figures and old cannons mark the way.

Discover one of the Baltic's most romantic ports today when you visit Skagen at the northernmost point of Denmark's peninsular mainland, Jutland. This charming old fishing village, nestled amid pristine dunes, picturesque moors and long sand beaches, prospered on the herring trade in its early days. The small town, inspiration to generations of artists, is best explored on foot, so you will accompany a local guide past colorful wooden houses on the waterfront and admire traditional fishing boats in the harbor. During a visit to the Coastal Museum, sample some herring and a glass of aquavit.

Discover the cultural riches of Norway's compact capital. Oslo enjoys a stunning setting at the head of the Oslofjord and boasts a rich history and a museum and arts scene that rivals that of much larger cities. See the once-mighty Akershus Fortress, the splendid Royal Palace, and more before strolling through Vigeland Park. With ample time here, you can learn the secrets of aquavit during a distillery visit, marvel at the best preserved Viking ships in the world, or enjoy an excursion to the Munch Museum.

Witness the legacy of Gothenburg's maritime past during a visit to Sweden's second largest city. Built upon the prosperity of the Swedish East India Company, the city is home to historic stone merchant houses and grand squares. A panoramic tour introduces you to its highlights, including the impressive Masthugg Church with its 200-foot tower, the cultural center of Götaplatsen with its towering Poseidon sculpture and many fine cultural institutions, and Gustav Adolfs Square, named for the city's founder. A visit to the thriving fish market helps you take in Gothenburg at its most authentic. Alternately, visit the archipelago of Öckerö and take in its scenic charms.

Originally a Viking fishing village founded in the 10th century, the Danish capital boasts over 850 years of history. Explore the brightly colored houses of Nyhavn, or New Harbor, once the home of Hans Christian Andersen. Discover the sumptuously rococo interiors of Amalienborg Palace, the winter residence of the Danish royal family. You may also want to consider a trip to the ornate Kronborg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the inspirational setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Disembark your ship this morning and transfer to the airport for your return flight home. Or stay on to explore more of Copenhagen's charms.