Port guides

Middelburg

Netherlands · Northern Europe & Baltic

Middelburg is a city and municipality in the south-western Netherlands serving as the capital of the province of Zeeland. Situated on the central peninsula of the Zeeland province, Midden-Zeeland, it has a population of about 48,000.

60 cruises

Rastatt

Northern Europe & Baltic

Rastatt is a town with a baroque core, District of Rastatt, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located in the Upper Rhine Plain on the Murg river, 6 km above its junction with the Rhine and has a population of around 50,000.

60 cruises

Runavik (Faroe Isles)

Northern Europe & Baltic

Originally a fishing port, Kongshavn harbor on the southern end of Eysturoy, the Faroes’ second-largest isle, is now a major staging port for the North Sea oil platforms as well. Runavik’s buildings are scattered across an alluvial fan below looming, green-clad peaks beside the Skalafjordur fjord. The mountainous island is criss-crossed with hiking trails, some of which date from Viking times. The main attraction for visitors is the grandeur of nature, along with the birds and animals that inhabit the island. Lake Toftavatn is one place to see them, on a Ventures by Seabourn hike. A drive around the island will include views of 2,890-foot Mt. Slaettaratindur with stops at the picturesque village of Gjogr on the north end, and a visit to Glyvrar to see the Forni Museum that preserves a typical 17th century island home. Your Ventures by Seabourn team will offer kayaking excursions on Skalafjord, or an excursion the the major Viking site of Toftanes with your expert archaeologist.

60 cruises

Sandnes, Norway

Northern Europe & Baltic

Known as the gateway to the Helgeland coast – a spectacular stretch of mountainous coastline dotted with a myriad of islands – Sandnessjøen, on Alsta Island, is arguably most famous for its proximity to the striking Seven Sisters mountain range. According to legend, the seven side-by-side peaks are troll sisters who were turned to stone in the sunlight. Each mountain can be climbed individually, with peaks ranging from 910 metres (Breitinden) to 1,072 metres (Brotnkrona), or experienced climbers can take on the challenge of all seven. The views from the top of each peak are magnificent, offering vistas across Nordland and the Viga Archipelago. Outside of the Seven Sisters, the Petter Dass Museum is a local highlight, situated towards the south of the island of Alsta. Petter Dass was one of the country’s best-loved poets and also a priest, and the museum pays tribute to his life and works throughout a number of buildings, from the original 18th century vicarage to the modern museum building which overlooks the water.

58 cruises

Ny Alesund

Northern Europe & Baltic

Ny-Ålesund is a small town in Oscar II Land on the island of Spitsbergen in Svalbard, Norway. It is situated on the Brøgger peninsula and on the shore of the bay of Kongsfjorden. The company town is owned and operated by Kings Bay, which provides facilities for permanent research institutes from ten countries.

57 cruises

Portree, Isle of Skye

Northern Europe & Baltic

Portree is the Isle of Skye's largest and liveliest town. Set within a pretty natural harbour with brightly-coloured houses and surrounded by rocky cliffs and rolling hills, Portree is a truly beautiful place to explore. Its name (from the Gaelic for King's Harbour) commemorates James V, who arrived here in 1540 to pacify the local clans. The town is a popular tourist destination, thanks to its stunning coastline and interesting attractions that include the Aros Centre and the An Tuireann Arts Centre, which celebrate the island's Gaelic heritage. Portree also serves as a gateway to other attractions on the island, such as the intriguing rock formations at Trotternish Ridge, north of the town, the ruins of Tusdale, and the peninsula unflatteringly known as ‘The Lump’, which once provided a setting for public hangings.

57 cruises

Bayeux, France

Northern Europe & Baltic

Bayeux is a town on the Aure river in the Normandy region of northwestern France, 10 kilometers from the Channel coast. Its medieval center contains cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and the towering, Norman-Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame. The famed 68-meter Tapisserie de Bayeux, an 11th-century tapestry depicting the 1066 Norman invasion of England, is on display in an 18th-century seminary.

56 cruises

Glasgow

Northern Europe & Baltic

A titan of culture and character, with a disarmingly warm welcome, Glasgow is a lively, Scottish city with bucket-loads of personality. Built on a bedrock of hard-work, and deep industrial roots, the city is a fascinating balance of old and new. Architectural treasures like the elegant Glasgow City Chambers of 1888 blend with new, angular shocks like the Riverside Museum and armadillo-shaped Clyde Auditorium - both part of a clutch of exciting new developments along the River Clyde’s banks. View less Also towering over the river - and perhaps Glasgow’s mightiest symbol - is the Titan - a colossal crane and an almighty reminder of Glasgow’s heritage as a constructor of giant battleships and cruise liners. It is far from a grey industrial city these days, however, and leafy parks, manicured gardens and stacked galleries douse the city with its colour and cultural intrigue. George Square is at the heart of it all, overlooked by Glasgow City Chambers and adorned with memorials, columns and statues honouring influential Scots and Prime Ministers of history. The sounds of shoppers and searing bagpipes rattle along the bustling Buchanan Street, where you can stroll and shop to your heart’s content. Stumble across the West End - Glasgow’s quirkier side - which is brimming with brightly painted cafes and pubs of character and characters, and the perfect spot for a sit-down. Glasgow’s Medieval Cathedral is the city’s oldest building and one of Scotland’s oldest cathedrals, while the university is an immaculate, turreted and vaulted temple of learning. With enormous concert halls, overflowing museums and storied castles, Glasgow is one of the United Kingdom’s most characterful, rewarding cities.

56 cruises

Siglufjordur

Iceland · Northern Europe & Baltic

A tiny town in the scenic north of Iceland, cosseted away by a jagged wall of mountain peaks, Siglufjordur is an isolated gem. With just over a thousand residents, Siglufjordur takes its name from the glassy fjord that stretches out nearby. Iceland's northernmost town, only a single-lane road tunnel, bored through the snow-capped mountains, provides a land link with the rest of the country. This evocative remoteness appealed to dark Nordic Noir writers - and the town has found recent fame as the star of the TV show Trapped. View less A much warmer welcome awaits you in real life than in fiction - fortunately. Siglufjordur is a historic Atlantic capital of herring fishing, and you can learn of the industry that gave the town its raison d'etre, and powered Iceland's economy at the award-winning Herring Era Museum. The biggest maritime-themed museum in Iceland, it spreads across three buildings and covers every element of the town's relationship with its fishing waters - from expedition to preparation and preservation. While the industry has dried up since its heyday, wander to the harbour for views of the pretty town's cherry and lemon coloured former warehouses. Swirling seagulls look for offcuts, while fishermen sandpaper and varnish tiny vessels. Take a boat out around the scenic fjord, or embark on lengthy hikes out and above this romantically isolated outpost. The sounds of beautiful duo vocal harmonies and accordions are often heard echoing along the streets, and the Folk Music Museum is an enchanting look into quaint, rural Icelandic culture. The Folk Music Festival causes the town's population to swell dramatically, as visitors make for these picturesque shores to play and perform each year.

56 cruises

Versailles

Northern Europe & Baltic

Versailles is a city in the department of the Yvelines, Île-de-France, renowned worldwide for the Château de Versailles and the gardens of Versailles, designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

56 cruises

Londonderry

Northern Ireland · Northern Europe & Baltic

Northern Ireland’s second largest city, Derry’s ancient walls hide a saga of strength and struggle. One of the oldest inhabited places in the whole of Ireland, this picturesque town has witnessed some of history’s most prominent events. After undergoing a renaissance in recent years, today Derry is an emerging cosmopolitan city where youth culture meets some of the country’s oldest and best preserved monuments. Complete with quaint restaurants, hearty pubs, and fantastic independent shops, Derry’s small size is perfect to explore on foot. Or, take a quick ride with one of the city’s many friendly taxi drivers to learn about some local haunts.

55 cruises

Mandal

Norway · Northern Europe & Baltic

55 cruises

Tulln

Northern Europe & Baltic

Tulln an der Donau is a historic town in the Austrian state of Lower Austria, the administrative seat of Tulln District. Because of its abundance of parks and gardens, Tulln is often referred to as Blumenstadt, and "The City of Togetherness" following the initiative of Peter Eisenschenk, Mayor of Tulln.

55 cruises

Nordfjord, Norway

Northern Europe & Baltic

The sixth longest Norwegian fjord, and one of the most picturesque, beautiful Nordfjord stretches from mainland Norway's western-most point – overlooking Stadhavet, Sunnmørsalpene and Ålfotbreen – to the magnificent Jostedalsbreen, Europe's largest inland glacier. A journey along this spectacular waterway aboard one of Fred. Olsen's smaller-sized cruise ships brings ever-changing, breathtaking scenes into your viewfinder. The ocean entrance to the fjord is relatively flat, with low-lying lands and smooth beaches. As you venture deeper, the landscapes become taller and untamed, where isolated villages appear amongst a panorama of lush valleys, mighty cliffs and soaring alpine mountains.

53 cruises

Colmar

Northern Europe & Baltic

Colmar is a town in the Grand Est region of northeastern France, near the border with Germany. Its old town has cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered medieval and early Renaissance buildings. The Gothic 13th-century, Eglise Saint-Martin church stands on central Place de la Cathédrale. The city is on the Alsace Wine Route, and local vineyards specialize in Riesling and Gewürztraminer wines.

52 cruises

Schengen

Northern Europe & Baltic

The Schengen Area is an area comprising 26 European countries that have officially abolished all passport and all other types of border control at their mutual borders. The area mostly functions as a single jurisdiction for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy.

52 cruises

Tobermory, Scotland

UK · Northern Europe & Baltic

Built as a fishing port in 1788, based on a design by Thomas Telford, Tobermory is now the main village on the remote island of Mull. This little village with brightly-coloured houses that run from the main street down to the pier, is one of the prettiest and most iconic ports in Scotland. The name comes from the Gaelic, Tobar Mhoire – Mary’s Well – and water from it (now gone) was believed to have medical properties. The Mull Museum on the main street celebrates the island’s history, with artefacts that include working implements used by local craftsmen. Legend has it that the village’s sheltered bay is where one of the Spanish Armada ships sank in 1588 carrying gold bullion. Tobermory Distillery, the only one on Mull, was founded in 1798. It has been closed and reopened several times – the most recent reopening in 1990. The buildings are the original ones from when the Distillery first opened. Today it produces a malt and a blend, known as Tobermory the Malt.

52 cruises

Bonn

Northern Europe & Baltic

Bonn is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, which was the former capital of Germany. The banks of the Rhine invite you to take a walk and offer well-developed inline and bike paths. The old town offers traditional shops and branches of large brand chains. Not far away is the cathedral. Bonn is considered a university city. The botanical garden of the local university is not only used for research purposes, but is open to visitors. The "House of History" is accessible free of charge and tells German history.

51 cruises

Traena

Northern Europe & Baltic

Træna is a municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is part of the Helgeland traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the island/village of Husøya. Other population centres include Selvær and Sanna. Fishing is the economic mainstay of Træna.

51 cruises

Burgundy

Northern Europe & Baltic

Burgundy is a historical region in east-central France. It's famous for its Burgundy wines as well as pinot noirs and Chardonnay, Chablis and Beaujolais. The area is crisscrossed by a network of canals and studded with grand châteaux, some now luxury hotels. The capital, Dijon, of mustard fame, is home to the imposing Palace of the Dukes, where the distinguished Musée des Beaux-Arts was established in 1787.

48 cruises

Dijon

Northern Europe & Baltic

Dijon is the capital city of the historical Burgundy region in eastern France, one of the country’s principal wine-making areas. It’s known for its traditional mustard, vineyard tours, autumn gastronomic fair and building styles ranging from Gothic to art deco. The distinguished 1787 Musée des Beaux-Arts, housed in the vast Palace of the Dukes, holds a rich collection of paintings, sculptures, crafts and antiquities.

48 cruises

Enkhuizen, Netherlands

Northern Europe & Baltic

The idyllic small town of Enkhuizen, located in Noord-Holland, offers its visitors a large number of historical buildings and monuments. The enchanting location on the water also invites you to take a walk along the ramparts, the port or the canals. A visit to the Zuiderzee Museum is well worth it to get a glimpse into the history of what was once the wealthiest place.

48 cruises

Freiburg, Germany

Northern Europe & Baltic

46 cruises

Hvalsey, Iceland

Northern Europe & Baltic

Twelve miles by Zodiac up the Hvalseyjarfjord from Qaqortoq, the largest community in South Greenland, lies the most prominent Norse archaeological site in Greenland. The so-called Eastern Settlement lasted from the 10th until the mid-15th century. Your expedition team archaeologist can interpret for you the ruins of the great halls and church at Hvalsey that hint of a prospering medieval farmstead. The site evokes an era when the Norse were trading with the indigenous Thule people of the area for furs and ivory, which were a prized commodities in Europe. A wedding held in the church in 1408 comprises the last written record of the Norse adventure in Greenland. Within a few years, Hvalsey and the rest of other Norse communities of Greenland withered as immigrants returned to the more established communities in Iceland and Norway. The site’s meadows of wildflowers sloping up from the fjord give a sense of the peaceful community that existed here in that long-ago summer.

46 cruises