Port guides

Scrabster

Scotland · Northern Europe & Baltic

7 cruises

Shiant Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom

Northern Europe & Baltic

7 cruises

Szczecin, Poland

Northern Europe & Baltic

Szczecin is a Hanseatic city in Poland, on the Baltic Sea with a beautiful harbor and a unique old town. The landmark of Szczecin is the famous castle, plastered in white and with an onion dome. But the hook terrace with a view over the city is also worth a visit. Jacob's Cathedral was rebuilt in 1693 and is now part of the old town with its 110 m high tower. A special destination is the Dammscher See, at the mouth of the Oder. Here you can go sailing or swimming in summer.

7 cruises

Vigur Island

Northern Europe & Baltic

Vigur Island is the second largest island in the Isafjardardjup Fjord, measuring 2 kilometers in length by 400 meters in width. It is home to a single sheep farming family, which ferries the sheep in summer across to the mainland, so that the Eider Ducks nesting on the island will not be disturbed. One of the export articles from this small island was eider down and one can still see where the Eider Ducks nest and how the down is collected and cleaned. View less The small settlement of a few houses is on the southern side, next to a small rocky beach, a concrete wall and floating pier. On approach grey seals can often be seen on the otherwise seaweed-covered boulders. Apart from the grey of the basalt and green of the grass, lichens add a splash of color. A path has been prepared and the grass cut, so that visitors can leisurely walk across the island to take in the beautiful scenery and to observe the large colony of Arctic Terns, Black Guillemots and Atlantic Puffins usually only seen during the summer months. A meticulously preserved historical landmark, a small windmill dating back to the 1840s was still in use in 1917 to grind wheat imported from Denmark. Viktoria House, one of the preserved wooden farm houses dating back to 1862, is used as a café where home-baked cakes and cookies are offered to guests. One of Europe’s smallest post offices can be found here, too.

7 cruises

Brandenburg

Northern Europe & Baltic

Brandenburg Stadt or Brandenburg an der Havel is a city in north-east Germany. It is best known for its Gothic buildings. The old town hall and the Brandenburg Cathedral can be mentioned here. In addition, you can visit a few other churches in Brandenburg Stadt, such as St. Katharinenkirche, St. Gotthardkirche or St. Nikolaikirche. The city also has the Brandenburg Industrial Museum on the Havel, the Brandenburg State Archaeological Museum and the Asklepios Psychiatry Museum.

6 cruises

Eskifjordur

Iceland · Northern Europe & Baltic

"Almost swallowed up by the looming forms of Eskja and Hólmatindur mountains, the quiet fishing village of Eskifjordur minds its own business in the midst of some of Iceland's most extroverted natural scenery. A place where the wind's gentle whistle and the whir of fishing rods unspooling are the only sounds you hear as you stroll, Eskifjordur is a peaceful introduction to eastern Iceland's fjord lands. Get lucky, and you'll witness the scenic setting bathed in an otherworldly, achingly-beautiful light - as daylight trickles away and emerald plumes spread across the night's sky. Natural wonders abound here, whether it's the streams that gurgle, the finger-like reach of the Reyðarfjörður fjord, or the geothermal pools that bubble with warmth from the depths of the earth. Hólmatindur mountain lends the area's scenery evocative drama, soaring from the waters like a snow-speckled pyramid. Ambitious hikers who conquer the peak will be richly rewarded with magnificent widescreen panoramas across the stunning landscape. The views are no less mesmerising from ground level, with pretty, cherry-red fishing huts adding a charming accent to the landscape. Indulge in gentler walks among the cacophony of birdlife, or take in cultural pursuits like the Maritime Museum, and exposed spar mine nearby. Fishing is a way of life here, and the glass-smooth fjord waters hold a rich bounty for keen anglers. Try for yourself - to witness first hand how the fish practically jump onto your line - or leave it to the experts and taste the produce that Eskifjordur is best known for - shark meat and pickled herring."

6 cruises

Farne Islands

Northern Europe & Baltic

His favourite place in the UK to see nature at its best, is how David Attenborough described the Farne Islands. The scatter of small islands begins 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) off the Northumberland Coast. The islands are dolerite which formed from liquid rock cooling underground. Softer overlying rock has eroded to leave hard rounded columns and fissured dolerite cliffs. The treeless landscape makes viewing of the island wildlife and history easy, even from a boat. The Farnes are cared for by the National Trust.

6 cruises

Haarlem

Northern Europe & Baltic

Haarlem is a city outside of Amsterdam in the northwest Netherlands. Once a major North Sea trading port surrounded by a defensive wall, it retains its medieval character of cobblestone streets and gabled houses.

6 cruises

Isle of May, ,UK

Northern Europe & Baltic

The Isle of May in Scotland is owned and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage as a National Nature Reserve and is an important breeding ground for approximately one-quarter of a million seabirds. In fact, over 40,000 puffin burrows have been counted as occupied. Not only kittiwakes, shags, eiders, and guillemots but also Razorbills, Arctic Terns, Sandwich Terns and Common Terns, Lesser Gulls, Herring Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls nest here. View less The island is located roughly four nautical miles off the coast of mainland Scotland and is used by biologists for surveying migrating passerines and for ringing breeding seabirds to better study their movements and breeding success. While hosting an impressive array and quantity of seabirds, the island itself is small at only 1.8 kilometers (1.1 miles) long, and less than half a kilometer (one-third of a mile) wide.

6 cruises

Loch Ewe

Northern Europe & Baltic

Loch Ewe is the only north facing Loch in Scotland, with an interesting history and a fine scenic landscape this area has a true natural beauty. During WW2 the loch was a convoy collecting point with a strong naval presence; it was therefore protected by light and heavy aircraft guns, a boom net and mine defence system helped to shield this precious settlement

6 cruises

Malmo

Northern Europe & Baltic

Exploring the pretty streets and districts of Malmö, it’s easy to understand why people from some 150 different nations choose to live in Sweden’s most cosmopolitan and multicultural metropolis. Rapidly developing while still retaining its old world charm, Malmö is a delight of contemporary attractions blended in with classically-Scandinavian historic districts, including the fine castle and showpiece squares of Stortorget and Lilla Torget in the heart of Gamla Staden (Old Town). Nowhere showcases Malmö’s development better than Västra Hamnen – the West Harbour. Also known as the City of Tomorrow, this former industrial district is now a stylish, carbon-neutral neighbourhood packed with luxury apartments and office blocks, trendy cafés, bars and restaurants and pretty parks. It’s all overlooked by the soaring Turning Torso, Scandinavia’s tallest building. From the harbour, the world’s longest cable-tied road and rail bridge, Öresund Bridge, directly links Malmö to Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital. It's not difficult to realise why Malmö is so popular with visitors – Middle Eastern markets, Italian coffee culture, sublime international dining and cool bars sit comfortably with the usual Nordic charm, while the line-up of classical and contemporary music, arts and theatre is unparalleled.

6 cruises

Shetland Islands

Scotland · Northern Europe & Baltic

Shetland, also called the Shetland Islands and formerly Zetland, is a subarctic archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland, situated in the Northern Atlantic, between Great Britain, the Faroe Islands and Norway. It is the northernmost part of Scotland and of the wider United Kingdom.

6 cruises

St Helier

Jersey · Northern Europe & Baltic

Jersey is a Crown dependency. It has formal relationships with, but is not part of the European Union nor the United Kingdom. As might be expected, its setting between those two has shaped a great deal of its history. The medieval castle of Mont Orgueil overlooking Gorey Harbour is a mute testament to the shifting political tides that have washed the island, as are the elaborate works created during the German occupation between 1940 and 1945. Wineries such as La Mare take advantage of the pleasant climate, as does the 32-acre Durell Wildlife Park, founded by author and naturalist Gerald Durrell. His foundation now supports the facility, which is dedicated to preserving species at risk of extinction in the wild. Visitors are welcome to see and learn about the over 130 species they maintain, including a famous family of lowland gorillas. During your time on Jersey, you are also likely to spot an example of an indigenous domestic species: Jersey cattle, which are renowned for their high production of milk and cream.

6 cruises

Ystad

Sweden · Northern Europe & Baltic

Ystad is a town in Skåne county on Sweden's southern coast. Its medieval town center features cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses. It’s also home to Klostret i Ystad, a centuries-old Franciscan monastery and museum. Close by, St. Mary’s Church has a silver collection and is known for its night watchman's horn signal. The town is the setting of author Henning Mankell's Kurt Wallander crime series.

6 cruises

Aschach, Austria

Northern Europe & Baltic

5 cruises

Belle-Ile-en–Mer, France

Northern Europe & Baltic

It’s not hard to see how Belle-Île got its name – the beauty of this island is found in the magnificent coastline, which varies between unspoilt beaches and dramatic cliffs, with the occasional quaint townships in between. Brittany’s largest island lies south of Quiberon, in the Morbihan department, and is divided into four communes: Le Palais, Sauzon, Bangor and Locmaria. Le Palais is the island’s hub, with pastel-coloured buildings housing bakeries, cafes and shops, and an imposing citadel overlooking the harbour. Sauzon is a pretty fishing village at the top of Belle-Île close to the magnificent La Pointe des Poulains – a magnificent area of rocky coastline dominated by a lighthouse. Locmaria in the southeast has some excellent beaches, while Bangor is a great place to start for those looking to explore the island’s wild coast in the south-west. Despite its turbulent history, with numerous pirate attacks and a brief period of English occupation in the 1700s, Belle-Île today is a tourism hotspot, enticing visitors with its natural beauty.

5 cruises

Caen

France · Northern Europe & Baltic

Caen is a port city and capital of Calvados department in northern France's Normandy region. Its center features the Château de Caen, a circa-1060 castle built by William the Conqueror. It stands on a hill flanked by the Romanesque abbeys of Saint-Étienne and Sainte-Trinité, which both date from the same period. The multimedia Mémorial museum is devoted to World War II, the 1944 Battle of Normandy and the Cold War.

5 cruises

Cliffs of Moher

Northern Europe & Baltic

“They go to the cliffs of Moher rising out of the mist” … these words, written by great American poet Wallace Stevens, immortalised the cliffs of Moher in the best way imaginable. Romantic, wild, mysterious and beautiful, the cliffs of Moher are to Ireland what poetry is to prose. Located at the south western edge of County Clare, the 300-million-year-old cliffs stretch for 14 km. They are by far the country’s most visited landmark, welcoming an astonishing 1.5 million visitors annually. The vistas are exceptional, and understandably the pride of Ireland. On a good day you can see for miles: all the way to the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, the caves, O’Brien’s tower and of course the many miles of cliffs themselves. Birdwatchers will be doubly blessed, as Moher is designated as a UNESCO Geo Park and enjoys a Special Protection status. Get your binoculars at the ready as the cliffs are filled with thousands of Guillemots, Razorbills, Fulmars and Kittiwakes, as well as the largest mainland colony of Puffins. The beautiful cliffs are rich with history and legend. Two theories surround why Irish Politician Sir Cornelius O’Brien commissioned his eponymous tower in 1835. The most common belief is that so he (and others) could benefit from the stunning views the cliffs have to offer. The more salacious believe that the tower was a place away from prying eyes for O’Brien to bring his lady friends! Whatever the reason, today the viewing platform on the roof still offers one of the best coastal views there is.

5 cruises

Concarneau

France · Northern Europe & Baltic

Concarneau is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in north-western France. Concarneau is bordered to the west by the Baie de La Forêt. The town has two distinct areas: the modern town on the mainland and the medieval Ville Close, a walled town on a long island in the centre of the harbour.

5 cruises

Inverness

Northern Europe & Baltic

The Scottish Highlands are home to famous battles, historic castles and to an even more famous legendary sea monster: Nessie of Loch Ness. Explore Inverness' picturesque riverside on foot. You'll pass by the 18th-century Old High Church and the Castle of Inverness, built of red sandstone in 1863 on the site of an 11th-century fortress. Join a Loch Ness cruise to explore Culloden Battlefield, a windswept moor where the Jacobite's last stand took place in the 1760s. Seeking even deeper roots? See a 4,000-year-old burial site built by neolithic farmers at the Clava Cairns. Before you depart, toast your adventure with a wee dram of single-malt Scotch whisky, savoring its distinctive peaty aromas.

5 cruises

Kalmar

Sweden · Northern Europe & Baltic

Southern Sweden is considered, even by many Swedes, to be a world of its own. Once a part of Denmark, the region is clearly distinguished from the rest of the country by its geography, culture, and history. Småland, the northernmost of Sweden's southern provinces, is also the largest, but its harsh countryside and poorer, bleaker way of life led thousands to emigrate to the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries. Those who stayed behind developed a reputation for inventiveness

5 cruises

Kalundborg

Denmark · Northern Europe & Baltic

Kalundborg is a Danish city with a population of 16,268, the main town of the municipality of the same name and the site of its municipal council. It is situated on the northwestern coast of the largest Danish island, Zealand, on the opposite, eastern side of which lies the capital Copenhagen, 110 km away.

5 cruises

Lemmer

Northern Europe & Baltic

5 cruises

Lulea

Sweden · Northern Europe & Baltic

From this genuine and well-preserved city in the Great North of Sweden, you will make your way to the medieval village of Gammelstad. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site notable for its stonebuilt church, the only surviving relic from the 15th Century giving us some idea of the region’s cultural wealth in those days. The Arctic Circle is a stone’s throw from here with its stunning landscapes and almost uninhabited territory where the indigenous nomadic Sami people still herd their reindeer.

5 cruises