Guest of Honour 
Music 
Guest Speaker 
Superior Stateroom
5% Ponant Bonus
226 ft²
3
Northern Romanticism
Honfleur - Bergen
Dates:
5/8/2023
to
5/19/2023
days
nights on board
In partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE, with featured guest Alain Duault.
PONANT invites you aboard Le Boréal for a 12-day musical cruise from the Normandy coast to Scandinavia, to discover cities with a major cultural heritage and exceptional wild landscapes.
Your voyage will begin in the port of Honfleur, a picturesque Norman city. Le Boréal will first sail towards Belgium, starting with Ostend. Among other scenery, you will be able to admire its sea front and the sumptuous Belle Epoque-style façades that bear witness to the town’s rich history as a seaside resort.
Then you will cruise to the Netherlands and reach the port of Amsterdam. You will stroll through the city famous for its canals and enjoy its inhabitants’ relaxed way of life. Amsterdam is renowned for its museums, but you will also fall under the charm of the incredible flower market and the superb exteriors of the beautiful houses.
In Stavanger, a small town with harmonious blend of old and modern styles, you will admire the wonderfully preserved fishermen's houses that date from the 18th century, before sailing to the famous Lysefjorden, bordered by granite cliffs.
Then you will chart a course further north to continue exploring the Norwegian fjords and sail in the calm waters of the Hardangerfjord, the second longest in Norway. At the heart of this pristine natural jewel, you will discover the sublime glacier landscapes while an array of abundant orchards is visible on its lush green shores.
In Maloy, a lovely little town backing onto the Norwegian Sea, you will have the privilege of discovering enchanting decors of granite summits covered in a verdant coat, superb silvery sandy beaches, traditional red wooden houses…
Your ship will then sail towards the Geiranger Fjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before making its way to the village of Hellesylt, which boasts a beautiful waterfall.
From the small and charming village of Olden, located a few kilometres from Jostedalsbren National Park and home to one of the last ice caps in Europe, you will be able to admire the wonderful Briksdal glacier.
Your cruise will end in Bergen. The city founded by the Vikings is famous for its Hanseatic wharf that still carries a few traces of its rich historic past.
Ref : BO080523
Your itinerary
A musical cruise in partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE, with featured guest Alain Duault. An amazing cruise to discover iconic Northern European cities and Scandinavian preserved fjords. UNESCO World Heritage...
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Your trip in detail
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Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects stays and flights then takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
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LE CHAMPLAIN
7/24/2023 to the 8/2/2023
LE BORÉAL
- New
- Last staterooms
LE PONANT
- New
- Last staterooms
LE PONANT
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24h room service
- Inclusive Internet access Wi-Fi (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar included
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Three ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Pascal Amoyel
Voted “Solo Instrumental Discovery of the Year” at the Victoires de la Musique in 2005, Pascal Amoyel was awarded the 2010 Grand Prix du Disque by the prestigious Chopin Society in Warsaw for his recording of the complete Nocturnes by Chopin, together with Martha Argerich and Nelson Freire.
This marked the beginning of a great international career, which has led him to perform in the most prestigious concert venues – Berlin Philharmonie, Amsterdam Muziekgebouw, Brussels Palais des Beaux-Arts, Cité de la Musique and Salle Pleyel in Paris –, as well as in the United States, Canada, Russia, China and Korea.
His recordings, whether on his own or with cellist Emmanuelle Bertrand, have received high distinctions such as the Cannes Classical Award, the Diapason d’Or de l’Année, the ‘Choc’ du monde de la Musique, or the German Record Critics’ Award.
Pascal Amoyel is also a composer and a laureate of the Banque Populaire Foundation.
Amoyel works on creating new concert forms. His Block 15, ou la musique en résistance was very successful and was adapted for TV by France Télévisions, while “The fifty-fingered pianist”, “The day I met Franz Liszt”, and Looking for Beethoven sold out at the Avignon Festival and ran for months at the Ranelagh Theatre in Paris.
Pascal Amoyel heads the Notes d’Automne festival for which he has commissioned more than forty creations.
He is a winner of the Premier Grand Prix Arts-Deux Magots, which rewards “a musician blessed with openness and generosity”, Licra’s Prix Jean-Pierre Bloch for “the connection with human rights in his work”, and has been made a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and a Chevalier des Palmes académiques.
Language spoken : French and English
Photo Crédit : Jean Baptiste Millot
Emmanuelle Bertrand
A radiant and generous personality, Emmanuelle Bertrand is recognised as a key figure in European cello. Elected 'artist of the year' in France by Diapason magazine and France Musique listeners (2011), Diapason d'Or of the year for her CD Le violoncelle parle, she was revealed to the general public by a Victoire de la Musique award in 2002. In 2017 the Académie des Beaux-Arts awarded her the prestigious Simone and Cino Del Duca Performance Prize.
Since 1999 she has been working with the composer Henri Dutilleux who spoke of her as a 'true revelation'. She has received numerous distinctions: laureate of the International Rostropovitch Competition, First Prize of the Japanese Chamber Music Competition, Prize of the International Maurice Ravel Academy...
Her solo and duo recordings with the pianist Pascal Amoyel have all been rewarded by national and international critics (Gramophe, ffff Télérama, Cannes classical award, Diapason d'or...).
Her latest recording devoted to Brahms (Harmonia Mundi) marks the 20th anniversary of the duo she forms with pianist Pascal Amoyel.
Professor of chamber music at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris since 2008, she is appointed professor of cello at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Lyon in 2021. She has been artistic director of the Beauvais Cello Festival since 2012.
Languages spoken : French, English
Photo credit: Philippe Matsas
Erminie Blondel
Erminie Blondel, trained as a violist, studied at the Geneva Conservatory, graduated with a 1er Prix at the Rueil-Malmaison Conservatory, and holds a Masters Degree in Recital Arts from the Paris Sorbonne. She was a member of the CNIPAL Opera Studio in 2009-2010.
On stage, she has performed Violetta in La Traviata, Micaela in Carmen, The Merry Widow, Contessa in The Mariage of Figaro, La Voix Humaine by Poulenc, Marguerite in Faust, Pamina in The Magic Flute, Ariane et Barbe-Bleue by Dukas, Benda's Romeo and Juliet, Antonia in Hoffmann's Tales, Konstanze in The Abduction from the Seraglio, Massenet's Manon...
The French-American Soprano has performed in many theaters, including Théâtre des Champs Elysées, Capitole de Toulouse, Théâtre du Châtelet, Opera Comique, Nice Opera, Marseille Opera, Toulon Opera, Avignon Opera, Saint-Etienne Opera, Reims Opera, Torino, Pisa, Livorno, Orchestre National de Lyon, Pretoria Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Hall in Geneva, Greek National Opera for Traviata on the Acropolis, and Musiques en Fête at the Chorégies d'Orange where she made a triumphant debut for 8000 spectators et 2 million viewers on national TV.
Future engagements include La Nonne Sanglante (Agnès) by Gounod, Le Nozze di Figaro (Contessa), Carmen (Micaela), La Traviata (Violetta), and her debut at the Monte-Carlo Opera.
Languages spoken: French, English, German and Italian.
Photo credit : Philippe Gromelle
Shani Diluka
Interpreter who "masters the craft of music (Suddeutsche Zeitung) endowed with a "winged virtuosity" (Classica),"one of the greatest of her generation" (Piano Magazine), regularly invited by eminent Orchestras and conductors, performing in major venues such as Ravinia Festival Chicago, Verbier Festival, Philharmonie de Paris, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Tokyo Forum, La Fenice in Venice, Salzburg Mozarteum, Brazil Sala Sao Paulo or Vienna Konzerthaus to name a few, Shani Diluka bridges the gap between East and West, between her piano and writing poetry (her book was on the prize list of Academie Française). Born in Monaco from Sri Lankan parents, she was discovered at the age of six by a program initiated by Princess Grace of Monaco for exceptional talent. She is the only pianist from the Indian continent to enter Paris Conservatory gaining 1st prize with Unanimity of the jury, and to enter the prestigious Lake Como International Piano Academy presided by Martha Argerich. After such legends as Callas, Rostropovitch or Menuhin, she joins in 2020 the prestigious WARNER Classics label as an exclusive artist, after major awards gained in her past recordings and collaborating also with actors like Gerard Depardieu or Sophie Marceau. Her collaborations include Vladimir Fedosseiev, Lawrence Foster, Andrew Manze, Gabor Takacs-Nagy, the Quatuor Ebène, Modigliani, Belcea quartet or Natalie Dessay...
She represents an innovative vision of classical music in a open and mixed world while transmitting the heritage she received from great masters such as Leon Fleisher, Menahem Pressler, Valentin Erben from Alban Berg quartet or Elisabeth Leonskaja.
Her recent recording at Warner Classics built around Marcel Proust and "The Search for Lost Time" based on the golden age of french music has received praise from international reviews and numerous awards.
Languages spoken: French, English, Italian, Tamil
Photo credit: Sandrine Expilly
Julien Dran
Julien DRAN started studying singing at an early age. At 22, he sang the role of the swan in Carl Orff's Carmina Burana and then performed at the Sylvanes Sacred Music Festival. In 2007/2008, he was a boarder at the CNIPAL and was hired at the Marseille opera house (Aida, Mireille, Manon Lescaut). Then he took part in the festival Chorégies d’Orange (La Traviata) before winning the international opera competition of Clermont-Ferrand in 2009, the first prize of the Gayarre competition in Spain in 2011 and the first prize of the "Paris Opera Award" in 2012.
He has played different roles (Count Almaviva, Fenton, Lindoro, Nadir, Edgardo, Alfredo, Benedict...) on national and international scenes: the opera of Metz, Bordeaux, Massy, Modena, Marseille, Brussels (where he recorded his first release), Limoges, Fribourg, Avignon, the festival of Aix-en-Provence, Orange... In 2016, he made his debut at the Paris Opera performing in La Traviata and was part of the casting of Don Carlos in 2017.
Language spoken : French
Photo credit : Harcourt
Anna Göckel
Anna Göckel, awarded by the French-Grammy « Révélations classiques de l’ADAMI » in 2016, and proud recipient of the 2020 « Enesco Prize » from the SACEM, immerses herself in musical repertoire ranging from the Baroque period to contemporary commissioned works. She appeared as a soloist with the Orchestre Romantique de Paris, the Lemanic Modern Ensemble, the Ensemble Les Dissonances, the Saint-Étienne Opera, the UAEH Symphony Orchestra (Mexico), CEPROMusic, the Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, the Neue Westfalen Philharmonie, and the Munich Radio Orchestra. She made a very strong and positive impression on the public and the press during the last Queen Elisabeth Competition (2019) and was opening the Festival « Folles Journées de Nantes » 2020 with the Concerto Budapest conducted by Andreas Keller. Deeply committed to chamber music, Anna won the ARD Competition in Munich at the age of 21 with the Karénine Trio that she co-founded (2005-2011).
She is now invited to some of the most important chamber music festivals, such as the Prussia Cove Open Chamber Music (UK), Ravinia Steans Music Institute and the Marlboro Chamber Music Festival (USA). She studied with Prof. Luc-Marie Aguera, at the Hochschule für Musik in Saarbrücken with Prof. David Grimal, and previously with Prof. Boris Belkin in the Netherlands, Prof. Jean Jacques Kantorow in the Paris Conservatory, and with the Ysaÿe Quartet. She has also been inspired by master classes with Menahem Pressler, Ferenc Rados, Donald Weilerstein, Maxim Vengerov, Hatto Beyerle and Miriam Fried. Her first solo recording of Bach's Six Sonatas and Partitas, released on the label NoMadMusic, has been awarded « Coup de coeur Classica » Anna plays a Giuseppe Guadagnini violin made in 1780, on a generous loan from the Milanollo Foundation.
Languages spoken: French and English
Photo credit: JF Mariotti
Alain Duault
The novelist, poet, journalist, musicologist and radio and television presenter Alain Duault has been sharing his passion for and knowledge of classical music for more than 30 years. Considered to be one of the greatest opera specialists in France he is now President of the Prix Pelléas jury, and has been made an Officier de la Légion d’Honneur and Commandeur des Arts et Lettres.
Alain Duault studied literature, philosophy and psycho-analysis in Paris, then musicology and piano. His first TV appearance was as a guest of Bernard Pivot for his book of poems, Colorature. This led to a number of radio programmes dedicated to classical music, notably on RTL, the radio station where Alain Duault would be “Mr Classical Music” for 22 years, before joining Radio Classique with daily slots until 2018. A role that he also took on for the France 3 television channel, presenting a number of exceptional programmes (masterclasses with Ruggero Raimondi in the Salle Gaveau, Musiques en fête at the Chorégies d’Orange festival…).
In 1999, he conceived and presented Intégrale Chopin (225 works, 60 pianists), broadcast on France 3. Then in 2001, he wrote and performed an ambitious and very popular show, Verdi, une passion, un destin (with Jean Piat and 250 musicians). In the wake of this success, he wrote and performed two other shows: Victor Hugo, la légende d’un siècle in 2002 and Rencontre avec George Sand (with Marie-Christine Barrault) in 2004 and 2005.
Alain Duault also puts his writing skills to the service of classical music. The author of a number of books, including Dans la peau de Maria Callas, (Le Passeur Éditeur, 2014, pocket edition, 2017), Dictionnaire amoureux illustré de l’Opéra (Plon Gründ, 2016), Ce léger rien des choses qui ont fui, poetry (Gallimard, 2017), he also writes editorials for Classica.
Language spoken: French
Photo credit: Laurent Rouvrais @Radio Classique
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Pascal Amoyel
Voted “Solo Instrumental Discovery of the Year” at the Victoires de la Musique in 2005, Pascal Amoyel was awarded the 2010 Grand Prix du Disque by the prestigious Chopin Society in Warsaw for his recording of the complete Nocturnes by Chopin, together with Martha Argerich and Nelson Freire.
This marked the beginning of a great international career, which has led him to perform in the most prestigious concert venues – Berlin Philharmonie, Amsterdam Muziekgebouw, Brussels Palais des Beaux-Arts, Cité de la Musique and Salle Pleyel in Paris –, as well as in the United States, Canada, Russia, China and Korea.
His recordings, whether on his own or with cellist Emmanuelle Bertrand, have received high distinctions such as the Cannes Classical Award, the Diapason d’Or de l’Année, the ‘Choc’ du monde de la Musique, or the German Record Critics’ Award.
Pascal Amoyel is also a composer and a laureate of the Banque Populaire Foundation.
Amoyel works on creating new concert forms. His Block 15, ou la musique en résistance was very successful and was adapted for TV by France Télévisions, while “The fifty-fingered pianist”, “The day I met Franz Liszt”, and Looking for Beethoven sold out at the Avignon Festival and ran for months at the Ranelagh Theatre in Paris.
Pascal Amoyel heads the Notes d’Automne festival for which he has commissioned more than forty creations.
He is a winner of the Premier Grand Prix Arts-Deux Magots, which rewards “a musician blessed with openness and generosity”, Licra’s Prix Jean-Pierre Bloch for “the connection with human rights in his work”, and has been made a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and a Chevalier des Palmes académiques.
Language spoken : French and English
Photo Crédit : Jean Baptiste Millot
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Radio Classique
Every day RADIO CLASSIQUE attracts over a million listeners with a promise to celebrate the best works in the classical repertoire by top performers, and bring classical music into the hearts of the greatest number of people in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Radio Classique achieves this by employing well-known personalities with a passion for music, offering a varied play list from symphonies to film music, as well as interactive programmes and numerous live concert broadcasts.
It is these values which set Radio Classique apart, as an accessible, elegant radio station which is much appreciated by epicurean and discerning listeners ; values that are perfectly in tune with what PONANT’s musical cruises have to offer, under the artistic direction of Alain Duault. A truly unforgettable musical experience awaits passengers in the company of outstanding artists in an intimate and privileged setting.
The stunning landscapes on this beautiful route, particularly those in Norway, are steeped in all the legends that ricochet from one side of a fjord to another. The music of these lands, from Grieg to Sibelius via Nielsen, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and Mayakovsky, reflect the varied Romanticisms of the North which will be the common thread. And what a musical crew we have to recreate these enchantments! First two fabulous pianists, Pascal Amoyel, a great interpreter of Liszt and Chopin but also creator of original musical shows (he will play one for us) and Shani Diluka, a poet and pianist from Sri Lanka whose many talents know exactly how to bring these romanticisms to life, starting with Grieg of whom she is one of the best performers today, but also through a musical weaving with literature, Proust in particular. As for the strings, the Franco-German violinist Anna Göckel moves from chamber music to Sibelius’s concerto among others, while the great cellist Emmanuelle Bertrand offers us his marvels of northern romanticism, in particular the monument that is Grieg’s Sonata. Finally, voices are needed to express the secrets hidden in these romanticisms, and for this we have Franco-American soprano Erminie Blondel and one of the finest French tenors, Julien Dran. They know just how to wed Grieg to Tchaikovsky of course, but also echoes of this Nordic ambiance to 19th century Italian music where romanticism circulates, from Donizetti and Verdi to French music gems that are the ones most inspired by the spirit of these landscapes.
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Highlights
- A musical cruise in partnership with RADIO CLASSIQUE, with featured guest Alain Duault.
- An amazing cruise to discover iconic Northern European cities and Scandinavian preserved fjords.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the canals of Amsterdam, the Historic Centre of Bruges (from Ostend), Bryggen, former Hanseatic port in Bergen.
- An all-new port of call in Maloy, a charming fishing port, with pretty little streets and many lighthouses, surrounded by raw and preserved nature.
- From Ostend discover Bruges also known as the Venice of the North.
- Sailing in the Lysefjord - ‘fjord of light’ - flanked by granite cliffs several hundred metres high.
- Sailing in the Hardangerfjord, considered Norway's orchard.
- Exploring of emblematic Art Nouveau architecture in Alesund.
- Opportunity to walk at the foot of the most beautiful glaciers in Europe, the Briksdal, from Olden.
Ports of Call & Excursions
May 8, 2023 - Honfleur
Embarkation 5/8/2023 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Departure 5/8/2023 at 5:30 PM
A treasure of the Côte Fleurie, Honfleur is located on the edge of la Crique de Rouen in Normandy. You will no doubt admire the historical ships moored in its old port. With its tall, slate-covered houses, the quays provide a great setting for a very nice walk. In the streets behind the harbour, you will see many timber houses. These picturesque places were the cradle of several pre-impressionist painters. You can see their works in the Eugène Boudin museum. Exhibited works represent scenes of medieval streets and the coastline as it used to be, as illustrated by the Butin beach and its lush green hillsides.
May 9, 2023 - Ostend
Arrival 5/9/2023 midday
Departure 5/9/2023 early evening
Located on the Flemish coastline, half way between France and the Netherlands, the elegant city of Ostend is a favourite summer destination for Belgians. You can enjoy the “queen of beaches”, a stretch of fine white sand punctuated by breakwaters, covered by the North Sea at high tide. The seafront boasts sumptuous facades from the Belle Epoque, such as Villa Maritza, which stands witness to this seaside town’s rich past. Art amateurs will enjoy the excellent Kunstmuseumaan Zee, where a retrospective of Belgian art dating from 1830 is on display.
May 10, 2023 - Antwerp
Arrival 5/10/2023 early morning
Departure 5/10/2023 early afternoon
Located in the Flemish region of Belgium, Antwerp is worth a visit for its remarkable architectural heritage. In this moderately-sized, cosmopolitan city, you will be able to stroll around the ancient city centre, dominated by the most important monument in Antwerp, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The museums of the city retrace the history of Antwerp, including the home of Rubens, containing the works of the painter, and the Plantin-Moretus museum, a print works and publishing house that are UNESCO listed. From Grote Markt, the central square in the city, you will be captivated by the attractive sight formed by the unusual medieval architecture of the guild houses.
May 11, 2023 - Amsterdam
Arrival 5/11/2023 early morning
Departure 5/11/2023 late afternoon
Amsterdam is above all a city of water. Omnipresent, it guides the traveller’s steps, from street to street, from canal to canal, its bridges seeming to bend their arches to form allegiances with him. Let yourself fall in love with the grace and romanticism that emanate from this charming scene. Known around the world for its museums and the finest collection of the Dutch and Flemish masters of the golden age, this city is home to many other treasures. Take a stroll through the old district or pay a visit to a diamond house – do not miss this “treasure chest” of the Netherlands.
May 12, 2023 - At sea
Arrival 5/12/2023
Departure 5/12/2023
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
May 13, 2023 - Stavanger
Arrival 5/13/2023 early morning
Departure 5/13/2023 midday
At the far end of the country, stands the harbour town of Stavanger, with its warm, friendly atmosphere. A friendliness you’ll notice in the little old town cobbled streets, which has some 170 old wooden houses, as well as in its modern city centre, always bustling.
May 13, 2023 - Sailing in Lysefjorden
Arrival 5/13/2023 late afternoon
Departure 5/13/2023 late afternoon
You will sail into the heart of one of Norway’s most breathtaking fjords, its marvellous décor dominated by pristine nature, between vertiginous granite cliffs, crystal-clear waters and luxuriant vegetation. Very close to Stavanger, the quiet waters of Lysefjorden stretch out over around forty kilometres, beneath impressive rocks. Admire the world-famous site of Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), a majestic cliff in the shape of a pulpit that rises to more than 600 metres above the waters. A bit further on, Flørli, from the top of its 4,444 steps, is the world’s longest wooden stairway, whereas the Kjerag, with its mythical boulder wedged between two rock faces, provides an unusual and unforgettable spectacle.
May 14, 2023 - Sailing in the Hardangerfjord
Arrival 5/14/2023
Departure 5/14/2023
In the heart of Norway’s natural scenery, to the southeast of Bergen, you will sail the peaceful waters of the Hardangerfjord, the second longest fjord in Norway. At the wide mouth of this majestic fjord, gently sloping valleys offer the sight of lush meadows and fruit trees galore. Moreover, it is rightly nicknamed the “fruit orchard of Norway". As you continue sailing and move further inland, the fjord narrows and the rolling surroundings make way for vertiginous walls and high mountainous areas. Enhanced by the reflections of the light on the soft waters, at times clear, at times deep, the landscapes become wilder and reveal an uncut diamond of singular beauty.
May 14, 2023 - Ulvik
Arrival 5/14/2023 midday
Departure 5/14/2023 late afternoon
About 150 kilometres from Bergen, the little town of Ulvik is one of the rare pearls in the county of Hordaland, in the south-west of the country. You’ll find it tucked away in one of the quieter Hardanger fjords. Why not spend a quiet interlude in its orchards, between the apple and cherry trees. All around, a spectacular landscape of mountains with steep rock-faces culminate in a 1,000 metre high altitude – a paradise for walkers. On the mountainsides, a few scattered farmsteads stand witness to the region’s farming activity. At their feet, gentle hills of silky green tumble into the cobalt seas.
May 15, 2023 - Maloy
Arrival 5/15/2023 midday
Departure 5/15/2023 evening
To the east of Vågsøy island, at the mouth of the emblematic Nordfjorden, Måløy shelters one of the most important fishing ports in the Sogn og Fjojrdane province. Surrounded by raw and preserved nature, where granite peaks covered with a green coat and idyllic sandy beaches blend in harmony, the port will charm you with its pretty little streets and the many lighthouses that border it. Vågsøy island is also famous for its mythical Kannesteinen Rock. This natural masterpiece is sculpted by the currents of the Norwegian Sea; its whale-tail-shaped silhouette is the result of thousands of years of erosion.
May 16, 2023 - Alesund
Arrival 5/16/2023 early morning
Departure 5/16/2023 late afternoon
Surrounded by a multitude of islands, fjords and majestic mountains, the town of Ålesund surprises many visitors. In fact, it is internationally renowned for its Art nouveau architecture. After the terrible fire of 1904 which reduced a large part of the town to ashes, Norwegian architects inspired by the Art nouveau style contributed to its reconstruction, with a very picturesque result. Not far from Ålesund, you will also discover Giske, the native island of Rollon, the great Viking leader who commanded the Norse expeditions to Normandy, or the beautiful island of Godoy and the village of Alnes, which offers a grandiose panorama over the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding islands.
May 17, 2023 - Geiranger
Arrival 5/17/2023 early morning
Departure 5/17/2023 midday
A must-see stopover in Norway, located halfway between Bergen and Trondheim, Geiranger offers the stunning beauty of a natural decor, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will be able to admire the splendour of the sheer cliffs, dark rocks and crystal-clear water that make the place famous, like the majestic and mythical Seven Sisters waterfall. The sides of the fjord offer many possibilities for hiking: the Eagle’s Road takes you up to a steep stretch offering a gorgeous panoramic view. A visit to Geiranger village will immerse you in the rhythm of life in the little local community.
May 17, 2023 - Hellesylt
Arrival 5/17/2023 early afternoon
Departure 5/17/2023 mid afternoon
Hellesylt is a small village located 20 kilometres from the Geiranger site. Here, you’ll get a taste of a traditional Norwegian village. Colourful houses, wooden walkways, rustic stalls where you can have a refreshment before heading off to discover more of the local colour. The surroundings are simply magnificent with cliffs, mountains and lakes with peaceful waters. The village is crossed by a river whose charming cascade tumbles into the fjord waters.
May 18, 2023 - Olden
Arrival 5/18/2023 early morning
Departure 5/18/2023 midday
With its two wooden churches, one red and the other white, plus its breathtaking view of the mouth of the river Oldeelva, Olden looks just like a picture post card. Located a few kilometres from the Jostedalsbreen park, home to one of the last glacier polar icecaps, this little village is a definite must for exploring the blue languages of the Briksdal or Kjennalen glaciers. Make sure you find some time to visit the Norwegian Glacier Museum. Absolutely amazing. Another gem is lake Lovatn and its turquoise waters inviting you to quiet contemplation.
May 19, 2023 - Bergen
Arrival 5/19/2023 early morning
Disembarkation 5/19/2023 at 7:00 AM
Located at the end of Byfjord, Bergen was the capital of Norway in the 12th and 13th Centuries and has preserved some very beautiful monuments from the time when it was home to royalty. Wandering through Bergen’s streets means going back in time, in search of the hidden treasures that have been listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. A veritable openair museum, Bergen is home to a thriving artistic community of painters, potters, jewellers. The Bergen cable car offers you a splendid panorama over the port and the surrounding fjords. Do not miss the visit to the old quarter with its narrow streets, a testimony of the power of the hanseatic League that controlled trade in Northern Europe at the end of the Middle Ages.
Ghent & canal cruise
This dynamic modern city has a centre straight out of the Middle Ages. It was weavers from Ghent, joined by others from Bruges, who took up arms to defeat the French in 1302.
Arrive at the centre of the medieval city of Ghent, where you begin your walking tour at St. Michael's Bridge, with its view of Ghent's three glorious medieval steeples. The closest is that of the early Gothic St. Nicholas Church. Behind is the Belfry dating from 1314 and in the background rises the honey-coloured tower of St. Bavo's Cathedral.
Your guide will lead you to the pontoon where you will board a canal boat for a fun and thorough exploration of the city. As you cruise through the historic city see highlights such as the impressive Castle of the Counts, the Fish Market, 13th century Monasteries and the ancient port of Ghent along with its mercantile houses.
After your canal cruise, you will continue your walking tour, passing the old port, the Meat House and the City Hall to reach St. Bavo’s Cathedral (outside visit).
Then, enjoy some free time for shopping before re-boarding your coach and returning to the pier and your ship.
- This tour involves approximately 4 km (2 miles) of walking, mostly over cobblestone streets and some steps at the canal boat pontoon. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and to protect yourself from the rain. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).
Total : €80
According to availability, price per passenger.
Ghent & Adoration of The Mystic Lamb
The Flemish city of Ghent was considered the most powerful next to Paris in the 16th century and was an important medieval and Renaissance art centre. The past seems to still be alive, and you can enjoy these magnificent views during a walk in the heart of the city.
From the pier, you will board your coach to Ghent city centre where your guided walking tour will start, passing by the interesting guild houses with their steep, gabled fronts. Take a stroll over St. Michael’s Bridge, which overlooks the old river port and enjoy a view of the well-known “Row of 3 Towers”. The closest is the gothic St. Nicholas Church. Behind is the Belfry dating from 1314 and in the background rises the honey-colored tower of St. Bavo's Cathedral.
Your guide will lead you to the old port, and the City Hall before visiting the visitors centre of the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. After years of being subject to wars, fire, theft, and nine years of restauration works, it is the first time since the 16th century that the original oil painting layer of Van Eyck can be viewed. You will learn everything about this masterpiece and the history of the cathedral.
Afterwards, you will enjoy some free time for shopping before returning to your ship.
- This tour involves approximately 2 km (1.2 mile) of walking, mostly over cobblestone streets. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and to protect yourself from the rain. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).
Total : €100
According to availability, price per passenger.
Bruges on your own
From the pier, board your local coach for a 30-minute transfer to Bruges. During the drive, your guide will give you a Bruges City Map and will highlight the iconic activities and attractions - their insider’s insights will help you build an expertly planned itinerary.
Upon arrival, explore on your own the capital of chocolate, Bruges (or Brugge in Flemish). This exquisitely preserved medieval town charms you as you enjoy the scenic 15-minute stroll into the centre.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bruges is simply stunning. Climb the 13th Century Belfort for a breathtaking view and catch your breath afterwards (there are 365 steps to climb) with a Belgian beer at one of the award-winning breweries or many canal side beer cafés. Wander through quaint lanes adorned with countless chocolate and lace shops or join a canal tour - a hugely popular way to see the city as they crisscross the centre and have rightly earned Bruges the nickname, ‘Venice of the North’.
- This excursion is not guided. You will discover the city at your own pace. As coaches are not permitted in the city centre, all coach transfers from Ostend drop at the same coach park. To reach the centre, a 15-minute walk is necessary, with a few steps en route. At the end of the tour, your meeting point will be at the same location where you started.
Total : €70
According to availability, price per passenger.
Historical Bruges
Bruges (or Brugge in Flemish) is an exquisitely preserved medieval town. It had the good fortune to be linked with the sea by a navigable waterway, therefore the city became a leading member of the Hanseatic League in the 13th century, when the town established Europe's first stock exchange.
Upon arrival in Bruges a guided walk through the historical centre will introduce you to this beautiful, romantic city. During the walk, your guide will point out major sights such as the Market Square with its Guild houses and the Belfry Tower.
The Stadhuis, or Town Hall, dating from the 14th century, has a wonderfully ornate facade covered with statues, and the Oude Griffe, the former Recorder's House from the 1530's, is ornamented with impressive windows. Pass the Chapel of the Holy Blood.
Take a rest with a 30-minute guided canal boat cruise. See the beauty of medieval Bruges from a different perspective from the canals and waterways of the city.
Free time will be given to browse through the lace and chocolate shops around the Walplein Square, before boarding the coach and return to your ship.
- This tour involves approximately 3.5 km (2 miles) of walking, mostly over cobblestone streets. We recommend you to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Total : €80
According to availability, price per passenger.
Explore Antwerp
Start your scenic tour in the direction of the Cogels Osylei, Belgium's most important 'Art Nouveau style' street where you will make a short guided walk. Here you can find such a rare diversity of styles that the area has become an architectural curiosity of international fame.
Afterwards, you will head north to admire the Central Railway Station. Dubbed the 'Railway Cathedral', it is one of the world's most impressive railway stations and one of the main landmarks in Antwerp. The railway station was built between 1895 and 1905. An extensive restoration, which started in 1993 was completed 16 years later in 2009. Today the whole complex is over 400 metres long and has two entrances. There are three levels of tracks and a shopping centre which includes a diamond gallery with more than 30 diamond shops.
Continue your sightseeing tour of Antwerp driving by the MAS Museum and the 'Havenhuis' (Port House). MAS Architects, Neutelings and Riedijk, alternated between red sandstone from India and glass panes to give this riverfront museum a distinctive look that's both modern but also recalls the 16th century store house used in Antwerp's Old Port. The connection to the city is in the details as well. If you look closely at the 203-foot-tall building, you will see 3,185 silver hands, the symbol of Antwerp. Dame Zaha Hadid is the genius behind the brand new 'Havenhuis', home to the port of Antwerp. This intriguing piece of architecture is a combination of an old fire station and a modern glass construction that mimics the waves of the river Scheldt.
Then, your coach will drop you near the cruise terminal where your guided walking tour starts. Discover the old town section surrounding the marketplace with the Town Hall, gabled guild houses, cafes and Brabo statue. Then walk one block to the Vlaaikensgang ('Pie Alley'), typical of medieval Antwerp. Walk one more block to Our Lady’s Cathedral for an inside visit. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in Belgium and a major landmark of Antwerp. The interior contains some of world's greatest Rubens paintings, Elevation of the Cross and The Descent of the Cross.
From there you can join your guide to walk back to the ship.
- We recommend you wear good and comfortable walking shoes.
Total : €75
According to availability, price per passenger.
Antwerp's secrets
From the pier, meet your local guide and start your exploration of the secrets of Antwerp by foot.
On your guided walk through the city, your guide will lead you to the MAS Museum, Antwerp’s landmark in the heart of the historic Docklands port district. The 60 metre high MAS tower will afford you the opportunity to take in Antwerp’s skyline from the roof terrace.
Continue your guided walk through the historic city centre, passing highlights such as Meat House, Market Square & Plantin-Moretus Museum. Walk by the Groenplaats with its statue of the famous Belgian painter P.P. Rubens and reach the Our Lady’s Cathedral. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in Belgium and a major landmark of Antwerp. Inside, it contains some of world's greatest Rubens paintings, Elevation of the Cross and The descent of The Cross. Many people have already visited the cathedral, but few of them have been accorded the privilege of taking a peek "behind the scenes". During your visit, you will climb to the top of the small tower to learn more about its history.
Then, follow your guide to the "Paleis op de Meir" where you will have the opportunity to visit one of the stores of world-famous chocolatier Dominique Persoone. Take some time to explore the enormous offer of chocolates. You can even take a peek in the “kitchen”. If you’re lucky, one of the chocolatiers may even be working on a new chocolate experiment.
After the visit, walk back to the ship.
- This excursion involves walking approximately 4,5 km on mostly flat grounds, cobblestones and a lot of steps (287 steps at the cathedral, 50 steps at MAS Museum). The visit of the MAS Museum is not included in this tour. We cannot guarantee that there will always be a chocolatier at work during the visit. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water from the ship. Order of the visits may be reversed.
Total : €60
According to availability, price per passenger.
Discover Brussels
After a 75-minute drive on the Belgian highway, you will arrive at Belgium's capital, Brussels.
Your panoramic drive will take you on a tour passing the King Boudewijn Stadium (Belgium's national sport stadium) and the Centenaire (exhibition halls built to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Belgium), and will pause at the Atomium statue for a photo stop. The Atomium statue was built for the 1958 World’s Fair, hosted in Brussels, and represents an iron molecule.
Next, your coach will lead you to the centre of the city passing the Chinese Pavillion, the Japanese Tower and the Royal Castle of Laeken (the residence of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde).
Your walking tour will start near the Central Station where you walk through the Old Town area to first admire the St. Hubert's Gallery, with its arcade of shops, and the rue des Bouchers, or Butchers' Street, with its plethora of restaurants and cafes. A few blocks away from the Butchers' Street, you will be astonished by the beauty of the Grand Place with its Baroque guild houses and Town Hall. A few blocks further, you will encounter "Manneken-Pis", Brussels best known little boy whose irreverence epitomizes the spirit of Brussels.
After a short walk back to the coach (15 min), you will pass by the Royal Palace, the Cinquantenaire (Arcade made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Belgium).
After a 75-minute return drive to Antwerp, you will arrive at the pier and embark your ship.
- Please note the order of the visits may be reversed. This tour involves approximately 1.5 km (0.9 mile) of walking on uneven surfaces and cobblestone streets. We recommend you wear good and comfortable walking shoes.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.
Antwerp by bike
From the pier, meet your guide and familiarise yourself with your bike. After a short safety briefing, you will be able to set off for your leisurely bike ride through the city of Antwerp.
Enjoy your pleasant bike ride through the city of Antwerp, passing the major highlights of the city. Bicycle exploration is certainly the best way to travel through very different parts of Antwerp. From the developing waterfront in the North to the Monumental Central station and from the 16th century Old Town to the modern Fashion district, be charmed by the city of Rubens.
- This excursion involves cycling 3 hours. Participants must be in good physical condition and have previous experience riding a bike. The bike provided are not electric bike. Photostops will be made during the ride. We recommend you wear comfortable clothes and bring a raincoat. This tour is conducted in English only. This tour is limited to 10 participants.
Total : €100
According to availability, price per passenger.
Van Gogh Museum
From the pier, board your coach for a 30 min transfer to the Van Gogh Museum.
Your guided visit to the Van Gogh Museum is a unique experience. The Museum features the largest Van Gogh collection in the world, including 200 paintings, 400 drawings, and 700 letters by Amsterdam’s native son. The main exhibition chronicles the various phases of Van Gogh’s life, and features famous works such as The Potato Eaters, Skull of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette, Bedroom in Arles, and Sunflowers.
The museum was founded in part by the widow of Vincent’s brother, Theo, who inherited her husband’s collection after his death. Johanna Van Gogh-Bonger dedicated the latter part of her life to promoting Vincent’s work through sales, exhibitions, and the publication of his letters. Johanna’s son continued her work after her death, and the Van Gogh Museum opened in 1973. In September 2013, the museum unveiled the long-lost Van Gogh painting Sunset at Montmajour, which spent years in a Norwegian attic, believed to be by another painter. It is the first full-size canvas by him discovered since 1928.
On completion of the tour, you will reboard your coach and return to your ship.
- The total amount of walking on this excursion is at your discretion. Elevators are available in the museum for those who do not wish to use the stairs.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.
The Hague & Mauritshuis
A one-hour coach ride takes you through the lowland countryside dotted with farms, canals and flower fields to The Hague, the Netherland’s administrative capital.
Much of the town has an 18th and 19th century appeal, with large, fine residences along broad, tree-lined avenues and streets. Officially known as ’s-Gravenhage (the Count’s Hedge), The Hague is the Dutch seat of government and home to the royal family. It was the Dutch capital until 1806, but that same year Louis Bonaparte installed his government in Amsterdam. Eight years later, when the French had been ousted, the government returned to The Hague, but the title of capital remained with Amsterdam. During your panoramic tour, you will pass the Houses of Parliament and the Peace Palace which houses the International Court of Justice.
Your excursion then continues to the Mauritshuis, a Palladian-style mansion housing the royal collection of pictures, one of the finest in the world. See masterpieces by all of the 17th-century Dutch masters, works by Dutch and Flemish painters of the 15th and 16th centuries, as well as 17th-century works by foreign artists. Of the almost 800 paintings, some of the treasured highlights are Vermeer’s Diana and her Companions, Girl with a Pearl Earring, and View of Delft; several works by Rembrandt including two self-portraits; The Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius; Night Scene by Peter Paul Rubens; and works by Paulus Potter, Pieter Brueghel, Jacob van Ruisdael, and Rogier Van der Weyden.
Following this unforgettable guided tour of the Museum, you will have some time at leisure to explore the museum on your own, before returning to your ship in Amsterdam.
- The amount of walking on this excursion is at your discretion. There are steps in the Museum, but an elevator is also available.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.
Amsterdam sightseeing & canal cruise
This combination tour offers an excellent overview of the city, famous for its canals and gabled houses.
Depart by coach from the pier to Amsterdam and go for a guided walk through the center of Amsterdam.
You will walk past the Baroque-style Royal Palace, built on 13,695 pilings sunk into marshy soil. Upon its completion in 1655, it was hailed as an "Eighth Wonder of the World."
Towers and steeples are among Amsterdam's loveliest features. You will pass the Munttoren (Mint Tower), with a clock and bells that still seem to mirror the Golden Age. You will also pass by the Flower Market and the Beguinage before heading to the canal boat pontoon.
As many sights are only accessible from the water, a tour of Amsterdam would not be complete without a scenic cruise along the city's canals. Aboard a glass topped motor launch, you will glide through the historic canals, passing elegant merchants’ mansions, churches and warehouses which date back to the 16th and 17th centuries.
At the end of your cruise, you will return directly to the ship.
- This tour involves 3 km of walking (1.2 mile) on cobblestone streets and flat ground. You will need to negotiate some steps to get in and out of the canal boat. It is not recommended for guests in a wheelchair as the canal boat is not wheelchair accessible. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a rain jacket.
Total : €70
According to availability, price per passenger.
Rural Holland
On this tour you will pass many beautiful Dutch farms on your way to the very authentic Dutch village of "Broek in Waterland", known for its typical wooden houses and farms. After a stroll through the fairy-tale-like community, proceed to the "Beemsterpolder" (the Beemster lowland), registered on UNESCO's world heritage list.
Drive through the beautiful lowlands North of Amsterdam to the highlight of the tour, an original 17th century windmill, used to reclaim this area. Here you will learn how the Dutch manage to live below sea level. A short film provides insight in 300 years of wind drainage, followed by an independent visit to the mill, during which you will have the opportunity to buy some small souvenirs as a memento of your visit.
After a scenic drive through the lush lowlands, you will return to Amsterdam, directly to the ship.
- This tour involves strenuous walking on concrete and paved sidewalks, cobblestones, uneven & flat surfaces. You need to negotiate many steep steps at Schermerhorn windmills. This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or in a wheelchair. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the rain. Order of the visits may vary.
Total : €70
According to availability, price per passenger.
Waterland by bike
From the pier, take a short walk to your meeting point and gear up. From here, start your exploration of Amsterdam countryside with your guide.
Since the beginning of times, the Dutch people always have had a love-hate relationship with the water that is surrounding them. In the past a lot of floods and flood disasters gave the Dutch people a hard time to live this close by the seaside. However thanks to these floods Holland now has a spectacular scenery with green fields, waterways and polders everywhere. The water has created a beautiful, enchanting landscape!
During your cycling tour, be amazed by the peacefulness of this area and learn more about the rural Amsterdam. Pass typical Dutch scenery with cows, windmills and flowers and discover beautifully charming villages where time seems to stand still. Enjoy a stop at a local café and take a short ferry ride with your bikes to enjoy the simple beauty of Holland from different angles.
- This excursion involves cycling 2,5 hours (approximately 9,3 miles / 15 km) on flat surfaces. Guests must be in good physical condition and have previous experience riding a bike. The bike provided are not electric bike. Photostops will be made during the ride. We recommend you wear comfortable clothes and bring a raincoat. This tour is conducted in English only. This tour is limited to 15 participants.
Total : €65
According to availability, price per passenger.
Utstein Monastery & music recital
Utstein Monastery is situated on Mosteroy Island. Up to 1992, going to Mosteroy Island had to be done by boat. Today, the drive is via an underwater tunnel almost 3 miles (5 km) long that goes down to nearly 700 feet (210 m).
On Mosteroy Island, the land is fertile and peaceful with grazing sheep and cows. Wonderful green colours, in all the splendid shades which only soft sea air can create, surround you on your way to Utstein Monastery, the best-preserved monastery built in Norway, and you can easily understand why the Viking kings chose to settle here.
From the 13th century onwards, Augustine monks lived here in the peaceful countryside. The Reformation in 1537 put an end to monastery life, and the king's vassals took over the property. In 1937, Restoration works began that ended in 1965.
After the guided visit, the tour ends with a short music recital in the chapel (15 to 20 minutes). One cannot but feel the peace in these surroundings. The old beeches are still standing in the garden, spreading their great crowns over the group of old buildings.
After the visit and recital, return to the pier and your ship in Stavanger via the same route.
- This tour involves approximately 25 steps to negotiate at the monastery.
Total : €100
According to availability, price per passenger.
In the footsteps of Stavanger's past
Stavanger and its surroundings have played a leading role in Norway's maritime history for centuries, from the time when the Viking kings battled in Hafrsfjord, through to the period of the “white sails”, the steamships and to today's modern super tankers.
From the pier, drive passing rich agricultural countryside before arriving at Ullandhaug, with its reconstructed farmhouses from the Iron Age and an introduction into life during that time. In one of the low houses with turf roof, learn more about the living conditions around the year 500. Learn how Norwegians lived their life at this time - a local guide will demonstrate how they made flour or wove their clothes.
On the sightseeing drive to the farm, a photo stop will be made at the Stavanger Cathedral, the best preserved of Norway's Mediaeval churches, built around 1125 by Bishop Reinald of Winchester.
After the visit, re-board you coach and drive toward a viewpoint nearby Ullandhaug hill, and enjoy a magnificent view over Hafrsfjord, where the Viking king Harald Haarfagre (the Fair-haired) defeated in 872 the last of the regional princes, and founded the Kingdom of Norway by uniting the 29 small kingdoms under one crown.
Here you will have a photo stop at the Sword in Rock, a monument made of three Viking swords more than 29 feet (9 m) high forced into the ground, recently raised to commemorate this event.
To the east, the fertile farmland of Jæren with the Ryfylke Mountains forms the background. Before your return to the ship, you will have the option of strolling through Old Stavanger and the charming, picturesque and well preserved wooden houses in narrow lanes, which date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The houses were originally built for seamen, craftsmen and businessmen. Old Stavanger is today considered unique and its rehabilitation and conservation is the city's most important project.
- This tour involves walking on muddy paths and some inclines at the Iron Age Farm. We recommend you to wear comfortable walking shoes. Should you choose to visit Old Stavanger at the end of the tour, you will return to your ship independently.
Total : €75
According to availability, price per passenger.
Cider factory & scenic tour of the fjord
The Hardanger fjord with its green pastures, snow-capped mountains, and thousands of fruit trees is often called the “Queen of the Norwegian Fjords”. And in a sheltered bay on the innermost arm of the fjord lies the village of Ulvik, known for its fruit production.
You will start your journey along the Ulviksfjord. Passing the former ferry pier at Bruravik, you will enter a tunnel which will take you onto the new Hardanger Bridge, one of the world’s largest suspension bridges, crossing the fjord with a span of 1,310 metres (4,300 ft). You will continue to scenic drive along the Hardangerfjord for a short while and then turn south following the long and narrow Sørfjord. After a few kilometres, you will arrive for a stop at the village of Kinsarvik, one of the many fruit orchards of Norway. Enjoy some time at leisure in the town before your ride back to Ulvik.
Back to Ulvik, you will visit the Hardanger Juice and Cider factory located on the hills above Ulvik with a beautiful view of the fjord below. Join a guided tour of the facilities and learn about the production of juice, cider and apple brandy. After the introduction, you will have the opportunity to taste some of the products, before reboarding your coach and return to your ship.
- This tour involves approx. 300 metres (330 yd) of walking on flat terrain. The tour is limited to 70 participants.
Total : €120
According to availability, price per passenger.
Norwegian Nature Centre
This tour will bring you on both side of the Hardangerfjord, often called the “Queen of the Norwegian Fjord”. There, further inland, the mountains are higher and more threatening, however, in an open and sheltered bay, lay lovely villages surrounded by green pastures and fruit trees. An excellent example is Ulvik, where your excursion starts, or Eidfjord that you will reach after enjoying a one-hour scenic drive.
During your journey to Eidfjord you will cross the fjord via Hardanger Bridge. The 1,310-metre (4,350 ft) long suspension bridge was opened in 2013 – and is among the longest suspension bridges in the world.
Arriving in the village of Eidfjord, known for its salmon river Eio, you will drive along Eidfjord Lake. Surrounding you, you will see towering mountains, polished by ice and rocks during the Ice Age that ended some 8,000 years ago. At the far end of the lake, you will enjoy a visit of the Norwegian Nature Centre, focusing on the Hardangervidda National Park, the largest in Norway. The interactive exhibition combines modern design and innovative teaching technologies, and is designed like a trip through time from 2.9 billion years ago up until today. You will explore the interaction between nature, people, culture and environment, and see the spectacular panoramic film “Fjord-Mountain-Waterfall”, with a 20-minute virtual flight over the National Park and all its natural wonder.
Before returning to Ulvik, you will stop for a coffee break at ‘Tunet på Haugen’, a small authentic farm shop and café with mainly organic food. Afterwards, you will reboard your coach and enjoy a relaxing return drive to the pier.
- This tour involves approx. 200 metres (700 ft) of walking. There are a few steps inside the Nature Center (lift available). Beverages at ‘Tunet på Haugen’ are limited to coffee or tea. The tour is limited to 70 participants.
Total : €140
According to availability, price per passenger.
West Cape
This excursion takes you to the solitary landscapes and unspoilt nature of the West Cape. Don't forget your camera because the route is very scenic!
From the pier, board your local coach and start your panoramic journey on Stadlandet to the West Cape, Norway's westernmost viewpoint with mainland connection towering some 500 metres above the Atlantic. On clear days, the view in all directions is marvelous. Enjoy to impressive view of the dreaded waters of Stadhavet Ocean with the Sunnmøre Alps, the Hornelen Peak and Ålfot glacier in the background.
Continue to Selja beach, located in a secluded cove of the tiny village of Selje. The 500-metre-long Selja beach has soft chalk-white sand and is famous for its calm waters which make it possible to swim and fish. It also allows views of the Selje island, an island of mysterious ruins and legends, which was once home of St. Sunniva. This island played a central role in the early history of the Christian church in Norway.
After a photo stop, you will return to Maloy on a different road, along the coast for more fantastic scenery back towards the ship.
- We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and windproof clothes. This tour is a panoramic tour including a 3h20 drive and photostops.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.
Maloy RIB boat experience
From the pier, walk to the RIB boat (a rigid-hulled inflatable buoyancy) camp. Get your equipment, listen to a safety briefing and then start your adventure.
Adrenaline, fun and spectacular views, a ride in a RIB, a rigid inflatable boat, is definitely the right excursion for the young at heart. So, keep your camera handy to catch some of the most spectacular views around Maloy. You will see Refvika beach, awarded several times to be the prettiest beach in Norway. You will also pass some of the mightiest lighthouses in Norway and the biggest bird cliff in southern Norway, Einevarden. Birdwatchers may have the chance to spot sea eagles, puffins, guillemots, and several other species.
- Participants must wear warm clothes and flat sneaker shoes. This tour can be cancelled on short notice by the RIB guide if the weather turns bad, but generally the tour can operate in all weather conditions expect for heavy rain and fog. This tour is not suitable for passengers with back problems or with limited physical abilities. This is a high activity tour that at times can be strenuous and the RIB boat can reach high speeds. Landscapes can still be snow-covered during the early season. Observation of the wildlife is not guaranteed. This tour is conducted in English only. This tour is limited to 12 participants.
Total : €100
According to availability, price per passenger.
Panoramas of Alesund
From the pier, board your local coach for a beautiful panoramic excursion and experience once-in-a-lifetime mountaintop views.
Behold the breathtaking panoramas from the summit of Strandafjell mountain and journey through the stunning surrounding countryside on this scenic experience. Gaze out at the idyllic, unspoilt landscapes as you drive to Magerholm to take the ferry across the serene fjord to Sykkylven.
Upon arrival at Strandafjell, hop on the cable car and admire the views which become more and more beautiful as you ascend to the summit at 3,400 feet above sea level. Take some time to soak up the vistas over the fjord village of Stranda, the awe-inspiring Storfjord and the jagged mountains.
Enjoy a coffee break at the restaurant before you head back down and set off on your scenic drive back to Ålesund – this time via the ferry crossing from Stranda to Liabgyda and along the bank of the picturesque Nordfjord.
- This excursion involves walking on mostly flat ground. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and a windproof jacket. This excursion includes approximately 4 hours of panoramic drive with photostops and ferry cruise.
Total : €150
According to availability, price per passenger.
Sugarlump Mountain hike
From the pier, board your local coach for a short scenic drive, through Alesund, the base of Sugarlump Mountain, located on the Island of Hessa.
Upon arrival, meet your experienced guide and begin a one-hour hike that starts at 164 feet above sea level and climbs to an elevation of 1,000 feet along a narrow hiking trail. The round trip is approximately 2.5 miles over varied terrain. As you trek, you’ll learn more about the indigenous flora and fauna and take in the panoramic views of the city of Alesund, Borgundfjord, and the Sunnmore Mountains.
At the conclusion of your hike, reboard your coach and relax on the return to port.
- This excursion involves hiking 2 ½-hour over varied terrain. Participants must be in good physical conditions. We recommend you wear loose, layered clothing and closed-toed hiking shoes. We also recommend you bring water from the ship. This tour depends on weather conditions and an alternative route can be operated if needed.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.
Alesund by e-bike
Don your helmet, hop on your e-bike, and set off to discover hand-picked highlights in this enchanting city!
E-biking is just like traditional cycling, but with less pedaling thanks to the bike’s electric motor. After a full briefing, your guide will lead the way as you cruise into the streets. Glide around the heart of colorful Alesund, which is renowned for its unique Art Nouveau style. Hear the story of the fire that destroyed the town in 1904 and admire the intricate façades of the buildings that rose from the ashes, embellished with dragons and flowers, and crowned by a forest of spires and turrets. Make the most of your bike’s motor and head up to a viewpoint on Mount Aksla. From here, soak up a breathtaking vista spanning Ålesund, the surrounding mountains, the sparkling fjords, and the distant Sunnmore Alps.
- An e-bike and helmet will be provided. Participants are required to have previously ridden a normal bicycle. The excursion involves 2 ½-hour cycling. Participants must be at least 4’9” tall (150 cm) and weigh under 242 pounds (110 kgs). Pregnant women, those with back problems, and children under age 12 are not permitted. We recommend you wear a wind/waterproof jacket, flat shoes, and sunglasses.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.
City walk & Art Nouveau museum
Ålesund, the largest town on the northwest coast of Norway, has a spectacular setting: stretching over three islands, near the ocean and backdropped by impressive mountain-peaks. The town centre was destroyed by a fire in 1904, but rebuilt shortly after in the characteristic Art Nouveau architectural style of the period. Today Ålesund has a population of approximately 40,000, but the town centre is relatively small and easy to cover on foot.
From the pier, you will start on foot with a visit to the Art Nouveau museum, located in the old pharmacy building. The museum provides interesting insight into the fire of 1904 and the creative Art Nouveau period.
After your visit, you will continue your walking tour. Your guide will put particular emphasis on presenting the importance of fisheries in Norway's biggest fish export harbour and, of course, you will be shown a multitude of examples of the picturesque Art Nouveau style that has made Ålesund famous.
The tour will continue uphill to the quaint little park at the foot of mount Aksla. Here, you will find exotic trees and plants as well as a memorial stone dedicated to the German emperor Wilhelm II, for whom the main street in town is named after. Furthermore, you will see the statue of the Viking "Gange-Rolf" who sailed from Ålesund to what is today Normandy (France), named after the Norwegian settlers. From the park, you could choose to continue to ascend mount Aksla, where your will be rewarded for your efforts with a spectacular view. Or you could wander about in the park or just sit and have a rest before the return to the pier and your ship.
- This tour involves approximately 2 miles (3 km) of walking over even, paved and cobblestone surfaces with inclines. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the rain. This tour will operate in all weather conditions. A parent must accompany children under the age of 16. The tour is limited to 50 participants.
Total : €55
According to availability, price per passenger.
Giske & Godoy islands
From the pier, you will start the tour with a short panoramic city tour through the Art Nouveau district of Alesund. The city's architectural character is in fact the result of a catastrophe - the great fire in 1904 and those young architects who participated in the rebuilding of the city were inspired by the Art Nouveau style.
Then you will drive up to Mount Aksla from where you have a beautiful view of the city, the islands and the Sunnmore Mountains.
Leaving the city you will drive through some of the world's largest undersea tunnels connecting the islands with the mainland. Today the approximately 6,300 inhabitants have a 'ferry-free connection' with the rest of Norway. To reach the islands you must traverse bridges and undersea tunnels, the longest being 2.5 miles. Reach Giske Island, which had a unique position during the Viking period.
The famous Gange - Rolv, or Rollo, was born on Giske. This great warrior conquered Normandie in 911 and became the ancestor of William the Conqueror, sire to the English Royal Family. The old marble church at Giske was built as a family chapel for one of most powerful families. The church is built in the Norman style and is a typical product of the architecture prior to 1200. In 1756 the church was restored. The local artist Jacob S. Giskegaard created the new interior including a new pulpit, and a new alter piece.
Continue your visit proceeding to Godoy Island and Alnes village located on the seaside. You will see a typical fishing village with a well-preserved and picturesque architecture. Its main attraction is its lighthouse. You will get the opportunity to climb up its stairs (87 steps) to enjoy a beautiful look-out to the Atlantic Ocean and the surroundings islands.
After this visit, you will return to your ship.
- For this excursion, we recommend you wear comfortable shoes. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered). Please note the church may be visited from exterior only due to ecumenical services.
Total : €130
According to availability, price per passenger.
Kayaking on Geiranger Fjord
From the pier, depart by minibus to the kayak base. A guide will meet at the landing stage holding a kayak sign. Then walk approximately 5 minutes to the kayak base, where the kayaks are waiting for you, before receiving safety briefing and paddling instructions.
Since Geiranger is at the end of a long fjord, it means that you will head out of the fjord. You will glide along the steep mountain walls to the Geiranger fjord where the “Preacher’s Pulpit” can be seen. Along the way, your guide will tell you stories about Geiranger and its people.
After approximately 1¾ hours in the kayak, you will return to the base and walk the few meters back to your minibus and then your ship.
There is no experience required; your well-trained guides will teach you all you need to know. This is the perfect adventure for all, families included.
Life jackets are compulsory and will of course be provided for all participants.
- Tour operation is subject to weather conditions. The minimum age to participate is 13 years old and children must be accompanied by a parent. The kayaks are double kayaks. We recommend you to wear comfortable clothing and flat shoes with rubber soles. This tour is conducted in English only. Participants should be in good physical conditions and able to swim. This tour is not recommended for persons suffering from back problems.
Total : €80
According to availability, price per passenger.
Geirangerfjord by RIB boat
This excursion starts at the pier where you will be picked up and escorted to the RIB boat (a rigid-hulled inflatable buoyancy).
Your guide will give you winter equipment, both water and wind proof. Following a short introduction and briefing, you will sit astride a comfortable seat allowing everyone to enjoy the views. You will then start your exploration of Geirangerfjord.
While the RIB boat increases its speed, you will feel the sensation of freedom and excitement as the wind blows in your face. But the boat ride is not only about the speed. The driver will slow down below the small mountain farms along the fjord and give a short explanation. You will also see both the Seven Sisters Waterfalls and the Bridal Vail Waterfall at really close range which is an experience you will not easily forget.
After your 45-minutes trip, you will get back to the pier and walk back to your ship.
- Participants must wear warm-thermal clothes and flat sneaker shoes. Both water- and wind-proof winter equipment and eye-glasses will be provided. This tour can be cancelled on short notice by the RIB guide if the weather turns bad, but generally the tour can operate in all weather conditions expect for heavy rain and fog. This tour is not suitable for passengers with back problems or with limited physical abilities. This is a high activity tour that at times can be strenuous and the RIB boat can reach high speeds. Landscapes can still be snow-covered during the early season. This tour is limited to 12 participants.
Total : €100
According to availability, price per passenger.
Getaway to Dale Farm
From the pier, board your coach for a 1 ¼ hour drive to Dale Farm. At the head of the famous Geirangerfjord, the coach will drive you up the "Eagle's Road". Enjoy a photo stop at the Eagle's Bend, a wide curve from where there is a splendid view to the fjord and the mountain all around. You may see a glimpse of the waterfalls "the Seven Sisters" as well as some abandoned moutain farms clinging to the sheer cliff sides.
Then, you will continue towards the Eiddal Village, passing the highest point of the road at 624 metres above sea level before arriving to the next village called Norddal. Here is established the Dale Farm, producing goat milk and goat cheese. You will be impressed by the scenery before being invited to meet some of the farm animals like the goats and the fjord horse which is a blond pony native to the West coast, sturdy and formerly used as an racehorse.
You will get an introduction to the cheese making of this farm, still using traditional method of production. Here are produced both white and brown goat cheese. You will have the opportunity to taste some of their cheese and caramels.
Reboard the coach and return to Geiranger via the same scenic road.
- Participants must wear warm-thermal, water- and wind-proof clothes and flat shoes. Landscapes can still be snow-covered in the early season. You will have the possibility to purchase local products of the farm. Credit cards are not accepted. Local currency, Euro and US dollars are accepted. This tour is limited to 35 participants.
Total : €120
According to availability, price per passenger.
Fjord centre & Geiranger vistas
The Geirangerfjord is without doubt one of the most beautiful of the Norwegian fjords. Incredible mountain sights, summit vistas and a spectacular slideshow featuring Geiranger’s four seasons make this tour wonderfully intriguing. Geirangerfjord’s crystalline beauty is this panoramic tour’s setting.
See fairyland snow-capped mountains, sparkling streams and dizzying heights while ascending a winding hairpin mountain road. On your way, enjoy beautiful photostops such as Eagle’s Bend viewpoint and Flydal Gorge viewpoint.
At Geiranger Fjord Centre, enjoy a brilliant changing-seasons slideshow, and exhibits featuring fjord life. The centre is meant to be both an information and an experience centre. Visitors can discover exhibitions around various themes such as nature, culture and history. The centre provides an insight into life on the inaccessible farms that cling to the sheer mountainsides around the fjord.
- This excursion involves walking on mostly flat ground with some steps at the Geiranger Fjord Centre. This tour is a panoramic tour, including a 1h40 drive. Order of sights may vary.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.
Briksdal Glacier
Briksdal glacier is a part of the Jostedal glacier ice field, which is the largest glacier on the European mainland. The wild glacier is a fantastic work of Nature. Its slope plunges from a height of 3,937 feet (1,200 m) down to the lush, narrow Briksdal Valley. Briksdalsbreen Glacier lies at the end of enchanting Oldedalen valley.
Board your motor coach and start the tour. The trip through Oldedalen valley to Briksdal glacier is an amazing symphony of scenic splendours. From wild flowers to awe-inspiring mountains that are reflected in crystal clear lake waters, to great waterfalls that cascade from vertical mountainsides.
Your motor coach will stop at the mountain lodge, and from the lodge it is about 1.8 mile (3 km), a 45-minute walk on a gravel road up to the glacier. During your walk, enjoy the view onto the gigantic glacier.
If you don't want to walk that far, another option is to be driven by cars (7 seats in each) from the lodge, up to a parking lot which is a 10-minute walk from the glacier. Please note that you pay directly on the site for the transfer by vehicle. We will not be able to pre-book this service and unfortunately during the high season, vehicles are not always running.
Using the same way to get back to the lodge, you will have some more opportunities to take pictures walking down the path. At the lodge, enjoy a snack including tea, coffee and pastries, and some time at leisure in the well-stocked souvenir shop which will make your trip to Briksdal memorable.
- This moderate excursion involves 1 h 30 of walking (3,1 miles) on uneven and sometimes slippery terrain and gravel paths. We recommend you to wear comfortable good walking shoes, sunhat and sunglasses, a warm jacket and a waterproof layer.
Total : €105
According to availability, price per passenger.
From fjord to sky
From the pier, drive to Stryn Lake. What makes Lovatnet so beautiful is the green color that comes from the melt water from the glaciers that lies on the mountain peaks around. The lake has an area of ??10.4 square kilometers, and is 52 meters above sea level. Lovatnet has multiple streams from the Jostedals glacier and drains at Loelva to the fjord.
After a photostop, continue to Loen. Leaving the buses, board the new cable car (inaugurated 2017) taking you up to mount Hoven, 1011 metres above the sea – around 200 metres above the tree line in this part of Norway.
Enjoy a coffee-break and spectacular views of the fjord and villages below as well as the surrounding mountain scenery. During your stay at Hoven, you have the possibility to enjoy a short walk to soak up the scenery around you.
After some time at leisure, return by cable car to Loen where your bus will be waiting for you to bring you back to the pier in Olden.
- The tour will be run in nearly all weather conditions, even if there might not be a good view from the top station or/and it is raining. In case of strong wind or windfalls, the cable car might be closed on short notice. This tour involves walking over uneven terrain. Flat comfortable shoes and a warm jacket are recommended. Please note the order of the visits may be reversed.
Total : $170
According to availability, price per passenger.
Le Boréal
Le Boréal, like its Sisterships L’Austral, Le Soléal and Le Lyrial, epitomises the unique feel and atmosphere of the ships of the PONANT fleet. Subtly combining luxury, intimacy and serene well-being, the ship has been designed to offer passengers both moments of conviviality and spaces conducive to peaceful tranquillity and a sense of escape and getting away from it all. Its exterior and interior lines testify to the ingeniousness and refinement with which the Sisterships have been designed.
Up to 264 Guests
132 staterooms & suites
145 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Music
Set sail on a musical journey! If you have a passion for classical instrumental music or opera, if you love Celtic melodies or jazz, treat yourself to a different and exclusive experience aboard a PONANT ship. On board or ashore, our guests of honour, including renowned artists, talented musicians and brilliant virtuosos, share their knowledge and their passion in an intimate and accessible manner during concerts or talks.
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
5/8/2023 - TRANSFER BY DELUXE COACH FROM PARIS CDG AIRPORT (TERMINAL 2) TO THE PORT OF HONFLEUR
$120
Find out moreTRANSFER BY DELUXE COACH FROM PARIS CDG AIRPORT (TERMINAL 2) TO THE PORT OF HONFLEUR
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer between Paris CDG Airport and the port of embarkation.
Paris CDG Airport (Terminal 2)/Port of Honfleur
11 : 00 am Please meet our local representative at Paris CDG Airport - Terminal 2.
The exact meeting point is given at Terminal 2F, arrival level, Gate 4.
Look for PONANT sign.
12 noon Your deluxe coach departs for the port of Honfleur.
En route to Honfleur, a 30-minute stop is scheduled half-way. We recommend that you have lunch before being transferred.
4 : 00 pm Estimated arrival time in Honfleur.
Your programme includes:
- Group transfer by deluxe coach from Paris CDG Airport (Terminal 2) to the port of Honfleur.
- Services of a local English-speaking hostess at the airport and during the transfer.
Your programme does not include:
- Lunch.
- Tips for the driver and the hostess.
- Personal expenses and other services not mentioned in the programme.
Duration of the transfer is given as a guide only. A minimum of 20 participants is required.
Total : $120
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
Ghent & canal cruise
This dynamic modern city has a centre straight out of the Middle Ages. It was weavers from Ghent, joined by others from Bruges, who took up arms to defeat the French in 1302.
Arrive at the centre of the medieval city of Ghent, where you begin your walking tour at St. Michael's Bridge, with its view of Ghent's three glorious medieval steeples. The closest is that of the early Gothic St. Nicholas Church. Behind is the Belfry dating from 1314 and in the background rises the honey-coloured tower of St. Bavo's Cathedral.
Your guide will lead you to the pontoon where you will board a canal boat for a fun and thorough exploration of the city. As you cruise through the historic city see highlights such as the impressive Castle of the Counts, the Fish Market, 13th century Monasteries and the ancient port of Ghent along with its mercantile houses.
After your canal cruise, you will continue your walking tour, passing the old port, the Meat House and the City Hall to reach St. Bavo’s Cathedral (outside visit).
Then, enjoy some free time for shopping before re-boarding your coach and returning to the pier and your ship.
- This tour involves approximately 4 km (2 miles) of walking, mostly over cobblestone streets and some steps at the canal boat pontoon. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and to protect yourself from the rain. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).
Total : €80
According to availability, price per passenger.
Ghent & Adoration of The Mystic Lamb
The Flemish city of Ghent was considered the most powerful next to Paris in the 16th century and was an important medieval and Renaissance art centre. The past seems to still be alive, and you can enjoy these magnificent views during a walk in the heart of the city.
From the pier, you will board your coach to Ghent city centre where your guided walking tour will start, passing by the interesting guild houses with their steep, gabled fronts. Take a stroll over St. Michael’s Bridge, which overlooks the old river port and enjoy a view of the well-known “Row of 3 Towers”. The closest is the gothic St. Nicholas Church. Behind is the Belfry dating from 1314 and in the background rises the honey-colored tower of St. Bavo's Cathedral.
Your guide will lead you to the old port, and the City Hall before visiting the visitors centre of the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. After years of being subject to wars, fire, theft, and nine years of restauration works, it is the first time since the 16th century that the original oil painting layer of Van Eyck can be viewed. You will learn everything about this masterpiece and the history of the cathedral.
Afterwards, you will enjoy some free time for shopping before returning to your ship.
- This tour involves approximately 2 km (1.2 mile) of walking, mostly over cobblestone streets. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and to protect yourself from the rain. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).
Total : €100
According to availability, price per passenger.
Bruges on your own
From the pier, board your local coach for a 30-minute transfer to Bruges. During the drive, your guide will give you a Bruges City Map and will highlight the iconic activities and attractions - their insider’s insights will help you build an expertly planned itinerary.
Upon arrival, explore on your own the capital of chocolate, Bruges (or Brugge in Flemish). This exquisitely preserved medieval town charms you as you enjoy the scenic 15-minute stroll into the centre.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bruges is simply stunning. Climb the 13th Century Belfort for a breathtaking view and catch your breath afterwards (there are 365 steps to climb) with a Belgian beer at one of the award-winning breweries or many canal side beer cafés. Wander through quaint lanes adorned with countless chocolate and lace shops or join a canal tour - a hugely popular way to see the city as they crisscross the centre and have rightly earned Bruges the nickname, ‘Venice of the North’.
- This excursion is not guided. You will discover the city at your own pace. As coaches are not permitted in the city centre, all coach transfers from Ostend drop at the same coach park. To reach the centre, a 15-minute walk is necessary, with a few steps en route. At the end of the tour, your meeting point will be at the same location where you started.
Total : €70
According to availability, price per passenger.
Historical Bruges
Bruges (or Brugge in Flemish) is an exquisitely preserved medieval town. It had the good fortune to be linked with the sea by a navigable waterway, therefore the city became a leading member of the Hanseatic League in the 13th century, when the town established Europe's first stock exchange.
Upon arrival in Bruges a guided walk through the historical centre will introduce you to this beautiful, romantic city. During the walk, your guide will point out major sights such as the Market Square with its Guild houses and the Belfry Tower.
The Stadhuis, or Town Hall, dating from the 14th century, has a wonderfully ornate facade covered with statues, and the Oude Griffe, the former Recorder's House from the 1530's, is ornamented with impressive windows. Pass the Chapel of the Holy Blood.
Take a rest with a 30-minute guided canal boat cruise. See the beauty of medieval Bruges from a different perspective from the canals and waterways of the city.
Free time will be given to browse through the lace and chocolate shops around the Walplein Square, before boarding the coach and return to your ship.
- This tour involves approximately 3.5 km (2 miles) of walking, mostly over cobblestone streets. We recommend you to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Total : €80
According to availability, price per passenger.
Explore Antwerp
Start your scenic tour in the direction of the Cogels Osylei, Belgium's most important 'Art Nouveau style' street where you will make a short guided walk. Here you can find such a rare diversity of styles that the area has become an architectural curiosity of international fame.
Afterwards, you will head north to admire the Central Railway Station. Dubbed the 'Railway Cathedral', it is one of the world's most impressive railway stations and one of the main landmarks in Antwerp. The railway station was built between 1895 and 1905. An extensive restoration, which started in 1993 was completed 16 years later in 2009. Today the whole complex is over 400 metres long and has two entrances. There are three levels of tracks and a shopping centre which includes a diamond gallery with more than 30 diamond shops.
Continue your sightseeing tour of Antwerp driving by the MAS Museum and the 'Havenhuis' (Port House). MAS Architects, Neutelings and Riedijk, alternated between red sandstone from India and glass panes to give this riverfront museum a distinctive look that's both modern but also recalls the 16th century store house used in Antwerp's Old Port. The connection to the city is in the details as well. If you look closely at the 203-foot-tall building, you will see 3,185 silver hands, the symbol of Antwerp. Dame Zaha Hadid is the genius behind the brand new 'Havenhuis', home to the port of Antwerp. This intriguing piece of architecture is a combination of an old fire station and a modern glass construction that mimics the waves of the river Scheldt.
Then, your coach will drop you near the cruise terminal where your guided walking tour starts. Discover the old town section surrounding the marketplace with the Town Hall, gabled guild houses, cafes and Brabo statue. Then walk one block to the Vlaaikensgang ('Pie Alley'), typical of medieval Antwerp. Walk one more block to Our Lady’s Cathedral for an inside visit. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in Belgium and a major landmark of Antwerp. The interior contains some of world's greatest Rubens paintings, Elevation of the Cross and The Descent of the Cross.
From there you can join your guide to walk back to the ship.
- We recommend you wear good and comfortable walking shoes.
Total : €75
According to availability, price per passenger.
Antwerp's secrets
From the pier, meet your local guide and start your exploration of the secrets of Antwerp by foot.
On your guided walk through the city, your guide will lead you to the MAS Museum, Antwerp’s landmark in the heart of the historic Docklands port district. The 60 metre high MAS tower will afford you the opportunity to take in Antwerp’s skyline from the roof terrace.
Continue your guided walk through the historic city centre, passing highlights such as Meat House, Market Square & Plantin-Moretus Museum. Walk by the Groenplaats with its statue of the famous Belgian painter P.P. Rubens and reach the Our Lady’s Cathedral. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in Belgium and a major landmark of Antwerp. Inside, it contains some of world's greatest Rubens paintings, Elevation of the Cross and The descent of The Cross. Many people have already visited the cathedral, but few of them have been accorded the privilege of taking a peek "behind the scenes". During your visit, you will climb to the top of the small tower to learn more about its history.
Then, follow your guide to the "Paleis op de Meir" where you will have the opportunity to visit one of the stores of world-famous chocolatier Dominique Persoone. Take some time to explore the enormous offer of chocolates. You can even take a peek in the “kitchen”. If you’re lucky, one of the chocolatiers may even be working on a new chocolate experiment.
After the visit, walk back to the ship.
- This excursion involves walking approximately 4,5 km on mostly flat grounds, cobblestones and a lot of steps (287 steps at the cathedral, 50 steps at MAS Museum). The visit of the MAS Museum is not included in this tour. We cannot guarantee that there will always be a chocolatier at work during the visit. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water from the ship. Order of the visits may be reversed.
Total : €60
According to availability, price per passenger.
Discover Brussels
After a 75-minute drive on the Belgian highway, you will arrive at Belgium's capital, Brussels.
Your panoramic drive will take you on a tour passing the King Boudewijn Stadium (Belgium's national sport stadium) and the Centenaire (exhibition halls built to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Belgium), and will pause at the Atomium statue for a photo stop. The Atomium statue was built for the 1958 World’s Fair, hosted in Brussels, and represents an iron molecule.
Next, your coach will lead you to the centre of the city passing the Chinese Pavillion, the Japanese Tower and the Royal Castle of Laeken (the residence of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde).
Your walking tour will start near the Central Station where you walk through the Old Town area to first admire the St. Hubert's Gallery, with its arcade of shops, and the rue des Bouchers, or Butchers' Street, with its plethora of restaurants and cafes. A few blocks away from the Butchers' Street, you will be astonished by the beauty of the Grand Place with its Baroque guild houses and Town Hall. A few blocks further, you will encounter "Manneken-Pis", Brussels best known little boy whose irreverence epitomizes the spirit of Brussels.
After a short walk back to the coach (15 min), you will pass by the Royal Palace, the Cinquantenaire (Arcade made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Belgium).
After a 75-minute return drive to Antwerp, you will arrive at the pier and embark your ship.
- Please note the order of the visits may be reversed. This tour involves approximately 1.5 km (0.9 mile) of walking on uneven surfaces and cobblestone streets. We recommend you wear good and comfortable walking shoes.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.
Antwerp by bike
From the pier, meet your guide and familiarise yourself with your bike. After a short safety briefing, you will be able to set off for your leisurely bike ride through the city of Antwerp.
Enjoy your pleasant bike ride through the city of Antwerp, passing the major highlights of the city. Bicycle exploration is certainly the best way to travel through very different parts of Antwerp. From the developing waterfront in the North to the Monumental Central station and from the 16th century Old Town to the modern Fashion district, be charmed by the city of Rubens.
- This excursion involves cycling 3 hours. Participants must be in good physical condition and have previous experience riding a bike. The bike provided are not electric bike. Photostops will be made during the ride. We recommend you wear comfortable clothes and bring a raincoat. This tour is conducted in English only. This tour is limited to 10 participants.
Total : €100
According to availability, price per passenger.
Van Gogh Museum
From the pier, board your coach for a 30 min transfer to the Van Gogh Museum.
Your guided visit to the Van Gogh Museum is a unique experience. The Museum features the largest Van Gogh collection in the world, including 200 paintings, 400 drawings, and 700 letters by Amsterdam’s native son. The main exhibition chronicles the various phases of Van Gogh’s life, and features famous works such as The Potato Eaters, Skull of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette, Bedroom in Arles, and Sunflowers.
The museum was founded in part by the widow of Vincent’s brother, Theo, who inherited her husband’s collection after his death. Johanna Van Gogh-Bonger dedicated the latter part of her life to promoting Vincent’s work through sales, exhibitions, and the publication of his letters. Johanna’s son continued her work after her death, and the Van Gogh Museum opened in 1973. In September 2013, the museum unveiled the long-lost Van Gogh painting Sunset at Montmajour, which spent years in a Norwegian attic, believed to be by another painter. It is the first full-size canvas by him discovered since 1928.
On completion of the tour, you will reboard your coach and return to your ship.
- The total amount of walking on this excursion is at your discretion. Elevators are available in the museum for those who do not wish to use the stairs.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.
The Hague & Mauritshuis
A one-hour coach ride takes you through the lowland countryside dotted with farms, canals and flower fields to The Hague, the Netherland’s administrative capital.
Much of the town has an 18th and 19th century appeal, with large, fine residences along broad, tree-lined avenues and streets. Officially known as ’s-Gravenhage (the Count’s Hedge), The Hague is the Dutch seat of government and home to the royal family. It was the Dutch capital until 1806, but that same year Louis Bonaparte installed his government in Amsterdam. Eight years later, when the French had been ousted, the government returned to The Hague, but the title of capital remained with Amsterdam. During your panoramic tour, you will pass the Houses of Parliament and the Peace Palace which houses the International Court of Justice.
Your excursion then continues to the Mauritshuis, a Palladian-style mansion housing the royal collection of pictures, one of the finest in the world. See masterpieces by all of the 17th-century Dutch masters, works by Dutch and Flemish painters of the 15th and 16th centuries, as well as 17th-century works by foreign artists. Of the almost 800 paintings, some of the treasured highlights are Vermeer’s Diana and her Companions, Girl with a Pearl Earring, and View of Delft; several works by Rembrandt including two self-portraits; The Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius; Night Scene by Peter Paul Rubens; and works by Paulus Potter, Pieter Brueghel, Jacob van Ruisdael, and Rogier Van der Weyden.
Following this unforgettable guided tour of the Museum, you will have some time at leisure to explore the museum on your own, before returning to your ship in Amsterdam.
- The amount of walking on this excursion is at your discretion. There are steps in the Museum, but an elevator is also available.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.
Amsterdam sightseeing & canal cruise
This combination tour offers an excellent overview of the city, famous for its canals and gabled houses.
Depart by coach from the pier to Amsterdam and go for a guided walk through the center of Amsterdam.
You will walk past the Baroque-style Royal Palace, built on 13,695 pilings sunk into marshy soil. Upon its completion in 1655, it was hailed as an "Eighth Wonder of the World."
Towers and steeples are among Amsterdam's loveliest features. You will pass the Munttoren (Mint Tower), with a clock and bells that still seem to mirror the Golden Age. You will also pass by the Flower Market and the Beguinage before heading to the canal boat pontoon.
As many sights are only accessible from the water, a tour of Amsterdam would not be complete without a scenic cruise along the city's canals. Aboard a glass topped motor launch, you will glide through the historic canals, passing elegant merchants’ mansions, churches and warehouses which date back to the 16th and 17th centuries.
At the end of your cruise, you will return directly to the ship.
- This tour involves 3 km of walking (1.2 mile) on cobblestone streets and flat ground. You will need to negotiate some steps to get in and out of the canal boat. It is not recommended for guests in a wheelchair as the canal boat is not wheelchair accessible. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a rain jacket.
Total : €70
According to availability, price per passenger.
Rural Holland
On this tour you will pass many beautiful Dutch farms on your way to the very authentic Dutch village of "Broek in Waterland", known for its typical wooden houses and farms. After a stroll through the fairy-tale-like community, proceed to the "Beemsterpolder" (the Beemster lowland), registered on UNESCO's world heritage list.
Drive through the beautiful lowlands North of Amsterdam to the highlight of the tour, an original 17th century windmill, used to reclaim this area. Here you will learn how the Dutch manage to live below sea level. A short film provides insight in 300 years of wind drainage, followed by an independent visit to the mill, during which you will have the opportunity to buy some small souvenirs as a memento of your visit.
After a scenic drive through the lush lowlands, you will return to Amsterdam, directly to the ship.
- This tour involves strenuous walking on concrete and paved sidewalks, cobblestones, uneven & flat surfaces. You need to negotiate many steep steps at Schermerhorn windmills. This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or in a wheelchair. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the rain. Order of the visits may vary.
Total : €70
According to availability, price per passenger.
Waterland by bike
From the pier, take a short walk to your meeting point and gear up. From here, start your exploration of Amsterdam countryside with your guide.
Since the beginning of times, the Dutch people always have had a love-hate relationship with the water that is surrounding them. In the past a lot of floods and flood disasters gave the Dutch people a hard time to live this close by the seaside. However thanks to these floods Holland now has a spectacular scenery with green fields, waterways and polders everywhere. The water has created a beautiful, enchanting landscape!
During your cycling tour, be amazed by the peacefulness of this area and learn more about the rural Amsterdam. Pass typical Dutch scenery with cows, windmills and flowers and discover beautifully charming villages where time seems to stand still. Enjoy a stop at a local café and take a short ferry ride with your bikes to enjoy the simple beauty of Holland from different angles.
- This excursion involves cycling 2,5 hours (approximately 9,3 miles / 15 km) on flat surfaces. Guests must be in good physical condition and have previous experience riding a bike. The bike provided are not electric bike. Photostops will be made during the ride. We recommend you wear comfortable clothes and bring a raincoat. This tour is conducted in English only. This tour is limited to 15 participants.
Total : €65
According to availability, price per passenger.
Utstein Monastery & music recital
Utstein Monastery is situated on Mosteroy Island. Up to 1992, going to Mosteroy Island had to be done by boat. Today, the drive is via an underwater tunnel almost 3 miles (5 km) long that goes down to nearly 700 feet (210 m).
On Mosteroy Island, the land is fertile and peaceful with grazing sheep and cows. Wonderful green colours, in all the splendid shades which only soft sea air can create, surround you on your way to Utstein Monastery, the best-preserved monastery built in Norway, and you can easily understand why the Viking kings chose to settle here.
From the 13th century onwards, Augustine monks lived here in the peaceful countryside. The Reformation in 1537 put an end to monastery life, and the king's vassals took over the property. In 1937, Restoration works began that ended in 1965.
After the guided visit, the tour ends with a short music recital in the chapel (15 to 20 minutes). One cannot but feel the peace in these surroundings. The old beeches are still standing in the garden, spreading their great crowns over the group of old buildings.
After the visit and recital, return to the pier and your ship in Stavanger via the same route.
- This tour involves approximately 25 steps to negotiate at the monastery.
Total : €100
According to availability, price per passenger.
In the footsteps of Stavanger's past
Stavanger and its surroundings have played a leading role in Norway's maritime history for centuries, from the time when the Viking kings battled in Hafrsfjord, through to the period of the “white sails”, the steamships and to today's modern super tankers.
From the pier, drive passing rich agricultural countryside before arriving at Ullandhaug, with its reconstructed farmhouses from the Iron Age and an introduction into life during that time. In one of the low houses with turf roof, learn more about the living conditions around the year 500. Learn how Norwegians lived their life at this time - a local guide will demonstrate how they made flour or wove their clothes.
On the sightseeing drive to the farm, a photo stop will be made at the Stavanger Cathedral, the best preserved of Norway's Mediaeval churches, built around 1125 by Bishop Reinald of Winchester.
After the visit, re-board you coach and drive toward a viewpoint nearby Ullandhaug hill, and enjoy a magnificent view over Hafrsfjord, where the Viking king Harald Haarfagre (the Fair-haired) defeated in 872 the last of the regional princes, and founded the Kingdom of Norway by uniting the 29 small kingdoms under one crown.
Here you will have a photo stop at the Sword in Rock, a monument made of three Viking swords more than 29 feet (9 m) high forced into the ground, recently raised to commemorate this event.
To the east, the fertile farmland of Jæren with the Ryfylke Mountains forms the background. Before your return to the ship, you will have the option of strolling through Old Stavanger and the charming, picturesque and well preserved wooden houses in narrow lanes, which date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The houses were originally built for seamen, craftsmen and businessmen. Old Stavanger is today considered unique and its rehabilitation and conservation is the city's most important project.
- This tour involves walking on muddy paths and some inclines at the Iron Age Farm. We recommend you to wear comfortable walking shoes. Should you choose to visit Old Stavanger at the end of the tour, you will return to your ship independently.
Total : €75
According to availability, price per passenger.
Cider factory & scenic tour of the fjord
The Hardanger fjord with its green pastures, snow-capped mountains, and thousands of fruit trees is often called the “Queen of the Norwegian Fjords”. And in a sheltered bay on the innermost arm of the fjord lies the village of Ulvik, known for its fruit production.
You will start your journey along the Ulviksfjord. Passing the former ferry pier at Bruravik, you will enter a tunnel which will take you onto the new Hardanger Bridge, one of the world’s largest suspension bridges, crossing the fjord with a span of 1,310 metres (4,300 ft). You will continue to scenic drive along the Hardangerfjord for a short while and then turn south following the long and narrow Sørfjord. After a few kilometres, you will arrive for a stop at the village of Kinsarvik, one of the many fruit orchards of Norway. Enjoy some time at leisure in the town before your ride back to Ulvik.
Back to Ulvik, you will visit the Hardanger Juice and Cider factory located on the hills above Ulvik with a beautiful view of the fjord below. Join a guided tour of the facilities and learn about the production of juice, cider and apple brandy. After the introduction, you will have the opportunity to taste some of the products, before reboarding your coach and return to your ship.
- This tour involves approx. 300 metres (330 yd) of walking on flat terrain. The tour is limited to 70 participants.
Total : €120
According to availability, price per passenger.
Norwegian Nature Centre
This tour will bring you on both side of the Hardangerfjord, often called the “Queen of the Norwegian Fjord”. There, further inland, the mountains are higher and more threatening, however, in an open and sheltered bay, lay lovely villages surrounded by green pastures and fruit trees. An excellent example is Ulvik, where your excursion starts, or Eidfjord that you will reach after enjoying a one-hour scenic drive.
During your journey to Eidfjord you will cross the fjord via Hardanger Bridge. The 1,310-metre (4,350 ft) long suspension bridge was opened in 2013 – and is among the longest suspension bridges in the world.
Arriving in the village of Eidfjord, known for its salmon river Eio, you will drive along Eidfjord Lake. Surrounding you, you will see towering mountains, polished by ice and rocks during the Ice Age that ended some 8,000 years ago. At the far end of the lake, you will enjoy a visit of the Norwegian Nature Centre, focusing on the Hardangervidda National Park, the largest in Norway. The interactive exhibition combines modern design and innovative teaching technologies, and is designed like a trip through time from 2.9 billion years ago up until today. You will explore the interaction between nature, people, culture and environment, and see the spectacular panoramic film “Fjord-Mountain-Waterfall”, with a 20-minute virtual flight over the National Park and all its natural wonder.
Before returning to Ulvik, you will stop for a coffee break at ‘Tunet på Haugen’, a small authentic farm shop and café with mainly organic food. Afterwards, you will reboard your coach and enjoy a relaxing return drive to the pier.
- This tour involves approx. 200 metres (700 ft) of walking. There are a few steps inside the Nature Center (lift available). Beverages at ‘Tunet på Haugen’ are limited to coffee or tea. The tour is limited to 70 participants.
Total : €140
According to availability, price per passenger.
West Cape
This excursion takes you to the solitary landscapes and unspoilt nature of the West Cape. Don't forget your camera because the route is very scenic!
From the pier, board your local coach and start your panoramic journey on Stadlandet to the West Cape, Norway's westernmost viewpoint with mainland connection towering some 500 metres above the Atlantic. On clear days, the view in all directions is marvelous. Enjoy to impressive view of the dreaded waters of Stadhavet Ocean with the Sunnmøre Alps, the Hornelen Peak and Ålfot glacier in the background.
Continue to Selja beach, located in a secluded cove of the tiny village of Selje. The 500-metre-long Selja beach has soft chalk-white sand and is famous for its calm waters which make it possible to swim and fish. It also allows views of the Selje island, an island of mysterious ruins and legends, which was once home of St. Sunniva. This island played a central role in the early history of the Christian church in Norway.
After a photo stop, you will return to Maloy on a different road, along the coast for more fantastic scenery back towards the ship.
- We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and windproof clothes. This tour is a panoramic tour including a 3h20 drive and photostops.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.
Maloy RIB boat experience
From the pier, walk to the RIB boat (a rigid-hulled inflatable buoyancy) camp. Get your equipment, listen to a safety briefing and then start your adventure.
Adrenaline, fun and spectacular views, a ride in a RIB, a rigid inflatable boat, is definitely the right excursion for the young at heart. So, keep your camera handy to catch some of the most spectacular views around Maloy. You will see Refvika beach, awarded several times to be the prettiest beach in Norway. You will also pass some of the mightiest lighthouses in Norway and the biggest bird cliff in southern Norway, Einevarden. Birdwatchers may have the chance to spot sea eagles, puffins, guillemots, and several other species.
- Participants must wear warm clothes and flat sneaker shoes. This tour can be cancelled on short notice by the RIB guide if the weather turns bad, but generally the tour can operate in all weather conditions expect for heavy rain and fog. This tour is not suitable for passengers with back problems or with limited physical abilities. This is a high activity tour that at times can be strenuous and the RIB boat can reach high speeds. Landscapes can still be snow-covered during the early season. Observation of the wildlife is not guaranteed. This tour is conducted in English only. This tour is limited to 12 participants.
Total : €100
According to availability, price per passenger.
Panoramas of Alesund
From the pier, board your local coach for a beautiful panoramic excursion and experience once-in-a-lifetime mountaintop views.
Behold the breathtaking panoramas from the summit of Strandafjell mountain and journey through the stunning surrounding countryside on this scenic experience. Gaze out at the idyllic, unspoilt landscapes as you drive to Magerholm to take the ferry across the serene fjord to Sykkylven.
Upon arrival at Strandafjell, hop on the cable car and admire the views which become more and more beautiful as you ascend to the summit at 3,400 feet above sea level. Take some time to soak up the vistas over the fjord village of Stranda, the awe-inspiring Storfjord and the jagged mountains.
Enjoy a coffee break at the restaurant before you head back down and set off on your scenic drive back to Ålesund – this time via the ferry crossing from Stranda to Liabgyda and along the bank of the picturesque Nordfjord.
- This excursion involves walking on mostly flat ground. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and a windproof jacket. This excursion includes approximately 4 hours of panoramic drive with photostops and ferry cruise.
Total : €150
According to availability, price per passenger.
Sugarlump Mountain hike
From the pier, board your local coach for a short scenic drive, through Alesund, the base of Sugarlump Mountain, located on the Island of Hessa.
Upon arrival, meet your experienced guide and begin a one-hour hike that starts at 164 feet above sea level and climbs to an elevation of 1,000 feet along a narrow hiking trail. The round trip is approximately 2.5 miles over varied terrain. As you trek, you’ll learn more about the indigenous flora and fauna and take in the panoramic views of the city of Alesund, Borgundfjord, and the Sunnmore Mountains.
At the conclusion of your hike, reboard your coach and relax on the return to port.
- This excursion involves hiking 2 ½-hour over varied terrain. Participants must be in good physical conditions. We recommend you wear loose, layered clothing and closed-toed hiking shoes. We also recommend you bring water from the ship. This tour depends on weather conditions and an alternative route can be operated if needed.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.
Alesund by e-bike
Don your helmet, hop on your e-bike, and set off to discover hand-picked highlights in this enchanting city!
E-biking is just like traditional cycling, but with less pedaling thanks to the bike’s electric motor. After a full briefing, your guide will lead the way as you cruise into the streets. Glide around the heart of colorful Alesund, which is renowned for its unique Art Nouveau style. Hear the story of the fire that destroyed the town in 1904 and admire the intricate façades of the buildings that rose from the ashes, embellished with dragons and flowers, and crowned by a forest of spires and turrets. Make the most of your bike’s motor and head up to a viewpoint on Mount Aksla. From here, soak up a breathtaking vista spanning Ålesund, the surrounding mountains, the sparkling fjords, and the distant Sunnmore Alps.
- An e-bike and helmet will be provided. Participants are required to have previously ridden a normal bicycle. The excursion involves 2 ½-hour cycling. Participants must be at least 4’9” tall (150 cm) and weigh under 242 pounds (110 kgs). Pregnant women, those with back problems, and children under age 12 are not permitted. We recommend you wear a wind/waterproof jacket, flat shoes, and sunglasses.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.
City walk & Art Nouveau museum
Ålesund, the largest town on the northwest coast of Norway, has a spectacular setting: stretching over three islands, near the ocean and backdropped by impressive mountain-peaks. The town centre was destroyed by a fire in 1904, but rebuilt shortly after in the characteristic Art Nouveau architectural style of the period. Today Ålesund has a population of approximately 40,000, but the town centre is relatively small and easy to cover on foot.
From the pier, you will start on foot with a visit to the Art Nouveau museum, located in the old pharmacy building. The museum provides interesting insight into the fire of 1904 and the creative Art Nouveau period.
After your visit, you will continue your walking tour. Your guide will put particular emphasis on presenting the importance of fisheries in Norway's biggest fish export harbour and, of course, you will be shown a multitude of examples of the picturesque Art Nouveau style that has made Ålesund famous.
The tour will continue uphill to the quaint little park at the foot of mount Aksla. Here, you will find exotic trees and plants as well as a memorial stone dedicated to the German emperor Wilhelm II, for whom the main street in town is named after. Furthermore, you will see the statue of the Viking "Gange-Rolf" who sailed from Ålesund to what is today Normandy (France), named after the Norwegian settlers. From the park, you could choose to continue to ascend mount Aksla, where your will be rewarded for your efforts with a spectacular view. Or you could wander about in the park or just sit and have a rest before the return to the pier and your ship.
- This tour involves approximately 2 miles (3 km) of walking over even, paved and cobblestone surfaces with inclines. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the rain. This tour will operate in all weather conditions. A parent must accompany children under the age of 16. The tour is limited to 50 participants.
Total : €55
According to availability, price per passenger.
Giske & Godoy islands
From the pier, you will start the tour with a short panoramic city tour through the Art Nouveau district of Alesund. The city's architectural character is in fact the result of a catastrophe - the great fire in 1904 and those young architects who participated in the rebuilding of the city were inspired by the Art Nouveau style.
Then you will drive up to Mount Aksla from where you have a beautiful view of the city, the islands and the Sunnmore Mountains.
Leaving the city you will drive through some of the world's largest undersea tunnels connecting the islands with the mainland. Today the approximately 6,300 inhabitants have a 'ferry-free connection' with the rest of Norway. To reach the islands you must traverse bridges and undersea tunnels, the longest being 2.5 miles. Reach Giske Island, which had a unique position during the Viking period.
The famous Gange - Rolv, or Rollo, was born on Giske. This great warrior conquered Normandie in 911 and became the ancestor of William the Conqueror, sire to the English Royal Family. The old marble church at Giske was built as a family chapel for one of most powerful families. The church is built in the Norman style and is a typical product of the architecture prior to 1200. In 1756 the church was restored. The local artist Jacob S. Giskegaard created the new interior including a new pulpit, and a new alter piece.
Continue your visit proceeding to Godoy Island and Alnes village located on the seaside. You will see a typical fishing village with a well-preserved and picturesque architecture. Its main attraction is its lighthouse. You will get the opportunity to climb up its stairs (87 steps) to enjoy a beautiful look-out to the Atlantic Ocean and the surroundings islands.
After this visit, you will return to your ship.
- For this excursion, we recommend you wear comfortable shoes. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered). Please note the church may be visited from exterior only due to ecumenical services.
Total : €130
According to availability, price per passenger.
Kayaking on Geiranger Fjord
From the pier, depart by minibus to the kayak base. A guide will meet at the landing stage holding a kayak sign. Then walk approximately 5 minutes to the kayak base, where the kayaks are waiting for you, before receiving safety briefing and paddling instructions.
Since Geiranger is at the end of a long fjord, it means that you will head out of the fjord. You will glide along the steep mountain walls to the Geiranger fjord where the “Preacher’s Pulpit” can be seen. Along the way, your guide will tell you stories about Geiranger and its people.
After approximately 1¾ hours in the kayak, you will return to the base and walk the few meters back to your minibus and then your ship.
There is no experience required; your well-trained guides will teach you all you need to know. This is the perfect adventure for all, families included.
Life jackets are compulsory and will of course be provided for all participants.
- Tour operation is subject to weather conditions. The minimum age to participate is 13 years old and children must be accompanied by a parent. The kayaks are double kayaks. We recommend you to wear comfortable clothing and flat shoes with rubber soles. This tour is conducted in English only. Participants should be in good physical conditions and able to swim. This tour is not recommended for persons suffering from back problems.
Total : €80
According to availability, price per passenger.
Geirangerfjord by RIB boat
This excursion starts at the pier where you will be picked up and escorted to the RIB boat (a rigid-hulled inflatable buoyancy).
Your guide will give you winter equipment, both water and wind proof. Following a short introduction and briefing, you will sit astride a comfortable seat allowing everyone to enjoy the views. You will then start your exploration of Geirangerfjord.
While the RIB boat increases its speed, you will feel the sensation of freedom and excitement as the wind blows in your face. But the boat ride is not only about the speed. The driver will slow down below the small mountain farms along the fjord and give a short explanation. You will also see both the Seven Sisters Waterfalls and the Bridal Vail Waterfall at really close range which is an experience you will not easily forget.
After your 45-minutes trip, you will get back to the pier and walk back to your ship.
- Participants must wear warm-thermal clothes and flat sneaker shoes. Both water- and wind-proof winter equipment and eye-glasses will be provided. This tour can be cancelled on short notice by the RIB guide if the weather turns bad, but generally the tour can operate in all weather conditions expect for heavy rain and fog. This tour is not suitable for passengers with back problems or with limited physical abilities. This is a high activity tour that at times can be strenuous and the RIB boat can reach high speeds. Landscapes can still be snow-covered during the early season. This tour is limited to 12 participants.
Total : €100
According to availability, price per passenger.
Getaway to Dale Farm
From the pier, board your coach for a 1 ¼ hour drive to Dale Farm. At the head of the famous Geirangerfjord, the coach will drive you up the "Eagle's Road". Enjoy a photo stop at the Eagle's Bend, a wide curve from where there is a splendid view to the fjord and the mountain all around. You may see a glimpse of the waterfalls "the Seven Sisters" as well as some abandoned moutain farms clinging to the sheer cliff sides.
Then, you will continue towards the Eiddal Village, passing the highest point of the road at 624 metres above sea level before arriving to the next village called Norddal. Here is established the Dale Farm, producing goat milk and goat cheese. You will be impressed by the scenery before being invited to meet some of the farm animals like the goats and the fjord horse which is a blond pony native to the West coast, sturdy and formerly used as an racehorse.
You will get an introduction to the cheese making of this farm, still using traditional method of production. Here are produced both white and brown goat cheese. You will have the opportunity to taste some of their cheese and caramels.
Reboard the coach and return to Geiranger via the same scenic road.
- Participants must wear warm-thermal, water- and wind-proof clothes and flat shoes. Landscapes can still be snow-covered in the early season. You will have the possibility to purchase local products of the farm. Credit cards are not accepted. Local currency, Euro and US dollars are accepted. This tour is limited to 35 participants.
Total : €120
According to availability, price per passenger.
Fjord centre & Geiranger vistas
The Geirangerfjord is without doubt one of the most beautiful of the Norwegian fjords. Incredible mountain sights, summit vistas and a spectacular slideshow featuring Geiranger’s four seasons make this tour wonderfully intriguing. Geirangerfjord’s crystalline beauty is this panoramic tour’s setting.
See fairyland snow-capped mountains, sparkling streams and dizzying heights while ascending a winding hairpin mountain road. On your way, enjoy beautiful photostops such as Eagle’s Bend viewpoint and Flydal Gorge viewpoint.
At Geiranger Fjord Centre, enjoy a brilliant changing-seasons slideshow, and exhibits featuring fjord life. The centre is meant to be both an information and an experience centre. Visitors can discover exhibitions around various themes such as nature, culture and history. The centre provides an insight into life on the inaccessible farms that cling to the sheer mountainsides around the fjord.
- This excursion involves walking on mostly flat ground with some steps at the Geiranger Fjord Centre. This tour is a panoramic tour, including a 1h40 drive. Order of sights may vary.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.
Briksdal Glacier
Briksdal glacier is a part of the Jostedal glacier ice field, which is the largest glacier on the European mainland. The wild glacier is a fantastic work of Nature. Its slope plunges from a height of 3,937 feet (1,200 m) down to the lush, narrow Briksdal Valley. Briksdalsbreen Glacier lies at the end of enchanting Oldedalen valley.
Board your motor coach and start the tour. The trip through Oldedalen valley to Briksdal glacier is an amazing symphony of scenic splendours. From wild flowers to awe-inspiring mountains that are reflected in crystal clear lake waters, to great waterfalls that cascade from vertical mountainsides.
Your motor coach will stop at the mountain lodge, and from the lodge it is about 1.8 mile (3 km), a 45-minute walk on a gravel road up to the glacier. During your walk, enjoy the view onto the gigantic glacier.
If you don't want to walk that far, another option is to be driven by cars (7 seats in each) from the lodge, up to a parking lot which is a 10-minute walk from the glacier. Please note that you pay directly on the site for the transfer by vehicle. We will not be able to pre-book this service and unfortunately during the high season, vehicles are not always running.
Using the same way to get back to the lodge, you will have some more opportunities to take pictures walking down the path. At the lodge, enjoy a snack including tea, coffee and pastries, and some time at leisure in the well-stocked souvenir shop which will make your trip to Briksdal memorable.
- This moderate excursion involves 1 h 30 of walking (3,1 miles) on uneven and sometimes slippery terrain and gravel paths. We recommend you to wear comfortable good walking shoes, sunhat and sunglasses, a warm jacket and a waterproof layer.
Total : €105
According to availability, price per passenger.
From fjord to sky
From the pier, drive to Stryn Lake. What makes Lovatnet so beautiful is the green color that comes from the melt water from the glaciers that lies on the mountain peaks around. The lake has an area of ??10.4 square kilometers, and is 52 meters above sea level. Lovatnet has multiple streams from the Jostedals glacier and drains at Loelva to the fjord.
After a photostop, continue to Loen. Leaving the buses, board the new cable car (inaugurated 2017) taking you up to mount Hoven, 1011 metres above the sea – around 200 metres above the tree line in this part of Norway.
Enjoy a coffee-break and spectacular views of the fjord and villages below as well as the surrounding mountain scenery. During your stay at Hoven, you have the possibility to enjoy a short walk to soak up the scenery around you.
After some time at leisure, return by cable car to Loen where your bus will be waiting for you to bring you back to the pier in Olden.
- The tour will be run in nearly all weather conditions, even if there might not be a good view from the top station or/and it is raining. In case of strong wind or windfalls, the cable car might be closed on short notice. This tour involves walking over uneven terrain. Flat comfortable shoes and a warm jacket are recommended. Please note the order of the visits may be reversed.
Total : $170
According to availability, price per passenger.
DIRECT TRANSFER FROM THE PIER TO THE AIRPORT
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer between your port of disembarkation and the airport.
Bergen
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local English-speaking representative.
You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight.
Your programme includes:
- The transfer as mentioned in the programme.
- Services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Personal expenses
- Other services not mentioned in the programme.
To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : $110
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.