Christmas Scandinavian Escape

The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.

Skagen is a world of windswept beauty, a finger of reef where sun-bleached dunes meet swathes of pastel sky. Denmark’s most northerly town on the tip of the peninsula is famed for fishing (you won’t find a tastier shrimp salad on homemade rye), while its poetic seascapes and luminous evening light has inspired many an Impressionist artist. Skagen’s main attraction is the sandy Skaw (after which the town is named) at Grenen Beach – a tapered spit where two worlds literally collide. Here, the north seas of Skagerrak and Kattegat meet, crashing together in the middle, but always look separate. While standing for the obligatory photograph with a foot in each sea, you’ll often spot whales and seals, and in springtime follow the swoop and fall of hundreds of rare migrating birds. Such natural beauty is the inspiration for many local artists. Browse their wares in the abundant galleries, jewellery and craft shops.

Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen was the adopted home of Hans Christian Andersen – commemorated in the waterfront sculpture of his Little Mermaid. And, true to the spirit of its most famous resident, Copenhagen has a fairytale magic all of its own.

Discover the beauty of the Copenhagen cruises while visiting the delightful Tivoli Gardens, where you can soar above the city in a hot air balloon suspended from a Ferris Wheel. Stroll down leafy byways as dusk falls and hundreds of lights twinkle through the trees or in the shops and cafés of Stroget, Europe’s longest pedestrianised shopping street.

With a variety of destinations to explore, cruises to Copenhagen have plenty to offer. Enjoy another stroll along the Nyhavn Canal, browsing the market stalls and looking at the fine old sailing ships moored near its banks. You will find more history at the magnificent Christiansborg Palace, the National Museum – home to fascinating Viking relics – and at Kronberg Castle – the former Elsinore of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’.

Another medieval masterpiece, Tallinn is enjoying a renaissance now that it is free from Russian rule. The architecture of this fine city juxtaposes Russian with Polish and Teutonic leaving you wide-eyed with wonder. From the spectacular curved domes of the Nevski Russian Orthodox Cathedral to Europe’s only remaining Gothic town hall, you’ll discover some awe-inspiring sights. You’ll find bars and restaurants in abundance, and from the winding cobbled streets and squares, the sounds of open-air markets, brass bands, choirs and even string quartets ring out.

Another medieval masterpiece, Tallinn is enjoying a renaissance now that it is free from Russian rule. The architecture of this fine city juxtaposes Russian with Polish and Teutonic leaving you wide-eyed with wonder. From the spectacular curved domes of the Nevski Russian Orthodox Cathedral to Europe’s only remaining Gothic town hall, you’ll discover some awe-inspiring sights. You’ll find bars and restaurants in abundance, and from the winding cobbled streets and squares, the sounds of open-air markets, brass bands, choirs and even string quartets ring out.

Gdynia is a port city on the Baltic coast of Poland. It’s known for its modernist buildings, including the Museum of the City of Gdynia, which has exhibits about local history. Kościuszki Square, with a distinctive fountain as its center, leads to the waterfront. The WWII destroyer ORP Błyskawica and 1909 tall ship Dar Pomorza, now museums, are moored on the Southern Pier. Sharks and piranhas inhabit Gdynia Aquarium.

The history and daily life of Norway’s modern capital is inextricably linked to the sea, and what better way could there be to approach Oslo than by ship? Enjoying one of the highest standards of living in the world, this beautiful city has a profusion of historic sights to explore including the Royal Palace, the National Theatre and a wonderful array of Art museums. Southwest of the city is Bygdøy Peninsula and the famous Kon Tiki Museum, home to Thor Heyerdahl’s raft, where you can learn all about Norway’s maritime past. Or celebrate traditional ways of life with a visit to the Folk Museum.

Understand that Zeebrugge literally means Bruges-on-Sea and you immediately appreciate why this ferry port is also Belgium’s major cruise port. A medieval jewel on the North Sea, the charming city of Bruges is just 10 miles away. Sometimes called the Venice of the North because of the picturesque criss-crossing canals on which you can enjoy fascinating and romantic boat rides, Bruges actually has a character all its own. Although it has all the facilities of a modern city – smart shops, restaurants, bars and hotels – these are all found behind the centuries-old facades and weathered gables of the historic buildings at the city’s heart. Bruges is rightly famous for its exquisite lacework, tasty chocolate and huge range of local beers while, from Zeebrugge, you can also visit another historic city, Ghent, the capital Brussels, and historic battlefield sites such as Waterloo and Ypres.

The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.