Day 1: Bergen, Norway

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Bergen is home to the Hanseatic League’s only kontor (trading enclave) still in existence. Bryggen wharf, a row of timbered Hanseatic warehouses along a quaint quay, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Narrow wooden walkways are flanked by parallel rows of small, vibrantly painted buildings overlooking the picturesque Vågen Harbor. This is perhaps the most charming district of Bergen and a delight to explore, from its tight-knit community of workshops where artisans sell their wares to its cafés where freshly prepared smørbrød, or open-faced sandwiches, are on the menu.

Day 2: Eidfjord, Norway

The quaint village of Eidfjord is nestled in the heart of one of Norway’s most scenic regions. From the Norwegian Sea, the waters of the expansive Hardangerfjord lead to the smaller Eidfjorden and to this charming mountain hamlet. Eidfjord embodies the Norway of every traveler’s dream, the gateway to Hardangervidda, Europe’s largest mountain plateau of soaring beauty. Wild reindeer roam here, among stunning, treeless moorlands dotted with pools, rivers, streams and the Vøringfossen Waterfall, a 550-foot cascade that plummets into the cavernous Måbødalen Canyon.

Day 3: Haugesund, Norway

The coastal town of Haugesund is considered the birthplace of Norway. The Haraldshaugen Monument marks its unification into one kingdom in 872 and is said to be where the first king of Norway was buried. All the typical characteristics of a seaside Norwegian town are here: rustic timber houses, stunning sea views from the quays and magnificent vistas of fjords from the Steinsfjellet viewpoint. The region’s cultural heritage is inextricably linked to the sea; built on the herring industry, surrounding charming towns have thrived on its success and continue to do so today.

Day 4: Kristiansand, Norway

Kristiansand boasts tidy streets, cozy harbors and small-town charm. The town’s Viking past can be traced in the runestones at the Oddernes Church, built in 1040 and dedicated to St. Olaf, patron saint of Norway. In the 17th century, King Christian IV ordered the Christiansholm Fortress to be built to defend the newly founded city. Today, the edifice is adjacent to an inviting harborside boardwalk. The city’s rich traditions are embodied in the old wooden houses of the Old Town and the stunning neo-Gothic cathedral.

Day 5: Århus, Denmark

Århus, located on Jutland’s eastern coast along its eponymous bay, is Denmark’s second-largest city. One of the country’s oldest cities, with roots dating back to an 8th-century Viking settlement, Århus became a center for trade and prospered during the Middle Ages. Today, it is an eclectic mix of past and present. A bustling port and center for commerce and industry with a modern skyline, it still retains its old-world charms in Den Gamle By, or Old Town, a repository of medieval landmarks, including centuries-old timbered houses and the 13th-century Århus Cathedral.

Day 6: Skagen, Denmark

Skagen is a charming old seaside village nestled amid pristine dunes, picturesque moors and long sand beaches. During the Middle Ages, Skagen was known for its herring catch, and remains a major fishing center today. With the introduction of the railway, a group of impressionist painters discovered the area’s seascapes and soft evening light and journeyed here to found the Skagen Painters; their work is showcased at the small Skagens Museum. The lure of Skagen inspired royalty to visit: King Christian X was so taken with the setting that he built a summer residence here.

Day 7 - 8: Oslo, Norway

Oslo is one of Scandinavia’s most vibrant cities, set on a splendid bay amid stunning fjords and hills. It was founded by a Norseman, King Harald III, and has grown over the centuries around the cherished Akershus Fortress. The city not only has a rich Viking past with its close ties to the sea, it also boasts an impressive artistic heritage. Perhaps its most famous painter is Edvard Munch, whose work The Scream is known the world over. But Gustav Vigeland’s 200 or so sculptures are the most prominent works in the city, on full display throughout Vigeland Park.

Day 9: Gothenburg, Sweden

Gothenburg is a thriving university town of picturesque canals, parks and gardens. Founded under a royal charter of Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus II in 1621, it grew into a major port. In the 18th century, the city prospered from the trade of the Swedish East India Company. That successful period is reflected in the stunning neoclassical stone houses that remain around the city’s canals. Today, a maritime and mercantile past is visible in Gothenburg’s cultural institutions, from the Gothenburg Museum of Art’s paintings to the several museums of navigation and seafaring.

Day 10: Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen charms visitors like a Danish fairy tale. Among the Baltic’s most beautiful cities, it began as a fishing village and boasts more than 850 years of history. It has been an important Scandinavian port since the Viking Age and remains one of Europe’s most enchanting places, thanks to Tivoli Gardens, the world’s second-oldest amusement park, and The Little Mermaid statue sitting in the harbor at Langelinie. Grand palaces also grace the cityscape, including Amalienborg Palace, the royal winter residence, and Rosenborg Castle, home to the Danish Crown Jewels.

Day 11: Karlskrona, Sweden

Founded by Charles XI in 1860, Karlskrona is a fine example of Sweden’s Renaissance-style architecture. The Admiralty Church, built in 1685, is one of the town’s prominent buildings, and the town’s wooden church is the largest in Sweden. Karlskrona’s maritime history can be seen throughout; it is a base for the Swedish Navy and its port was awarded UNESCO world Heritage status in 1998. The Naval Museum showcases the port’s history and its exhibits include a submarine. The nearby Kungsholm Fortress is the world’s oldest fort still in operation today.

Day 12: Gotland (Visby), Sweden

Much of Gotland’s landscape dates to the 6th century, when Vikings dominated the island. More Viking relics have been uncovered here than anywhere else in Sweden, making it a treasure trove of the era. Its strategic location bolstered the local economy when merchant ships of the Hanseatic League docked here for provisions or for trading. Visby grew into the most important city of the League, surpassing even Bergen in significance. Its two miles of defensive walls and 44 watchtowers are among the most remarkably preserved in Europe.

Day 13: Mariehamn, Åland Islands

The Swedish-speaking city of Mariehamn is the capital of Åland, an autonomous territory under Finnish sovereignty. The archipelago spans approximately 6,700 islands and lies halfway between Finland and Sweden. The compact city center sits between two harbors and offers a number of restaurants, cafes and shops. A haven for outdoor activities, it is an ideal location to explore the region by land or by sea. The city’s Viking heritage is a celebrated treasure; each year, Mariehamn hosts the annual Viking Market, one of the largest of its kind in Scandinavia.

Day 14 - 15: Stockholm, Sweden

Elegant Stockholm is nestled where Lake Mälaren’s cobalt waters meet the Baltic. This stunning cultural capital extends over 14 islands linked by 57 graceful bridges. Hailed as one of the world’s cleanest cities, it boasts numerous green parks. The well-preserved 13th-century Gamla Stan, or old town, boasts gabled merchant houses and an array of architectural styles, from the enormous baroque Stockholm Palace to the art nouveau Royal Dramatic Theater. Strandvägen is one of Europe’s loveliest waterfront esplanades and the ideal place to sample some traditional smoked salmon.

Day 16: Tallinn, Estonia

The capital of Estonia, Tallinn is located along the coast of the Baltic Sea. Its well-preserved old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is surrounded by a ring of 17th-century historic fortifications that were built to protect the city from invaders. Inside its walls are the upper town, where the regal castle and the cathedral are located, and the lower town, a maze of merchants’ houses, guilds, churches and public buildings. Some of the most notable landmarks include the Town Hall Square, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St. Olaf’s Church and the Kumu Art Museum.

Day 17 - 18: Riga, Latvia

Riga is the largest and most cosmopolitan of the Baltic capitals. Here, medieval meets contemporary in a history and architecture lover’s dream. Vaulting gothic spires and domes of ancient churches dot the narrow cobblestone streets of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, while wide boulevards host striking and ornate examples of stunning Jugendstil Art Nouveau buildings in the new town. Upscale shops mingle with modern art galleries and hip bars, amid innovative, candlelit restaurants, creating a vibrant atmosphere, day or night.

Day 19: Klaipėda, Lithuania

Lithuania’s third-largest city is a historic port on the Curonian coast. Part of the Prussian Kingdom until 1923, when it won its autonomy, Klaipėda is divided by the Danė River, which flows through the city into the Baltic Sea. Along its left bank, the historic old town features cobblestone streets with historic German-style half-timbered houses, street art and a tree-lined promenade filled with cafés. The new town stretches along the Danė’s right bank, past industrial sites and shipyards, amid venues that showcase the city’s art and cultural heritage.

Day 20: Gdańsk, Poland

Gdańsk is widely known as the city of glowing amber and Gothic cathedrals. Its luster harkens back to medieval times when it was one of the most prosperous cities in the Hanseatic League, the mercantile powerhouse of the Baltic. The city’s rich history is on display in the remarkably restored old town, a splendid mix of Gothic, Renaissance and baroque styles—from the royal residence of Green Gate to the 15th-century Artus Court, a merchant’s palace. Traditional Polish pierogies or a glass of Goldwasser, a liqueur created here during the 16th century, round out any visit.

Day 21: Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen’s skyline lies distinctly low to the ground, but some architectural elements soar above all else: the city’s church spires and palace towers. For this reason, the Danish capital is often called the “City of Spires.” Perhaps the most unique, the baroque Church of Our Savior features a spiral stairway that hugs the outside of the steeple. Christian IV’s former stock exchange building boasts a “dragon spire” resembling the entwined tails of four beasts, and the City Hall and Christiansborg Palace strike their own dramatic pose.

Day 22: Copenhagen, Denmark

Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.

Departures: May - September 2027

*Advertised price is based on a Veranda (cat. V1) departing 03 September 2027. Prices are correct as at 1 April 2025 and subject to availability and change without notice. Other travel dates available at seasonal surcharge.

Please enquire with your local RAC travel consultant for availability and current pricing. 

*Prices are per person, in Australian Dollars, based on double occupancy, subject to availability, includes all advertised discounts, and correct as of 05 February 2025. Advertised price is based on a Veranda (cat. V1) departing 03 September 2027, other departures available and may attract a seasonal surcharge. Prices are subject to availability and change without notice. 

^Discover More for Less campaign - Save up to $2400 per couple: Prices include all advertised discounts, and all offers are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. All offers are only valid for new bookings and only on selected departures made between 01 April - 30 June 2025 unless sold out prior.

Please enquire with your local RAC travel consultant for full terms & conditions, current pricing and availability. General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.