Set sail on a voyage to the heart of storied and remote destinations, where every moment is a journey through time and nature’s untamed beauty.
Set sail on a voyage to the heart of storied and remote destinations, where every moment is a journey through time and nature’s untamed beauty.
The pleasures of Northern Europe and the Baltic countries offer a seamless blend of ancient history, awe-inspiring landscapes and modern-day marvels — from the medieval old towns of Estonia and the Viking heritage of the Nordic countries to the legendary vineyards of France and the dramatic fjords of Iceland.
Explore Medieval Treasures Steeped in Legend & Lore
Step back in time and explore the region’s rich medieval heritage. From majestic castles and walled towns to cobblestone streets and ancient cathedrals, Northern Europe and the Baltic countries are paeans to the Middle Ages.
Less than an hour’s drive from London, Windsor Castle is the oldest castle in England and the longest-occupied palace in Europe, dating back to the 11th century. It has been home to 40 monarchs during its thousand-year history. In neighboring Scotland, Edinburgh Castle, atop the volcanic Castle Rock, has been inhabited by humans since the Iron Age, while Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best-preserved medieval Old Town in the Baltics. UNESCO also recognizes Visby in Sweden, with its rich history during the Viking Age, for being the best-preserved medieval walled city in Northern Europe.
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain, a masterpiece designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, is a mere complement to the colorful, medieval streets of Casco Viejo. The city’s traditional Basque culture and historic churches, such as the 14th-century Catedral de Santiago, conspire to make Bilbao a modern city that is more fairytale wonderland than 21st-century marvel.
Discover Timeless, Soaring Landscapes
Northern Europe and the Baltics are a wonder of nature, where the expanse of dramatic cliffs, misty fjords and emerald-green valleys can seem infinite.
In Iceland, start off in Reykjavik for voyages that sail as far north as the Artic Circle through remote villages, cascading waterfalls and thermal baths around Akureyri, paving the way toward the mountains and glaciers near Grundarfjörður.
The Faroe Islands, an archipelago comprised of 18 small islands between Iceland and the Shetland Islands, were formed by volcanic rocks and are known for their waterfalls, soaring cliffs topped with green grass, towering mountains and long, narrow fjords.
Known as “The Daughter of the Baltic,” Helsinki is home to stunning national parks, islands, forests and lakes. In fact, Finland recognizes 27 “national landscapes” (not all of them natural), but perhaps the most incredible is The Archipelago Trail, a 250-kilometer-long ring road that can be traveled by bicycle or car. It’s a bit of a trip from Helsinki, but worth it for its seaside scenery and authentic wooden town, among other sites you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Trail-goers can also discover Nagu, playfully known as the “Riviera of the Finnish Archipelago,” as well as stay in glass-roofed igloos to watch starry night skies.
Luxuriate in Cultural Delights
The charms of the past continue to permeate the present in Bordeaux, France, a world capital of wine, near where the Garonne and Dordogne rivers converge to create a region renowned for its enchanting medieval villages, storybook wine chateaux and scenic vineyard views. Spend an afternoon sipping some of the world’s finest appellations while learning from the most renowned winemakers in the field.
In Antwerp, Belgium, the work of the city’s homegrown masters — Rubens, van Dyck and van Eyck — are housed in exquisite historical houses and art museums, while nearby, you can visit the world’s two oldest printing presses at the Museum Plantin-Moretus, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
On the Emerald Isle, Dublin’s lush literary heritage makes it a UNESCO “City of Literature” in celebration of its many legendary playwrights and poets. You can follow in their footsteps and explore their childhood homes and haunts, paying tribute to Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, W.B. Yeats and more of Dublin’s most distinguished writers.
Voyages to these coastal villages, pristine wildernesses and world-class cities is where the grandeur of the past meets the raw beauty of the present, proving that the timelessness of Northern Europe only gets better with age.
