Seabourn will be traveling the waters of Northern Europe this summer, from the North Atlantic and North Sea to the Baltic Sea, Kiel Canal and more. Travelers touring the region onboard Seabourn Quest and the inaugural season of the line’s newest vessel, Seabourn Ovation, will have opportunities to explore on land and water with a selection of new, guided shore excursions highlighting local culture, history, and nature.
The new shore excursions available to guests offer a mix of experiences including Partner Tours of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, “flightseeing” via airplane, culinary experiences secured through local connections, waterborne adventures, and optional for charge Ventures by Seabourn expeditions in select destinations.
Here are some of the new shore excursions that will be available from Seabourn in Northern Europe in the summer ahead:
Lake Myvatn Ultimate Flight (Akureyri, Iceland) – The flightseeing tour heads over Icelandic landscapes where “Game of Thrones” and “Oblivion” were filmed. Look for natural features such as Godafoss waterfall; Vatnajökull Glacier National Park with Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe; Asbyrgi Canyon, held by legend to have been carved by Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse of the Norse god Odinn; and more.
Bremen’s Medieval Old Town & City Hall (Bremerhaven, Germany) – This UNESCO Partner Tour reveals the architectural and historical highlights of Bremen, Germany. Experiences include a walking tour to the gothic-style Town Hall, constructed in the 15th century; sculptures of Bremen Town Musicians and Roland, paladin of the first Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne; the restored Bremen Cathedral.
Vision of the Fjords (Flåm, Norway) – Another UNESCO Partner Tour, guests will explore the scenery of the Flåm region of Norway by land and sea. Board the hybrid vessel Vision of the Fjords and cruise Aurlandsfjord into the UNESCO World Heritage Site Nærøyfjord, a 10.5-mile-long fjord placed between steep mountainsides, waterfalls and narrow passages. Back on dry land, a drive takes in the settlement of Gudvangen and panoramic views the fjord and Aurland village from 2,000 feet above.
Royal Jelling (Frederica, Denmark) – On this UNESCO Partner Tour, proceed through the Danish countryside to the Royal Jelling Museum of Denmark, site of the famous runic-covered Jelling Stones from the 10th century recounting the victory of Christianity over Nordic gods. Guests will also pass through Vejle, an historic town featuring relics from the Stone, Bronze, Iron and Viking ages.
Inside Tour: Hamburg & The Beatles (Hamburg, Germany) – Before Beatlemania, The Beatles played in Hamburg, Germany. Get acquainted with the city through the eyes of the very young rockers, with a walking tour of original scenes from the earliest moments of their career, including the clubs they played and the places they stayed.
Ventures by Seabourn: In the Vikings Footsteps: A Walk to Herjolfsdalur (Heimaey, Westman Islands, Iceland) – This Ventures by Seabourn outing follows the footsteps of Vikings who camped in a natural amphitheater facing the ocean in Herjolfsdalur. They stayed years, and foundations of several buildings are still visible today, representing the earliest known settlement in Iceland.
Fortress Suomenlinna (Helsinki, Finland) – This UNESCO Partner Tour explores Suomenlinna Fortress Island in Helsinki, Finland, a monument of military architecture created in the 18th century. A guide will lead guests to special places, including Bastion Bistro, housed in a building dating back to 1892, to sample the island’s beer and brewery tradition.
Saaremaa & the Craft of Beer Making (Saaremaa, Estonia) – Start the day at Pöide microbrewery before heading off on a walking tour of the streets of Old Town Kuressaare, capital of Saaremaa Island in the Baltic Sea, with ancient buildings including Town Hall and the Weigh House, as well as an open-air market. A panoramic drive reveals more of Kuressaare back to port.
Sand, Art & Local Produce (Skagen, Denmark) – The fishing village of Skagen is the northernmost town in Denmark, with a busy harbor lined with wooden warehouses that have been converted into seafood restaurants. This culinary tour includes a scenic drive to view the exhibits of Skagen Odde Naturcenter, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon of Sydney Opera House fame. Guests will then visit Pakhuset for marinated herring washed down with Aquavit, the traditional spirit of Scandinavia.
Behind the Scenes at the Marlinsky Theatre & Tea with a Ballerina (St. Petersburg, Russia) – This tour offers a special, and otherwise inaccessible, backstage tour of the Marlinsky Theatre, part of the St. Petersburg UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the company of a curator. A short transfer arrives at a downtown restaurant where guests will share tea, pastry and conversation with a Russian ballerina.
Berlin: East, West & Canals (Szczecin, Poland/Berlin, Germany) – Discover Berlin from a new perspective: A cruise along the River Spree. This “Best Of” tour begins with a guided scenic drive through the North German countryside, with stops at Gendarmenmarkt Square and Brandenburg Gate. The cruise will reveal the sights and sounds of Berlin from the water as it passes through the inner city with views of the Reichstag, the Berlin Cathedral and more. Afterwards, stop at Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall before returning to the port of Szczecin.
Grøtfjord Exploration by RIB and Bus (Tromsø, Norway) – Take an adventure deep into nature by rigid inflatable boat (RIB) and bus. Destinations include Kvalsundet, crossing the bridge of Kvaløya Island; the very low “ghost island” of Gåsvær; the fishing village of Vengsøya; the village of Grøtfjorden with its startling white beach; and the quintessential Norwegian fishing village of Kaldfjorden, departure point for a RIB ride down the fjord back to Tromsø.
Dettifoss: Europe’s Most Powerful Waterfall (Vopnafjördur, Iceland) – Guests will see the roar of Dettifoss – 150 feet tall and 320 feet wide – thundering through the Jökulsárgljúfur canyons and dropping into the Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacial river. The view of the waterfall, cliffs and the canyon is completely unobstructed by boardwalks and viewing platforms.
Ventures by Seabourn: Pathway to a Local Treasure - Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall (Grundarfjordur, Iceland) – Guests will join the Ventures by Seabourn team for a walking tour in the surrounding areas of the small, fishing town of Grundarfjörður, including the Kirkjufell Mountain. The trip will also include a stop at the waterfalls of Kirkjufellsfoss.
Ventures by Seabourn: Puffins at Papey by Zodiac (Djupivogur, Iceland) – A naturalist will guide guests around Papey Island, home to number of wildlife including eider ducks, arctic terns, puffins, black guillemot and many other species. They will circumnavigate the island by Zodiac, exploring the shoreline in search of bird and seal sightings.
For more, visit www.seabourn.com.
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