Viking Shores & Fjords

Welcome to Amsterdam. Transfer from the airport to your hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure to explore Amsterdam’s charming neighborhoods and sample some treats. A Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Amsterdam so you can make the most of your visit.

Enjoy a leisurely exploration of Amsterdam with a canal boat cruise and walking tour. Admire narrow-fronted gabled houses, pass charming houseboats and see the wooden drawbridge known as “Skinny Bridge.” Sail by some of Amsterdam’s modern developments, including the old port areas that have been converted to residential districts. Continue your discoveries in the Jordaan district, where you will stroll by some of Amsterdam’s most notable sights and stop to taste a typical Dutch delicacy. (B)

Today, enjoy time at your leisure or join an optional excursion: set out on a guided walk through the city followed by a trip to the Van Gogh Museum, visit the Zuiderzee Museum or call at Hortus Botanicus, one of the world’s oldest botanical gardens. You may also venture into the countryside on an e-bike or discover the enduring legacy of Amsterdam’s Golden Age during a walking tour and cruise. Later this afternoon, transfer to your ship to begin your ocean cruise. (B)

Fly to Brussels and transfer to your hotel. After check-in, you can spend the remainder of the day exploring the city at your leisure, or rest and enjoy dinner on your own in one of Bruges’s many excellent restaurants. A Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Bruges so you can make the most of your visit.

Enjoy a guided tour of Bruges’s historic city center—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll past homes of prominent former residents and visit the Béguinage and its gardens. Built in the 13th century, this was once home to a community of laywomen who lived sober, pious lives in the service of others. Today, the complex houses a nunnery for Benedictine sisters. View the Church of Our Lady and see the Gruuthuse palace and gardens, once the medieval home of one of Bruges’s wealthiest families. (B)

Enjoy a day at leisure to discover the hidden gems that Bruges has to offer, such as the Groeninge Museum or St. John’s Hospital with its splendid collection of religious art. Or perhaps set out to discover the city’s lovely canals by boat. A Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Bruges so you can make the most of your visit. (B)

Check out of your hotel and board your motor coach for your transfer to the pier in Amsterdam, where your ship is waiting, ready to welcome you on board. (B)

Disembark your ship and begin contrasting the Bergen of old with the elegant modern-day city on an enlightening tour, highlighted by insights from your local guide. Step behind the walls of Bergen Fortress and visit the well-preserved 13th-century Håkons Hall. Pass the Bryggen wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the city’s more modern section, view the National Stage and Grieg Hall, named for the famed Norwegian composer. After, proceed to your hotel and check in for your overnight stay.

Today, you have a full day to independently explore Bergen and its harbor. Once home to the Hanseatic League’s wealthy merchants, the city’s occupants now include artists and craftspeople who find their inspiration in the beautiful surroundings. For a panoramic view of this beautiful city, you may wish to ascend Mt. Fløien via funicular railway. From the summit, some 984 feet above sea level, you can take in spectacular views of Bergen’s seaside setting. (B)

Board the Bergen Railway for your journey to Oslo, which has often been described as the most beautiful train ride in the world. Your ascension to over 4,000 feet above sea level as you cross the Hardangervidda plateau features breathtaking views and will be accompanied by an informative narration. This afternoon, check in to your hotel and get settled in. This evening, dine in the hotel restaurant or one of the city’s many fine eateries. (B, L)

This morning, join a guided tour of the city’s highlights. You will see the Akershus Fortress, which has guarded the harbor for centuries; the Royal Palace, home to the beloved Norwegian royal family; the Parliament; and the National Theater. You will also visit the Norwegian Maritime Museum and learn about Norway’s seafaring history that spans over centuries. This evening, enjoy dinner at your leisure. (B)

Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Disembark your ship in Bergen and board the Bergen Railway for your journey to Oslo, often described as the most beautiful train ride in the world. You will ascend to over 4,000 feet above sea level as you cross the Hardangervidda plateau, featuring breathtaking views. Upon your arrival, you will transfer to your hotel. Settle in and relax, or begin exploring Oslo on your own. A Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Oslo so you can make the most of your visit. (L)

After breakfast, join a guided tour of Oslo. You will see the Akershus Fortress, which has guarded the harbor for centuries; the Royal Palace, home to the beloved Norwegian royal family; the Parliament; and the National Theater. You will also visit the Norwegian Maritime Museum and learn about Norway’s seafaring history that spans over centuries. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. (B)

After breakfast, depending upon your flight schedule, enjoy a morning stroll and a leisurely cup of coffee at a café on the Akershus Pier—considered one of the world’s first and most successful wharf conversions. Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)