Day 1- Dublin>Embark

Day 2- Belfast

Delight in this vibrant city of ornate Victorian and Edwardian architecture, gracious gardens and friendly pubs. Thrill to the natural phenomenon of the Giants’ Causeway, a stunning geological anomaly of tightly packed, uneven basalt columns disappearing into the sea, and the enigmatic ruins of Grey Abbey.

Day 3- Ullapool

Catch one of the ever-changing exhibitions of works by local artists at the Ullapool Visual Arts Centre and view impressive textiles, ceramics, paintings and photography. Trace your Scottish ancestry in the genealogy section of the Ullapool Museum housed in a repurposed Telford Parliamentary church or go hillwalking on one of the many slopes that rise from the sea up to the Scottish Highlands.

Day 4- Lerwick (Shetland Islands)

Enjoy a taste of the Highlands here in the rugged landscape and heathered moors, the ruined castles, steep cliffs and sea air. Drive through beautiful valleys and flower-filled meadows with romping Shetland ponies to quaint villages like Scalloway with its ruined castle, or explore the fascinating Jarlshof prehistoric site, occupied for more than 4,000 years.

Day 5- Haugesund

Located in the southwest of Norway where the fjords flow out into the North Sea, Haugesund is surrounded by the blue ice Folgefonna glacier in the north and the impressive mountain formation of Preikestolen in the south. Learn why this charming town is known as the Homeland of the Viking Kings at Avaldsnes’ Viking settlement, where you can see a reconstructed Viking farm and learn how the Vikings lived. Discover majestic fjords, cascading waterfalls, stunning glaciers, imposing mountains, and idyllic islands and lighthouses. The best way to get an insider’s look at Haugesund is to follow the locals and go for an invigorating hike at Preikestolen, also known as the Pulpit Rock or Preacher’s Rock, one of the most popular hiking trips in the region.

Day 6- Nordfjordeid

Situated between one of the largest glaciers in Europe and the rugged Stad Peninsula, Nordfjordeid is your jumping off point to explore one of the most beautiful places in the world. The UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord awaits you to the northeast, while icy glaciers flow into spectacular valleys to the southeast – you won’t have a moment to put down your camera. Something as simple as visiting a deer farm takes on a whole new meaning when you are surrounded by towering mountain ranges, and taking a leisurely hike will be the most memorable experience of your life when you are embraced by sheer rocky cliffs over which roaring waterfalls cascade.

Day 7- Trondheim

Over a thousand years old, Trondheim is one of the oldest of Norway’s major cities. Visit the magnificent Nidaros Cathedral, the largest medieval building in Scandinavia, and Stiftsgarden Palace, the royal residence and one of the largest wooden buildings in Northern Europe. Enjoy stunning views of Trondheim Fjord from the Ringve Museum, home to a collection of more than 2,000 musical instruments.

Day 8- Alesund

In 1904 much of Ålesund was destroyed by fire, but the town was quickly rebuilt in the period’s popular Art Nouveau style. Soaring turrets, spires and beautiful ornamentation adorn the buildings throughout Ålesund, giving it a distinctive flair and earning the town a revered architectural reputation. An evening departure allows you plenty of time to explore its many attractions, such as the spectacular Art Nouveau Centre museum, scenic Town Park, and Atlantic Sea Park, one of Europe’s largest aquariums. For a look at modern Norwegian woodworking, visit the impressive Gallery Cylindra. Many of Ålesund’s squares feature sculptures commemorating significant events, including the town’s rich fishing history and Norway’s contribution to World War II.

Day 9- At Sea

Day 10- Oslo

Overlooking a gorgeous fjord, Norway’s capital and largest city simply radiates with natural beauty and sophistication. Oslo’s rich seafaring history is on display at the Viking Ships Museum, rivaled only by the Kon-Tiki Museum, which holds the balsawood raft that Norwegian adventurer Thor Heyerdahl used to sail from Peru to Polynesia. History aside, Oslo exudes a love of the outdoors in city parks like Vigeland, which is adorned with over 200 life-size sculptures by artist Gustav Vigeland. Much of Oslo is heavily forested with pines, making it one of Europe’s greenest cities.

Day 11- Helsingborg

Travel through the centuries in this land of castles and keeps. Marvel at the views across the Oresund Strait as far as Denmark from the medieval keep of Kärnan, all that remains of the 14th century Helsingborg Castle. The more modern Sofiero Palace is the opulent former residence of Sweden’s royal family, and perhaps most enchanting are its lush gardens with more than 10,000 rhododendrons. Just a short ferry ride away, visit Elsinore and historic Kronborg Castle, the UNESCO World Heritage Site immortalized in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Day 12- Copenhagen