Voyage of the Vikings

New England’s largest city, Boston, Massachusetts, is home to historic sights and modern neighborhoods; stores and restaurants with old-time character; and gracious green spaces as well as a beautiful waterfront. Legendary figures of the American Revolution come alive at buildings and attractions along Boston’s Freedom Trail, including the Paul Revere House and Old South Meeting House, and in Lexington and Concord just outside Boston. Pay homage to great U.S. presidents at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and in the town of Quincy, birthplace of Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams.

Each of Boston’s neighborhoods has its own personality and things to do, whether you’re enjoying the food of the North End’s Little Italy, admiring the beautiful 19th-century architecture of Beacon Hill or watching the street performers in Cambridge’s Harvard Square. The waterfront offers harbor views, while boat tours allow you to take in the city skyline while sightseeing. In every neighborhood, shopping and dining reveal Boston’s true eclectic self, from casual to high-end, but always interesting.

Finally, Boston is a city of green spaces where you can relax and enjoy the outdoors. The Emerald Necklace, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, is a 445-hectare (1,100-acre) chain of nine linked parks, including the lovely Boston Common and Public Garden.

Your visit to Portland and the English countryside of County Dorset will be rich in scenic beauty and centuries-old history. Visit the ancient village of Cerne Abbas and admire its beautiful 14th-century church and 16th-century houses; explore Sherbourne Castle, commissioned by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594; and marvel at prehistoric Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sample shore excursions: Historic Corfe Castle; Stonehenge & Salisbury; Stunning Sherborne Castle.

Corner Brook, a small but bustling city, is on Newfoundland’s west coast. Captain Cook initially mapped this area, known as the Bay of Islands, in 1767, and like many other Newfoundland settlements, Corner Brook started out as a fishing village. Later, one of the largest pulp and paper mills in the world was built here.

In the city’s downtown core, West Street and Broadway are the center of action, thanks to numerous pubs, shops and restaurants. The local university has renowned fine-arts and drama programs, so you’re never too far from entertainment. Corner Brook also has an impressive amount of green space—you’re always within walking distance of a park or trail. Nearby Humber Valley and the Marble Mountain offer some of the best skiing in Atlantic Canada, a big enticement for outdoor-adventure junkies. Even if you’d prefer to just take in the scenery, the rolling green mountains and the views overlooking the bay are worth the trip.

Red Bay, a coastal community and National Historic Site in Canada, is a beautiful introduction to rural Labrador. Its history extends back to the 1500s, when thousands of Basque whalers hunted right whales and bowhead whales for blubber, which was rendered into oil and exported to light the lamps of Europe. The whaling station itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the remains of whale oil rendering ovens and a burial ground where 140 whalers and sailors were laid to rest can still be found on nearby Saddle Island.

Tiny Red Bay has the hallmarks of rural Newfoundland and Labrador: colorful saltbox houses, craggy coastline and complete peace and solitude. The town can be easily walked in a short amount of time, and the effort is worth it. Wander around the beach and soak up the history of a place fraught with drama. In 1565, the San Juan de Pasajes sunk just off Saddle Island during a storm, and the remains of the ship were discovered in 1978, revealing the sophisticated construction of Basque ships.

Paamiut formerly Frederikshab
With more time at sea and more out-of-the-way ports, there’s much to explore—both on and off your ship. Discover the medieval art of Cherbourg. Stroll the gardens of Madeira. Relax and enjoy yourself.

Greenland’s southernmost town, Nanortalik is surrounded by the steep mountain peaks of Tasermiut Fjord – whose rugged landscape and lush vegetation attracts serious climbers all year long. Inside the fjord are the ruins of an Augustinian monastery and the towering trees of the Qingua Valley. In this region, the northern lights dance across the sky in the evenings and polar bears have been known to drift by on ice floes.

Visit the old town around the colonial harbor where the museum includes exhibits of rare Norse clothing. This harbor is thought to be the last point of departure of the Norse voyagers when they sailed to or from Greenland. The importance of the site is evidenced in the ruins of boathouses. Take a chilly trip to the ice cap by boat, or warm up in the natural hot springs at Uunartoq.

See dramatic evidence of Iceland’s volcanic origins: geysers, hotsprings, vast fields of cooled lava. Swim in the naturally-warmed Blue Lagoon.

See dramatic evidence of Iceland’s volcanic origins: geysers, hotsprings, vast fields of cooled lava. Swim in the naturally-warmed Blue Lagoon.

In the shadow of snowy peaks and near stunning blue-green fjords, Eidfjord is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful villages in Norway. Even though it has a population of less than 1,000, scores of visitors come here each year to bask in the area’s natural splendor.

Hardangervidda, near Eidfjord, is Europe’s largest mountain plateau as well as Norway’s largest national park. Interestingly, the legendary polar explorer Roald Amundsen, who led the first expedition to reach the South Pole, and Fridtjof Nansen, who made the first successful crossing of the Greenland interior, both used Hardangervidda to prepare for their expeditions. Walking, hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing are popular, and the area is home to Europe’s largest population of wild reindeer.

Numerous canyons, including the famous Måbødalen Valley, lead south from the Hardangervidda plateau to the fjords along the coast, and about 16 kilometers (10 miles) south of Eidfjord, visitors can see the dramatic 182-meter-tall (597-foot-tall) Vøringfossen waterfall. In the center of Eidfjord stands the 14th-century stone Eidfjord Kirke, while outside town the famous Kjeåsen Mountain Farm sits on a ledge some 600 meters (1,968 feet) above the Simadalsfjord.

Often called the gateway to Europe, the port city of Rotterdam is full of old-world charm. The harbor offers amazing views and a maze of wharves and canals, along with towering spires make for a beautiful sight. Take a stroll and duck into one of the pubs or eateries along the way.
Only three pre World War II buildings in the city centre have survived and are worth a look – city hall, St. Laurence church and the White House. Explore the Museum Boymans van Beuningen, which houses a unique collection dating from the 14th century, or the Museum Voor Volkenkunde – home to ethnological exhibits. Exquisite architecture can be seen in many areas of Rotterdam, most notably in the Delfshaven quarter of the city – where 18th century houses are on display. For a laugh, check out Kijk-Kubus, an upside-down house.