Norwegian Fjords Explorer

Take in the charms of the North Sea, from Amsterdam and the German coast to Norway. Embark on a Norway fjords vacation cruise surrounded by mighty glaciers and stunning scenery. Relax and enjoy views of sheer cliffs, lush forests, snow-covered peaks, and charming villages on a trip you’ll never forget.

Your vacation begins with several days in Amsterdam, where you will see the city’s legendary canals by boat and explore central Amsterdam on a guided walking tour. Visit the beautiful German town of Bremen, then continue to Hamburg, the country’s largest port city. Explore this “gateway to the world” before transferring to Kiel for embarkation on your cruise.

Your first stop is Copenhagen, Denmark’s cutting edge capital city. Then continue to Norway where you’ll cruise through what is considered one of the most beautiful fjords in the world, taking in awe-inspiring views of nature’s grandeur.

Stop in picturesque villages including Hellesylt and Geiranger, whose UNESCO-listed landscape inspired Arendelle, the fairytale setting of Disney’s Frozen.

After days savoring Norway’s exceptional beauty by cruise, disembark in coastal Germany and transfer to Berlin where you will take a fascinating tour that delves into the capital city’s culture, history, gardens, and museums.

Add-Ons

Zaanse Schans & Henri Willig Cheese Farm Dinner

Visit a cheese farm and enjoy a fondue dinner!

Potsdam and Cecilienhof Tour

Explore Potsdam, a city of 180,000 inhabitants just outside of Berlin.

Tour Includes

4 Countries

• Netherlands
• Norway
• Denmark
• Germany

Sightseeing

• Amsterdam
• Bremen
• Hamburg
• Copenhagen
• Hellesylt
• Geiranger
• Flam
• Stavenger
• Berlin
• Norwegian Fjords

Cruise Accommodations

• 7 Nights
• Cruise aboard Costa Cruise Line’s Diadema

Hotel Accommodations

• 5 Nights
• Moderate hotels based on twin/double occupancy

Meals

• All meals onboard ship
• 5 Breakfasts and 2 Dinners on land portion

Service

• A professionally trained English-speaking local tour director who is knowledgeable about the area will provide you with a wealth of information. Their friendly service will make your trip a memorable experience.

Baggage Handling

• To and from your hotel room and cruise ship cabin throughout your tour for one piece of Checked Baggage per person.

Norwegian Fjords Explorer

Tour Starts:

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Tour Ends:

Berlin, Germany

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Day 1

Depart for Europe

Your journey begins on an overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2

Arrive in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Welcome to Amsterdam! If you purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations, a representative will greet you at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and transport you to the hotel. This evening you’ll get to know your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner where you will learn about the exciting days ahead. (D)

Grand Hotel Amstelveen or similar

Day 3

Amsterdam City Tour

Enjoy a half-day boat tour through Amsterdam’s scenic canals, where you will see the New Church, the National Monument, and the Skinny Bridge across the River Amstel. Your cruise concludes in central Amsterdam, at which point you will continue for a short time on foot before stopping for free time and lunch on your own. The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure. (B)

Grand Hotel Amstelveen or similar

Add-On: Zaanse Schans & Henri Willig Cheese Farm Dinner

Day 4

Bremen & Hamburg

Stop for lunch in beautiful Bremen, Germany’s oldest coastal city known for its lively culture and stunning attractions. Famously, Bremen’s City Hall is housed in a UNESCO-listed 15th century Gothic civic building. Continue to Hamburg, the “gateway to the world.” Germany’s largest port city is as renowned for its musical heritage as its stunning architecture. (B)

Hotel Steigenberger or similar

 

Day 5

Hamburg City Tour and Embarkation

Today starts with a tour of Hamburg. You’ll see many of the medieval city’s half-timbered structures (such as St. Michael’s Church, Speicherstadt, Warehouse district/canals among others), as well as the Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall, a wave-inspired glass construction, and one of the largest in the world. After some free time, you’ll transfer to Kiel for embarkation. Get settled in to your cabin on the Costa Diadema. (B)

Day 6

Copenhagen, Denmark

The Danish capital was first established in the tenth century. During your time in this vibrant city, you’ll have the chance to learn about its storied history while enjoying the cutting-edge technology that it now embraces. If you’re interested in shopping, take a stroll through a few of Copenhagen’s boutiques. Scandinavian clothing and home goods are world-famous for their thoughtful, innovative, and minimalist design. (D)

Day 7

At Sea (B, L, D)

Day 8

Hellesylt & Geiranger, Norway

Many consider Geirangerfjord to be the most beautiful fjord in the world. As you sail through, discover Hellesylt and Geiranger, two villages that sit at either end of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Watch out for awe-inspiring views, charming farmhouses, and spectacular waterfalls. These long, narrow fingers of the ocean were formed over countless millennia by glacial movement. They may look like clear mountain lakes, but these narrow inlets are actually offshoots of the sea. They are slowly-formed canyons, surrounded by steep cliffs and filled with ocean water, that jut deep into the Norwegian interior. (B, L, D)

Day 9

Bergen, Norway

Despite being Norway’s second largest city, the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bergen boasts a wonderful small-town atmosphere. Once the center of the Hanseatic League’s trading empire, the city is full of history. Known as the “”city of seven mountains,”” Bergen offers plenty for visitors to enjoy, including museums, art galleries, and restaurants serving some of the finest seafood in Norway! (B, L, D)

Day 10

Stavanger, Norway

There is no shortage of things to see and do in Stavanger! During your leisure time in port today, stop by the Old Cathedral, visit one of the fascinating museums, or stroll down the shopping street, Øvre Holmegate, known for its colorful houses. (B, L, D)

Day 11

At Sea (B, L, D)

Day 12

Disembarkation and Transfer to Berlin

Your morning starts with disembarkation in Kiel and motorcoach transportation back to Berlin. There’s a lunch stop in Lubeck en route. The rest of the day will be at your leisure until the evening, when you are invited to a farewell feast (included). (B, D)

Abba Berlin or similar

Day 13

Berlin City Tour

On today’s tour, discover Berlin’s history and culture. Start with a city tour, where you will see everything from the Brandenburg Gate to Checkpoint Charlie, as well as the museums and gardens that pepper Germany’s sophisticated capital. You might want to try a currywurst today! The sausage covered with a mixture of curry powder and ketchup has become a quintessential German street food. Enjoy the rest of the day on your own. (B)

Abba Berlin or similar

Add-On: Potsdam and Cecilienhof Tour

Day 14

Depart for Home (B)

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.

YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.

FAQs

Add-Ons

Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.

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Zaanse Schans & Henri Willig Cheese Farm Dinner

Strap on your clogs and hold on to your bonnet! Today you get to experience Holland as it once was in the charming village of Zaanse Schans, where the 18th and 19th centuries are brought to life. Visit a colorful, postcard-pretty windmill slowly turning on the banks of the River Zaan. These icons of Holland were essential pieces of medieval-era technology that transformed dense wetlands into productive fields and farms. Stop at a clog factory, where you can watch artisans craft traditional wooden shoes. Next, visit  the Henri Willig Cheese Farm for a cheese-making demonstration, and the chance to sample their bestsellers. Say Hi to a herd of Jersey cows on the organic farm in a free-style barn, after which you can savor a three-course fondue dinner at the restaurant in the premises.

Inclusions

• Admission to Windmill
• Clog making demonstration
• Cheese tasting
• Henri Willig Farm: cheese demonstration and stables, 3 course dinner incl. 1 drink & water

Activity Level: Moderate

Price: $159 USD

Potsdam and Cecilienhof Tour

Explore Potsdam, a city of 180,000 inhabitants just outside of Berlin. The city is over 1000 years old and features many lush parks and gardens, as well as famous landmarks and palaces, including Sanssouci, New Palace, Cecilienhof Palace, and Charlottenhof Palace. Potsdam was also the location of the significant Potsdam Conference in 1945, where the three heads of government of the USSR, the US, and the UK decided on the division of Germany following its surrender. It would go on to define Germany’s history for the following 45 years. As part of this optional excursion, enjoy a self-guided tour of Cecilienhof Palace followed by a walking tour of Potsdam.

Inclusions

• Self-guided tour (multimedia guide tour) of Cecilienhof Palace
• Walking tour of Potsdam
• Round Trip transportation
• Duration: Approx. 6 Hours (Afternoon)

Activity Level: Moderate

Price: $159 USD