Suggested Tour Routes to make the best of your holiday in Scotland Travel to Scotland usually comes in via England, and this itinerary assumes that. If you flew into Edinburgh it would be simple to nip into England at Gretna Green, checkout Hadrian's Wall (the Roman border) and re-enter Scotland in the East to see Jedburgh Abbey on the route back. Try this Tour Route This tour route would take around 17 -18 days allowing a couple of nights in Edinburgh. You could run … [Read more...]
Destination: Amsterdam
January 16, 2010 by
Amsterdam Attractions and Things to Do: Many people think of Amsterdam as the capital of the Netherlands, but the actual seat of the government is at Den Haag. Nevertheless, Amsterdam is the largest city in the Netherlands and as far as tourism is concerned it is also the most visited, with over 3.5 million visitors a year beginning their Netherlands vacation in this city. Amsterdam has more than 750,000 residents and just as many bikes, if not more. There are 175 different nationalities … [Read more...]
Tour de France – Le Tour 2010
January 10, 2010 by
From Rotterdam to Paris Champs-Élysées: The 97th Tour de France will start from Rotterdam on Saturday July 3rd and finish on the Champs-Élysées in Paris on Sunday, July 25th, 2010. This year's race will be made up of 1 prologue and 20 stages covering a distance of 3,600 kilometres. Race Stage Profiles 1 prologue 9 flat stages 6 mountain stages and 3 summit finishes 4 medium mountain stages 1 individual time-trial stage (51 km). Particular features of this year's race le … [Read more...]
The End of the World’s Most Beautiful Voyage
December 28, 2009 by
Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Voyage: The Last Leg of a Thoroughly Enjoyable Journey: Day 13: Ålesund - Torvik - Måloy - Florø - Bergen.The final day on board. Past Ålesund , Torvik, Måloy and Florø the ship patiently weaves its way through the skerries of the West Coast and by lunch, glides towards Bergen, the city of Medieval Hanseatic merchants and Edvard Grieg. Please check-out before 10.00 a.m. Your NORWEGIAN COASTAL VOYAGE ends on arrival at the Hurtigruten terminal in … [Read more...]
Back in Trondheim on Boxing Day
December 27, 2009 by
Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Voyage: Stranded in Trondheim... but for Three Hours Only: Day 12: Trondheim - Kristiansund - Molde - Ålesund. At 6.30 a.m. the ship arrives into Trondheim where you are able to visit the 12th Century Nidaros Cathedral, Norway's largest medieval church. After a few hours in Trondheim the ship will depart Trondheim at 10:00 am and continue its journey, sailing out through the beautiful Trondheimsfjord, past the islands of Grip and Hitra with large herds of … [Read more...]
Merry Christmas from Norway – God Jul
December 26, 2009 by
Christmas in Norway: It is a White Christmas: Day 11: Sandnessjøen - Brønnøysund - Rørvik. Today, you have the option to go on an excursion to the Petter Dass Museum and Alstahaug. Please see your cruise director to book if you are interested. Enjoy a special Christmas Day Brunch served in the restaurant during the day. Depart Sandnessjøen at 1:30 pm today. This is the day of mountains, passing peaks like Rodoyloven, Hestmannen (the Horseman), Lekamo and, De Syv Sostre (the … [Read more...]
Christmas Eve in Sandnessjøen
December 25, 2009 by
Stopping in Sandnessjøen for Christmas Eve Celebrations: Day 10: Bodø - Ørnes - Nesna - Sandnessjøen. After leaving Ørnes, the voyage continues through exciting and colourful waters, sailing through narrow straits bordered by lush farmland along the shores of Helgeland. Nearly every peak of the towering mountains in the background is associated with a local legend.Crossing the Arctic Circle you will arrive in Sandnessjoen at 12:15 pm, the ancient seat of a Viking Chieftain. Here the … [Read more...]
Svolvær – Capital of the Lofoten Islands
December 24, 2009 by
A Gateway for Tourism on the Lofoten Islands: Day 9: Tromsø - Finnsnes - Harstad - Risoyhamn - Sortland - Stokmarknes - Svolvær - Stamsund. Today traditional Norwegian "Julegrot" - Christmas porridge will be served and in the bar. Find the almond in the porridge and you win a prize! Together with fellow passengers and crew you will decorate the Christmas tree. A coffee and cake buffet will also be available at the bar.Arrive Harstad at 8.00 a.m. where you have the opportunity to … [Read more...]
Hammerfest, Kingdom of the Polar Bears
December 23, 2009 by
Hurtigruten Norwegian Cruise -Southbound Journey: Day 8: Mehamn - Kjøllefjord - Honningsvåg - Havøysund - Hammerfest - Øksfjord - Skjervøy - Tromsø. A brief call is made in Havøysund before arriving in Hammerfest at 11.15 a.m. You are now in the northernmost town in the world - Hammerfest is the first town in Norway to get electric street lights! Whilst in Hammerfest you might want to see St Michael's Church, which has a shining stained glass painting as an altar background and … [Read more...]
Kirkenes – the End of the Journey for Some
December 22, 2009 by
Kirkenes, a Town Near the Russian Border: Day 7: Båtsfjord - Vardø - Vadsø - Kirkenes - Vardø - Båtsfjord - Berlevåg. The ship sails into Kirkenes where you will have the opportunity to go ashore. You may wish to participate in a shore excursion from Kirkenes to Storskog the Norwegian/Russian border station or you could participate in the 'Barents Safari' (15.12 to 05.05), an excursion by snowmobile. At 12.45 p.m. the ship departs Kirkenes and starts the second half of its … [Read more...]