In Scandinavia & Northern Europe
The Northern Europe sailing region stretches from the historic British Channel Islands through scenic Scandinavia, with a sailing season from early May through August. It’s then that you’ll experience long hours of daylight, verdant forests in full flower, and comfortable, summer temperatures ideal for discovering the best of the region. SeaDream’s Scandinavia and Northern Europe voyages offer a dramatic mix of mountains, seas, forests and fjords, quaint villages, graceful castles, and celebrated Old Town centers. Yachting Land Adventures visit classical museums, baroque palaces, Renaissance castles, and ancient cathedrals.
- The Norwegian Fjords
- Lofoten Islands
- Ålesund, Norway
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Visby, Gotland, Sweden
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Helsinki, Finland
- Tallinn, Estonia
- Bordeaux, France
- Dramatic Sailing Through the Kiel Canal
The Norwegian Fjords
Nowhere are there fjords to match the grandeur of those in Norway, where the clear water reflects the mountains like a mirror. Sail between soaring granite cliffs and spy mountainside farms, charming villages, and an array of wildlife along this stunning coastline.
Lofoten Islands
Norway’s celebrated archipelago is heralded for its dramatic scenery, with peaks like the Svolvaergeita pinnacle jutting up into the sky. This is where majestic mountains meet brilliantly white sandy beaches, fishing villages dot the coastlines, and hiking trails crisscross their way through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Europe.
Ålesund, Norway
Norvoy, Aspoy, and Hessa, three islands at the entrance to Storfjord ("big fjord"), join as the pleasant town of Ålesund. The city is home to klippfisk, the dried and salted cod used to make the famed dish bacalao. Jugendstil, or Art Nouveau, was very popular at the turn of the twentieth century when designers incorporated it into the city’s architecture. Ålesund's Museum houses photos and a model of the 1898 town layout, offering a glimpse into the city’s past.
Stockholm, Sweden
An enchanting municipality at the meeting point of Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, the Swedish capital is one of the world’s great maritime cities. Stockholm’s maritime doorstep is a magnificent archipelago of more than 24,000 islands and islets–many just big enough to support a single cottage. As you yacht toward the 13th-century "city that floats on water,” landmarks such as Storkyrkan (Stockholm Cathedral) and Three Crowns Tower come into view. The medieval Gamla Stan district is the historic core of the original Stadsholmen Island settlement.
Visby, Gotland, Sweden
The Hanseatic walled trading town of Visby on the island of Gotland dates from the Viking Age, formed on a shore with a natural harbor, sheltered by steep cliff formations. This fairytale locale is a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its well-preserved town wall and medieval fortification and towers. The town’s abundant churches include St. Mary’s Cathedral and the medieval ruins of St. Nicolai and St. Karin.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Reputed to be the happiest city in the world and home to fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen, Copenhagen is defined by its canals, waterside cafés, and beautiful Tivoli Gardens. Indre By, the city's historic center, houses Frederiksstaden, an 18th-century rococo district, home to the royal family’s Amalienborg Palace. Nearby Renaissance-era Rosenborg Castle is a sight to behold, surrounded by gardens and home to the crown jewels.
Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki showcases both the traditional with the modern, in every sense. The city’s architecture features stunning Art Nouveau buildings and sleek modern structures including the Sibelius Monument, while you explore the country’s rich heritage at the Suomenlinna Fortress or the Seurasaari open-air museum.
Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia’s capital on the Baltic Sea, is the country’s cultural hub. Its legendary Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, boasts cozy corner cafés, hidden courtyards, and Kiek in de Kök, a 15th-century defensive tower. Lose yourself in the twisting streets of the capital’s historic center, complete with museums and art galleries. The city's hallmark castle is described in countless fairytales.
Bordeaux, France
France’s Atlantic shore between Pointe de Grave (at the mouth of the Gironde River) and Biarritz (at the foot of the Pyrenées), is known as Côte d’Argent. Cooler than its Côte d’Azur cousin, its fine beaches are far less crowded. The river narrows near Bordeaux, center one of the world’s most celebrated wine producing regions. More than 10,000 vineyards dot the countryside providing most of the epicurean nation’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sémillon, Savignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes. Visit one of the region’s legendary chateaux, such as: Margaux, Mouton-Rothschild or Haut-Brion.
Dramatic Sailing Through the Kiel Canal
It’s just a short distance between Brunsbüttel and Kiel on a map, but the 98.7-kilometer Kiel Canal saves mariners a full day’s journey around the long Jutland Peninsula. The channel winds across Germanys’ pastoral Schleswig- Holstein Region–in places where the fields are so close, you can almost touch the cows. Friendly German residents with homes along the route wave to passing marine sailors and would clearly invite guests for fresh baked goods and tea if they would only stop for a visit.
Are you ready to explore the secrets of Scandinavia and Northern Europe yourself? SeaDream provides you with an intimate view of these destinations unlike any other boutique travel line.
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