This voyage of rich history and culture calls on colourful towns and sails stunning coastlines. We visit a total of ten ports of call in six countries on this expedition cruise, starting in Germany, sailing south through the English Channel to explore coastal highlights of France and Spain, and finally taking in the dramatic coast of Portugal. Sailing to smaller ports and secluded natural wonders, we shows you the hidden delights of less-visited parts of Europe. Visit unforgettable UNESCO sites and historic ports. Go ashore in a variety of magnificent cities, scenic hikes and enjoy authentic culinary experiences. Join fascinating lectures on board and exciting adventures off the ship to reveal all the beautiful secrets of Europe
°SOL17 offers unique expedition cruises to some of the most remote and pristine waters of the world. As with all expeditions; nature prevails. Weather, and ice and sea conditions, sets the final framework for all operations. Safety and unparalleled guest experiences are at all times our top priorities. All our indicative itineraries are continuously evaluated for adaptions, whether this is due to constraints the elements unexpectedly presents – or exciting possibilities nature and wildlife offer.
The second-largest city in Germany is one of the greenest urban areas in Europe – boasting large parks, botanical gardens and nature reserves. Before embarking on your ship, you may want to enjoy a tour on a harbour barge to explore some of the city´s canals.
We’ll be docked just a short drive outside Amsterdam which has grown from a village in the 13th century to one of the most charming and vital cities in the world today, Amsterdam blends fascinating history with modern energy. Tour the famed Canal District and enjoy world class art at the Rijksmuseum, the Rembrandt House or the van Gogh Museum.
There´s a wide choice of sights in Ostend: browse the fish market or take a tour in the footsteps of the singer Marvin Gaye. Perhaps you would enjoy a moment of tranquility in the beautiful Japanese Garden or at the Ostend Art Museum. History buffs can wander through the fortifications in the infamous German Atlantikwall.
Today we sail the English Channel, heading towards St. Malo in France. Enjoy time out on deck or join our experts, who will invite you to take part in lectures and talks about our next destinations.
Saint Malo from the sea is a quite a sight, fringed by impenetrable bastions and shallow beaches. Since Roman times, it has been a prized fortification for empires. Tour the Château Saint Malo town museum, and visit the Privateers House built in 1725, where you can learn about local pirate heritage.
Belle Île is one of France’s most beautiful islands with stunning cliffs, quaint seaside hamlets, pastel houses, lush countryside and rocky coastlines. The town´s beauty has inspired writers like Dumas and painters like Monet. Join our Expedition Team for hikes and outings, or discover the markets, shops and sights independently.
This city incorporates the modern and the ancient effortlessly. Bordeaux’s Old City is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and spans nearly 5,000 acres, with 350 listed monuments and churches. Nearby, magnificent chateaux sit grandly amongst vineyards. We will overnight here to get the very best of this amazing city.
Discover City Hall, Cathedral St. Andrews and the old Bordeaux district on your own by foot. One of these remarkable sites is Saint Andrews Cathedral, where Eleanor of Aquitaine and Louis VII, the future king of France, were married in 1137.
The heart of Basque country is sophisticated and humming with action, while maintaining a relaxed pace of life. The Casco Viejo, Bilbao’s atmospheric old quarter, is full of charming streets dating as far back as 1400’s and features a fine market and plenty of unique shops, while other parts of the city are cutting-edge contemporary, symbolised by the Guggenheim museum.
Gijon is steeped in history and the surrounding area is known for fine cheeses and cider. The Old Quarter boasts the baroque Revillagigedo Palace, beautiful churches and interesting museums to explore. Enjoy a hike to Santa Catalina for spectacular views, or a leisurely stroll in the ancient fishing village of Cimavilla.
We will pass the 55m/180ft high Hercules Tower, the oldest Roman lighthouse in use today, on our way into the harbour. Stroll through reminders of the historic city´s golden age in the 14th century, when it became wealthy as the main port for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
UNESCO´s World Heritage list says this about lovely Porto: `An outstanding urban landscape with a 2,000-year history. Its continuous growth...can be seen in the many monuments, from the cathedral with its Romanesque choir, to the neoclassical Stock Exchange and the typically Portuguese Church of Santa Clara.
Early risers will be rewarded with a lovely view of Lisbon as we cruise up the Tejo river, ending our expedition cruise in the capital of Portugal.
MS Fridtjof Nansen is the latest addition to Hurtigruten’s fleet of custom built ships – and the next generation expedition ship. She will explore some of the most spectacular corners of the globe.
Enjoy from a wide range of comfortable cabins. They vary in size and location, sometimes within the same grade, and as a general rule, outside accommodation on the higher decks has a picture window while the lower decks have portholes.
Choose from a wide selection of innovative dishes based on high quality, local produce that each have a story to tell. Enjoy everything from ultra-fresh seafood to sustainably cultivated root vegetables and free-range reindeer meat, along with excellent cheeses from selected small-scale producers. We recommend topping off your meal with tempting Scandinavian desserts, inspired by the two extremities of Arctic light - the Midnight Sun and Polar Night.
