Cruise and Maritime Voyages

With more bicycles than permanent residents, the Dutch capital is both charming and quirky. Aesthetically little has changed in the centre since its 17th century Golden Age. Beautiful gabled houses and merchants’ mansions line serene, tree-lined canals, which are laid out in five concentric circles and crossed by numerous bridges. The Royal Palace, originally built as a Town Hall in the 17th century, stands on a large square in the centre of the city. Considered one of Europe’s major art capitals, Amsterdam is home to a number of superb galleries and museums including the famous Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum.

In 1904 a catastrophic fire swept through Ålesund leaving the town in ashes. It was rebuilt in the then fashionable art nouveau style. Buildings with turrets and towers and facades with medieval romantic ornamentation add a quirky charm to the town that is considered the most beautiful in Norway. From the park 418 steps lead to the summit of Mount Aksla, which affords wonderful views of Ålesund, built on islands stretching into the sea. In an elaborate building that was the former Swan Pharmacy, the Jugendstilsenteret celebrates the town’s unique architectural history.

Not surprisingly for a city that lies almost 220 miles north of the Arctic Circle many of Tromsø’s landmarks lay claim to the world’s ‘northernmost’ titles. The ‘Capital of the Arctic’ is home to the world’s northernmost university, cathedral, botanic garden and brewery. A cable car runs to the summit of Mount Storsteinen from where there are wonderful views of the lively and beautiful city built on two islands and the mainland, which are linked by both tunnels and bridges. The Polar Museum is just one of Tromsø’s fine museums and the striking Arctic Cathedral is undoubtedly a highlight.
 

The largest town in Finnmark, Alta stretches along the inner part of the Altafjord and on the banks of one of Norway’s best rivers for salmon fishing, the Alta River. Today’s town has three centres. Bossekop with its old trading and market traditions, Elvebakken to the east with the town’s airport and harbour, and the new town with its shops. Large areas of woodlands and parts of the high plateau of Finnmarksvidda surround Alta, which in summer enjoys the white nights of the midnight sun and of a winter night often has the northern lights dancing across its skies.

Åndalsnes lies at the end of the 88-kilometre long Romsdalfjord at the mouth of the River Rauma. The river, which flows through the Romsdal Valley, was one of the first rivers in Norway to attract British aristocrats and other fly fishing foreigners at the end of the 19th century. The small town is today the administrative centre of Rauma in Norway’s Møre and Romsdal district. Optional excursions feature the beautiful Romsdal Alps with the famous Troll Wall and spectacular winding Troll Path Road. Åndalsnes is also the start of the incredible Rauma Line, a vintage steam train journey through enthralling mountain scenery.