Norwegian Fiords & Baltic Cruise

Tuesday 28 April

Depart Auckland on Singapore Airlines to Singapore. Change planes.

Wednesday 29 April

Arrive in Amsterdam early morning and transfer by coach to the northern harbour town of Enkhuizen for a two night stay in this historic port town. Afternoon at leisure before a Welcome Dinner tonight.

Thursday 30 April

Today explore the tulip fields of northern Holland and Afsluitdijk – the 32km causeway completed in 1932.
Return to Enkhuizen for lunch at a Dutch restaurant. After lunch experience the highlights of this maritime city with your local guide. Rest of day at leisure.

Friday 01 May

This morning drive south to the town of Alkmaar with its famous cheese market in the town square, along with shops, cafés and restaurants housed in the historic buildings that line the narrow streets.
Continue on to Zaanse Schans for lunch in the historic buildings of this quaint town known for its colourful windmills and distinctive green houses. Immersion in Dutch culture continues with clog makers, cheese making / tasting and traditional chocolate milk processing.

Continue to Amsterdam for a two-night stay.

An evening dinner cruise on-board a canal boat shows the magical lights and buildings of Old Amsterdam.

Saturday 02 May

A morning tour to the colourful Keukenhof Gardens with 32 hectares and seven million blooming tulips, daffodils and hyacinths.
Return to the city with the afternoon free. Enjoy an evening Dinner Cruise along the canals of Amsterdam.

Sunday 03 May

This morning visit Anne Frank’s House where Anne wrote her famous diary while in hiding during occupied Holland before transferring to your home for the next 21 nights – ‘Nieuw Statendam.’ Time to settle into your stateroom before a 5pm sailing.

Group welcome and dinner on board.

Monday 04 May

A perfect time to explore the ship and participate in the many available activities.

Tuesday 05 May

Cruise to arrive at Sognefjord, the largest and deepest fjord in Norway, known as the ‘King of Fjords.’

Time on deck cruising between steep mountains, small picturesque villages and waterfalls along the world’s longest and deepest fiord before docking at Flam.  An opportunity to experience one of the world’s most scenic railways from Flam to Myrdal, a spectacular climb from Fiords to Mountains return through mountainous scenery.

Wednesday 06 May

Time to explore Norway’s fifth largest city, a former ship building and fish canning town whose new development is based on North Sea oil. The cobbled ‘Old Town’ with its quaint white wooden houses, cafés and shops are walking distance from the ship.
Museums vary in theme from petroleum, canning to maritime – take your pick. In contrast walk the streets of Ovre Holmegate with its many brightly-coloured houses and buildings.

Thursday 07 May

A day to enjoy the southern city on the Norwegian Riviera with white cottages and pattered cobble streets. See the Fiskebrygga (fish quay) the open-air museum and the modern Kilden Performing Arts Centre.

Friday 08 May

This 100km long fjord leading to Oslo is dotted with many small islands some of which are nature reserves with plenty of birdlife and distinctive wooden cabins.

Time to explore the Norwegian capital with attractions which include the Royal Palace, Parliament Buildings, City hall, a walk in Vigeland Sculpture Park and the Kontiki, Flam and Viking Ship Museums.

Saturday 09 May

Sunday 10 May

Arrive in now-familiar Amsterdam with the opportunity to visit the Van Gogh Museum with its collection of 200 paintings by Vincent Van Gogh or the Rijksmuseum. Perhaps hire a bicycle and explore the districts surrounding the city centre.

Monday 11 May

Tuesday 12 May

The capital of Denmark sits on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager and is linked to southern Sweden by the impressive Oresund Bridge.
The Amalienborg Palace is in the historic centre along with Tivoli Gardens, the Little Mermaid and Nyhavn, a 17^th century waterfront centre.

Copenhagen is extremely user-friendly with great walking and shopping areas.

Wednesday 13 May

The port is situated on the Baltic Sea and known for its canal-lined streets, shops and fishing boats. Warnemunde is also known for the art work of Edvard Munch Haus, a Norwegian painter whose famous work ‘The Scream’ was twice stolen from art galleries but later recovered.
This is also the port for visiting Berlin, a three hour train or coach ride away.

Thursday 14 May

Friday 15 May

Discover Tallinn’s walled, cobblestoned Old Town – two kms from the cruise port in the Gulf of Finland. This is a World Heritage site where cars are not permitted.

Saturday 16 May

Two days to savour the highlights of this stunning city the Peter & Paul Fortress, Winter Palace, the Hermitage (the world’s largest art museum with more than three million exhibits),  Peterhof Palace – a World Heritage Site and generally soak up the atmosphere of this grandiose city.    

Sunday 17 May

Monday 18 May

Finland’s capital on the Gulf of Finland is a vibrant, seaside city of beautiful islands and green parks easily explored on foot. Highlights are the quay area, Market Square and the Temppeliaukio – a 1960s church excavated out of rock. Designer stores abound along with contemporary architecture.

Tuesday 19 May

The Swedish capital encompasses 14 islands with more than 50 bridges. Gamla Stan (Old Town) features ochre coloured buildings, canals and ancient history.

Relax as you pass tiny islands with houses clinging to the rocks to large green islands with small holiday communities established many years ago.

Wednesday 20 May

Thursday 21 May

Kiel is a maritime city on the 17km Kiel Fjord. The natural harbour is home to Germany’s navy and the large student population gives it a vibrant atmosphere. The cosmopolitan city of Hamburg is 100km away.

Friday 22 May

Denmark’s second largest city on the east coast of the Jutland Peninsula is a myriad of winding canals, cobbled streets and innovative waterside developments.

See Dan Gamle By – its old town open air museum with centuries-old timbered houses; Arhus Botanical Gardens and an underground museum.

Saturday 23 May

Sunday 24 May

Our final day as we disembark ‘Nieuw Statendam’ and transfer to the airport for our flight home. Change planes in Singapore.

Monday 25 May

Arrive Auckland late evening.