Europe: France, Germany & Norway to Copenhagen

Hop on a tour bus to the City of Light to experience the magic of Paris. Stroll down the Champs-Elysées as you nibble on a croissant. Take photos of beautiful Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Notre-Dame, the Louvre, Montmartre and all the other iconic places of Paris lie 120 miles up the Seine from the port of Le Havre. Or explore the charms of Le Havre, spend the day at Monet’s Giverny or explore Rouen’s Old Market Place, where Joan of Arc was burned in 1431.

The ultimate European city, Brussels has tons of museums, fountains, gardens and great shopping. Stroll the Old Town area to see St. Hubert Arcades and its shops, as well as Butchers' Street with its plethora of restaurants and cafes and the Grand Place with its Baroque guild houses.

Affectionately known as the "Venice of the North," Amsterdam is actually situated below sea level and built entirely on stakes driven into the ground. The Anne Frank House, The Hague and a Delft Blue Pottery Factory are but a few of the sights that await your arrival. Explore more of Amsterdam on a European cruise!

Imagine sailing on the incredible Viking long ships in the Viking Ship Museum. Picture perfect, the oldest Scandinavian city sits at the head of a 60-mile fjord framed by lakes, woods, moors. Views forever, visit the cliff-dwelling Akershus Castle, originally built in 1300.

First settled by the Vikings in the 8th century, Aarhus is ideally situated where its namesake river flows into the sea. Today the city is the second largest in Denmark but is called the “World’s Smallest Big City.” It only takes a short amount of time to discover why this is true. While Aarhus is a vibrant port city with numerous attractions, the laid-back atmosphere and friendly locals give it a small-town feel. From the intriguing Viking Museum to the enchanting Marselisborg Castle and colorful buildings hugging cobblestone streets, there is much to explore in Aarhus.

It's been more than two decades since the walls came down and Berlin became unified in many ways, including the pursuit of joy. Germany's capital city is a city that balances cosmopolitan chic with a liberal undercurrent of creativity and cool. Famous landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag fascinate. The elegant Bavarian Quarter amazes.

Founded in the 13th century, Kiel was mostly destroyed during World War II. Today, the port city encompasses much green space and has been rebuilt upon a complicated past, which you can discover by touring its historic landmarks and museums, including the Naval Memorial and a German submarine U-995. Stroll along the waterfront promenade and enjoy scenic views of the harbor and Kiel Fjord, or journey outside the city along the waterway to explore picturesque villages and sandy beaches.

The capital of Denmark, Copenhagen, is filled with canals, cobbled squares and copper spires. But don't let the historic appearance fool you. This is also Scandinavia's most cosmopolitan city. Certainly you can relive medieval times in The Latin Quarter, but you can also enjoy some of Europe's finest shopping, museums, cafes and nightlife prior to your cruise around the Baltics. Explore more of Copenhagen on a European cruise!