7 nights. Norway, Denmark

Day 1

rotterdam, netherlands

Departure: 23:59

Rotterdam maybe isn't the most beautiful Dutch city but it is vibrant, down-to-earth and cosmopolitan. Stepping out of Central Station it’s immediately obvious that this is no cutesy tulips-and-clogs traditional Dutch town, as the walls of shining silver skyscrapers and brightly coloured tower blocks rise up on every side of you. After wandering around the city for a while, you will soon discover why. Instead of rebuilding its historic centre, this forward-thinking port town employed an army of mad architects to completely redesign the city after it was flattened by German bombs in May 1940. They did a great job and created a new heart for Rotterdam that is not only modern and functional, but arresting and unique. But fans of cosy redbrick houses and canals needn’t dismay, Rotterdam also has plenty of architectural pockets that look ‘typically Dutch’. Although most of these lie a little outside the city centre, one welcome exception is the Oude Haven, Rotterdam’s oldest port and nowadays a popular hangout by day and night time. Sitting here the contrast of Rotterdam couldn’t be clearer, behind the old Dutch ships anchored steadily in the abandoned harbour, Rotterdam’s modern architecture gleams in the sunlight. Today Rotterdam has the third biggest harbour in the world, making it the industrial heart of the Netherlands, and with roughly 50% of citizens claiming a non-Dutch origin, the city is a truly multicultural composition. It is famed for its festive summers, which makes up for the long winter.

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Day 3

oslo, norway

Arrival: 12:00 - Departure: 21:00

Oslo is vibrant and modern with eclectic architecture, edgy nightlife and world-class museums. Located between the Oslofjord and the forests, nature takes centre stage in the capital, where you can sail, ski and hike to your heart’s content just a short distance from the city centre. This is definitely a place for outdoor and wildlife lovers. As you float past luscious green islands and towering rocky outcrops, the city unfolds before your eyes - sprawling out from its compact centre around the quays to the forested flanks of the surrounding hills. Made all the more beautiful by its diversity, Oslo boasts a jumble of modern and ancient buildings that give the city an eclectic feel, with the steel-and-glass Munch Museum giving way to the old-fashioned charms of the City Museum and the craggy medieval walls of the Akershus Fortress, which glowers out over the fjord. Most visitors will find themselves struggling to choose between Oslo’s numerous museums, which offer something for almost every taste: a face-to-face with the haunting image of Edvard Munch’s The Scream at the National Gallery, a chance to stand in the shoes of an Olympic ski-jumper at the Holmenkollen Ski Museum, or a window into history and culture at the unforgettable Viking Ship, Polarship Fram or Folk Museums on Bygdøy. And Oslo is certainly the cosmopolitan heart of Norway, with a rapidly growing café and bar culture, top-notch restaurants, and nightlife options ranging from world-class opera and jazz to indie rock. The capital’s thriving restaurant scene has seen it rewarded with four Michelin stars. The Grünerløkka district is close to the Munch Museum and is teeming with bustling little pavement cafés and chic bars. A thriving, truly vibrant city, the cosmopolitan heart of Norway really does have something for everyone.

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Day 4

skagen - denmark

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 16:00

Skagen (/ˈskæɡən/, Danish: [ˈskɛˀjn̩]) is Denmark's northernmost town, on the east coast of the Skagen Odde peninsula in the far north of Jutland, part of Frederikshavn Municipality in Nordjylland, 41 kilometres (25 mi) north of Frederikshavn and 108 kilometres (67 mi) northeast of Aalborg. The Port of Skagen is Denmark's main fishing port and it also has a thriving tourist industry, attracting 2 million people annually. Skagen is the place in Denmark where the most bird species can be experienced, a total of 367 out of 471 bird species in the country.(2017)[23][24] Year round the area around Skagen, especially Grenen, is visited by hundreds of birdwatchers from all over Denmark, particularly in April–May and the beginning of June and to a lesser degree in August–November. Furthermore, the area is visited by birdwatchers from Sweden, Norway and Germany. Other well-visited locations for birdwatchers are Ellekrattet, Nordstrand (near Batterivej), Skagen Harbour, Flagbakken southwest of the town as well as horse fields and brushwood near Fyrvej, Bøjlevejen and Buttervej. Every day all year round Skagen Bird Observatory observes the migration on Grenen from the highest sand dune located between the parking lot and Grenen: "The World's End". Thanks to Skagen's reputation as an artistic community, the local arts and crafts trade is also an important source of income and employment. Artwork and handicrafts are sold in galleries such as the Galerie Skagen on Trondsvej. Sankt Laurentii Vej, one of the main streets away from the harbour area in Skagen,[43] is a known for its glass and pottery shops; of particular note are Skagen Glasvaerksted, which produces some of "Jutland's finest glass pieces", and Skagen Potteri.[44] In addition to its arts and crafts stores, the town has a wide range of shops,[45] including jewellery, clothes and shoes, handbags, souvenirs, flowers and gardening equipment. There are also a variety of food stores with butchers, bakers, a cheese shop, fishmongers, and several restaurants and cafés.[46] Skagen has a 1,000 square metres (11,000 sq ft) branch of the EuroSpar supermarket, opened in 1998.[47] Skagen Cementstøberi A/S is a local cement firm that produces concrete, paving stones, tiles, granite and other items.[48]

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Day 5

sandnessjoen, norway

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 15:00

Sandnessjøen is a town and the administrative centre of Alstahaug Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. Sandnessjøen was granted special trading privileges in the late 1600s and it received town status in 1999. Sandnessjøen is located on the island of Alsta, just west of the De syv søstre (The Seven Sisters) mountain range. The town is a transportation hub for the Helgeland region, as well as a commercial and business centre for the region. The 4.09-square-kilometre (1,010-acre) town has a population (2017) of 6,043 which gives the town a population density of 1,478 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,830/sq mi). Sandnessjøen Airport, Stokka is located south of the town. Beginning in late June 2011, the regional airline Widerøe launched direct flights in summer between Sandnessjøen Airport and Oslo Airport, Gardermoen. The town of Sandnessjøen was the administrative centre of the old municipality of Stamnes from 1899 to 1965. This municipality was also known as Sandnessjøen from 1948 until 1965. In 1965, the municipality was merged with Alstahaug Municipality. Helgeland Kammerkor, a mixed choir with members drawn from the region of Helgeland, was founded in Sandnessjøen in 1992 and has held many concerts there.

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Day 6

Skjolden

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 15:00

Nestled at the very end of Norway’s longest fjord, Skjolden is a hidden gem for travelers seeking breathtaking natural beauty and tranquility. This charming village sits where the Lustrafjord meets the towering Jotunheimen mountains, offering a perfect blend of dramatic landscapes and serene waters. Skjolden provides a peaceful base for exploring some of Norway’s most impressive scenery, from lush valleys and cascading waterfalls to glaciers and hiking trails. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do in Skjolden. The area is a gateway to Jotunheimen National Park, home to Norway’s highest peaks and a network of hiking routes for all skill levels. Popular activities include kayaking on the crystal-clear fjord, cycling along quiet country roads, and visiting the awe-inspiring Nigardsbreen Glacier for a guided walk on the ice. For a more leisurely experience, enjoy a scenic fjord cruise or simply relax by the water’s edge and soak in the mountain views. Skjolden’s small size adds to its appeal, providing an intimate atmosphere and a chance to connect with local culture. Visit the historic Skjolden Church, browse local craft shops, or enjoy traditional Norwegian cuisine at a cozy café. Don’t miss the Feigumfossen waterfall nearby, a stunning 218-meter cascade that’s especially impressive in the spring and early summer. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, Skjolden offers an unforgettable escape into the heart of Norway’s fjord country.

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Day 8

rotterdam, netherlands

Arrival: 07:00

Rotterdam maybe isn't the most beautiful Dutch city but it is vibrant, down-to-earth and cosmopolitan. Stepping out of Central Station it’s immediately obvious that this is no cutesy tulips-and-clogs traditional Dutch town, as the walls of shining silver skyscrapers and brightly coloured tower blocks rise up on every side of you. After wandering around the city for a while, you will soon discover why. Instead of rebuilding its historic centre, this forward-thinking port town employed an army of mad architects to completely redesign the city after it was flattened by German bombs in May 1940. They did a great job and created a new heart for Rotterdam that is not only modern and functional, but arresting and unique. But fans of cosy redbrick houses and canals needn’t dismay, Rotterdam also has plenty of architectural pockets that look ‘typically Dutch’. Although most of these lie a little outside the city centre, one welcome exception is the Oude Haven, Rotterdam’s oldest port and nowadays a popular hangout by day and night time. Sitting here the contrast of Rotterdam couldn’t be clearer, behind the old Dutch ships anchored steadily in the abandoned harbour, Rotterdam’s modern architecture gleams in the sunlight. Today Rotterdam has the third biggest harbour in the world, making it the industrial heart of the Netherlands, and with roughly 50% of citizens claiming a non-Dutch origin, the city is a truly multicultural composition. It is famed for its festive summers, which makes up for the long winter.

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7 nights. Norway, Denmark

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