Trade Routes of the Middle Ages

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom.

Bergen is home to the Hanseatic League’s only kontor (trading enclave) still in existence. Bryggen wharf, a row of timbered Hanseatic warehouses along a quaint quay, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Narrow wooden walkways are flanked by parallel rows of small, vibrantly painted buildings overlooking the picturesque Vågen Harbor. This is perhaps the most charming district of Bergen and a delight to explore, from its tight-knit community of workshops where artisans sell their wares to its cafés where freshly prepared smørbrød, or open-faced sandwiches, are on the menu.

Bergen, an ancient city with deep Viking roots, is located in the heart of western Norway, nestled between seven gargantuan mountain peaks. It is also the gateway to the country’s magnificent fjords, including the Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord. Founded in 1070 on what was a Viking settlement, Bergen was Norway’s capital during the 13th century; today, it is the second-largest city in Norway. Not to be missed is a stroll through the picturesque outdoor fish market, Fisketorget, where the fresh catch of the sea awaits—from cod and prawns to local caviar and icy oysters.

Cross the North Sea, where Vikings sailed as they established colonies on Scottish islands, coastal France and beyond. Enjoy the amenities of your ship as you sail. Perhaps take a breath of fresh air on a brisk walk around the Promenade or begin your day with a workout in the well-equipped Fitness Center.

A city of charming canals, elegant gabled houses, splendid museums and abundant bicycles, the Dutch capital of Amsterdam is a delight to explore. Its patchwork of waterways forms about 90 islands connected by 1,500 bridges. The legacy of the Dutch Golden Age lives on in gilded manses and in the lush paintings of Rembrandt and other Dutch masters that adorn the Rijksmuseum, The Netherlands’ grand repository of art and cultural history. Discovering Amsterdam is a pleasure best pursued on foot; visitors line the tranquil canals and linger over Dutch pancakes, or take a stroopwafel to go.

Zeebrugge is a gateway to the UNESCO city of Bruges, beloved by historians for its splendid old architecture and tranquil canals. One of the most beautifully preserved medieval cities in Europe, Bruges’s  lovely houses were built by wealthy merchants, and are a testament to its former prominence as an English wool and Flemish textile trade center. The cobblestone streets and tranquil canals are a pleasure to explore, along with the 14th-century Stadhuis (Town Hall), the Belfry of Bruges and the city’s quaint boutiques, offering handmade lace.

Le Havre is France’s second-largest port. Its central city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its Museum of Modern Art holds one of France’s largest impressionist collections. The waters of the Seine River have flowed from Paris, one of the world’s most celebrated cities, whose cultural and historic significance is impossible to overstate. Priceless artwork adorns palatial museums here, from the Louvre to the Musée D’Orsay. The iconic Eiffel Tower watches over Parisians and visitors as they take romantic strolls along the Seine and linger in bistros over café au lait.

Portsmouth has been a naval port for centuries and is home to such historic vessels as Henry VIII’s Mary Rose and Lord Nelson’s HMS Victory. The only island-city in the United Kingdom, Portsmouth has been settled since before the days of the Roman Empire. It grew into a medieval port town; more recently, this was an embarkation port for the D-Day landings and served as headquarters for Dwight D. Eisenhower. The stunning citadel walls of Napoleonic forts greet ships as they approach through the Solent Strait.

Gateway to the picturesque county of Cornwall, Falmouth is home to one of the world’s most celebrated harbours. The deepest in Western Europe, it aided in the launch of D-Day fleets and has been the starting point for voyages around the world. A popular tourist resort among Britons for its seaside charm, it has been a scenic backdrop of countless films and television series. Distinctive gray granite architecture climbs its hillsides from the harbor, culminating at the hilltop college. Nearby, the picturesque landscapes of Cornwall unfold in rugged coastal splendour.

Sail the Atlantic Ocean, divided in half, north to south, by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Longer than the Rockies, the Himalayas and the Andes combined, this underwater mountain range is the longest on Earth. As you sail today, savor a range of international cuisine on board. Choose from a variety of international flavors at the World Café, enjoy al fresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace, or regional specialties in The Restaurant.

Porto holds a place of great traditional importance. The town lends its name to the port wine produced in the region and throughout the nation. Located along a rocky embankment, the city boasts picturesque neighborhoods, fashionable restaurants and lively markets. Like Lisbon, Porto has a rich past; its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of narrow cobblestone streets brimming with romantic buildings spanning the centuries and a Romanesque cathedral. At the riverside, small barcos rabelos, boats once used to transport casks of wine, paint a charming scene.

Sail legendary waters, where medieval Europeans believed “there be dragons” beyond the ocean’s horizon. Renew your body, mind and spirit in our Scandinavian-inspired Spa, a Nordic sanctuary of holistic wellness, today while at sea. Whether you unwind in the Sauna, refresh in the Snow Grotto or take a dip in the Thermal Pool, you will feel recharged and revitalized.

Granada is a splendid canvas of Moorish architecture, rich Andalusian tradition and remarkable history. It was the last stronghold of the Moorish Nasrid dynasty, whose 250-year reign ended during the 1492 reconquest of Spain by Catholic monarchs. The grand Granada Cathedral is a soaring celebration of that victory; its Royal Chapel holds the tombs of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand, the celebrated pair who oversaw the triumph. Their magnificent fortress-palace, the Alhambra, was long the stronghold of Moors, and so offers a magnificent blend of Islamic and Christian detail.

The charms of Murcia lie in its embrace of its rural pleasures. Surrounded by farmland and fertile huertas, Murcianos are never at a loss for produce freshly plucked from “Europe’s orchard.” They, in turn, live by the patient cycle of the harvest, going about their days at a leisurely pace. The Moors founded the city in 825 and introduced a vast irrigation network for crops and for city use. They were expelled by Ferdinand III of Castile in 1243. Murcia province remained a vassal kingdom until 1812 and became an autonomous region of Spain in 1982.

The vibrant city of Barcelona, with its lively culture and inviting outdoor spaces, preserves a rich history. Picturesque medieval lanes wind through the oldest part of the city, the Gothic Quarter, where remnants of the city’s Roman wall were uncovered. Its treasures include the neo-Gothic Barcelona Cathedral, the medieval Jewish district of El Call and the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria del Pi. In the evenings, diners relax in the Royal Plaza at restaurants along the elegant square’s perimeter.

Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.