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Peregrine Travel Centre

Coastal Powers of the North Sea: Medieval Capitals and Vibrant Cultures

Coastal Powers of the North Sea: Medieval Capitals and Vibrant Cultures

From AUD $13,740

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Description

Trace the maritime connections of six North Sea countries, from the Norwegian Fjords to the storied canals of Amsterdam and the medieval Hanseatic League traditions to the European Union of today. In UNESCO-designated Old Towns, visit renowned museums and sample the region’s celebrated culinary specialties. Explore less-visited gems like Lübeck, whose Hanseatic League capital status is still visible in gabled houses and converted warehouses; and Antwerp, where 16th-century guildhalls line a picturesque Grote Markt. Compare the university city of Ghent with the European capital of Brussels.

Trip Name
Coastal Powers of the North Sea: Medieval Capitals and Vibrant Cultures
Days
11
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Length: 108 meters Passenger Capacity: 148 (single & twin cabins) Built / Refurbished: 1982 / 2008 National Geographic Explorer is a state-of-the-art expedition ship. It is a fully stabilized, ice-class vessel, enabling it to navigate polar passages while providing exceptional comfort. It carries kayaks and a fleet of Zodiac landing craft. An Undersea Specialist operates a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and sophisticated video equipment, extending access to the underwater world. Public areas: Bistro Bar; Chart Room; Restaurant; Global Gallery; Library, Lounge with full service bar and state-of-the-art facilities for films, slideshows and presentations; Mud Room with lockers for expedition gear, and Observation Lounge. Our “Open Bridge” provides guests an opportunity to meet our Officers and Captain and learn about navigation. Meals: Served in single seatings with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling. Menu is international with local flair. Cabins: A New Look for National Geographic Explorer Suites National Geographic Explorer recently debuted updated suites, enhanced with the sleek, Scandinavian design that has become the hallmark of our polar fleet. Each of these elegant cabins now holds a Command Center, which allows guests to continue to explore from the comfort of their suites with a set of tools that includes a barometer, a National Geographic Atlas, a television that broadcasts entertainment and ship navigation, a coffee maker, and multiple USB and universal electric ports for cameras and other devices. 81 outside cabins All feature windows or portholes, private facilities, climate controls, hair dryers, and TV, plus Ethernet, Wi-Fi connections, and USB ports for mobile devices. Some cabins have balconies. Single cabins in Category SA and Category SB are located on the main deck and upper deck.  Expedition Equipment: Zodiac landing craft, kayaks, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), hydrophone, SplashCam, underwater video camera, Crow’s Nest remote controlled camera, video microscope, snorkeling gear. Special Features: A full-time doctor, Undersea Specialist, LEX Photo Specialist and Video Chronicler, Internet Cafe and laundry. Wellness: The vessel is staffed by two Wellness Specialists and features a glass enclosed Fitness Center, outdoor stretching area, two LEXspa treatment rooms and Sauna.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 Bergen, Norway / Embark Ship
Arrive in Bergen and walk along the colorful wooden waterfront buildings of Bryggen, the easily recognized warehouses of the city's trading past, and explore the the narrow lanes separating the gabled structures. The Hanseatic League established four overseas offices, and Bryggen is the only one preserved today. Embark this afternoon and enjoy a scenic sailing through the fjords of southern Norway.
Day 2 - DAY 2 Flekkefjord
The waterfront area of Flekkefjord, with charming white wooden houses, flower boxes, and wall murals, was inhabited by the Dutch in the Middle Ages. Stroll the village of Hollenderbyen, or Dutch Quarter, this morning and learn about its maritime history or walk with a naturalist on a coastal trail.
Day 3 - DAY 3 At Sea / Hamburg, Germany
As we sail the North Sea en route to Germany, attend a talk about the different facets of our upcoming destinations or learn from a National Geographic Photography Expert about how best to capture the wonderful architectural and natural subjects that await us. Our first experience in Hamburg is an overview tour of Germany’s second-largest city. We see how its strategic location between the North Sea and the many canals that lead inland has made it an important port and a major hub of transportation throughout the centuries. Enjoy the city at your leisure this evening as we are docked in Hamburg overnight.
Day 4 - DAY 4 Hamburg
Today, spend more time in Hamburg or travel to Lübeck, a former capital of the Hanseatic League. Speicherstadt means “warehouse city” and Hamburg’s unique collection of tall neo-gothic brick buildings is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the world’s largest warehouse district. Walk its winding streets cut by canals and connected by bridges, see the impressive Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall, and learn about the artifacts donated by citizens to trace the city’s development as a colonial world trading power. Or choose to step back in time on a walking tour of Lübeck’s Old Town lined with gabled houses and converted warehouses. Visit the inspiring 13th-century gothic Marienkirche and at the European Hansemuseum, delve into the important history of the Hanseatic League.
Day 5 - DAY 5 At Sea
Travel back into the North Sea on a course to the Low Countries. Our route follows in the wake of merchant ships throughout the ages, and our shipboard historian discusses the relationships of the Northern European countries we have just visited with our next destinations, the Netherlands and Belgium. These countries have been inextricably linked through time, evolving from trading powers to roles as colonial forces, and now as part of the European Union.
Day 6 - DAYS 6-7 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Explore Amsterdam’s storied canals, lined with pleasure boats and houseboats, crossed by arched bridges, and affording a window on this beautiful city called the “Venice of the North.” This afternoon, learn more about the maritime and trading history of the Netherlands and the famous Dutch East India company, or see some of the most famous artworks by Dutch masters at the Rijksmuseum. The next day, head into the lowland countryside to Haarlem for a walking tour of the medieval streets and gabled houses of this North Sea port. Outdoor enthusiasts may wish to explore De Hoge Veluwe National Park, the country’s largest nature reserve. Join a naturalist to walk on the park’s sand dunes, wooded paths, and heathlands.
Day 7 - DAY 8 Antwerp, Belgium
Wake up in Belgium today, in the vibrant city of Antwerp. Admire the Flemish Renaissance architecture of Grote Markt, the central square lined by 16th-century guildhalls. A walking tour also includes a stop at the world’s only museum with a UNESCO designation. Surrounded by books in the original home of a dynasty of printers, treasures of the Plantin-Moretus Museum include one of the world’s oldest printing presses. Cap the day with private tastings of Belgian culinary specialties.
Day 8 - DAY 9 Ghent or Brussels
Choose to explore either Ghent or Brussels or to tour an impressive Dutch feat of engineering. The historic capital of Flanders, Ghent is a very walkable city known for public squares and marketplaces surrounded by medieval castles, monasteries, and guildhalls that are never far from canals and harbors. Known today as the seat of the administrative, legislative, and executive branches of the European Union, Brussels is a culturally rich city with a long history dating back to the Roman Empire.
Day 9 - DAY 10 Dunkirk, France
Our last full day is spent in the French town of Dunkirk, site of the courageous 1940 Operation Dynamo that rescued 338,000 British and French soldiers from German forces. The town has experienced much turmoil beginning in the 16th century, and we honor its critical role in global conflicts with visits to select war memorials in the region. Another option today is to take in the beauty of a botanical garden on the Opal Coast followed by a stroll along Dunkirk’s historic waterfront.
Day 10 - DAY 11 London, England / Disembark Ship
Arrive in London this morning. After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the airport for flights home.
Day 11 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
19-07-202429-07-2024AUD $13,740Category 1
19-07-202429-07-2024AUD $14,590Category 2
19-07-202429-07-2024AUD $15,570Category 3
19-07-202429-07-2024AUD $16,280Category 4
19-07-202429-07-2024AUD $18,240Category SA (solo)
19-07-202429-07-2024AUD $18,970Category 5
19-07-202429-07-2024AUD $19,420Category SB (solo)
19-07-202429-07-2024AUD $22,090Category 6
19-07-202429-07-2024AUD $25,350Category 7

Inclusions

    • Dive into the multi-layered pasts of countries bordering the North Sea and learn how these independent nations have been linked over time through trade, economics, culture, and politics
    • Explore UNESCO-designated Old Towns including Bryggen, Speicherstadt, and Lübeck
    • Hike along the Norwegian fjords, explore Holland’s De Hoge Veluwe National Park, and stroll through the botanical garden on France’s Côte d’Opale
    • Trace the events of the World Wars in and around Dunkirk, where remnants of the Atlantic Wall still stand near the beaches where more than 338,000 Allied troops were rescued in 1940
    • Capture your best photographs alongside a National Geographic Photography Expert

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