If you are like many who enjoy being adventurous and doing your own thing, exploration is easy with a Copenhagen City Hop-on Hop-off Tour, where you can set your own pace and enjoy a view from up above. Go for a two and a half hour Copenhagen City and Harbour Tour, which promises to expose you to some of the best sights in the city while you relax in a coach or a boat. For a more in-depth view of the city, visitors can sign up for a ninety minute City Tour of Copenhagen, where they can experience some of the more important highlights, up close and personal.

Considered as a Nordic city, Helsinki offers its own brand of history to all of its visitors. A Helsinki Sightseeing Tour, lasting a little less than two hours will take you to some of the more interesting sights in the city, such as the Presidential Palace, Finlandia Hall and the Parliament building. You may also choose to do the Helsinki Audio City Tour, which invites you to a self guided tour, complete with personal headphones and sound effects that add a spectacular twist to an already interesting experience.

Although St. Petersburg is an integral part of Russia, it prides itself on having many of its own traditions and ideas. Get started with your own Private Grand Tour of St Petersburg, where you can cover as much ground as you wish in a provided car or van complete with a guide that knows it all. Or you could submerge yourself in a Private Half Day Tour of Peterhof (Petrodvorets), where you can see a part of St. Petersburg that you did not know existed. This is one must do excursion on every Baltic cruise from Newcastle.

While it may be difficult to remain focused when visiting Tallinn, especially with all the distractions, a visit to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral from the nineteen century, will be one that is well worth your while. Maybe the base for Scandinavian monks from the twelve hundreds may catch your eye. On the other hand, the home of the Former KGB Headquarters might be of greater interest to you, where you can have some idea of how the Russian government used to be run.

The capital of Sweden (Stockholm) is considered as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Stockholm boasts of its own Hop-on Hop-off Tour that allows you to create your own itinerary, while you witness some of the best sights that Stockholm as to offer. Or let the experienced professionals guide you on a Stockholm in One Day Sightseeing Tour. Yes there is much to see and do on all your stops, say be ready to take full advantage.

It is true that Amsterdam is known for its “open mindedness” and just about everything you can think of is legal here. The other side of the story is that Amsterdam is an old European city rich in culture and tradition. The city boasts of beautiful canals lined with cobbled streets. Along these streets there are plenty of cafes serving up great tasting homemade beer, bagels with beans and of course famous Dutch pastry items. The following are the top 10 things to do if visiting Amsterdam.

1. Visit the Museumplein. Here you will be able to see the artwork of famous artists such s Van Gogh, Rembrandt and others. You could spend hours here looking at some of the most famous works of art. Another museum located here is the Rijksmuseum which highlights the golden age of Dutch art and culture.
2. If you feel like taking a break, there are nearly 1200 pubs and cafes to choose from. The first Heineken brewery is located in Amsterdam and you can take one of their famous “How beer gets made” tours.
3. Make a visit to Haarlem. No, this is not Harlem New York, it is Haarlem, Amsterdam. This place is teeming with great boutiques and yet more art museums. The famous Gothic church St. Bavo Church and Frans Hals art museum is located here. There are also several great cafes in this area.
4. This brings us to another great shopping area and that would be the famous 9 streets. If you are looking for cutting edge fashion accessories as well as eclectic clothes, then this is the place to be. There are stores which sell this type of clothing along with vintage clothing for a steal. Some of the stores here even sell custom made clothing such as jeans and shirts for their customers.
5. Boat tours are a big attraction in Amsterdam. As mentioned before this city is filled with canals and there are several companies which offer tours around these canals. Some of them serve food as part of the trip and it is a great way to get a different perspective of this city.
6. If you are into carnivals and festivals then Dam Square is the place to be. It is located in the central part of the city.
7. The restaurant and food scene in Amsterdam may not be as big as some of the other European cities, but it is still very good. This is true when it comes to diversity. French, Italian, Indonesian, Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Turkish restaurants co-exist side by side. However, the prices are more reasonable compared to other cities.
8. The red light district is located near Dam square and it is one of the oldest areas of Amsterdam. Prostitution has been legal in this area since the 13th century! You will be able to see the ladies displaying their “wares” from the windows. There are few shops and museums worth visiting in this area.
9. Night life in Amsterdam is well known throughout Europe. There are countless nightclubs and discotheques in this city. However, Leidseplein is known to be the liveliest area. This place is filled with night clubs, open air theaters, and restaurants.
10. Amsterdam is well known for its flowers or tulips to be precise. The Bloemenmarkt is the famous floating flower market. You can buy flowers and seeds or just sit back and enjoy the beautiful view.

On a Canary Islands cruise from Newcastle, you can expect extraordinary accomodations, including meals throughout the cruise, complimentary tea and coffee throughout the days and early evenings in addition to tea and coffee facilities in each cabin. Sports and leisure facilities are provided as well as daily onboard activities. Onboard entertainment is ongoing, and travelers are treated to both welcome and farewell cocktail parties. All port taxes and fees are included, leaving the traveler with little to do other than enjoy this unforgettable cruise.

With many new glass buildings lining the harbour, La Coruna, also called the Crystal City, welcomes visitors in dazzling style. The Tower of Hercules, which has provided lighthouse service for nearly 2,000 years, is a definite “must-see.” With it’s balmy year-round climate, Santa Cruz de la Tenerife is a sun-worshiper’s dream. Take a pleasurable walk further inland and enjoy natural beauty found in few places. Beaches of volcanic sand highlight Las Palmas, an ideal location for idling away a lazy afternoon. Arrecife offers even more of the Canaries’ volcanic sand, simply perfect for taking in the sights and sounds.

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, wraps up the Canary Islands cruise from Newcastle, and is the largest westernmost city on the European continent, Lisbon is a major financial, commercial, entertainment, education and cultural centre. One of the oldest cities world-wide, Lisbon was named by Julius Caesar as a Roman protectorate and has a long history of involvement in several notable “Old World” conflicts among Christians, Moors and the Crusades of the 12th century. Archeological findings have traced Lisbon’s culture back even further, to Neolithic times, with evidence of Phoenician influence dating to 1200 B.C.

With so many diverse cultural influences, Lisbon‘s architecture, obviously, is rich and varied. Roman, Baroque, Medieval, as well as both Modern and Post-Modern examples exist both alone and side-by-side. Museums dedicated to the local arts and history are in abundance, and one of the world’s largest oceanarium, the Lisbon Oceanarium, is a tourist destination few can resist. Cristo Rei (Christ the King), is a monument celebrating Portugal’s gratitude for escaping the destruction and carnage of World War II. Lisbon has long been noted for it’s festive street festivals which begin early and continue long into the night. Lisbon also regularly plays host to a series of film and music festivals, most notably one of Europe’s most celebrated pop-rock gatherings, the Rock in Rio.

After departure from Newcastle, relax and enjoy the refreshing sea air while being attended to by professional, friendly staff. As your ship nears Oslo, the breath-taking surroundings, highlighted by the Oslofjord valley’s lush greenery promises an experience that is memorable. Oslo contains over three-hundred lakes in the city alone, and features numerous parks and open areas which are as beautiful as they are inviting. Oslo’s cityscape is undergoing a transformation, the enterpiece being the famed Oslo Opera House. German architecture is predominant throughout the city, making for awe-inspiring photographic opportunities.

Friendly, cosmopolitan Copenhagen, one of Europe’s more popular tourist destinations, has one of the world’s more advanced urban and cultural environments, a fact the natives take pride in. Called the “City of Spires”, Copenhagen’s skyline is notable for it’s many baroque and medieval-era churches, regularly drawing visitors world-wide. Known for it’s many parks and open-air markets, Copenhagen provides multi-cultural shopping opportunity for the “bargain-hunter” in your party.

On the shores of the Gulf of Finland, Helsinki, Finland’s capital, grabs the eye immediately for it’s ultra-modern architecture and clean atmosphere. The Finns are at the forefront of everything green, with the award for World Design Capital going to Helsinki evidence of the cities’ commitment. Art Nouveau is the architecture-of-choice, the perfect example being the central railroad station.

Canals and picturesque, ornate bridges are major attractions in St. Petersburg, a true architectural wonderland. The largest art museum in the world, The Hermitage, resides in this fabled Russian city. An educational centre, the city has over 2,000 libraries in addition to over 200 museums. One of the best ballet environments in the world is another trademark, with legendary names such as Nureyev, Baryshnikov and Makarova getting their start here.

Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, is widely-regarded as one of the world’s most digitised cities, although archaelogical findings indicating a settlement more than 5,000 years old. Despite its’ high-tech imprint, Estonian culture is pervasive, notably in it’s medieval fortresses and the Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, built
during the Roman Empire.

Stockholm, built on 14 islands, unique for that fact, but the attractions in this Swedish capital are endless. Stockholm’s architecture is highly modern, with many of the world’s most advanced structures residing side-by-side with a mixture ofGothic, Neo-Roman and even medieval styles, making for interesting contrasts.

For over 160 years, the Fred Olsen Cruise Lines have accomodated countless vacationers to popular holiday destinations around the globe, including Cruises from Newcastle. This fifth-generation Norwegian-owned company is headquartered in Ipswich, Suffolk, U.K. and operates virtually world-wide. From Scandinavia and the Baltic, across Northern Europe and down to the Mediterranean and Adriatic, the Canary Islands and Africa, and westward to the Caribbean, South America, the United States and Canada, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is undoubtedly “all-encompassing” when it comes to travel.

As part of Fred Olsen’s customary service, travellers are treated to such amenities as: ensuite accomodations, all meals for the duration of the cruise, day-long and early evening complimentary tea and coffee, in-cabin tea and coffee facilities, professional entertainment, onboard activities daily, sports and exercise leisure activities, cocktail parties at both welcome and farewell with all port taxes and fees included. All of this, plus the Fred Olsen Cruises from Newcastle unequalled charm and professionalism keep holiday-seekers returning time and again.

Scandanavia and Baltic Cruises

Scandinavia is one of the Fred Olsen Cruises from Newcastle favourite destinations, with ports of call such as Copenhagen, Gothenberg, Oslo and Kristiansand on regular itinerary. One of their most popular is a Baltic Cruise from Newcastle.

Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, is the most-visited city in the Nordic countries, and is an international leader in culture, science, business and media. One of the world’s most environmentally-friendly metropolitan regions, Copenhagen prides itself on being an example to the rest of the world for its’ leadership in the green movement, and its’ regular ranking as having one of the highest quality of living world-wide speaks to Copenhagen’s commitment. Copenhagen’s many art museums and appreciation for the fine arts provides tourists never-ending sight-seeing opportunities. One of the world’s oldest amusement parks is in this Danish capital: Tivoli Gardens, which has operated since 1843, and features both the oldest roller coaster and ferris wheel in operation.

Gothenberg, Sweden has the largest seaport of the Nordic countries, and offers many cultural and architectural delights for visitors. Scandinavia’s largest shopping centre, Nordstan, is a Gothenberg fixture along with the world-famous Botanical Garden, one of Europe’s most popular tourist attractions. Slottsskogen, a large city park, contains the Natural History Museum as well as an obervatoury and zoo shich are guaranteed to delight visitors.

Norway’s capital, Oslo, is renowned for it’s intellectual and cultural atmosphere, with museums and exhibits dedicated to such Norwegian notables as the artist Edvard Munch and writers Henrik Ibsen and Knut Hamsun are prominent. Oslo is known as the “City of Festivals” with top-flight musical performances year-round featuring internationally-acclaimed artists.

One of Norway’s oldest and most historic cities, Kristiansand has been a settlement since approximately 400 A.D. This picturesque seaside in southern Norway is one of Scandinavia’s most popular summer destinations due to it’s abundant sunshine and wealth of outdoor activities. As in Oslo, Kristiansand offers year-round festivals celebrating music, the arts, and the unique Protestfestival, which seeks to address political apathy.

For the absolute grandest scenic tour of Scandinavia, with it’s incomparable beauty and historical attractions, Fred Olsen Cruises from Newcastle is certain to fit any traveller’s agenda.

Canary Islands Cruise

On a Canary Islands cruise from Newcastle, you will be taking in the beautiful mediterranean ports of La Coruna, Santa Cruz de la Palma, Santa Cruz de la Tenerife, Las Palmas, Accecife and Lisbon. On board you’ll be pampered in extraordinary accomodations, including meals throughout the cruise. Onboard entertainment is ongoing, and travellers are treated to both welcome and farewell cocktail parties. All port taxes and fees are included, leaving the traveller with little to do other than enjoy this unforgettable cruise.

Norway is one of the best places on earth from which to see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), and what better way to see this spectacular phenomenon than from the comfort of a cruise ship while travelling along Norway’s coast.

There really is no better better way to see the northern lights. You’ll be away from any towns or cities and the light polution they cause thus giving you a crystal clear view of one of the most mesmerising sights anywhere.

Cruising up along the coast of Norway, you’ll call in at various ports and everything will be arranged for you so all you need to worry about is having your camera or camcorder loaded with enough film to capture the dazzling display.

Many of the Northern Lights Cruise Ships and specially adapted viewing areas which allow for both indoor or outdoor viewing. If you like to feel the night air on your skin as you take in the display you can do that but if you prefer to be warm and comfortable you can relax indoors too and take in the view for hours.

If you’ve never seen the night sky from a ship before then you’ll be in for a huge surprise. Everything is much more vivid – the stars, the planets and of course the Northern Lights. There’s no haziness which you usually get when you’re in a town or city caused by light polution. The sky is much darker and everything is pin sharp.

Cruises can be for 1-2 nights or longer ones can 6-10 nights, you can pick the cruise that best suits your available time and budget.

You’ll find that the staff on board are specially trained to look after you from start to finish. We all like to be pampered and that’s exactly what you’ll get on cruises to see the northern lights.

There are usually experts on board to give talks or answer questions and information centres are available for deeper study. This is a great facility, especially for kids. You can learn all about the science and history behind the northern lights.

Of course, you won’t just be at sea, you’ll also have time to call in at various ports and discover the towns and cities along Norway’s coast. The Norwegian diet is very interesting and while on dry land you have the opportunity to sample some of the best of traditional Norwegian cuisine,

As I said above northern lights cruises are one of the best ways to see the northern lights, and if you’re already thinking about a Newcastle to Norway cruise then you should try to see the northern lights on the same cruise trip.

The ship is the Ocean Countess which is a medium sized ship with great facilities including an excellent restaurant, fitness centre, pool and jacuzzi, casino, cinema and theatre. The ensuite cabin accommodation is well appointed and you’ll find it very comfortable.

So, what about the excellent itinerary. This Newcastle Cruise departs at 17:00, and before you know it you’ll be heading out to sea and ready to explore the great facilities onboard before relaxing and unwinding for the journey of discovery ahead.

The first destination of the trip is to Geiranger where you’ll discover the magnificence of Norway’s fjord district. Get ready for snow covered mountain tops, amazingly beautiful waterfalls, lush green vegetation and the deep blue waters of the fjords.

The next day is at Flam which is renowned for its peaceful and tranquillity despite having sheer mountains, deep waterfalls and plunging valley walls. Then on to Gudvangen which is located in the southern part of the great Sognefjord. This is where Norways most dramatic road winds its way up to the sky through more than a dozen hairpin bends before reaching the top. Once atop though the scenery and views are nothing short of spectacular.

Day 5 sees the cruise head into the beautiful 14th century port of Bergen. It is set on the western coast of Norway and has dramatic mountain views. Day 6 takes you to the Shetland Islands, which although part of the UK have lots of Scandanavian influences, before heading back south again to Newcastle the following day for around 10:00am.