Oceania Cruises: Sirena

Dublin enjoys one of the loveliest natural settings in Europe. Dublin attracts visitors from around the world with its old world charm and friendly atmosphere. Most of the architecture dates from the 18th century, when Dublin enjoyed great prominence and prosperity. Also of interest are stately Georgian houses which front Merrion Square. O'Connell Street is considered the commercial center of Dublin. Perhaps the most memorable feature of Dublin is the traditional pub, where visitors can enjoy conversation over fine Irish brew. The city also offers many fine parks, including St. Stephen's Green and Phoenix Park. National Gallery's renowned collection includes works by such famous masters as Rembrandt and Monet. Trinity College's Old Library is home to the most cherished treasure, the Book of Kells, a manuscript of the Gospels. Admire Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Enjoy the exhibits in impressive National Museum. Self-guided walking tours include Old City Trail, Georgian Heritage Trail and the Cultural Trail.

Suggested Private Excursions

Dublin: Highlights of Dublin City - 8 hours

Dublin - Dublin City & Powerscourt - Full Day Tour

Dublin: An Introduction to Dublin - 4 hours

Belfast is popular with travelers who come to discover the city’s physical beauty and renewed tranquility. Enjoy performances at the Grand Opera House, shopping along trendy Donegall Place and visiting numerous pubs along The Golden Mile. St. Anne’s Cathedral, also known as Belfast Cathedral, is the principal church of the Anglican Church of Ireland and contains stones from every county in Ireland. Located next to Europa Hotel, the Grand Opera House boasts an impressive mix of large productions of opera, ballet, musicals and drama. Known as the Big Ben of Belfast, the Albert Memorial Clock Tower was built in 1869 to commemorate the Prince Consort. Built in 1849 as one of Queen Victoria’s colleges, Queens University is one of the foremost universities in the British Isles. The classical-style building of Stormont, erected in 1928-32 to house the Parliament of Northern Ireland, stands 3.5 miles outside the city. The Prince of Wales Avenue is exactly one mile long and is bordered by rose beds containing 600 of the famous Korona roses noted for their scarlet blooms.

Suggested Private Excursions

Belfast - Tour of Antrim Coast - Full Day Tour

Belfast: Cultural Belfast - 8 hours

Belfast: Highlights of Belfast - 6 hours

Situated on Loch Broom and only 59 miles from Inverness, Ullapool is the largest settlement in Wester Ross. It was purpose built as a herring station to a Thomas Telford design in 1788. It is also an excellent base from which to explore the Northwest Highlands. Most of the main roads north of here have been upgraded over the years, and staying in Ullapool and using it as a touring base is now a viable and attractive option.

The Shetland Islands are Great Britain's most northerly islands, situated nearly fifty miles northeast of the Orkneys.

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Nordfjord is a gateway to the majestic glaciers of Norway and truly an outdoor lovers paradise. Adventure tours lead groups into the spectacular Boldasbreen Glacier for glacier hiking, downhill skiing, rafting, kayaking, and much more. Nordfjord is also the perfect place to explore Norway's rich cultural history through the local folk museum, churches, and medieval Viking sites. Natural Wonders are to be found all over the fjord including, waterfalls, mountains, rivers, and the scenic National Park.

Norway's royal residence since 997 AD, when King Olaf I founded Trondheim, the city still boasts Stiftsgarden, the huge wooden palace. A century later, St. Olaf II began to perform miracles for the people, making Trondheim a major pilgrimage destination. Be sure to visit Nidaros Cathedral, where the Norwegian kings are still crowned, which is certainly one of Europe's premier Gothic-style churches.

The region is famous for its beautiful scenery with high mountains and blue fjords, of which the Geiranger fjord is one of the most attractive tourist places in Norway. The climate is less severe than might be expected from its geographical location, with mild winters and cool summers. Ålesund, with its unique architecture, is the center of business and industry in Møre and Romsdal. As the sea, the woods and the mountains are easy accessible, the possibilities for outdoor and sports activities are excellent, both in the summer and winter season.

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Oslo, Norway’s capital and largest city, is encircled by wooded hills and snowcapped peaks. The city displays a mixture of several architectural styles. A full range of activities includes art galleries, museums, restaurants, theaters and nightclubs. Other points of interest include Royal Palace; Frogner Park, known for its famous Vigeland sculptures; Holmenkollen, where international skiing events take place; imposing Åkershus Castle; and Bygdøy Peninsula, home to some of Oslo’s most important museums. Many attractions can be explored on foot. Oslo's City Hall ranks as the most distinctive part of Oslo’s waterfront. The art portrays the country's different historical and domestic phases. Munch Museum, which is dedicated to the life work of Norway’s famous painter, contains more than 5,000 drawings and paintings. National Gallery has the nation’s largest collection of Norwegian art and some of Munch’s best-known works. Åkershus Fortress & Castle, transformed into a Renaissance palace in the 17th century, houses Norway’s Resistance Museum.

While in Lysekil visitors interested in marine life can visit "Havets Hus" (The House of the Ocean), which is a marvelous aquatic museum that has most of the different ocean animals and plants living around Lysekil's coast. Visitors looking to relax will find several pleasant beaches including Pinnevik; a sandy beach suitable for families. Not far Pinnevik is Stangehuvud, a nature park displaying a lovely variety of fauna.

Wonderful Copenhagen is a city of bridge-spanned canals, copper-roofed buildings and manicured parks. This famous Baltic seaport is one of Europe’s loveliest capitals and the seat of the oldest monarchy in the world. Copenhagen is a focus for commerce, culture, industry and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The locale of Hans Christian Andersen’s enchanting tale of The Little Mermaid, Copenhagen is known as Denmark’s fairy-tale city. Its impressive theaters, museums and churches are of interest to many visitors; the best-loved attractions include the world-famous Tivoli Gardens, the Langelinie Harbor with its Little Mermaid statue and the busy shopping promenade known as Strøget.

Located at the mouth of the Göta River, Gothenburg (Goteborg), Sweden’s second largest city, is the busiest port in Scandinavia and one of Sweden’s prettiest and friendliest cities. Its town center, crisscrossed by canals, allows pedestrians to enjoy many traffic-free streets. Cultural events include the National Orchestra of Sweden at the Concert Hall or opera and ballet at the Opera House. The local clubs stage many international and Swedish artists. Shops in the city range from high street chains to exclusive boutiques. Sample one of the best cuisines in Europe. Visit picturesque cafés and sample some of the best food in Europe or visit one of the 17 museums in the city.

Oslo, Norway’s capital and largest city, is encircled by wooded hills and snowcapped peaks. The city displays a mixture of several architectural styles. A full range of activities includes art galleries, museums, restaurants, theaters and nightclubs. Other points of interest include Royal Palace; Frogner Park, known for its famous Vigeland sculptures; Holmenkollen, where international skiing events take place; imposing Åkershus Castle; and Bygdøy Peninsula, home to some of Oslo’s most important museums. Many attractions can be explored on foot. Oslo's City Hall ranks as the most distinctive part of Oslo’s waterfront. The art portrays the country's different historical and domestic phases. Munch Museum, which is dedicated to the life work of Norway’s famous painter, contains more than 5,000 drawings and paintings. National Gallery has the nation’s largest collection of Norwegian art and some of Munch’s best-known works. Åkershus Fortress & Castle, transformed into a Renaissance palace in the 17th century, houses Norway’s Resistance Museum.

Oslo, Norway’s capital and largest city, is encircled by wooded hills and snowcapped peaks. The city displays a mixture of several architectural styles. A full range of activities includes art galleries, museums, restaurants, theaters and nightclubs. Other points of interest include Royal Palace; Frogner Park, known for its famous Vigeland sculptures; Holmenkollen, where international skiing events take place; imposing Åkershus Castle; and Bygdøy Peninsula, home to some of Oslo’s most important museums. Many attractions can be explored on foot. Oslo's City Hall ranks as the most distinctive part of Oslo’s waterfront. The art portrays the country's different historical and domestic phases. Munch Museum, which is dedicated to the life work of Norway’s famous painter, contains more than 5,000 drawings and paintings. National Gallery has the nation’s largest collection of Norwegian art and some of Munch’s best-known works. Åkershus Fortress & Castle, transformed into a Renaissance palace in the 17th century, houses Norway’s Resistance Museum.

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Graceful old buildings are well maintained and the shore, dock and water further beautify the area. Leith has beautiful waterfront areas with restaurants, bars, and shops lining the streets. A great deal of majestic architecture from the 18th century remain among the sparkling modern buildings. The top excursions to visit here include Royal Mile Road, St. Giles Cathedral, the Scotch Whiskey Heritage Center and the National Gallery of Scotland.

 

The Orkney Islands are different from mainland Britain and reflect the original 9th century Viking settlement. In addition to Norse heritage are remains of prehistoric monuments such as Stenness Standing Stones at Finstown. Steep-roofed stone houses line streets winding around medieval St. Magnus Cathedral. A museum featuring Orkney artifacts is housed in 16th-century Tankerness House. Other attractions include Maes Howe, Britain's best-preserved megalithic tomb, and the stone-age village Skara Brae. Rock circles, cairns, standing stones, ancient tombs and prehistoric villages are scattered about, gaining these islands international recognition. Only the walls and tower of the 12-century residence, Bishop's Palace, stand. The top of the tower affords a great view of the cathedral and across Kirkwall rooftops. Earl's Palace dates from 1600. Its style blends medieval fierceness with elements of French Renaissance architecture - featuring dungeons, massive fireplaces and magnificent central hall. A good mile south of town is Highland Park - the "most northerly legal distillery in Scotland."

The Faroe Islands have been voted by National Geographic Traveler as the most undisturbed and appealing place in the world. Visitors can take boat excursions around the islands and experience the magnificent stone cathedrals in one of the many grottoes. The Faroe Islands are considered a bird lovers paradise. Over 300 birds species have been identified on the islands, and visitors can see a variety of bird colonies on the cliffs, including guillemots and puffins.

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Akureyri is one of Iceland's oldest towns, and features picturesque historic houses set below snowcapped peaks, botanical gardens and several museums. Explore the interior to see Godafoss Waterfall and Lake Myvatn. It is the largest settlement outside the south-west of Iceland, and one of the country's largest cities. The name means "Meadow Sandspit" in Icelandic. Akureyri is an important shipyard and fishing port, as well as a commercial and distributing centre for agriculture and manufacturing.

Suggested Private Excursions

Akureyri - Lake Mývatn classic - Nature Baths- FD Tour

Akureyri - Godafoss Waterfall & Laufas Turf Farm - HD Tour

The town of Isafjord is a bona fide hive of industry. This busy fishing port runs to sizable shipyards as well as shrimp and fish factories— all ready to handle the catch of the day from the icy waters of the Denmark Strait. Recreational activities around here include hiking, kayaking, and of course, fishing.

The fire, frost and water symbolized by the red, white and blue of Iceland’s flag are manifested in this land. Reykjavik, or Smoky Bay, was so named in 874 A.D. by Ingolf Arnarson when he sighted the numerous hot springs on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula. Today this remarkably pollution-free city is wrapped around a sweeping bay and has managed to retain its charming Old-World atmosphere. A pastiche of red-blue-and green-roofed houses together with the tall gray tower of Hallgrim’s Church dominate the skyline. In Old Town, many of the wooden buildings have been lovingly restored and stand side by side with modern timber and concrete structures. There are fine museums and art galleries; historic pubs present activity in late afternoon. The beautiful countryside outside of Reykjavik includes such natural wonders as volcanoes, geysers, glaciers, mountains and spectacular waterfalls.

Suggested Private Excursions

Reykjavik - The Golden Circle - FD Tour

Reykjavik - Bathing in the Blue Lagoon - HD Tour

Reykjavik - Langjökull Glacier & the Ice Tunnel

Reykjavik Highlights - HD Tour

The fire, frost and water symbolized by the red, white and blue of Iceland’s flag are manifested in this land. Reykjavik, or Smoky Bay, was so named in 874 A.D. by Ingolf Arnarson when he sighted the numerous hot springs on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula. Today this remarkably pollution-free city is wrapped around a sweeping bay and has managed to retain its charming Old-World atmosphere. A pastiche of red-blue-and green-roofed houses together with the tall gray tower of Hallgrim’s Church dominate the skyline. In Old Town, many of the wooden buildings have been lovingly restored and stand side by side with modern timber and concrete structures. There are fine museums and art galleries; historic pubs present activity in late afternoon. The beautiful countryside outside of Reykjavik includes such natural wonders as volcanoes, geysers, glaciers, mountains and spectacular waterfalls.

Suggested Private Excursions

Reykjavik - The Golden Circle - FD Tour

Reykjavik - Bathing in the Blue Lagoon - HD Tour

Reykjavik - Langjökull Glacier & the Ice Tunnel

Reykjavik Highlights - HD Tour