Enjoy the immense beauty of Svalbard on this 8-day expedition cruise to the remote Norwegian archipelago. Take in the wild wonders of the Arctic as we cruise among whales, walruses, polar bears and millions of sea birds. Marvel at jaw-dropping glaciers and colossal icebergs, see ruined mining communities and cruise along shimmering fjords.
This cruise will start in Cologne in Germany and take you through scenic and famous landmarks. You will get a chance to visit the oldest city in the Netherland, Nijmegen. Then you will sail to Rotterdam which is a major European port city and famous for its gigantic seaport. Rotterdam is the center of contemporary architecture, home to the famous cube houses with their Kijk-Kubus (show cube) and the Witte Huis (the White House), the first skyscraper in Europe. Thereafter you will reach Amsterdam and If you want to see Tulips, come with us and see for yourself as this will be the best time of the year to witness the beautiful Tulips blossom. In the Keukenhof flower gardens, they bloom and can be found in all colors and shapes in spring. A visit to Amsterdam is also on the program, with a tour of the famous canals, past the traditional townhouses. The region of North Holland stands above all for idyllic nature and is home to the typical windmills. You will also get the opportunity to experience The Markermeer Lake and IJsselmeer Lakes. Visit Enkhuizen, a beautiful harbor town overlooking IJsselmeer lake and Arnhem best known as the site of one of the infamous battles of World War 2 before ending your journey and returning to the historic city of Cologne.
Discover the beauty and magic of Europe’s most beautiful cities with this 16-day river cruise on the Danube! Your journey will begin in Munich, one of the most breathtaking cities in Germany home to the world-famous Oktoberfest Festival which takes place every year before you board your river cruise in Passau and set sail to Vienna, the capital city of Austria known for its magnificent music, bright lights, and fascinating museums. From there you will visit Solt, one of the newest ports in Hungary, and explore Mohacs, believed to be the staging place of the two iconic battles of 1526 and 1687. Set sail to Belgrade, the capital city of Serbia, known for its exhilarating nightlife scene, passing through the Danube Cataracts and the famous Iron Gate, before you set sail to Ruse, often called Little Vienna, a captivating city in Bulgaria, and discover Cernavoda, founded in the 4th century BC, which translates to "black water". You will explore Giurgiu, a scenic city in Romania, and discover Novi Sad, the second-largest city in Serbia. Visit Aljmas and Batina, before you make your way over to the Hungarian capital! Budapest is known as the Queen of the Danube and is a very exciting city to explore. Next, you will discover Bratislava with its medieval Old Town, and explore Weissenkirchen, an Austrian gem, before you head back to Munich where your 16-day cruise on the Danube will come to an end!
Explore the Slovenian coastline, admire Croatia’s trendiest islands along the northern Adriatic Sea from a privately chartered ship and discover magical Venice. Sail around Kornati National Park – known as Croatia’s “nautical paradise” – and disembark on the largest island, Krk and then the colorful island of Cres. Get ready for more than just beautiful scenery as you experience traditional Dalmatian delicacies, savor the sweet flavor of Rab cake, and an afternoon lunch at a family-owned winery in the Collio region. Uncover the hidden beauty and wondrous history of this Mediterranean gem.
Enjoy this uniquely beautiful river cruise and experience the colorful landscapes of southern France, witness world-famous wine-producing regions, and the beauty of its historic cities, monuments, and culture. Your cruise will make its route from Lyon to Macon, where some of the world’s most expensive wines are made. Explore the picturesque region of Burgundy, Chalon-sur-Saône located on the Saône river. Later you will sail to the famous Ardeche Gorge, a natural wonder in this region of southern France that has been carved out of limestone over time. Admire the Provence and the Camargue with their incomparable atmosphere. View the beauty of Arles, the town that inspired many of Van Gogh’s paintings. In cities like Macon and Arles, you can see why the Romans felt so at home here. Great structures such as the Papal Palace await you in Avignon, before returning to Lyon, the city known for its historical and architectural landmarks and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lyon is an important area in modern times has developed a reputation as the capital of gastronomy in France. The following day, you will disembark the cruise as your remarkable cruise journey ends.
On this unforgettable journey, experience the scenic wonders of northern France on a captivating cruise inspired by the legacy of the Impressionist masters. Start your adventure in the heart of Paris as you glide along the serene Seine River into the breathtaking region of Normandy, celebrated for its timeless beauty and charm. Stroll through enchanting towns steeped in history, marvel at the dramatic white Chalk Cliffs of the Alabaster Coast and venture all the way to the maritime hub of Le Havre. Unwind in the picturesque port town of Honfleur, beloved by artists and seafarers alike, before returning to Paris. Your tour concludes in the vibrant French capital, where you will have the chance to soak up the culture, cuisine and iconic landmarks of this world-class city before bidding farewell to your extraordinary cruise experience.
The captain and expedition team really pushed the limits to ensure that we visited as many interesting places as possible and saw a wide range of scenery and ecosystems. The crew were very friendly and helpful, and the expedition team was extremely knowledgeable and experienced in both the Arctic and Antarctic. The ship was very comfortable with a fantastic library and other good facilities, and our cabin was wonderful - peaceful, comfortable and beautifully furnished.
Iceland is a remote volcanic island, with mind-blowing landscapes and fascinating culture. With most of the country uninhabited, much of Iceland's terrain consists of plateaux, mountain peaks and fertile lowlands. The landscape is characterised by volcanoes, thundering waterfalls, geysers and geothermal hot springs, all accompanied by black sand beaches, bubbling mud pools and lava fields. Enjoy dramatic deep fjords, ideal for Zodiac cruising and some of the largest glaciers in Europe, whilst soaking up the abundance of birdlife. A circumnavigation of Iceland, is an experience not to be missed.
Keep watch for blow holes, breaching and tail flukes - as we spot whales in Húsavik
Westfjords offer some of the remotest fjords, bays and pristine environments in Iceland - perfect
for kayaking, hiking and bird-watching
Visit Vatnajökull National Park - featuring Europe's largest glacier, glacial lagoons, colourful mountains and rich wildlife
Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland - M/V Greg Mortimer GREENLAND, SPITSBERGEN- TRIP CODE GMGI
August 2024
We joined the Greg Mortimer in Svalbard having spent the night in a hotel in Longyearbyen. The ship is modern, clean and bright. Our cabin was on the 6th deck with a balcony accessed by a sliding door with room to sit out so long as we put enough clothes on. It had ample storage space, a wonderful en-suite with a heated floor, sheer luxury! All types of plug were catered for so recharging batteries was easy. The first 3 days were spent round Svalbard looking at the wildlife and scenery. Leaving the ship on the zodiacs was very easy and well thought out. We ended up wearing 5 layers to stay warm. Sitting in the zodiac for a couple of hours could get very cold with out the right gear. The ship itself is well appointed with plenty of observation space, both indoor and outdoor. The lecture theatre is excellent and, if you don’t want to attend, you can watch the proceedings from your cabin on the TV.
The food was very good, Buffet style lunches and a good menu in the evenings.
Crossing the Greenland Sea on the 4th day was a little rough but the ship has stabilisers which worked well. There was a noticeable lack of people in the dining room on the first night though.
Reaching Greenland, the itinerary was adjusted based on the weather and conditions. Each day we generally had two zodiac trips with landings when we could. The supplied Wellington Boots were comfortable and warm although we did supplement them with a thermal sole insert and two pairs of socks.
The landscape is fantastic with towering cliffs and glaciers coming down to the sea. The scale is hard to describe as there is not much to compare it with but some mountains like the Devil’s Castle loom over the ship at some 1100m. Very impressive. Each day was at a different site with the ship moving overnight.
We did get to see a couple of Polar Bears, seals, walruses, musk ox and plenty of birds.
All in all, a wonderful trip full of fantastic scenery and wildlife on a comfortable ship designed for the job. The crew were excellent and always helpful as were the very knowledgeable Expedition staff.
If you want to see a mostly untouched wilderness with stunning views and wildlife, we can recommend this trip.
Experience unparalleled adventure and discovery on this ultimate Antarctic voyage. Be transported to enthralling subantarctic islands, rich with human history and unique wildlife. Then venture into the deep south of the Antarctic Peninsula, crossing the coveted Antarctic Circle. Zodiac-cruise in vast ice-covered landscapes, visit lively penguin colonies, watch for whales and discover the rich history of this fascinating region.
Step ashore on the Antarctic continent - to unforgettable vistas, bustling penguins and curious seals
Raise a glass - as you cross the Antarctic Circle
Zodiac through glassy waters - gaze at the iridescent blues of gleaming icebergs
Stand in awe - at the world's largest king penguin rookeries
Hike along pebble beaches and climb tussock steps - with unexpected wildlife encounters at every turn
We had an excellent experience on the Adriatic Pearl in Croatia. Meals were very good and the crew and tour guide were friendly and accommodating. The daily swim stops were wonderful, especially as we were experiencing an early heat wave. We really enjoyed all of the island stops, exploring the unique towns and countryside. Overall, an excellent journey!
Cruise the mighty Danube, visiting classic capitals like Budapest and Vienna. Spend Christmas Eve in Passau, then ring in the New Year in elegant style in Budapest. Festive celebrations are plentiful during this cruise—what better way to create perfect holiday memories?
Commemorate a splendid musical heritage as you lift your voice and sing “Silent Night” in Oberndorf, where the beloved Christmas carol was composed. Meet the Count of Castle Clam. Spend Christmas Day in Salzburg and enjoy a holiday lunch within the walls of St. Peter’s Abbey. Discover the seasonal delicacies of Slovakia in Bratislava’s picturesque downtown and enjoy the merriment of traditional hospitality in an Austrian wine village. Ring out the old year and ring in the new with art, wine, and song as you cruise through four nations during this enchanting season.
Please note that most Christmas Markets in Europe end their season on the 23rd of December and will not be available after that date.
Rich in symbols, emotions, and sensations, Christmas traditions in Provence bring meaning and color to the holiday. From Avignon to Aigues-Mortes, let yourself be enchanted by the magic of provincial Christmas markets. The Palace of the Popes in Avignon, an imposing Gothic fortress and a symbol of religious power in the 14th century; Les Baux-de-Provence, whose citadel overlooks natural sites of extraordinary beauty, and its santons museum with its traditional Provençal nativity scene; or Aigues-Mortes, where you can taste fougasse, a treat once reserved for the Christmas season.
Cycle and cruise the Lycian Coast between Bodrum and Fethiye. There are few coastlines which offer the appealing combination of sublime landscapes, rich cultural history and legacies from ancient civilisations found on Turkey's Lycian Coast. We spend a week discovering the coastline and backcountry between Bodrum and Fethiye with our three-masted motor yacht. Our charming and stylish vessel is built to the highest of standards. Accompanied by our guide you will discover the unique natural wonders and historical cities which grace the area. Admire the famous tombs of Dalyan, which were cut into the cliffs between 4 and 2 BC by the Lycian coastal inhabitants, and the spectacular Saklikent Canyon. Spend your evenings relaxing on board in the deserted bays or make the most of the nightlife in the port cities and their many cafes and bars.
