2022-03-09
2025-01-01
from$ 12570 AUD
Note: Current p/p indicative rate. Final price may change due to currency fluctuations.
Ship
National Geographic Explorer
National Geographic Explorer
City
Copenhagen to London
Copenhagen to London
Special Offers
2022-03-09
2025-01-01
Overview
Voyage from Copenhagen to London along the canals and coastline of the North Sea, exploring beautiful coastal cities as well as the crucial and storied role the region has played in history. Stroll through charming, canal-side towns that sprang up along Old World trade routes. Marvel at the elaborate architecture of medieval ruling capitals and reflect at the sites of battles that helped determine the outcome of World War II. There will be time to indulge your personal interests, and you may choose to explore each site with the naturalist or historian whose background and personality matches your own. Meet the lively characters who make up the contemporary scene in towns along the way with National Geographic Explorer as your home base as you experience Europe from a unique vantage point—the sea.
Departures
Note: Current p/p indicative rate. Final price may change due to currency fluctuations.
Cruise Itinerary
Arrive in Copenhagen, where you’ll explore Nyhavn, the city’s 17th-century waterfront neighborhood, on a private canal boat tour before embarking National Geographic Explorer. (L,D)
Cruise up the river Trave to the beautiful medieval city of Lübeck. Once the Queen City of the Hanseatic League, Lübeck boasts beautiful brick architecture, much of which was rebuilt after WWII. Taste locally produced marzipan, and visit the incredible Holsten Gate and Hospital of the Holy Spirit—two of the many fascinating buildings to grace this lovely, picturesque town. (B,L,D)
Overnight and into the morning, transit the Kiel Canal, a 61-mile waterway connecting the North Sea with the Baltic. During and after breakfast, take in the beautiful views of the Schleswig- Holstein region from the ship until we reach the Brunsbüttel Lock and exit out into the North Sea to sail along the coast of mainland Europe. Unwind, head to the spa, browse the library, and hear talks from our staff. (B,L,D)
Cluttered with bicycles, bursting with flowers, and carved by canals, Amsterdam is a vibrant city with an arts scene that has flourished since the Middle Ages. Take in the unique character of the canal- lined streets by boat or on foot, and experience the spectacular Rijksmuseum. On a guided tour, get an insider’s view of the world’s largest collection of Dutch masters with works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and more. (B,L,D)
Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with Gothic architecture and serene waterways. Walk through the bustling and colorful Markt Square, and listen as the bells of the medieval bell tower toll the hour. After a walking excursion, board small boats and glide down swan-dotted canals to experience the gemlike old town from another perspective. The port city of Antwerp dates from the Middle Ages. Stroll the centuries- old diamond district; visit the Rubens House to view works by Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens; and admire the Renaissance architecture in Grote Markt. (B,L,D)
Turn your focus toward one of the most important historical events of the 20th century as you retrace the events of D-Day with a historian. Walk in the footsteps of the Allied troops at Omaha Beach, and pay your respects at the American Cemetery. Visit the famous Pegasus Bridge across the Caen Canal, where the British 6th Airborne Division glided in to land at the very start of the Allied invasion. See the remains of Mulberry Harbor, created from partially sunken blockships to provide a safe point of entry for supplies and equipment after the initial invasion began. (B,L,D)
Sail past the Cliffs of Dover, a beacon to many WWII pilots returning home from battle on the continent. Walk the wartime tunnels deep beneath Dover Castle and immerse yourself in the drama of the Dunkirk evacuation—“Operation Dynamo.” Visit Ramsgate, once the embarkation point for the 1940 evacuation, where 4,200 ships left the harbor to rescue men stranded on Dunkirk’s beaches. Overnight, navigate up the River Thames toward London. (B,L,D)
Disembark in London and transfer to Heathrow Airport for flights home. (B)
Itineraries are subject to change.
National Geographic Explorer
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: All cabins face outside with windows or portholes, private facilities and climate controls. 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.
Highlights
• Take in the stunning architecture in Lübeck, a medieval German city founded in 1143 • Cruise the storybook canals of Bruges on a private boat tour • Explore Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum to see The Night Watch, perhaps the most famous of Rembrandt’s paintings • Walk in the footsteps of Allied soldiers along Omaha Beach, a WWII site that was part of the largest amphibious invasion in history • Sail past England’s otherworldly Cliffs of Dover, rising 350 feet from the sea, and navigate up the River Thames toward London
Map
