Cruise Vacation: Best Shore Excursions - 3

European Cruises

Scandinavian Ports

Scandinavian countries are well known for watch making, Swedish crystal, Nordic knitwear, tomtars, trolls, vikings and gnomes. The shopping is amazing, as is the culture and history.

Sailing into Stockholm is a magnificent sight, as the pilot expertly navigates the ship between the many small islands that make up the city. Stockholm is home to the Royal Palace; the Vasa Museum, featuring an original 17th century warship; the villa of Carl Milles, Sweden’s most famous sculptor; and plenty of Swedish crystal stores filled with Swarovski, Kosta Boda and Orrefors masterpieces.

Copenhagen is home to Tivoli Gardens, an inspiration for Disneyland; the original Little Mermaid statue, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s story; and the Carlsberg brewery. There’s also shopping at the House of Amber. 

While in Helsinki, be sure to check out the saunas, the origins of which have been traced back to the Finnish. And then there is Norway, home of the Vikings. Oslo is a fascinating city to explore with its culture and long history. Visit Vigeland Sculpture Park with more than 200 sculptures all created by one man.

 

• A cruise to the Mediterranean is sure to include excursions to wonderful historical sites, like Ephesus in Turkey.

Rui Ornelas

Baltic Ports

Let’s not forget the Baltic, Russia in particular. The Hermitage Museum proudly stretches along the river banks of Saint Petersburg and houses one of the world’s largest art collections. Catherine Palace, the Grand Palace and numerous other royal dwellings are scattered around the city, the architecture reminiscent of the Tsar era with its elaborate décor.

Mediterranean Ports

The Mediterranean ports have a lot of historical attractions and not-to-be-missed excursions, as well as magnificent shopping and designer wear. Visit the leaning tower of Pisa; the ancient ruins of Ephesus, Olympia and the Colosseum; take a tour of Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces in Barcelona; or try your luck in a Monte Carlo casino. Your choices are nearly endless, so do your research.

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