FROM HAMBURG TO HAMBURG

Welcome on board your small expedition ship, which offers you many new discoveries on the coasts of western Europe. The Isle of Wight in southern England, which once inspired Charles Dickens, is our first stop on this cruise: beaches, cliffs and castles – a trilogy you can enjoy at your leisure on your shore visit. Stroll through the sleepy lanes of the small harbour town of Cowes, or take in sweeping views of the coast and the English Channel. The beautiful scenery is dotted with lighthouses, well-preserved windmills and a 6,000-year-old megalithic monument. You’ll be in aristocratic company while you explore, since the island is home to Osbourne House, Queen Victoria’s summer residence. The Isle of Wight was once also a favourite of the dinosaurs: the many fossils discovered here have made it one of the dinosaur hotspots of Great Britain. 

Guernsey, the pearl of the Channel Islands, is an inviting place with its breathtaking cliffs, hidden bays, picturesque hilly interior and interesting history. Its natural landscapes inspired the famous painter, Renoir, and the author Victor Hugo also lived here for a while. The gardens around Saint Peter Port, the island capital and the prettiest little town in the British Channel Islands, would be the perfect subject for an impressionist painting. Experience this Mediterranean-like place for yourself – a fascinating labyrinth of terraces and hidden gardens is just waiting to be discovered. Castle Cornet has been a landmark of Saint Peter Port since the Middle Ages: explore this mystical fortress or simply enjoy the peace and quiet on a spectacular cliff path. 

Sail past beautiful coastlines on your way to France and one of the most attractive places in Normandy: Honfleur at the mouth of the Seine. The birthplace of Impressionism, painters like Renoir, Monet, Pisarro and Cézanne used to meet here. Stroll through the picturesque old town of Honfleur with its timbered houses, historic Vieux Bassin port and the famous church of Sainte Catherine. Learn more about the town’s maritime history in the Musee de la Marine or discover the works of art in the Musee Eugene Boudin. The Pont de Normandie, built in 1995 to connect Honfleur to Le Havre, is the longest cable-stayed bridge in Europe. Bridging the gap from the past to the present, the experts joining you on your walks will delve deep into the history of the town.

Narrow streets, historic guild houses, Flemish specialities and trendy galleries make Antwerp an exciting cultural adventure. The city has been a global centre of the diamond trade and industry since the 15th century. Dazzling artistic highlights on your city tour are provided by the Grote Markt and the Gothic Church of Our Lady, and especially by Peter Paul Rubens: Antwerp is inextricably associated with the Baroque artist, who lived and worked here in the 16th and 17th centuries. At the time, his studio was one of the biggest and most successful in the world. His former home and studio, Rubens House, is now a museum celebrating the life and works of the artist. Together with your experts on board, discover Antwerp as a centre of artistic achievement. Your experts will explain how important the estuaries on the North Sea coast are in modern times as you cruise in the Westerschelde.

Tranquil and vibrant, old and new, picturesque and daring – the canal city of Amsterdam is a unique celebration of contrasts. Discover the jewel of the Netherlands on a city walk with your experts or completely at your own pace. Only by wandering through the narrow streets will you notice the elegance of the gabled houses, the heron on a house boat or a hidden inner courtyard known as a “hofje”. Take a journey back in time through the historic ages, past the Westernkirk (western church), the Anne Frank Museum and the Royal Palace. Cultural insights await when you follow in the footsteps of the legendary painter in the Van Gogh Museum*. The Netherlands and cycling simply belong together: so how about exploring Amsterdam by bicycle? Take in the avant-garde former workers’ district in the north of the city – now a “creative hub” with houseboat galleries and trendy restaurants. 

You have probably heard a lot about this island and perhaps even visited it – but you won’t yet have explored it with the pioneering spirit of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: Helgoland. Like a lighthouse built of red brick, Lange Anna on the north-western tip of the island shows birdwatchers the way. Right next to the famous rock is one of the world’s smallest nature reserves, the Lummenfelsen. With a bit of luck, you will be able to spot various species of gull and guillemots, as well as seals and grey seals, from the deck. In the shadow of the rock that rises up almost 50 m (164 ft) out of the sea, the ship’s experts will shed light on the ornithological and geological features of the island. If the local conditions permit, the Zodiacs will be put to use for a true expedition experience. Lange Anna, a natural landmark, adds a final exclamation point to the wealth of contrasts discovered in unchartered territory almost right on your doorstep.