A Scandinavian Spring
Date: 28 April-9 May 2014
Price: 12 days from £1,825 per person
Ports of Call
Portsmouth • Kiel Canal Transit • Copenhagen • Gothenburg • Oslo • Ulvik Hardangarfjord • Bergen
Sail from Portsmouth and spend a leisurely day at sea. Enjoy a daytime transit of the Kiel Canal before Minerva enters the Baltic Sea. A city tour of Copenhagen will reveal cultural riches including Frederiksborg Palace and its splendid gardens, and during a free afternoon, perhaps see the iconic statue of the Little Mermaid.
Sail through the beautiful Southern Gothenburg Archipelago to discover the quaint canals and cobbled streets of historic Gothenburg. Spend the afternoon discovering the botanical gardens here, the private garden of Peter Korn or visiting museums.
Cruise towards Norway’s spectacular southern fjords and sail up the Oslofjord into Oslo. From the Promenade Deck watch the seascapes unfold as Minerva sails toward the fjordlands. At the furthest end of the majestic Hardangerfjord lies Ulvik – one of Norway’s greenest areas, renowned for its orchards.
During the afternoon Minerva cruises back down the Hardangerfjord. Your captain will plot a scenic route, which may include exploration of the smaller fjords such as Akrafjord. Among the islands and islets lies Bergen. Take the funicular to the summit of Mount Floien and later visit Milde botanical gardens, Damsgård Manor and gardens or spend the afternoon at leisure before Minerva sets sail for Portsmouth.
Your RHS recommended guest speaker
Rosie Atkins began her career on the Sunday Times. In 2002 she launched Gardens Illustrated magazine, which she edited for 10 years before spending nine years as Curator of London’s Chelsea Physic Garden. She serves on the Council of the Royal Horticultural Society, English Heritage’s Garden Panel and is a Trustee of Great Dixter Charitable Trust.
Why choose this cruise?
- Cruise designed in partnership with the RHS to feature a selection of specialist garden shore excursions
- RHS approved Guest Speaker on board alongside a panel of 3-4 Guest Speakers
- Complimentary RHS membership or membership renewal for all bookings on this cruise
- Explore the Gardens of Scandinavia at Springtime
- Admire stately Frederiksborg Palace
- Uncover the Viking past at Oslo’s Viking Ship Museum
- Wander the historic alleys of Bergen’s wooden habourside area
- Transit the 61 mile long Kiel Canal