28 July

France: Belle-Île-en–Mer

Beautiful Belle-Île-en–Mer is the largest of Brittany’s islands, and the wild coastal landscapes inspired some of Monet’s most famous paintings. This peaceful island benefits from a pleasantly mild climate, and has plenty of secluded beaches and coastal paths that are ideal for hiking and cycling.

29 July to 30 July

France: Saint-Malo

Saint-Malo grew rich off the back of maritime trade and its plundering corsairs, a seafaring heritage that is still proudly on display today. It’s great fun getting lost in the streets of the walled old town, and the famous medieval abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is an easy day-trip.

31 July

Guernsey: St Peter Port

The island of Guernsey draws visitors south from the British mainland with its more favourable climate and beautiful coastline. The capital, St Peter Port, is a lovely little town of cobbled streets and elegant architecture, and there are also several interesting museums dedicated to the island’s occupation by the Nazis during the Second World War.

1 August to 2 August

France: Honfleur

Situated on the southern bank of the Seine estuary, Honfleur was once one of France’s most important ports. It was also a favourite location of Monet and the Impressionists, and art lovers may well recognise the elegant Renaissance architecture of the old harbour, the Vieux Bassin.

3 August

United Kingdom: Poole

4 August

Belgium: Ostend

Ostend is the largest city on the Belgian coast, with a long sandy beach and some handsome belle époque and art deco architecture. It’s a nice place to spend a relaxing day in port, or you can explore further afield with an excursion to nearby Bruges, Ghent or Antwerp.

5 August to 6 August

United Kingdom: London (Greenwich)

Greenwich was once the seat of British naval power, and you can learn more about the area’s seafaring heritage at the fascinating National Maritime Museum. Other attractions include the Cutty Sark, the O2 Arena and the Royal Observatory, where you can straddle two hemispheres by placing one foot either side of the Greenwich Meridian Line.

7 August

United Kingdom: Great Yarmouth

The seaside resort of Great Yarmouth might seem like a surprising place for a cruise ship to stop, but the town is the perfect jumping-off point for Norfolk’s many attractions, including the Queen’s Sandringham Estate, the city of Norwich and the beautiful Norfolk Broads.

8 August

United Kingdom: Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Renowned for its boisterous nightlife, passionate football fans and shipbuilding heritage, Newcastle has been reinvented in recent years as a forward-looking cultural hub. Key to this has been the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, the centrepiece of the rejuvenated Gateshead Quays.

9 August

United Kingdom: Berwick-upon-Tweed

10 August

United Kingdom: Aberdeen

The ‘granite city’ of Aberdeen is flush with money from the North Sea oil boom, and boasts cultural attractions including the fascinating Maritime Museum and the Aberdeen Art Gallery. Head out into the countryside and you’ll find magnificent castles, wild mountain scenery and whisky distilleries aplenty.

11 August

United Kingdom: Lerwick

Lerwick is the only town of any size in the Shetland islands, and originally grew up around the herring trade. Highlights include the charming 18th century architecture along the waterfront and the informative Shetland Museum, which provides an excellent introduction to the history and culture of the islands.

12 August

Norway: Nordfjordeid

The Nordfjord is one of Norway’s longest fjords, with more than 60 miles of towering mountains, gushing waterfalls and glittering glaciers. This part of Norway is a region of superlatives, home to both Europe’s deepest lake, Hornindalsvatnet, and mainland Europe’s largest glacier, the spectacular Jostedalsbreen.

13 August

Norway: Geiranger

The Geirangerfjord is arguably the most spectacular fjord in all of Norway, a sinuous ten mile stretch of sheer mountain walls and tumbling waterfalls. The village of Geiranger itself sits at one end of the fjord, and in summer the population swells with an influx of visitors to this beautiful region.

14 August

Norway: Måløy

The little town of Måløy is a major fishing port, on the sheltered eastern side of Vågsøy island. Nearby sights include the Kannesteinen rock, sculpted by the sea into a bizarre mushroom-like shape, while further afield is the Jostedalsbreen National Park, home to continental Europe’s largest glacier.

15 August to 17 August

Norway: Bergen

Beautiful Bergen, Norway’s former capital, is a perfect city to explore on foot. Bryggen – the old Hanseatic wharf, and a UNESCO World Heritage site – still has the old harbour timber buildings, whilst other attractions include the funicular up Mount Floyen and the busy fish market.

17 August to 18 August

Norway: Lofthus

18 August to 20 August

Norway: Oslo

The intriguing city of Oslo, Norway’s capital, has so much to offer, from the open air Norwegian Folk Museum to the amazing Vigeland sculpture park, and from the Holmenkollen Ski Museum to the Munch Museum’s collection of memorable paintings. History, art and culture are what defines this lovely city.

20 August to 22 August

Sweden: Stockholm

The buzzing city of Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. Many sights will delight; the busy waterfront, the cobbled streets in the Old Town, and the museums, palaces, gardens and galleries. And of course, just 20 minutes away, its archipelago of 30,000 islands offers a totally different experience.

22 August to 24 August

Arriving in Copenhagen

Wonderful Copenhagen is the perfect city to explore on foot, by bicycle or by water. Visit the bustling wharf at Nyhavn, enjoy the palaces, galleries and museums, wander through the amazing Tivoli Gardens, and if you have time, make the most of Copenhagen’s gastronomic revolution.