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Peregrine Travel Centre

England, Germany and Belgium: North Sea Heritage and History

England, Germany and Belgium: North Sea Heritage and History

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Description

Sail across the North Sea on a journey that weaves together centuries of seafaring history, striking coastal landscapes and vibrant cultural heritage. From Hanseatic harbors in Northern Germany and Flemish UNESCO sites in Belgium to the historic trails of England’s Northumberland and East Sussex, this expedition traces the maritime spine of northern Europe as you discover how the North Sea has shaped kingdoms and culture for millennia. Actively explore each day while choosing from a variety of excursions that include walking storied streets in medieval port cities, encountering rare wildlife in protected estuaries and hiking hidden islands known more for their seabirds than tourists. 

Trip Name
England, Germany and Belgium: North Sea Heritage and History
Days
9
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Length: 108 meters Passenger Capacity: 148 (single & twin cabins) Built / Refurbished: 1982 / 2008 Originally constructed for Norway’s renowned Hurtigruten Coastal Express, National Geographic Explorer was a natural fit for the Lindblad Expeditions fleet thanks to her exceptional manoeuvrability, ice-strengthened hull, and purpose-built expedition design. Now fully stabilised and refitted with over five decades of exploration expertise, she is ideally suited for navigating the most remote corners of the globe—from the rugged coasts of Europe to the icy passages of the polar regions. With vast windows throughout and a Scandinavian-inspired interior, the ship invites guests to stay connected with their environment at every turn. Aboard National Geographic Explorer, every feature is tailored to enhance discovery. From the open Bridge and observation deck to the Chart Room and mudroom for expedition gear, the ship is an authentic platform for adventure. Her recently updated suites offer comfort and understated elegance, while public spaces such as the library, Global Gallery, and multiple dining areas encourage camaraderie and relaxation. Carrying expert guides, state-of-the-art tools, and a fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks, this 148-guest ship brings guests closer to nature with all the style and substance expected of a flagship expedition vessel.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Edinburgh, Scotland / Embark Ship
Arrive in Edinburgh and transfer to the city center. Known throughout time for its hill fort, and now the iconic Edinburgh Castle, Scotland’s capital offers a variety of experiences throughout its streets. Explore the city at your own pace before embarking the ship in the afternoon. Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2 - Day 2 Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Spend the day exploring the estuaries and beaches of Northumberland, the northernmost county in England, home to more than 400 different bird species. Once a medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom encompassing parts of present-day northern England, this region is rich in striking coastlines and estuaries of the Tyne and Tweed rivers, as well as the ancient cities protecting the area for millennia.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Day 3 At Sea
Spend a relaxing day sailing across the North Sea. Join your captain and crew on the Bridge and learn about the trade route to the Hanseatic cities or attend a presentation led by one of your naturalists. Take advantage of the amenities on board such as a rejuvenating spa treatment with your wellness specialist.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Days 4-5 Northern Germany
Arrive in Germany on the remote island of Heligoland in the North Sea, a destination that has seen many different rulers throughout the ages. Sitting approximately 38 miles from the entrance of the River Elbe and 29 miles off the coast of mainland Germany, Heligoland boasts a unique landscape of red sandstone cliffs, bird colonies that include northern gannets and seal haul-out sites. It's such a small island that there are no private vehicles, and all areas are accessible by walking. Heligoland also happens to be the home of one of National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions' renowned ship captains, Oliver Kruess. The next day, navigate up the Weser River into the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen. A bustling trade center in the famous Hanseatic League, the modern city continues this rich tradition while protecting the architecture and grandeur of the past, most notably the Town Hall and the 13th-century St. Peter's Cathedral. Choose to uncover Hanseatic history, visit tranquil countryside windmills or take an active bike ride on a network of trails outside the city center.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Day 6 Harlingen, Netherlands
This morning, you’ll enter northeastern Netherlands through an estuary in Friesland, a region settled by German tribes since the 4th century, controlling lands from Bremen to Bruges. Harlingen sits at the meeting point of the UNESCO-listed Wadden Sea—the world’s largest unbroken intertidal zone—and the IJsselmeer, the Netherlands’ largest lake. Choose between exploring the charming streets of one of the oldest seaports in the Netherlands or venturing to the Afsluitdijk Wadden Center to learn about the innovation projects continuing in the Wadden Sea and controlling the waterworks of the Netherlands.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Day 7 Ostend, Belgium / Bruges
Ostend is the North Sea gateway into Flemish Belgium, or Flanders. Rich in intangible cultural heritage, Flanders offers a wide range of subjects to explore—from beer brewing dating back to the Middle Ages and fascinating folklore to captivating arts and religious traditions. The city of Bruges, known as the “Venice of the North,” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with Gothic architecture and serene canals. You’ll discover this city’s historic wonders on foot during a panoramic walking tour past the Belfort Bell Tower and City Hall. As part of the day, you’ll also have the choice to visit the Beguinages, a series of UNESCO-designated, enclosed communities once home to a religious order of nuns that offer insight into 17th-century spiritual and urban life.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Day 8 East Sussex, England
After crossing the English Channel, arrive in East Sussex, known for its rich medieval history, stunning ivory coasts and quaint villages that are approximately 1,000 years old. Spend the day exploring coastal trails that trace these ivory shores with their iconic chalk cliffs, wandering through narrow passages of ancient castles and battlefields or soaking up village life along idyllic winding lanes.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Day 9 Portsmouth / Disembark Ship
Disembark in Portsmouth after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home.Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 9 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 
Day 10 - DAY 10-11: At Sea Toward South Georgia
Setting out from the South Shetland Islands toSouth Georgia, we are following in the wake of SirErnest Shackleton’s epic voyage in the JamesCaird, across 800 miles of the wild and lonelyScotia Sea. But we won’t be lonely at all—thesewaters are home to a large and growingpopulation of whales, including fin whales,southern right whales and even blue whales, thelargest animal on Earth. Albatross and petrelswing past the ship, providing us with anotherwonderful challenge for photography, whilepresentations from the expedition team help toprepare us for the mind-bending wildlifespectacles of South Georgia.Days at sea are not simply transits from one placeto another; they are in their own right a veryimportant part of this epic journey. The crossingfrom the Antarctic Peninsula to South Georgiagives us a chance to stop and breathe, to explorethe amenities of the ship and to spend a little timecontemplating all our new memories. Lifechanging experiences tend to pile up on oneanother in the Antarctic, so slow down a bit and letit all settle in. This is a great time to catch up withyour journal, enjoy a rejuvenating massage, ordownload and review all those hundreds (orthousands!) of photos. Get some rest too, whenwe get to South Georgia it’s going to be go, go,go! (B,L,D)
Day 11 - DAY 12: South Georgia Island
Simply put, there is nowhere else in the world likeSouth Georgia. Ninety miles long, dominated by aspine of jagged peaks and home to wildlifespectacles that are honestly hard to believe, it isone of the wildest and most beautiful places on theplanet. Our days here will give us plenty of time toexplore many facets of this unique sub-Antarcticisland, including its storied history, rich ecology(you’ll probably be surprised by the green slopesof tussock grass below the glaciers) and the stunning scenery that surrounds us at everylanding. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - DAY 13: South Georgia Island
King penguins, the second largest species in theworld, are unquestionably the most iconic wildlifeof South Georgia. Exact numbers are not known,but the largest single colony on the island mayhave as many as 500,000 of these amazing birds.Half a million birds! Nesting together on a singletwo-mile-long beach! It’s a sight that is genuinelyinconceivable until you have experienced it inperson. At the other end of the scale, kingpenguins are great birds to get to know asindividuals. Strutting purposefully past ourcameras on the beaches or coming and going inand out of the surf, they seem to regard us with awonderful mixture of curiosity and disdain. (B,L,D)
Day 13 - DAY 14: South Georgia Island
For many, South Georgia evokes, more thatanything, the epic adventures of Sir ErnestShackleton, who reached the island after makingthe crossing from Elephant Island in the JamesCaird—still one of the most incredible small-boatjourneys ever attempted. From Peggotty Bluff,where he began the arduous crossing of theglaciated spine of the island, to his quiet gravenear the Grytviken whaling station, Shackleton’sspirit seems to be everywhere around the island.In very good conditions we may even be able tomake a long hike up to the spot where he firstheard the noon whistle from the Stromness Stationand knew that rescue was close at hand at last.(B,L,D)
Day 14 - DAY 15: South Georgia Island
In the not-too-distant past, South Georgia was animportant site for both whaling and sealing, buttoday things are very different. The contrastbetween watching from the ship while southernright whales feed below the blue face of a hugeiceberg, and then hiking through the rustingremains of a whaling station later the same day,can be a powerfully moving experience and onethat emphasizes the very positive changes that theisland has seen in the last few decades. Invasivespecies have been removed, rare birds aregrowing more and more common, whales arereturning in ever-greater numbers, and our ownvisits have become an important factor in thissuccessful conservation. (B,L,D)
Day 15 - DAY 16: South Georgia Island
Every minute at South Georgia is anotheropportunity for truly life-changing experiences.Landing before dawn to see the pink light ofsunrise touch the mountains over a king penguincolony. Quietly watching as a wandering albatross,with its 11-foot wingspan, settles onto her nest andthinking of endless miles of ocean that she hasseen. Capturing incredible images of three-ton bullelephant seals jousting on a lonely beach. SouthGeorgia is sometimes called “the Serengeti of theSouthern Ocean”, but that doesn’t really evencome close—this lonely island is unique in theworld, so rich and so beautiful that it defies anycomparison. (B,L,D)
Day 16 - DAY 17-18: At Sea Toward the Falkland Islands
Our first day at sea on the way to the FalklandIslands is another opportunity to think back overthe adventures of the past few days and makepreparations for those soon to come. Spend sometime chatting about your latest images with theNational Geographic photographer and learn tomake them look their best in the digital darkroom.Put the finishing touches on your watercolor of thatamazing iceberg or try to capture an albatross’sflight in a poem. Everyone needs to exhale a bitafter a visit to South Georgia, so take a little timeto explore the details of your own memories andshare them with your shipmates.The bridge is the nerve center of the ship, in moreways than one. There’s always a congenialatmosphere there, whether you’ve come to askone of the officers about navigation or just to sitand watch the world go by with binoculars in hand.The waters close to the Falkland Islands are richwith marine wildlife, so this is a great time to hangout with the naturalists and keep a watch for raredolphins or another beautiful species of albatross.All new sightings go up on the white board for theday’s record! (B,L,D Daily)
Day 17 - DAY 19: Falkland Islands
Stanley, the bright, pretty capital of the FalklandIslands, is a wonderfully unexpected place: acharming outpost of British culture tucked into asmall bay on the shore of these windswept islandsin the far South Atlantic. Many Falkland Islandersstill live in very traditional ways, and we’ll have achance to visit a small farm to see some expertsheep shearing and learn about the besttechniques for cutting blocks of peat for the fire.The rocky hills and white sand beaches outsidetown offer some excellent hikes, and afterwards acup of tea or a pint at the Globe Tavern goes downvery nicely. (B,L,D)
Day 18 - DAY 20: Falkland Islands
Everything we love about expedition travel seemsto come together in the western Falkland Islands.Where else can you land on a beach tucked into arocky cove, hike out across a rolling green pastureand suddenly find yourself at the crest of a sea clifflooking out over the South Atlantic surf? Just a fewsteps further and you’re standing at the edge of abreeding colony of black-browed albatross, soclose that you can hear the wind on their wings asthey swoop into land beside you. Take time tocapture images of the rockhopper penguins andthen it’s time to head back down to the settlementfor a well-deserved farm tea—which means lotsand lots and lots of delicious cakes, cookies andfresh scones! (B,L,D)
Day 19 - DAY 21: At Sea to Ushuaia, Argentina
The final day of our expedition takes us across theshallow waters of the Falklands Shelf, back to ourstarting point in Ushuaia. Attend presentationsfrom the expedition staff on topics that help to sumup all the wonderful details of our experiences inthe far south and spend some time on deckenjoying the seabirds and dolphins that makethese seas their home. This is a day for contemplation as well. A time to think back overour adventures, reflect on what the Antarcticmeans to you, how it has changed you and whatthoughts and feelings you’ll take back to sharewith those at home. The Antarctic stays with you.Sometime soon, at a moment in the midst of astressful day, you’ll remember the feeling of thepolar wind, the sight of waves crashing against theblue wall of an iceberg, and the sound of thepenguins calling to their chicks. It’s a little bit ofpeace that you’ll carry with you always. (B,L,D)
Day 20 - DAY 22: Disembark Ushuaia / Fly to Buenos Aires (Explorer/Endurance) or Santiago (Resolution) / Home
Today we disembark in Ushuaia. Fly by privatecharter flight to Buenos Aires or Santiago andconnect with your overnight flight home. (B,L)
Day 21 - Please Note:
Some departures may have aslightly modified itinerary. Please confirmdeparture and arrival cities with an ExpeditionSpecialist before booking your flights.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
18-04-202626-04-2026Array Array6,523Category 1. From
18-04-202626-04-2026Array Array0More Cabin Categories & Prices Available

Inclusions

    • Roam the pristine estuaries and beaches of Northumberland—home to more than 400 different bird species—and walk the stunning chalk sea cliffs of East Sussex
    • Experience dramatic red sandstone cliffs, seabird colonies and a vehicle-free atmosphere on the remote island of Heliogland, the home of one of the renowned captains
    • Step into a living history of trade, architecture and Frisian culture in Bremen, where Gothic spires and ornate guild halls recall the height of the Hanseatic League, a powerful alliance of merchant guilds and market towns that dominated trade in Northern Europe for centuries
    • In Harlingen, explore the intersection of natural wonder and human ingenuity at the Wadden Sea, the world’s largest unbroken intertidal zone and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
    • Delight in the fairy-tale beauty of Bruges, a UNESCO-listed city known for its perfectly preserved Gothic architecture, tranquil canals and rich Flemish heritage

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