Mediterranean Odyssey 2025-2026
”One of the most inspiring adventures of the year”
Invitation to join Mediterranean Odyssey 2025-2026
Once again the World´s Largest Viking Ship, Draken Harald Hårfagre, is ready to set sail on a new adventure: Expedition Europe – Mediterranean Oddysey.
In 2025-2026 we are looking to visit 25 stopover cities on the way from Norway to the Mediterranean Sea, including stops in major matropolitan cities such as London, Paris, Rome, and Istanbul, as well as many top seasonal tourist destinations.
The Draken tours have a proven track record of receiving an overwhelming response and great show of interest and support from the public and media. Each stopover ofers a unique opportunity for partners to tap into the fascinating cultural phenomenon and elevated curiosity surrounding the Vikings, their ships, and their spirit for adventure and discovery.
Highlights
• A family oriented full size stand alone event
• Educational program with environmental science focus
• A rich tapestry of arts and cultural exchange
• Mass social media engagement
• Widespread international, national and local media coverage
You are invited to join as one of the stopovers hosts and collaborate with this intriguing and innovative project.
• Desire to involve local universities, schools, artists and innovative businesses
”Your visit was THE highlight of our entire year”!
Carter Blease, Hudson River Maritime Museum, Kingston NY
THE WORLD´S LARGEST VIKING SHIP SAILING IN MODERN TIMES
Draken Harald Hårfagre
We explore the world to educate and inspire people to embrace challenges and rediscover the richness of our shared human story.
Ocean Explorers
In collaboration with reasearchers for substainable oceans
Vikings were pioneers in the science of oceanography. The Draken continue that legacy by exploring the oceans to inspire and educate people about the ocean as the foundation for life and a healthy planet.
In 2018 the Draken started a collaboration with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California. The mission is to collect microplastic samples to help researchers to get a better understanding of microplastic distribution.
Draken is also a symbol for the Norwegian government´s Sustainable Ocean initiative. The aim is to further strengthen collaborations with ocean focused scientists, governments, NGOs, and local communities.
Te Draken support the UN´s sustainable development goal Nr14 – Life Below Water
A dream come true
A modern day Viking adventure
With great interest for history and exploration, the Draken Harald Hårfagre is the lifelong dream of Norwegian entrepreneur, Sigurd Aase, who took on the challenge of building the world´s largest Viking ship in modern times to relive one of the most challenging and historical explorations of all time – the Viking discovery of the New World.
The innovative vision of the project was realized in 2016 when manned by a courageous crew of 34 men and women, the Draken successfully crossed the North Atlantic Ocean in the wake of the Viking Explorer Leif Ericsson.
Sigurd Aase, founder
An overwhelming reception
Expedition America 2016 - A huge success!
Upon successfully crossing the Atlantic, the ship and crew embarked on the next leg of Expedition America 2016 – a tour of Canada and the United States, during which the ship made stopovers in 20 cities.
Emerging as the event of the season, during each stopover the Draken received an overwhelming response from local citizens and visitors who traveled to meet the Draken crew, experience this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and marvel at the incredible work of craftsmanship and engineering. In total, the Draken engaged an audience of 150,000 spectators, of which 50,000 participated in guided decks tours onboard.
Having captured the attention of the media and the public, the Draken and its remarkable crew generated extensive local and international press coverage (200 million impressions) in addition to an incredible level of digital engagement and conversation across social media (reaching upwards of 45 million).
The illustrious voyage stirred the imagination of millions, both in North America and around the world.
FEATURED IN:
”One of my most memorable cultural moments of 2016”
Presented by
East Coast Tour 2018
Following the overwhelming response and great show of interest and support from the public and media in 2016 a new tour was produced in 2018. A four-month-long tour with 16 stopovers along the US East Coast.
As in 2016 the ship´s visit to the diferent cities was very popular. Thusands of people gathered in the ports to watch the ship and her crew arrive. In many of the cities the tickets to the deck tours of the ship were all sold out.
Highland Park was the Tour Partner this year. The tour was also sponsored by brands as Volvo Cars, Houdini, Kongsberg.
The tour was widely covered in national, regional and local media.
The Numbers
16 Stopovers
50,000 Visitors on board
150,000 Visitors in Draken Village
99% Customer Satisfaction (969/982)
700 Press articles
35 TV&Radio segments
1,1 M Facebook reach
25 Corporate/ofcial events hosted
500 School children tours
“Te Draken´s visit to Plymouth was outstanding. Te thousands of attendees it attracted daily spiked the local economy. Business told us they had some of the busiest days of the year during the Draken´s visit. Te Ship’s crew and land crew were phenomenal as well. Welcome back anytime!
Bob Nolet , Director of Operations Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce
International hit documentary
”Viking Quest: America” is a documentary TV series, ofering an intimate and immersive look at the modern adventure surrounding the Draken. With six one-hour episodes, this series brings you behind the scenes, revealing the trials, triumphs, and dedication of those who have mastered the art of sailing this maritime marvel. Beyond the ship, we delve into the latest research on the Viking Age, which continues to fascinate people worldwide.
VIKING QUEST SEASON 2 & 3 WILL BE FILMED DURING THE NEXT EXPEDITION Broadcasted
Join us on the next adventure
Mediterranean Odyssey 2025-2026
25 stopovers • 500 000 visitors
The Draken Stopover Experience
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to relive history
Each Draken stopover ofers a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for visitors to relive history in a way never before experienced.
We ofer guests the opportunity to not only marvel at this stunning Viking ship – but also to interact with the crew while they share their personal experiences of the thrill, fear and exhilaration felt from having relived one of the world’s most mythological sea voyages – the frst transatlantic crossing and the Viking discovery of the New World, more than a thousand years ago.
By sharing this magnifcent story, the Draken will inspire, educate and entertain local communities, ofering an enriching experience, appealing to families and modern-day explorers alike.
The Draken Village
An event installation, Draken Village, is an activation area erected surrounding the ship. Designed to further enhance the experience, Draken Village includes the following:
• Draken Photo & video exhibit
• The story of the Vikings exhibit
• Modern Explorers exhibit
• Tour sponsors’ activation
• Receiving city´s local sponsors’ activation
• Stage for interviews, lectures and music performances
• Children educational theatre
• Ofcial merchandise sales
• Deck tour tickets sales
• Local food & beverage vendors
Stopover Program
Each stopover will ofer the following activities catering to the public, media and corporate partners:
• Public arrival ceremony
• Exclusive Tours for VIP, Press & Partners
• Ofcial Draken VIP welcoming reception
• Public deck tours (up 1,800 people/day)
• Corporate hospitality activities
• VIP day sails
• Lectures & flm screenings
• School visits
• Corporate sponsors´public events
• Departure ceremony
Audience
Te Draken stopovers attract a wide range of educated, afuent, family-oriented audiences – from school groups, families, intellectuals, to maritime and history enthusiasts. Typical demographics based on similar past events demonstrate a strong trend of family participation.
VISITORS
6 000 Visitors/day
525
*Based on numbers from the tour in 2016, 2018.
1 800 Onboard visitors/day
59,431
29%
Families with children age 6-17 years