Norfolk, Virginia - Beyond this point, there be dragons and Vikings. Strictly speaking, there will be the Draken Harald Hårfagre, the world’s largest Viking ship in modern times visiting 14 harbors across the East Coast of the U.S. spanning from Maine to South Carolina.

Draken (Norse for dragon) set sail from Haugesund, Norway to recreate Leif Ericsson’s legendary exploration of North America and provide a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the 21st century.

At each stop there is a public arrival ceremony followed by deck tours (up 1,800 people/day), lectures & film screenings, a variety of locally sponsored events unique to each port of call and a departure ceremony.

Each stop includes the Draken Village installation on the docks which is designed to enhance the experience, Draken Village includes:

Draken Photo & video exhibit
Receiving city´s local sponsor
Official merchandise sales
Deck tour tickets sales
Local food & beverage vendors

Visitors get to walk the Viking ship's deck and interact with the crew. Draken is 115 feet from stem to stern, 26 feet wide, with a 79-foot-tall mast made from Douglas fir. She carries a thirty-two hundred square foot sail.

Waterway Guide News Editor Lisa Suhay, Norfolk, Virginia and Designer Scott McConnell, St. Michaels, MD, each toured the vessel when it visited their cities.

“I was excited to find out that St. Michaels, MD was one the 16 U.S. east coast destinations scheduled for September 18th - 20th and since the event was only 40 minutes away I decided to go," McConnell says.

At Sail Nauticus in Norfolk, excited visitors lined the docks despite the persistent Fall drizzle.

The juxtaposition of the Viking ship against the backdrop of the U.S.S. Wisconsin provided a stunning visual perspective on world naval history.

The Draken’s crew are 35 men and women from every walk of life and nationality reliving the mythic Viking voyage to the New World a thousand years after-the-fact.

Named after Harald Hårfagre, the king who unified Norway it was built in the town of Haugesund in Western Norway and is the largest Viking ship built in modern times.

About 40 people at a time were brought on board for the tour. Select crew members gathered us to share tales-of-old, and answer questions.

“I learned that the Captain brought ravens with them to release while at sea and help determine the direction of land,” McConnell says.

Draken’s top speed under sail is 14 knots. The ship is equipped with 25 pairs of oars each powered by two men.

She can be rowed by one hundred oarsmen although 2 modern engines required by the Norwegian government are carefully hidden below.

McConnell adds, “I also learned the 100 men that rowed this beast shared 20 bunks in a cramped and pungent crew's quarters.”

The dragon’s head and tail are adorned with colors, patterns and designs that harken back to those found in Norse excavations and ancient art.

According to Norse mythology, the dragon’s head provides safe passage to ship and crew and is not mounted until departure from homeport.

“The craftsmanship and attention to detail of this magnificent Viking ship honors the traditions of a past generation and sparks the imagination,” McConnell concludes.

The ship will be in Washington, D.C. October 5-10th and end its East Coast Tour in in Mystic Seaport, CT in late October.

Visit the Draken Harald Hårfagre online.