8 days
Experience the magic of the Arctic as you explore the coastal cities of Ålesund, Trondheim, Tromsø and the North Cape. Top off a fantastic trip with a one-night stay at the stunning Snowhotel in Kirkenes including a gourmet dinner and breakfast at the chic Gabba restaurant.
Arctic Wonders
Bergen–Kirkenes
DAY 1: Your journey begins Bergen, embarkation Your Arctic adventure begins in the southern port of Bergen, the City of Seven Mountains, where you can visit Bryggen wharf with its colourful wooden houses or the famous Fish Market. Founded in 1070 AD, Bergen used to be Norway’s most important centre of trade with Europe.
DAY 2: Majestic mountains and idyllic f ords Florø to Molde Wake early to catch Mt. Hornelen, once climbed by Viking king Olav Tryggvason according to myth. You will then navigate through West Cape and some of Norway’s most beautiful and pristine f ords before reaching the town of Ålesund, notable for its Art Nouveau architecture.
Optional excursions: 2F A Taste of Norway; 2G Mountain Hike in the Hjørundf ord; 2H Hike with a Visit to a Shieling; 2C/2E Art Nouveau Walk; 2D Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium and Mount Aksla
DAY 3: Royal and Viking history in Trondheim Kristiansund to Rørvik You are now travelling in the footsteps of Vikings. Today you’ll visit the historic city of Trondheim, built in 997 AD. The city is most famous for Nidaros Cathedral, Norway’s only Gothic cathedral and Bakklandet, a charming artisanal district with small, wooden houses.
Optional excursions: 3B Trondheim and Nidaros Cathedral; 3E Munkholmen
DAY 4: Crossing into the Arctic Brønnøysund to Svolvær Crossing the Arctic Circle is considered a rite of passage worthy of celebration so get ready for a baptism of ice on deck. You are now in the auroral zone where sightings of the Northern Lights are more common. From here, you sail along the beautiful Helgeland coast and up towards the idyllic scenery of Lofoten.
32 The Snowhotel in Kirkenes is sculpted from snow and ice
You will also pass through the narrow Raftsund where majestic mountains loom over you.
Optional excursions: 4B Winter Hike in Bodø; 4C Experience Bodø and Saltstraumen; 4D RIB Safari to Saltstraumen; 4E Meet the Vikings
DAY 5: The Arctic wilderness Stokmarknes to Skjervøy Breathtaking scenery awaits you in the Arctic wilderness as you head towards the Arctic capital, Tromsø. This small, friendly city is full of charm and history, and is the starting point of many a polar expedition. Its location also off ers some of the most interesting Arctic excursions we have available.
Optional excursions: 5A The Arctic Capital, Tromsø; 5B Dog Sledding; 5D Polar History Walk; 5J Mountain Hike in Tromsø
DAY 6: Reach the most northerly point in Europe Øksf ord to Berlevåg Remember to look up as the area up to Honningsvåg is rich in Arctic bird life and chances to see the Aurora Borealis. You have the chance to visit the North Cape, Europe’s northernmost outpost, marked by the ubiquitous Globe Monument. You’ll then pass through the homeland of the indigenous Sámi people up to Kjøllef ord and the Finnkjerka, the most dramatic sea cliff in Norway.
Optional excursions: 6A The North Cape; 6D Snowmobile Trip in Lapland; 6E Sámi Autumn; 6F North Cape (exclusive to Platinum); 6H Fishing Village Visit
DAY 7: The gateway to the East Båtsf ord to Kirkenes (northbound) At your fi nal destination in Kirkenes, you will have ventured further east than St Petersburg and Istanbul. Here, you’ll enjoy the wonderful
Kristiansund Ålesund
Florø Måløy
Bergen Torvik Molde
experience of a night at the Snowhotel, complete with a gourmet meal by an open fi re at the chic Gabba restaurant and a warming breakfast when you wake. You’ll also have the chance to join several exciting excursions and post-voyage programmes (see pp.48–49) in Kirkenes.
Optional excursions: 7A The Russian Border; 7C Snowmobile Safari; 7D Kirkenes Snowhotel; 7F Husky Sledge Adventure; 7H King Crab Expedition; 7J Dog Sledding in Kirkenes
Havøysund Honningsvåg
Hammerfest Tromsø Risøyhamn
Stokmarknes Sortland
Svolvær Stamsund Bodø Ørnes
Sandnessjøen Nesna
Brønnøysund Rørvik
Trondheim
ARCTIC CIRCLE 66°33'N
Finnsnes Skjervøy
Harstad Mehamn
Berlevåg Båtsford
Kjølleford Øksford
Vadsø Vardø
Kirkenes
NORWAY
NORTH CAPE 71° N
LOFOTEN
VESTERÅLEN
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