Norway, Lofoten & Arctic Cruise

 Your Northern Lights and Arctic cruise vacation starts as your plane touches down in Norway's capital city, Oslo. On arrival, you can use the efficient Norwegian rail system to reach our central four-star hotel, close to Oslo Central Station and the celebrated Norwegian Opera House. 

This innovative green city is regularly commended for its progressive architecture, and with a people-friendly center that is becoming increasingly car-free with more large green spaces, it is pioneering a new future for European cities. After checking in for an overnight stay, you are welcome to begin getting your bearings in this exciting destination.

Return to the hotel this evening to meet the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travelers, and then together, we walk to a nearby restaurant for our first Norwegian dinner. Overnight Oslo.

• Dinner

 This morning is one of the highlights of our tour: a journey aboard the Bergen Railway, northern Europe's highest and most beautiful line, on its spectacular journey to Bergen. From Oslo's center and suburbs, we head west into the countryside, and the backdrop to our journey becomes more beautiful as blue skies and green forests contrast with snow-capped peaks and azure fjords. 

After a couple of hours, we reach Flå in the Hallingdal Valley, where the Hallingdalselva River flows to Lake Krøderen. Passing the winter ski resort of Geilo, our train climbs up to the Hardangervidda Mountain Plateau, the largest in Northern Europe. The highest point of the Bergen Railway is the tiny mountain village of Finse, and from here, we descend into glorious fjords before approaching Voss, encircled by mountains.

An hour later, we reach Bergen, whose most distinctive feature is the brightly painted wooden buildings on the Bryggen waterfront, a UNESCO World Heritage site. On arrival, a coach transfer takes us to our hotel for a two-night stay. Enjoy time to relax or maybe stroll along the waterfront before dinner. Overnight Bergen.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 After a leisurely breakfast, we set off on a guided walking tour of Bergen. This attractive harbor city, once Norway's capital, is surrounded by seven striking mountains and renowned for the brightly painted buildings of its waterfront area, a UNESCO-listed area known as the Bryggen. Its picturesque wharf was once the center of the old Hanseatic port, a key hub in trade between Norway and the rest of Europe. 

Our tour ends around midday after a ride on the Fløibanen funicular, which has spectacular views across the surrounding countryside and countless scenic islands. 

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace, and you could start with a visit to the fish market for some freshly caught lunch. This afternoon, you could visit the Bryggens Museum to gain insights into everyday life in medieval Bergen and see the world's largest collection of runic inscriptions. You dine independently this evening, and Bergen offers a surprisingly wide choice of international cuisine. Overnight Bergen.

• Breakfast

 Following a morning at leisure in Bergen, a transfer by coach takes us to the Bergen port, the gateway to the Norwegian fjords and the Arctic Circle. Here, we board our modern, environmentally friendly cruise ship and begin our incredible six-night journey north along Norway's stunning coastline. 

Havila's ships are one of the most comfortable ways to explore the northernmost part of Norway and are equipped to ensure we can relax and experience the jaw-dropping scenery in style. An observation lounge on the top deck has recliners under a glass roof in case of cooler weather. There are two restaurants and a café on board, as well as a sauna and a gym with window-facing machines. 

After settling into our interior cabins and maybe finding a seat to look out from the top deck, we enjoy dinner onboard this evening before commencing our northbound voyage with an overnight sailing to the unusual town of Ålesund. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Waking to views of the Norwegian coast after the first night on the water, we pass the ports of Florø, Måløy and Torvik. After breakfast onboard, we dock in Ålesund for the day, a town renowned for its art nouveau architecture, beautiful brick-built houses and warehouses. 

You are free to spend the day in this enchanting town at your own pace. Maybe start with a walk along the waterfront among the unusual mix of architecture, a result of the rebuilding after 1904 when a fire destroyed many of Ålesund's original wooden buildings. You could also find out more about the town's history in the Ålesund Museum. Alternatively, you could book one of the optional excursions, such as a mini-cruise into the spectacular Geirangerfjord. 

Lunch is served aboard the ship, or you may like to try some locally caught fish. A specialty is the salted, dried cod known as klipfish, which is reputed to be pretty salty. We return to our ship in the late afternoon, and over dinner, our journey continues into the dreamlike landscape of fjords, islands and mountains. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 This morning, we dock in the historic city of Trondheim, founded over a thousand years ago and known as the "Viking City." There's time to look around and discover more of the city's intriguing history before lunch, maybe by booking an optional excursion onboard. These excursions can take you to Nidaros Cathedral, Norway's national shrine and one of the largest cathedrals in Northern Europe, or on a guided tour of Trondheim. 

Back on board, our voyage north continues out into the open water of the fjord, traveling through an amazingly abundant archipelago. We pass the Kjeungskjær Lighthouse, a bright red octagonal structure situated at the meeting point of Trondheimsfjord and the North Sea, before navigating the narrow strait of Stokksund on our way to the coastal town of Rørvik. 

After dinner onboard, we sail toward Bodø, and you may like to sit out on the observation deck to experience the unusual sight of the midnight sun. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Today, we cross the 66.5 degrees north latitude, celebrating as we enter the Arctic Circle. Breakfast and lunch are served onboard before we arrive in Bodø, where we can disembark and explore or enjoy views of the harbor and mountains. Optional excursions to book onboard include a Bodø city tour, a trip to the Svartisen Glacier or Sea Eagle spotting. Back at sea this afternoon, we catch our first glimpse of the steep granite cliffs and silvery beaches of the Lofoten Islands - Europe's most dramatic and spectacular isles.

  This evening, we disembark at Stamsund for an unforgettable experience that takes us back in time to dine with a Viking leader. After driving to the Lofotr Viking Museum in Borg, we enter a 272-foot-long house, where we take our seats at a lavish Viking banquet in the great hall of the Viking chief. Served by Vikings in traditional costumes, we savor an authentic meal of lamb, vegetables, barley groats, cranberries and Viking bread with sour cream and butter. Our meal is accompanied by mead (or a non-alcoholic alternative), along with singing and dancing in true Viking style. Overnight ship. 

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Gliding past remote coastal towns this morning, we catch glimpses of everyday life in the Arctic winter as we enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard. Mid-afternoon, we disembark in Tromsø, the largest city in northern Norway.    

Here, you can make the most of more optional excursions, including a tour of the Arctic capital with a cable car ride up one of the surrounding mountains or spending time at Tromsø's unique modern cathedral. Built in the 1960s, the cathedral is a pyramid of aluminum and glass with amazing stained-glass windows. It is also possible to book a tour of Tromsø Museum to learn more about Sámi heritage and traditions, take a dog sledding excursion or join an authentic Sámi experience.

Re-boarding our ship, we cruise through bountiful summer waters, where we may spot orcas, humpback whales or different species of Arctic birds. Dinner is served as we continue our voyage this evening. Overnight ship. 

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Today takes us to Norway's North Cape, where the icy waters of the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans mix. In the summer months, we may chance upon herds of reindeer as the northernmost strip of land here is dotted with settlements of indigenous Sámi people whose main sources of livelihood are reindeer herding and fishing.   

We disembark at Havøysund to visit the world's most northerly fishing village before continuing to Honningsvåg, where our afternoon is free to spend as we wish. Before leaving the ship, optional excursions to book include a trip to the North Cape Plateau with time at the Northern Cape Hall visitor center, snowshoeing and ice fishing, or bird watching. Later, there's the chance to book another unique optional excursion - a cruise across to Kjøllefjord to learn about the traditional way of life of the Sámi people.   

Our northerly route continues as we cruise overnight toward Kirkenes, a journey that occurs entirely in sunlight. We can experience the natural wonder of the evening sunset merging into the sunrise - the spectacular midnight sun.* Overnight ship.

*Please note: The midnight sun phenomenon is visible only during June and July departures.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 After passing the easternmost town in Norway, Vardo, our cruise reaches its final destination: the Arctic city of Kirkenes. Situated on the border of Finland and Russia and overlooking the Barents Sea, this northernmost city is known as "King Crab City" due to its abundant shellfish, especially these highly prized species.   

Disembarking this morning, we transfer to Kirkenes airport for a flight back to Oslo, where we spend the final two nights of our Nordic adventure at the same hotel where our vacation began. After taking the train back to the hotel and checking in, you are free for the remainder of the day. Dining independently this evening, you may like to try one of the restaurants, brasseries or bistros along the Harbor Promenade of Bjørvika, Oslo's new cultural quarter.  Overnight Oslo.

• Breakfast

 We begin our day with breakfast before heading out with an expert guide on a three-hour walking tour of the historical and cultural city of Oslo - starting at the famous Oslo Opera House nearby. This distinctive all-white auditorium is designed to appear as if rising from the water like a glacier. Visitors are encouraged to walk on the sloping roof, weather permitting, to enjoy views across Oslofjord. 

We continue to the Akershus Fortress, a medieval castle with twin spires. From here, we explore "Kvadraturen" - Oslo's oldest existing district and the Renaissance town of King Christian IV of Denmark, where a few 17th-century buildings remain. 

With a free afternoon, you could visit one of Oslo's renowned museums, such as the Viking Ship, the National Museum or the Edvard Munch Gallery, which houses Munch's most famous work, "The Scream." Alternatively, you could watch the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace.

This evening, we enjoy the final dinner of our Nordic vacation. Overnight Oslo.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 On this summer exploration of Norway, we discovered the exciting cities of Oslo and Bergen and experienced the spectacular route of the Bergen Railway before our unforgettable cruise into the "land of the midnight sun." While drifting into enchanting scenery, the local culture and tradition in unique towns and cities like Ålesund, Tromsø and Trondheim immersed us in the lifestyle of the far north.  

After breakfast at our hotel this morning, our vacation comes to a close. You can use the Norwegian railway system to reach Oslo airport and make your way home at leisure.

• Breakfast