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Goway Travel
OFFER ID 1722987
Epic Scenery, Off the Beaten Path, Rural Charm An independent journey through Norway, where fjords, Arctic light, and coastal sailings meet rich culture and untamed northern landscapes.
Trip Overview:
An independent journey through Norway, where fjords, Arctic light, and coastal sailings meet rich culture and untamed northern landscapes.
10 nights from $5,825 per person
Day 1: Arrive in Oslo
Transfer: Oslo Airportto Oslo - City Centre
Experience a hidden side of Oslo and taste some of the best Norwegian street food dishes during our Oslo Alternative Culture and Street Food Tour. You will be taken to the real alternative side of Oslo and experience underground culture like never before. What is more, you will also have the opportunity to get a taste of Oslo's culinary highlights. Our guides will take you to a variety of different locations where you will be able to taste a variety of Norwegian treats - from typical Norwegian cured delicacies, amazing waffles with brown cheese and special Oslo soda to Norwegian hot dog.Hotel: Clarion Hotel The Hub (4 Star Rating)
With an unbeatable location, just about as central as you can get in Oslo, you'll be within easy reach of the city's best bars, cafes, shops and restaurants. The hotel is just a 2-minute walk from Oslo Central Station, with connections to the tram, subway and the airport express train.
Clarion Hotel the Hub is Oslo's leading business hotel and a natural choice for all kinds of congresses, conferences, meetings, concerts and cultural events. The conference facilities are packed with unique solutions to create an interactive arena for your meetings, in state of the art spaces and innovative technology for audio, lighting and photography/video.
Transfer: Oslo - City Centre to Oslo Train Station
The Norway in a Nutshell journey from Oslo to Bergen is one of the most scenic ways to experience Norway’s breathtaking landscapes in a single trip. The adventure starts with a ride on the Bergen Railway, one of the world's most beautiful train routes, climbing through dramatic mountain terrain to Myrdal. From Myrdal, travelers switch to the world-famous Flam Railway, a spectacularly steep train ride descending into the picturesque Flam Valley, offering stunning views of waterfalls and rugged cliffs.Transfer: Bergen Train Station to Bergen
Hotel: Clarion Hotel Admiral (4 Star Rating)
Clarion Hotel is a hotel with a personal approach, in the heart of Bergen. Located at the harbour's edge in central Bergen, it has a fantastic view of Bryggen, which is listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site, and the beautiful Vagen bay.
Your voyage starts in Bergen, Norway's second-largest city and a gateway to the fjords. Founded in 1070 A.D., Bergen boasts architecture influenced by the prosperous 14th-century German trading organization, the Hanseatic League.
If you have time before your ship departs, visit the UNESCO-listed wharfs in the colorful Bryggen district, now a neighborhood with artisan's shops, complete with cobblestone streets. Just across the street is the famous fish market, which serves delicious seafood. The Floibanen funicular can also take you up to the top of Mount Floyen for views of the city.
Your voyage begins
Before boarding, relax in our comfortable guest lounge at the terminal. Once aboard, enjoy the first of many delicious meals made from fresh coastal produce as we depart Bergen and sail the old Viking route along the Hjeltefjord. You'll also meet your ship's Expedition Team, who will be your guides as we sail Norway's coastline. They'll organize lectures, onboard activities, and optional hikes.
Meal(s): Dinner
Hotel: MS Nordlys (3 Star Rating)
Both the name and the interior design of this modern expedition ship are inspired by the spectacular Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
The art, decor and colours employed aboard this ship are all inspired by the northern lights. The delicate aesthetic creates a distinct and unique on-board ambience. Passengers are invited to relax after a long day experiencing Hurtigruten's various excursions and activities in comfy reclining chairs in the one of the ship's lounges.
Transfer: Bergen to Bergen Port
Enjoy early morning in the Nordfjord, near Torvik. Then we'll sail past the West Cape for our approach to Alesund.
Art Nouveau city
Alesund is renowned for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture and Atlanterhavsparken, one of northern Europe's largest saltwater aquariums. If you're traveling with us in spring or winter, you'll have most of the day to explore this picturesque town.
Into the fjords
In the summer, from June to August, we set course for UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord. This is a protected and preserved piece of paradise with towering mountain cliffs and waterfalls like the famous Seven Sisters cascading into the fjord. Please note that the Hurtigruten ships do not dock at the cruise terminal pier. Instead passengers will be transported with tender boats by Geiranger Fjordservice from the ship to shore, or vice versa. Please arrive before 1:00pm for the tender boat.
Mountains and roses
The last port of the day is Molde. In summer, there might just enough daylight to see the amazing view of the 222 mountain peaks across the fjord, called the 'Molde Panorama'. And from mid-June to late August, the streets and gardens are adorned with roses of all shades and scents, all solidify Molde's nickname as the 'City of Roses'.
Available optional excursions today are in Alesund (year round) & Hjorundfjord (Sep - Oct, Apr - May).
Hotel: MS Nordlys (3 Star Rating)
Both the name and the interior design of this modern expedition ship are inspired by the spectacular Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
The art, decor and colours employed aboard this ship are all inspired by the northern lights. The delicate aesthetic creates a distinct and unique on-board ambience. Passengers are invited to relax after a long day experiencing Hurtigruten's various excursions and activities in comfy reclining chairs in the one of the ship's lounges.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
This section of the voyage brings us to the Trondelag region of Norway, marked by crumpled hills, fields dotted with farmsteads, and low-lying coastal settlements.
Magical, medieval, and modern
Trondheim was founded by Viking King Olav Tryggvason in 997 A.D. and is now Norway's third-largest city. It features a mix of historic buildings and a lively student population. You'll have three hours to explore Trondheim and its various highlights, either on your own or on one of our optional excursions. A must-see site of the city is Nidaros Cathedral, nicknamed 'Norway's Notre Dame' for its Gothic architectural style. It is considered the most sacred building in all of Norway. Next door to the cathedral is the Archbishop's Palace, where Norway's crown jewels are on display. Nearby, the old city bridge Gamle Bybro sits over Nid River, marking the entrance to the old Hanseatic district of Bakklandet. The neighborhood's colorful wooden wharves, which are propped up on stilts by the river's edge, now house a variety of restaurants. Up from Bakklandet is Kristiansten Fort, which has beautiful panoramic views of the city and fjord.
Back on board
In the afternoon, the ship will sail northwest, passing the ochre-colored Kjeungskjaer Lighthouse, islets, and rocky reefs. After that, we'll head towards charming Rorvik.
Available Optional excursions today are in Trondheim (year round).
Hotel: MS Nordlys (3 Star Rating)
Both the name and the interior design of this modern expedition ship are inspired by the spectacular Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
The art, decor and colours employed aboard this ship are all inspired by the northern lights. The delicate aesthetic creates a distinct and unique on-board ambience. Passengers are invited to relax after a long day experiencing Hurtigruten's various excursions and activities in comfy reclining chairs in the one of the ship's lounges.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
We cross the Arctic Circle early in the morning, beginning your Arctic tour of Norway. We mark the moment with a traditional ceremony that's sure to wake you up. Above the Arctic Circle in summer, you can enjoy the sun 24 hours a day, while in winter, your chances of seeing the Northern Lights greatly improve.
Forces of nature
At 10 a.m., we'll dock in Ornes, near Norway's second-largest glacier, Svartisen. The pier here is popular for the 'Love Bench', where sweethearts declare their lasting romance with a padlock. Then we'll sail to Bodo, Northern Norway's second-largest city, overlooked by the Borvass peaks. Admire fabulous street art or join an optional boat excursion to Saltstraumen, the world's most powerful maelstrom.
Welcome to Lofoten
The ship enters the Lofoten Archipelago in the afternoon. The Lofoten Wall, standing over 3,200 feet tall, is a stunning sight on the horizon. Stamsund is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the islands, which is busiest between January and April, when the Arctic cod-known locally as skrei-swim from the Barents Sea in the north down to Vestfjord to spawn. This evening, you'll know you've arrived in the pretty harbor of Svolvær when you see rows of traditional fisherman's huts on stilts, known as rorbuer. This is the main town of the Lofoten Islands.
Available Optional excursions today in Bodo (yeah round), Stamsund (Apr - Oct) and Svolvaer (year round).
Hotel: MS Nordlys (3 Star Rating)
Both the name and the interior design of this modern expedition ship are inspired by the spectacular Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
The art, decor and colours employed aboard this ship are all inspired by the northern lights. The delicate aesthetic creates a distinct and unique on-board ambience. Passengers are invited to relax after a long day experiencing Hurtigruten's various excursions and activities in comfy reclining chairs in the one of the ship's lounges.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
We dock in Harstad just after 7 a.m. Feel free to have a peaceful early morning stroll around town. The ship will then continue to Finnsnes, which connects the beautiful island of Senja via the impressive Gisund Bridge. Keep your eyes peeled for a variety of seabirds, including puffins, as there are several colonies nearby.
Gateway to the Arctic
Then we'll sail to the historic Arctic exploration capital of Tromso, where you'll have four hours to explore the city or join an optional excursion. Along the waterfront you'll find Polaria, a center exhibiting environmental research in the Arctic with a small aquarium. Pop in to one of the many shops and restaurants in the city center, including Mack Brewery and the Olhallen pub, a favorite local watering hole. There are also cafes offering delicious cinnamon buns where baristas create innovative coffee-foam art. Across the fjord from where the ship docks, check out the iconic Arctic Cathedral, with its beautiful stained-glass mosaic. Leaving Tromso in the early evening, we'll head north for the trading post of Skjervoy, founded in 1622. On our way, we'll pass the Lyngen Alps, which rise majestically from the sea.
Available optional excursions today in Tromso (year round).
Hotel: MS Nordlys (3 Star Rating)
Both the name and the interior design of this modern expedition ship are inspired by the spectacular Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
The art, decor and colours employed aboard this ship are all inspired by the northern lights. The delicate aesthetic creates a distinct and unique on-board ambience. Passengers are invited to relax after a long day experiencing Hurtigruten's various excursions and activities in comfy reclining chairs in the one of the ship's lounges.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
The ship reaches the town of Hammerfest on the island of Kvaloya early in the morning. In the summer, herds of reindeer migrate to the island by the thousands. You'll know we've reached Havoysund when you see the wind turbines of the landmark Havoygavlen wind farm, which produces enough electricity to power 6,000 local homes.
At the top of Europe
In the mid-morning, we'll arrive at Honningsvag, the portal to the North Cape, where a globe monument marks the top of continental Europe. An optional excursion will take you to North Cape from Honningsvag by bus, passing herds of reindeer on the way, depending on the season.
Sami heartlands
Near the entrance of the Kjollefjord village, look out for the striking, building-like rock formation Finnkirka, an ancient sacrificial site once used by the indigenous Sami. You can join an optional summer excursion to meet local Sami, learn about their reindeer-herding life, and listen to joik folk songs.
Continuing north
We'll reach our northernmost port of call, Mehamn, in the evening. If you're visiting during the months of February and March, you might spot cod drying on outdoor wooden racks, called hjell, mainly destined for export. The ship then sets off for Berlevag. On the way, we'll pass the tall Slettnes Lighthouse, the planet's northernmost mainland lighthouse.
Available optional excursions today in Honningsvag (year round) & Kjollefjord (year round).
Hotel: MS Nordlys (3 Star Rating)
Both the name and the interior design of this modern expedition ship are inspired by the spectacular Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
The art, decor and colours employed aboard this ship are all inspired by the northern lights. The delicate aesthetic creates a distinct and unique on-board ambience. Passengers are invited to relax after a long day experiencing Hurtigruten's various excursions and activities in comfy reclining chairs in the one of the ship's lounges.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
We call at Batsfjord and Vardo in the night, before docking at Vadso early in the morning.
Looking to the skies
The area around Vadso is one of the most scenic and popular birdwatching spots in the Arctic, lying directly under the migration path of birds flying from east to west. Watch for hooded crows and sea eagles.
Near the Norwegian border
Kirkenes is just a few miles from the edge of Norway's territory. This is where your Norwegian coastal cruise ends and you'll have traveled further east than St. Petersburg and Istanbul. We look forward to seeing you again, maybe for the Classic Voyage South next time! Disembark your ship for your onward arrangements.
Meal(s): Breakfast
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
529 36th Street
Des Moine, IA 50312
USA
(515) 271-8091