NORWAY – Land of the Midnight Sun

Departures

Like a crumpled ribbon, Norway stretches along the northern coast of Europe, offering some of the world’s most spectacular scenery. Sheer cliffs rise steeply from the tranquil waters; freshly melted snows from hidden ice fields cascade down steep slopes, creating feathery streams of light. Tiny farmhouses cling precariously to the steep slopes while quaint villages sit nestled in small protected coves. Like long fingers of the sea, the fjords penetrate deep into the heartland of Norway, creating watery roadways to isolated villages.

Join us this fall, as we journey to the Land of the Midnight Sun on board the lovely ms Richard With. Originally developed to serve the remote communities of northern Norway, these specially designed vessels are really cruise ships serving a dual purpose – in addition to carrying freight for the cities and villages of the far north, they allow cruisers a unique opportunity to visit these picturesque settlements while sailing the inside passage to the North Cape and beyond.

We have limited space on this special departure and our rates are indeed attractive – we urge you to book early.

Itinerary

September 3, Thursday: Depart CANADA
Group members from across Canada gather in Toronto for the overnight Air Canada flight to Europe with a connection to Oslo.

September 4, Friday : Arrive OSLO
Arriving in Norway’s capital, Oslo, we are met by our local guide and transferred to the gracious Rica Oslo Hotel (2 nights), located in the heart of the city just steps from the central railway station. Known for its incredible landscapes and beautiful, friendly people, Norway was recently named the world’s best country in which to live, according to a recent United Nations survey.
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September 5, Saturday : Rail Adventure to BERGEN
Enjoy a day of spectacular scenery. Departing Oslo, our rail adventure takes us high into the mountains, passing picturesque mountain villages and snow capped peaks en route to Myrdal, set 2600 feet above sea level. From here the Flam Railway winds its way back to sea level during the next hour, offering views of Aurlandsfjord. After lunch, we travel by high speed ferry along Sognefjord, passing some of the world’s most beautiful scenery, en route to the Hanseatic port of Bergen. Radisson SAS Norge
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September 6, Sunday : BERGEN / Embark
This morning, we will have free time to explore this fascinating city on our own. Our afternoon tour of Bergen, the birthplace of composer Edvard Grieg, will include visits to his home, in nearby Troldhaugen and the Bryggen Wharf which dates back nearly a thousand years, the local Fish Market and the wonderful museums and shops along the way. Later, we embark on the ms Richard With our floating home, to begin our journey up Norway’s inside passage, felt to be the most scenic cruise in the world.
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September 7, Monday : GEIRANGERFJORD
Be sure to rise early this morning to discover the magical beauty of Norway’s fjords. Our floating home, also known in Norwegian as the “Hurtigruta”, follows the traditional route to service the tiny settlements dotted along the coast. In fact, our ship is also carrying mail and other supplies for the various settlements that we will visit. Following a brief visit to Alesund, we sail up Geirangerfjord, disembarking at Geiranger where our excursion will take us along the dramatic Orneveien Road to enjoy views of the Seven Sisters Waterfall, among other sites.
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September 8, Tuesday : TRONDHEIM / RORVIK
This morning, we arrive in Trondheim, a former capital of Norway, and visit the fascinating Ringve Museum of Musical History. The 18th century manor house features an extensive collection of historic instruments displayed in a number of rooms, each furnished according to the period of the famous composer for which it is named. After a brief city tour, including a visit to the Nidaros Cathedral (which dates from 1070 AD), we rejoin the ship in time for lunch as we sail north to the village of Rorvik.
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September 9, Wednesday : ARCTIC CIRCLE / LOFOTEN ISLES
Very early this morning we will sail across the Arctic Circle. Enjoy a day of relaxed cruising as we sail by the Borvass Mountains en route to Bodo. Alternatively you can join an optional excursion from Ornes to the Svartisen Glacier, the second largest in Norway. Later today we sail across Vestfjord, cruise amongst the Lofoten Islands, visit a number of small ports and sail the dramatic Raftsund Strait, passing majestic Trollfjord.
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September 10,Thursday : TROMSO
After a morning of coastal cruising we arrive in Tromso, the “Paris of the North” and a lively university town. Our excursion includes a brief tour of the city, a cable car ride for views of the city and area and a visit to the Arctic Cathedral which boasts one of Europe’s largest stained-glass windows.
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September 11, Friday : NORTH CAPE / HONNINGSVAG
Today we will experience one of the highlights of the trip, the North Cape plateau, the most northerly point in Europe. Boarding our coach in Honningsvag, we cross a starkly barren landscape, climbing up on to the North Cape, where we will visit the museum and information centre, offering views of the Arctic Ocean. In the evening we re-board our ship and sail past the Cape.
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September 12, Saturday: KIRKENES
Arriving in Kirkenes by mid-morning, we will enjoy a brief tour of the city and a visit to the Russian Borderland Museum, dedicated to the long and varied history of this region which became quite important during the Second World War.
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September 13, Sunday : NORTH CAPE / HONNINGSVAG
Arriving in Honningsvag, members can join an optional excursion to the North Cape followed by a motor coach tour through the treeless northern landscape (if weather interfered with the first visit). The ship will continue its journey southward passing the northernmost point of the European continent on its port side.
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September 14, Monday : LOFOTEN ISLANDS
Disembarking in Risoyhamn late this morning, we will visit the fascinating Hurtigruten Museum and take in a special concert at the Royal Neptun Hall before rejoining our ship in Stokmarknes. This evening, enjoying the extended hours of daylight, we have an incredible coastal shore excursion between Svolvaer and Stamsund to see the Lofoten Wall, with its sheer mountain cliffs rising from the sea.
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September 15, Tuesday : CRUISING
After a very busy day, we can enjoy the opportunity to relax on board. Our route takes us along the beautiful inside passage with brief stops at a number of small villages along the way.
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September 16, Wednesday : TRONDHEIM / MOLDE
Arriving Trondheim early this morning, we have some free time to stroll the city centre on our own. Cruising beautiful Trondheimsfjord this morning, we pass close by the islands of Grip and Hitra, with their large flocks of deer. Following lunch on board, we can sit back and relax as the coastal scenery unfolds before us. This evening we say farewell to our friends on board as we disembark on arrival in Molde. We overnight at the Rica Seilet Hotel (or similar).
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September 17, Thursday : FJORDS / LILLEHAMMER
Following breakfast we board our coach for the spectacular journey from the coast, including a ferry crossing between Solsness and Afarness, following the fjords deep into the mountainous interior and through the famous Romsdal Valley with its sheer rock faces to the Gudbrandsdal Valley and the village of Lillehammer, site of the 1994 Winter Olympics. First Hotel Breiseth (1 night)
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September 18, Monday : LILLEHAMMER / OSLO
After a sumptuous Norwegian breakfast, we will return to Oslo and be taken on a morning city tour, which will include the Royal Palace, the Parliament Buildings, Oslo Cathedral, the Akershus Fortress, the Vigeland Sculpture Park and City Hall. Highlight visits will include the Viking Ship and the Kontiki Museums, each marking the feats of Norwegian adventurers. Spend a free afternoon to explore on your own, then enjoy our final evening and Farewell Dinner at our hotel. Rica Grand Hotel (1 night)
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September 19, Tuesday : NORWAY / CANADA
All too soon, we catch our flights to Toronto where we make connections to our homes across Canada.
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**Single cabins on request - some singles may have portholes or obstructed views -early booking is essential - please call our office.

All prices are based on costs and exchange rates effective May 2008 and are subject to change. Your tour price and deposit includes the cost of comprehensive insurance ($225 per person) for passengers under 86 years of age at time of travel. Cancellations of any booking prior to June 5, 2009 will be subject to an Administration Fee of $50pp. This fee will not be covered by insurance. Insurance coverage will begin on the above date and will cover penalties from that date forward. Contact our office for full details. Final payment is due June 15, 2009.

Cruise Costs (CDN$/person)

Prices from other cities are available on request. *Price excludes airfares and all related taxes, fees and transfers. Tour/Cruise costs noted above are based on sharing a Cat I (Inside twin cabin on Decks 3, 5 & 6).

Activity Level TWO - land arrangements associated with this cruise include some relatively fast paced walking tours. In addition to the ports mentioned in the program, the Nordnorge will stop at other small ports.

Inclusive Features

To enroll on this tour simply complete our online enrollment form or alternatively complete the enrollment form found at the back of our brochure and return it with your deposit of $950 per person to Craig Travel's office.