Norway

Group members from across Canada gather in Toronto for the overnight flights to Oslo.

Upon arrival in Oslo we shall collect our bags and transfer into the city and to our Clarion Hotel The Hub (2 nights)

After a sumptuous Norwegian breakfast our panoramic city tour includes a view of the Royal Palace, the Parliament Buildings, the National Theatre, the Akershus Fortress and the Opera House. Highlight visits will include the Fram Museum and the Kontiki Museum, each marking feats of great Norwegian adventurers. The balance of the day has been left free to enjoy at your leisure.

Enjoy another day of spectacular scenery. Departing Oslo, we travel by rail across the mountain plateau with views of the rugged countryside. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the train. At Myrdal we change trains and travel on the famous Flam Railway to Flam where we journey by boat, winding our way through the steep slopes down to Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in Norway. We have a boxed dinner as we cruise. Upon arrival in the coastal city of Bergen we will transfer to our hotel where our luggage awaits us.

Thon Hotel Orion (1 night)

This morning our included city tour features Troldhaugen and Fantoft Stave Church followed by free time to sample  the local cuisine. In the afternoon embark our ship and begin our cruise up Norway’s inside passage. Norway is a fascinating country known for its incredible landscapes and friendly people. This voyage is felt by many to be the most scenic cruise in the world. Enjoy a delightful buffet dinner as we cruise north.

Embarkation / ms Nordnorge (11 nights)

Be sure to rise early this morning to discover the magical beauty of Norway’s fjords. Our coastal voyage, known in Norwegian as the ‘Hurtigruta’, follows the traditional route to service the tiny settlements dotted along the coast. In fact, our ship is carrying mail and other supplies for the various settlements that we will visit. This afternoon we will enjoy free time in Alesund, a relatively modern port (it was completely rebuilt in Art Nouveau style after a fire in 1904). Lying on a strip of land, the city has virtually no room to expand making it very easy to explore on foot. Later we come to Molde, known as the ‘City of Roses’ because of its beautiful municipal gardens. 

Trondheim is the former capital of Norway and its third largest city. 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, Norway’s largest church, dating back to 1070 AD, we rejoin the ship in time for lunch as we sail north towards the Arctic Circle.

Very early this morning we sail across the Arctic Circle and enjoy relaxed cruising by the Borvass Mountains, watching out for the 3,000 ft high Lofoten Wall on the horizon. Tucked between tall mountains, majestic granite cliffs, and white-sand beaches, seeing beautiful Lofoten is truly an extraordinary experience. The additional charm of the islands is revealed in its small, picturesque fishing villages with their bohemian atmosphere.

After a morning of coastal cruising we arrive in Tromso, the ‘Paris of the North’ and a lively university town. Our excursion begins with a cable car ride to the top of the mountain for incredible views of the fjord landscape followed by a city tour including the Arctic Cathedral (if not closed for private service) which boasts one of Europe’s largest stained-glass windows.

Today we 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 to the North Cape, where we visit the striking museum, offering views of the Arctic Ocean. In the evening we re-board our ship and sail southeast toward Kirkenes.

Arriving in Kirkenes by mid-morning, we enjoy a short excursion to the Russian Borderland Museum, dedicated to the long and varied history of this region which became quite important during the Second World War. This afternoon the ship will turn around for our southward journey back towards Bergen.

We bid farewell to the extreme north and journey south. Along the way we shall see some of the world’s northernmost fishing villages and Europe’s northernmost lighthouse, plus enjoy a brief stop at the old trading post of Skjervoy. 

We will disembark at Risoyhamn where we will take a tour to Melbu and learn about Vesteralen’s nature, culture and livelihood. Join a fascinating concert at Royal Neptune Hall before rejoining our ship in Stokmarknes. This evening, taking full advantage of the extended hours of daylight, we have an incredible shore excursion between Svolvaer and Stamsund to see the Lofoten Wall, with its sheer mountain cliffs rising 3,300 feet from the sea.

Relax on board as our route takes us along the beautiful inside passage, making brief stops at a number of small villages where you may have the opportunity to purchase Norwegian handicrafts that are often sold near port. Along the way we pass Mount Torghatten with its massive hole created during the Ice Age and the mythical Seven Sisters Mountains.

Arriving in Trondheim early this morning, we have some free time to explore the city centre on our own or join an optional excursion (extra cost) to the renowned Atlantic Road, an incredibly scenic route. Those choosing to stay on board at Kristiansund will cross the open sea to Molde, Following lunch on board, we can sit back and relax as the coastal scenery unfolds before us.

During the night, the ship calls at Alesund, Torvik, and Maloy then we sail past fascinating scenery, including the picturesque Nordfjord below the enormous Jostedal Glacier.  We sail across the mouth of Sognefjord as well as the beautiful archipelago en route to Bergen. Disembarking in Bergen after lunch, we check into our hotel with the balance of the day at leisure.

Thon Hotel Orion (1 night)

All too soon, we catch our return flights to Toronto where we make connections to our homes across Canada.