Classic Norwegian Coastal Voyage

From price is based on departure in January-April for two people sharing an I grade cabin (inside cabin). Supplements apply for May-October departures and higher cabin grades; please contact us prices. Price includes return economy class flights to Bergen, all airport taxes and fuel surcharges, 11 night classic round voyage Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen in chosen cabin grade inc. full board, English Speaking Tour Leader on board, Guide Book, entrance fee to Hurtigruten museum and and transfers.

Departures every day round the year.

Early booking discount: book by 30 September 2011 and save up to £1071 pp.

Day 1
Fly with scheduled SAS flight to Bergen via Oslo. You’ll be met at the airport and driven to Bergen. Depending on flight schedules you may have time to explore Bergen before starting your cruise late in the evening.

Day 2
A perfect start to your second day is an early arrival at the enchanting Art Nouveau town of Alesund, which is situated across several islands at the entrance to Geirangerfjord.

Day 3
Continuing north, the medieval city of Trondheim is today’s highlight. Standing proud against the natural backdrop, its colorful history is reflected in handsome civic architecture. Excursions include the medieval Nidaros Cathedral or the enthralling Ringve Music Museum.

Day 4

In the early hours you experience the thrill of crossing the Arctic Circle as the voyage continues to the modern town of Bodo, from where we can join a Sea Eagle Safari and witness the world’s strongest maelstrom or whirling stream at Saltstraumen. The glorious Lofoten Islands are where the day draws to a close with a stop at the capital, Svolvaer.

Day 5
A relaxing morning at sea precedes your arrival in Tromso - the capital of the Arctic - where the Midnight Sun is visible from the end of May until the last week in July. The simple interior of the Arctic Cathedral gives prominence to a triangular stained-glass window filling an entire wall. The Polar Museum and the Polaria centre explore Arctic life over the centuries and are complemented by modern shops and cafes just minutes from our cabins.

Day 6
After an early call at Hammerfest you arrive in Honningsvag, the largest fishing village in Finnmark and doorway to the wonders of the spectacular North Cape, mainland Europe’s northernmost point at 71o north.

Day 7
The vistas become more dramatic as the ship approaches the finale of the northbound voyage here in the far reaches of Europe. Benefiting from the warm currents of the Gulf Stream, this region is rich in sea life and the coast is largely ice free in winter allowing ships access to most harbours. Soon you reach Kirkenes, from where the emotive border with Russia lies a few kilometres away and the Sami communities of Northern Finland may be visited.

Day 8
Hammerfest, the world’s most northerly town boldly claims to be the first in Europe to have electric street lighting. Starting point of Bill Bryson’s journey described in Neither Here Nor There, this is the first major call. Continuing south, your night stop at Tromso offers the opportunity to enjoy the Midnight Sun summer concert in the Arctic Cathedral.

Day 9
The memorable sights of the Lofoten Islands will stay with you forever as the ship meanders gently through this stunning network of inlets and isles. Moving on you reach what is the highlight of the voyage for many, where we hope to make a detour into spectacular Trollfjord. Sailing through the beautiful, mountainous island chains, rising to 1,000 metres in places, you can see fishermen’s cabins built on stilts along the waterfront, whilst in the air around you fly a wide variety of seabirds such as puffins, kittiwakes, cormorants and sea eagles. This remarkable day is completed with an evening return to Svolvar and a farewell to the islands at Stamsund.

Day 10
There is further excitement today as the ship crosses the Arctic Circle. Sailing past the famed peaks of the dancing Seven Sisters mountain range, folklore merges with the facts of nature – look out for Torghatten, which still bears the hole made by Hestmannen’s arrow in one of Norway’s popular legends. The award-winning new museum at R�rvik celebrates the important part the sea has played in defining today’s Norway.

Day 11
You have an early arrival in the fascinating medieval city of Trondheim, where the Norwegian Explorer passengers leave the ship to follow their own itinerary. The voyage continues out of the Trondheimsfjord past Hitra Island to make brief calls at Kristiansund and Molde, known as the City of Roses and surrounded by 87 snow-capped mountains, before the midnight call at Alesund and a last night at sea.

Day 12
The landscape becomes increasingly lush as the journey weaves through the islets and beautiful Bergen comes into view again. Before long it’s time to say good-bye to the ship and pgjensyn (until we meet again) to friends, fellow passengers and the crew, as you disembark from our magnificent journey on the Norwegian Coastal Voyage. Arrive in Bergen early afternoon and disembark after brunch. Transfer to the airport before flight back to the UK.