Oslo & Ytri Island Retreat

Day by day itinerary

• Day 1 » Fly to Oslo

  Your Norwegian adventure begins by flying to Oslo. On arrival, make your way to the city centre and check into your elegant boutique hotel, which blends historic character with contemporary comfort. Dating back to 1918, it recently re-opened after a major renovation project that gave a new lease of life to the Nordic Neo Baroque-style Watt Building, while paying homage to over 100 years of heritage. It’s conveniently placed within a short stroll of several major landmarks, including the Historical Museum, the National Theatre, the Royal Palace and Karl Johans gate, making it an excellent base for exploring the city. 

  Stay: Savoy 1918, Oslo

• Day 2 » Explore Oslo

  Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning ahead of a full day exploring Oslo at leisure. A good place to start is the waterfront neighbourhood of Bjørvika, where you’ll find the striking Oslo Opera House (whose roof you can walk on) and the excellent Munch Museum, dedicated to the life and works of the esteemed Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. You might also be interested in visiting the historic Akershus Fortress, the National Museum at Aker Brygge, or the Vigeland Sculpture Park in Frogner Park. Another superb option is to take a ferry out to the beautiful islands of the Oslofjord, such as Hovedøya, Lyndøya or Gressholmen.

  The nearby Bygdøy peninsula, meanwhile, is home to the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History and the Fram Museum, which tells the story of Norwegian polar exploration. You’ll find no shortage of enticing places to eat and drink, including buzzing food halls such as Mathallen and Oslo Street Food. The riverside Grünerløkka neighbourhood is also well worth checking out, with its plethora of trendy bars and cafes, vibrant street art and independent boutiques. 

  Stay: Savoy 1918, Oslo

  Meals: Breakfast

• Day 3 » Oslo to Ytri Island Retreat (via Bodø)

  This morning, make your way to Oslo Airport for your flight north to Bodø (around 1 hour 30 minutes). Depending on what time you arrive in Bodø, you may wish to visit the Norwegian Aviation Museum, enjoy a relaxing session at the floating harbour sauna (Pust), or take a self-guided walk to admire the city’s array of colourful murals. Later on, head to the express boat terminal (Bodø hurtigbåtkai) to catch the high-speed boat to Ønoy, where you’ll change for your final connection to Husøy in the remote Træna archipelago – a collection of 477 islands, islets and skerries scattered in the Norwegian Sea around 60 kilometres off the Helgeland coast. It’s quite the journey – just over five hours in total – but getting there is all part of the adventure.

  On arrival in Husøy, you’ll be welcomed by staff from Ytri Island Retreat, who’ll guide you to the property where you’ll be based for the next three nights. This is one of Norway’s most remote outposts, offering the chance to experience a unique way of life shaped by the wind, the sea and the rhythms of the seasons. Its design draws inspiration from the colourful wooden houses of Træna, where tight-knit fishing communities have lived for over 9,000 years. The name ‘Ytri’ derives from Old Norse, meaning ‘outer point’ – a fitting description for a retreat at the very edge of Norway, where the ocean opens out westwards towards Iceland and Greenland. Thoughtfully curated interior spaces invite the landscape in, incorporating natural materials and expansive windows that create an ambience of utmost serenity and immersion in nature.

  Once you’ve settled into your room, it’s time to enjoy your first delicious dinner at Alma restaurant, where four-course menus are built around the finest, locally-sourced seasonal produce. Expect the likes of fresh fish and seafood from the surrounding waters, and herbs and vegetables grown in Ytri’s very own gardens, paired with carefully selected wines or alcohol-free options. 

  Stay: Ytri Island Retreat

  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

• Days 4-5 » Activities & relaxation at Ytri Island Retreat

  Over the next couple of days, you’ll have the opportunity to find your perfect balance between adventure and relaxation. And while there’s plenty to see and do, a stay at Ytri Island Retreat is also about slowing down, disconnecting from everyday routines and embracing the tranquility of your wild, wonderfully scenic surroundings.

  You’re welcome to explore the islands at your own pace, either on foot or by renting complimentary equipment such as kayaks, bicycles and SUPs. Enjoy invigorating dips in the ocean, warm up in the wood-fired sauna, and unwind in the hot tubs at the outdoor Arctic wellness area.

  A whole host of organised experiences are also available, offering the chance to further deepen your connection with the landscapes and cultural heritage of Træna. You might, for instance, be tempted to venture out on a fishing trip, a RIB boat safari, a seaweed harvesting tour, a guided nature hike, or an Arctic free-diving experience in which you’ll search for scallops and other fresh seafood that lies beneath the water’s surface. Yoga and meditation workshops are available on selected dates, too.

  Hearty and nourishing breakfasts and dinners are included in your stay, while lunch is payable locally – either as a packed lunch, at the Alma restaurant, or in one of the village’s cosy eateries. While dinner is served as a four-course menu as standard each evening, you might also be inclined to try the Chef’s Table dining experience, in which a fixed tasting menu is meticulously crafted by Ytri’s masterful chefs to tell the culinary story of the seasons. 

  Stay: Ytri Island Retreat

  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 6 » Return to UK

  After one last breakfast, it’s time to depart Ytri Island Retreat and return by boat from Træna to Ønoy, where you’ll connect for your onward boat back to Bodø. On arrival in Bodø, make your way to the airport in time for your flight home (via Oslo). 

  Meals: Breakfast