On the Trail of the Vikings

Lofoten, Norwegian Fjords & Western Europe 11 Day Expedition Cruise
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07.29.23-08.08.23
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10 Nights
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Sail through the land of the midnight sun past spectacular scenery on our Wonders of the Fjords adventure as our luxury expedition ship visits the places it was built to explore. We leave from Tromso, 250 miles above the Arctic Circle, visiting the friendly Lofoten Islands, before slipping into fjords, from one of the narrowest that a ship can navigate, Trollfjorden, to Norway’s longest, Sognefjord, and, arguably, the most beautiful, Geirangerfjord. You’ll snake past mighty glaciers, along tiny channels, through emerald-green waters, past magnificent waterfalls and around rugged headlands, before heading south. By the time we arrive in Amsterdam, you’ll have visited remote lands and seen some of Norway’s wildest scenery in boutique style.

Trip Highlights

Sail under the midnight sun as the Arctic gleams in a way that will stay with you forever
Appreciate the silence while you cruise gently through Trollfjorden as white-tailed eagles soar overhead
Get up close to the mighty Svartisen glacier, Norway’s second largest
Hike into the mountains for magnificent views of waterfalls and majestic fjords
Learn more about the Vikings and Norway’s seafaring history from our on board experts

Itinerary

Tromsø
Day 1
The Arctic gateway, Tromso at 69 degrees north, is renowned for the midnight sun in summer and the Northern Lights in winter. The Arctic Cathedral, with stained-glass windows, hosts midnight concerts. The Fjellheisen cable car offers panoramic views from Mount Storstei­nen, while the historic centre features old wooden houses. The Polar Museum chronicles early polar explorations, and the thriving Alpine Botanic Garden adds to Tromso's charm.
Cruising Trollfjorden
Day 2
Trollfjorden is unbelievable. A 100 m-wide entrance to a narrow fjord with near-vertical mountainous sides up to 1,100 m high, the passage slices through Austvågøya, on the edge of the Lofoten Islands. As the ship enters the fjord, the silence is only broken by the gentle sound of the ship's engines and the occasional cry of a white-tailed eagle soaring overhead. At the end of the fjord, the ship slowly spins, offering a final captivating view.
Svolvaer, Lofoten
Day 2
Svolvær is a classic Norwegian fishing port, tucked away on Austvågøya in the Lofoten Islands. Surrounded by peaks and beaches, bays and craggy inlets, it’s an age-old picture, a jumble of white and red clapboard houses, the clear water filled with little, bobbing boats. Popular with mountain climbers, the town’s mountain Fløya commands a spectacular viewpoint across the harbour and Vestfjord.
Svartisen, Svartisen Glacier
Day 3
The mighty Svartisen glacier, Norway’s second biggest, pours down the mountain almost to Svartisvatnet lake. The glacier visitor centre is a fascinating place with access to hikes along the edge of the ice flow, up to 200 m thick. Glorious Holandsfjord is just the other end of a short channel from the lake and the ship has stirring views. The little village of Holandsvika sits across the fjord, with an 18-km lakeside path and boat trips.
Bronnoysund
Day 4
Bronnoysund, a charming town on a narrow peninsula midway up Norway's coast, is surrounded by islands. Torghatten, a granite mountain on Torget island, is renowned for its unique, natural hole. Boat trips explore the Vega Archipelago UNESCO site, known for shallow waters, fishing docks, and nesting spots for eider ducks. The Norwegian Aquaculture Centre offers insights into salmon farming through aquariums, underwater cameras, and a restaurant.
Yttersian, Froya Island
Day 5
Froya is one of two main islands in a 5,400-strong archipelago off Trondheim, a wild place of moors, marshes and fishing villages. Froya has northern Europe’s tallest lighthouse (45 m), and its neighbour, Hitra, has the country’s biggest salmon factories. The islands (connected to each other and the mainland by tunnel) are history-rich, from stone and iron age remains to relics of German wartime occupation.
Nordfjordeid
Day 6
The Eidsfjorden village of Nordfjordeid has a craftsman-built replica of Myklebust, Norway's largest known Viking ship. The surroundings boast rich Viking burial mounds. Nordfjordeid is also the gateway to Briksdalsbreen Glacier, an accessible arm of the expansive Jostedalsbreen glacier. At the end of Innvikfjorden, the Loen Skylift gondola ascends 1,011 metres, offering breathtaking views.
Skjolden
Day 7
Norway's longest and deepest fjord, 204-km Sognefjord, is a natural wonder of epic proportions with towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Skjolden village, gateway to three National Parks (Jotunheimen, Breheimen and Jostedalsbreen), has hikes to a panoramic viewpoint. The narrow, fjord-hugging Romantic Road passes Norway's highest waterfalls like Feigefossen and Drivandefossen. Nearby, Urnes Stave Church is Norway's oldest stave church.
Ulvik
Day 8
One of Norway’s most dramatic sights is sailing the mighty Hardangerfjord (at 179 km, Norway’s second longest) with its impressive waterfalls and then through to the end of Ulvikafjorden. Ulvik village, nestled amid mountains, offers breathtaking scenery reflected in glistening waters. It's an ideal destination for hikes, kayaking, and water activities. In May, the slopes come alive with the blossoms of thousands of fruit trees.
Mandal
Day 9
The southernmost town in Norway has a curving 1 km, grassy dune-backed beach, Sea Sand, one of seven beaches in Furulunden forest park. Sea Sand is only one of the calm, beautiful hideaways surrounding this charming town of white-painted buildings at the mouth of the river Mandalselva. The snaking waterway is filled with sailboats while gentle hills rise as a backdrop. Mandal also has the largest wooden church in Norway, seating 1,800 people.
Helgoland
Day 10
This tiny German island, 2 km long and 56 m above sea level in the North Sea, is surrounded by jagged red sandstone cliffs. The mostly grassy plateau joined Schleswig-Holstein in 1890, after periods as possessions of Denmark and the United Kingdom. Tours of Festung Helgoland bunkers and war tunnels shed light on the island's wartime naval history. Today, Helgoland is a peaceful retreat, inviting windswept walks and birdwatching.
Amsterdam
Day 11
Amsterdam is a gorgeous Dutch city where a boat cruise along the canals gets to the heart of things. Yet, the magic also unfolds while strolling through narrow streets and crossing the hundreds of bridges. It houses a treasure trove of fabulous art museums, including the Rijksmuseum, adorned with Dutch Masters, conveniently located near the Van Gogh Museum. To the south, picturesque stretches of countryside with windmills line the canals.
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