Norway & the Northern Lights

Steeped in myth and legend, the Arctic region of Norway also offers dramatic scenery, colourful ports and the Aurora Borealis (‘no pencil can draw it, no colours can paint it, and no words can describe it in all its magnificence’). There is a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights, at their most dramatic, as you cross the Arctic Circle by ship and from Tromsø. Norway’s mountainous landscapes stretch over 1,000 miles North-South, making communication difficult until a coastal ‘fast route’ or ‘Hurtigruten’ was created in 1893. Whilst some longer stops are made, a feature is stops of 10 - 45 minutes at smaller ports. The ship sails through sheltered waters between islands. The on board atmosphere is unique with local Norwegians hopping from port to port mingling with international travellers, with commerce in the ports revolving around the ships. Bergen is a UNESCO World Heritage city, closely linked to the sea, whilst Tromsø is the capital and port of Arctic Norway.

This winter’s programme is enhanced by a visit to Norway’s coastal capital, a Royal city with palace, castle and Norway’s best museums, and one of Norway’s famous train journeys, across the ‘Roof of Norway’ from Bergen to Oslo.

† Cruise excursions are pre-bookable, subject to minimum/maximum numbers (groups are sometimes larger than 20 people) as well as weather, ice and snow conditions.