Viking Capital to the Arctic Capital

Welcome to the region of Trøndelag and the medieval yet modern city of Trondheim. Founded by Viking king Olav Tryggvason in 997, Trondheim today is Norway’s third-largest city and a mix of historic buildings and a vibrant student population. Our ship departs at 12:45, giving you plenty of time to explore Trondheim and its array of highlights beforehand. A must-see site of the city is Nidaros Cathedral , nicknamed “Norway’s Notre Dame” for its Gothic style and considered the most sacred building in all of Norway. Next door to the cathedral is the Archbishop’s Palace where Norway’s crown jewels are on display. Nearby, the old city bridge Gamle Bybro sits over Nid River, marking the entrance to the old Hanseatic district of Bakklandet . The neighbourhood’s colourful wooden wharves propped up on stilts by the river’s edge now house a variety of eateries. Up from Bakklandet is Kristiansten Fort which offers beautiful panoramas of the city and fjord. Back on board In the afternoon, the ship sails northwest, passing the ochre-coloured Kjeungskjær Lighthouse , islets, and rocky reefs. After that, we head towards charming Rørvik.

We cross the Arctic Circle early in the morning, beginning your Arctic tour of Norway. We mark the moment with a traditional ceremony that’s sure to wake you up! Above the Arctic Circle, you can see the sun 24 hours a day in summer, while in winter, your chances of seeing the Northern Lights greatly improve. Forces of nature At 10:00, we call into Ørnes, near to Norway’s second-largest glacier, Svartisen . The pier here is popular for the Love Bench where sweethearts have declared their lasting romance with a padlock. We then sail to Bodø, the second-largest city in Northern Norway, overlooked by the Børvass peaks. Admire fabulous street art or join an optional boat excursion to Saltstraumen , the world’s most powerful maelstrom. Welcome to Lofoten That afternoon, the ship enters the Lofoten archipelago. The 1,000 metre-high Lofoten Wall is a stunning sight that stretches for miles on the horizon,. Stamsund is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the islands and busiest between January and April when Arctic cod, known locally as skrei , swim from the Barents Sea in the north down to Vestfjord to spawn. Come evening, when you see rows of traditional fisherman’s huts on stilts, known as rorbuer , you’ve arrived in the pretty harbour of Svolvær, the main town of the Lofoten Islands.

We dock into Harstad just after 07:00. You can go for a peaceful early morning stroll around town. The ship will then continue to Finnsnes which connects the beautiful island of Senja via the impressive Gisund Bridge. Keep on the lookout for a variety of seabirds with several colonies nearby, including puffins. Gateway to the Arctic We then sail to the historic Arctic exploration capital of Tromsø where you’ll disembark the ship. Along the waterfront you’ll find Polaria , a centre exhibiting environmental research in the Arctic with a small aquarium. Take your pick from the many shops and restaurants in the city centre, including Mack Brewery and favourite local watering hole Ølhallen pub . There are also cafés offering delicious cinnamon buns where baristas create innovative coffee art. Across the fjord from where the ship docks, you should be able to see the iconic Arctic Cathedral with its beautiful stained-glass mosaic.