Hamburg - North Cape - Hamburg – Fjords and Arctic Summer Expedition

Today you depart Germany’s second-largest city headed north to explore Norway’s amazing coastline.

Prepare yourself for perpetual daylight, crystal-clear fjords, mountains reaching from sea to sky and waterfalls spilling off impossibly high precipices.

As we sail across the North Sea, you may want to get to know your expediton ship. Check out the Science Center, the sauna and hot tubs, scout out a comfortable chair in the Explorer lounge, find a window table you like in the ship’s restaurant or locate a good spot on deck for viewing Norway’s incredible coastline.

Or you may just want to relax and quietly enjoy this day at sea.

In the morning, we glimpse the Norwegian coastline in the distance. Small islands and mountains draw closer. Finally, we exit the North Sea and sail into calmer straits and fjords.

After lunch, we reach Bergen, arguably Norway’s most beautiful city and an ideal place to explore on foot. Founded in 1070 AD, Bergen has retained much of its local character, charm and and history. It was once an important port in the medieval Hanseatic League. Experience this legacy in the historic UNESCO-listed Bryggen district. Wander about its colourful wooden wharfs dating back to the 14^th century.

Visit Mount Fløyen - the Fløibanen funicular takes you to the summit in just six minutes. Enjoy amazing views over Bergen - nestled between seven mountains and the sea. You can also follow one of the many easy trails into the surrounding alpine landscape.

Back below, stroll along the many narrow alleyways (called ‘smau’) and cobblestone streets past charming wooden houses dating back to the 18^th century. Visit one of many outdoor cafés and restaurants, sample fresh shrimp at the fish market, or pop into a pub and order a local Hansa pilsner.

Back aboard the ship, we sail north along the Hjeltefjord, a route once used by Vikings on their westward. Spend the rest of the evening relaxing and preparing for your adventurous days ahead.

Brønnøysund is an attractive town of 5,000 inhabitants situated on a narrow peninsula surrounded by islands and water. You are now at the halfway point along Norway’s long coastline.

Brønnøysund is also the gateway to Vega Island – a UNESCO World Heritage site, which was granted UNESCO status because of how the community demonstrates its centuries-old, sustainable way of life. Islanders thrived in this remote location for more than 1,000 years based on the unique and now obsolete tradition of eider farming.

As we leave Brønnøysund, we sail along the coast of Helgeland – passing the Seven Sisters mountain range. Legend has it that seven beautiful troll sisters were caught out at sunrise and turned to stone, thus creating these seven beautiful peaks.

In the evening, we sail by the small islet of Vikingen, through which the Arctic Circle passes. We have now entered the Land of Midnight Sun, where the sun is visible for 24 hours a day in the height of the summer. 

Looking for Arctic adventure? Tromsø is the place to find it. Set far above the Arctic Circle, it never gets dark during the peak of the summer and the town brims with almost round-the-clock activities. The Midnight Sun shines here from May 20 to July 22. 

Tromsø is also rich in history and culture. It was the starting point for many Arctic expeditions and the first call when explorers returned to civilization. Today the city is called the Paris of the North because of its cultural diversity. It is home to both the world’s northernmost university and 2^{nd -} most northerly brewery and is known for great restaurants specializing in fresh regional produce.

Tromsø’s attractions include amazing views, history, culture and bold architecture. The Arctic Cathedral is a landmark and city highlight, featuring an enormous stained-glass window.

You can also ride the Fjellheisen cable car to the top of a 424 m high mountain. The summit provides breathtaking views of the city, mountains and fjords. Don’t forget to take sunscreen.

Visit the Polaria Arctic experience centre - look, feel, experience and understand why life in the sea and on land are entirely dependent on each other.

Today we dock at Finnsnes.

Just across the bridge is the island of Senja, often called ‘the fairytale island’ because of the magic spell its scenic beauty casts on visitors.

Senja is known for its diverse landscape and referred to as Norway in miniature. The island’s outer side is characterized by steep mountains plunging straight into the sea, sheltered coves and wonderful sandy beaches. South Senja is distinguished by rocky coastline and pine forests and is home to Ånderdalen National Park. The eastern side of Senja has a gentler landscape with rolling hills and birch forests.

Senja is Norway’s second-largest island and has a population of just under 8,000. Naturally enough, the dominant industries are fisheries and aquaculture. A lot of white fish like cod and pollock are traditionally caught here, while salmon is farmed.

After leaving Senja, the ship sails past the beautiful island of Dyrøy and Andørja, before entering Tjeldsund strait on our now southbound journey.

Today we arrive in Trondheim, Norway´s capital for 200 years, founded in 997 by Viking king Olav Tryggvason.

Trondheim is a fascinating city to explore.Visit the beautiful Nidaros Cathedral, the burial place of St. Olav (Tryggvason), Norway’s patron saint. Nidaros is the country’s only Gothic-style cathedral and was Northern Europe's most important pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages. It is rich in architectural details and intriguing medieval statues.

Trondheim is known for its rich multicultural life - and is said to have the most restaurants and cafés per capita in Norway.  There is plenty to see as you wander through this historic city. The old wooden buildings, the medieval stone walls and elegant botanical gardens create a beautiful, almost mystical atmosphere.

After departing Trondheim, we pass the island of Munkholmen, where executions took place during the Viking Age. The island has also been a fort, prison and monastery. A popular Norwegian non-alcoholic beer is named after Munkholmen. It is a popular getaway during summer.

Built on the riches of Norway’s oil industry, Stavanger doesn’t disappoint.  

Stavanger is on the radar of most every visitor to Norway. It’s the jumping off spot to explore such rock stars as the famous Pulpit Rock, called “the world’s most breathtaking viewpoint” by Lonely Planet, and Kjerag, the 1,100 m high mountain plateau with a giant boulder wedged into it.

Optional activities here include hiking to the top of Pulpit Rock or sailing with the ship into majestic Lysefjord below the outlook. Lysefjord means ‘light fjord’ and gets its name from surrounding granite peaks reaching as high as 1,000 m.

Then there’s the city itself. Stavanger is known for its international ambience, creative cuisine and lively cultural scene. Stroll down colourful Øvre Holmgate and stop by one of the many outdoor cafés, pubs and unique boutiques. Stavanger’s waterfront hosts several summertime beer gardens where you can watch people and boats float by.

The city’s proud history is also never far from sight. Old Stavanger features Europe’s best-preserved wooden house settlement dating back to the 1700s. Its magnificent cathedral is Norway’s oldest, dating back to the early 12^th century.

Stavanger is also Europe’s oil and energy capital, and home to the Norwegian Petroleum Museum. Learn more about Norway’s important oil history through exciting interactive exhibits, and if you dare, try sliding down an escape chute from an offshore oil and gas platform.

We dock in Hamburg during the early morning hours. After breakfast, it’s time to leave your home of the past 15 days.

As you head ashore, you’ll take with you the memories of a lifetime - experiencing coastal Norway in summer, its wonderful fjords, fascinating towns and happy people.

Welcome aboard again soon!