Norway

Group members from across Canada gather in Toronto for the overnight flights to Oslo.

Upon arrival we are met by a local representative and transferred to our hotel.

Clarion Hotel The Hub (2 nights)

After breakfast, we begin our exciting panoramic city tour featuring iconic landmarks like the Royal Palace, Parliament Buildings, National Theatre, Akershus Fortress, and the Opera House. Other highlights include the Fram Museum and Kontiki Museum, showcasing the feats of great Norwegian adventurers. The remainder of the day is free for us to explore at our own pace.

Journey through stunning scenery on a rail ride from Oslo, across the mountain plateau, revealing rugged countryside views. Enjoy a picnic lunch onboard, then switch trains at Myrdal to board the famous Flam Railway. From Flam, we take a boat ride to Sognefjord, Norway's longest and deepest fjord, with a boxed dinner to enjoy during the cruise. Upon arrival in the coastal city of Bergen, we will transfer to our hotel where our luggage will be waiting for us.

Clarion Hotel Bergen (1 night)

Today, we will explore Bergen with a city tour that features Troldhaugen, the former home of renowned Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, and Fantoft Stave Church. Later, we will board our ship and sail the historic Viking route along the stunning Hjeltfjord, often regarded as one of the world's most scenic cruises. Sit back, take in the breathtaking views, and enjoy a delightful buffet dinner as we journey north.

Embarkation: ms Nordnorge (11 nights)

We begin our day early in Nordfjord near Torvik, then sail past the West Cape toward Alesund, renowned for its Art Nouveau architecture. We will venture into Hjorundfjord, tucked away in the Sunnmore Alps and stop at the picturesque village of Urke to admire thousand-year-old farms, the fjord, and lush mountainsides. Our final port of call is Molde, the ‘City of Roses’, famous for its beautiful gardens and the stunning Molde Panorama—a view of 222 mountain peaks across the fjord.

Trondheim is the former capital of Norway and its third-largest city. Here, we will visit the Ringve Museum, an 18th-century manor house featuring an extensive collection of historical musical instruments arranged in thematic rooms dedicated to various composers. We will also visit the Nidaros Cathedral, Norway's largest church, dating from 1070 AD. In the afternoon, our ship will sail north, passing the ochre-coloured Kjeungskaer Lighthouse, islets, and rocky reefs before heading towards the charming town of Rorvik.

Early this morning, we cross the Arctic Circle, starting our Arctic adventure with a special ceremony. We then head towards Bodo, set against the backdrop of the majestic Borvasstindene mountains. As we approach the Lofoten Archipelago, keep an eye out for its majestic peaks reaching over 3,000 feet. Nestled between these towering mountains, we will find quaint fishing villages and pristine white-sand beaches.

After a morning of coastal cruising, we arrive in Tromso, the ‘Paris of the North’ and a lively university town. During our city tour we pass by the Artic Cathedral, (if not closed for private service), boasting one of Europe’s largest stained glass windows. Then we will take a cable car ride to the mountaintop for breathtaking views of the fjord landscape. As we leave Tromso, we will pass the Lyngen Alps, which rise majestically from the sea.

Today, we will experience one of the trip's highlights—the North Cape, Europe's most northerly point. Boarding our coach in Honningsvag, we will cross a stark yet captivating landscape, climbing up to the North Cape. There, we will visit the striking museum, which offers panoramic views of the Arctic Ocean. On our way back, we will make a stop at a Sami camp. In the evening we reboard our ship and sail southeast toward Kirkenes.

Arriving in Kirkenes by mid-morning, we enjoy a short excursion to the Russian Borderland Museum, dedicated to the long and varied history of this region, which became quite important during the Second World War. This afternoon the ship will turn around for our southward journey back towards Bergen.

We bid farewell to the far north and head south, passing the world's northernmost fishing villages and Europe's northernmost lighthouse. Next we spend time in Hammerfest, home to the UNESCO Meridian Column and Mount Salen. Continue south along the coast to the fishing port of Skjervoy, founded in 1896. Weather permitting we can catch another glimpse of the Lyngen Alps as we approach Tromso where we dock just before midnight.

We will disembark at Risoyhamn and set off on a tour of Melbu to learn about Vesteralen’s nature, culture, and livelihood. Afterwards, we will join a fascinating concert at Royal Neptune Hall before rejoining our ship in Stokmarknes. This evening, we will take full advantage of the extended daylight hours with an incredible shore excursion between Svolvaer and Stamsund, to marvel at the Lofoten Wall, with its sheer mountain cliffs rising 3,300 feet from the sea.

Relax on board as our route takes us along the beautiful inside passage, making brief stops at several small villages. Along the way, you may have the opportunity to purchase Norwegian handicrafts that are often sold near the ports. As we sail, we will pass Mount Torghatten with its massive hole created during the Ice Age, as well as the mythical Seven Sisters Mountains.

Arriving early in Trondheim, we'll have plenty of free time to explore this charming city at our own pace. Stroll through its historic streets or simply relax and soak in the vibrant atmosphere. Later, we will dock at Kristiansund, a town spread across three islands and known as Norway’s “Bacalao Capital” due to the salted cod dried on the surrounding cliffs. In Molde, we can catch a glimpse of the majestic Romsdal Alps.

As we sail, we will pass fascinating scenery, including the picturesque Nordfjord below the enormous Jostedal Glacier. In the morning, we will dock at Floro, where you can take in the harbour and marina. Leaving Floro, we will see Stabben Lighthouse, a favourite subject for photographers. We will then cross the mouth of Sognefjord and the beautiful archipelago on our way to Bergen. After disembarking in Bergen following lunch, we will check into our hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure.

Clarion Admiral Bergen or similar (2 nights)

We will enjoy breakfast at our hotel before transferring to the airport to catch our return flights to Toronto where we make connections to our homes across Canada.