Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Norway – Oslo – Bergen – North Cape – Kirkenes
100% customisable for you
Today marks the beginning of your Norwegian adventure. After whizzing to the airport and dropping off your bags, board your two-hour flight to Oslo. Once you touch down, hop on the airport train for the 20-minute journey to Bjorvika, Oslo’s striking waterfront district, where modern architecture meets striking fjords.
Check into your hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights, and take a moment to settle in – perhaps with a drink overlooking the water. If time allows, stretch your legs with a gentle wander along the harbour. When hunger strikes, tuck into some oysters back at the hotel before getting some rest, ready for tomorrow’s adventures.
Ready to get under the skin of the Norwegian capital? This morning, head out with a local guide, who’ll show you Oslo through an insider’s lens. Instead of following a fixed route, your guide will tailor the tour around your interests – you might dip into world-class museums, wander through creative neighbourhoods or stroll along the waterfront, where the city opens out towards the fjord. Along the way, hear stories of daily life in Oslo – a city that feels both quietly cosmopolitan and deeply connected to nature.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure, whether you’d rather visit a gallery, hop between cafés or simply enjoy the long Nordic light by the water.
All aboard – today’s journey is a highlight in its own right. Settle in for the six-and-a-half-hour train ride from Oslo to Bergen, a journey widely considered to be one of Europe’s most scenic rail routes. As the capital fades into the distance, the landscape shifts from forests and lakes to vast mountain plateaus and remote, windswept terrain.
Arrive in Bergen in the afternoon and check into your historic hotel near the station.
Spend the rest of the evening at leisure, perhaps heading down to the harbour for your first glimpse of this coastal city or enjoying a drink at the hotel bar.
This morning, head out to explore Bergen with a private guide. Start in Bryggen, the city’s UNESCO-listed harbour district, where rows of colourful buildings lean towards the water – a reminder of Bergen’s past as a Hanseatic trading hub. Beyond its postcard views, the city reveals a creative edge, with street art, galleries and fascinating museums. You could also take the funicular up to Mount Floyen to admire beautiful views over the city and surrounding fjords.
Later in the afternoon, make your way to the port and board your Hurtigruten cruise ship, which will be your home for the next week. Take it all in: this is the beginning of your journey along Norway’s extraordinary coastline.
Wake up to your first full day on the water – and a spectacular view over the sparkling ocean. By mid-morning, you’ll arrive in Ålesund, a town known for its elegant Art Nouveau architecture. Rebuilt after the great fire of 1904, the town is now a picturesque coastal gem, so take a stroll along the harbour or soak up the atmosphere before returning to the ship.
From mid-April to mid-September, the ship continues into one of Norway's most famous fjords: the Geirangerfjord. Cameras at the ready: this UNESCO-listed stretch of water is framed by steep cliffs and spectacular waterfalls, such as the Seven Sisters or the Friaren.
As the sun sets over the water, sail onwards to Molde.
After a night spent sailing and a hearty breakfast this morning, dock in Trondheim, one of Norway’s oldest cities. Step ashore to explore the city, where colourful waterfront buildings sit alongside the impressive Nidaros Cathedral – a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and a historic pilgrimage site. Culture vultures can also visit the Ringve Music Museum, which houses a collection of over 2,000 musical instruments from all over the world.
Back on board, your journey continues north to Rorvik, weaving through fjords and island-dotted waters. Sometime during the night, you’ll cross the Arctic Circle – a quiet but significant milestone.
The scenery shifts again today – sharper, wilder and more dramatic. After a brief stop in Bodo, home to grand cathedrals and modernist architecture, cross the Vestfjord towards the scenic Lofoten Islands, where jagged peaks rise from the sea.
Stop in Svolvaer, a working fishing town where life still revolves around the water. Look out for traditional wooden houses and rows of drying fish – a centuries-old practice that remains part of daily life in this island town.
Rise bright and early this morning to catch a glimpse of Anna Rogde, the world’s oldest schooner, as you pass through Harstad.
Later, hop ashore in Tromso, an iconic city known as the ‘gateway to the Arctic’. Despite its far north location, this is a lively, cultural city with plenty to explore. Take time to visit the striking Arctic Cathedral and the small church of Skjervoy, dating back to1728. After a few hours of wandering along narrow streets lined with colourful wooden houses, it’s time to jump back on board.
As you leave Tromso behind, the landscape begins to open up – fewer towns, wider horizons and a growing sense of remoteness. Settle in for another evening on board as you continue north.
Today, sail through the remote region of Finnmark, stopping in Hammerfest, an urban gem nestled on Norway’s northwestern coast. While you’re here, discover the Meridian Column, erected in 1854. This iconic site marks the northernmost point of the UNESCO-listed Struve Geodetic Arc, a 19th-century chain of survey triangulations crucial for determining the exact size and shape of the Earth.
Back on board, continue on to Mageroya, home to the North Cape – a dramatic 1,000ft cliff rising above the Barents Sea. Stand on the deck and take it all in: think vast skies, open ocean and a sense of being at the very top of Europe.
This evening, settle in for your final night at sea, toasting to your travels with a refreshing drink in the bar.
Sadly, your polar adventure comes to an end today. When you reach Kirkenes, disembark and transfer to the airport for your return flight home. With a quick stopover, the journey will take between six and eight hours, and you’ll arrive back in the UK this evening, carrying memories of fjords, Arctic landscapes and life along Norway’s dazzling coastline.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
