Norway & The Northern Lights

Norway is a dream destination — unbelievably scenic, packed with cultural experiences, and big enough to spend a lifetime exploring.

It is known for its natural beauty, fjords and mountains, Vikings, the Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun. Geographically, Norway it is is located about as far north in Europe as you can get, and hosts the northernmost point of Europe – the North Cape cliff.

On this amazing journey, we will travel from the sophisticated capital, Oslo to the West Coast along some of the world’s most beautiful islands and fjords to the historic city of Bergen; to the archipelago of Lofoten, known for its dramatic scenery; and to Alta in Finnmark, located well above the Arctic Circle.

You will see dramatic fjord vistas, winter kayak, dog sled, experience Viking history and wander the streets of beautiful cities. You will visit farm to table farms and eat at Michelin restaurants. And you will come to understand how Norwegian cuisine is based largely on the raw materials readily available in its mountains, wilderness, and coast.

Spectacular architecture, modern cities, seaside villages and incredible local cuisine all add flavour to this amazing Norway & The Northern Lights journey.

Check out all of the wonderful details including the day-by-day itinerary and book your spot now.  Fully escorted by our wonderful NZ partner, Mai Journeys, this is a winter escape you will never forget.

As for details now, or book now to escape to this winter wonderland!

GETTING THERE

There are a large number of airlines that  you can fly to Oslo with.  To ensure you meet the group arrival and departure transfers, we will supply the suggested flights, or times that are necessary for you to be able to use these transfers depending on where you are flying from.

Tour Price:  From AUD$15,300 per person twin share.  Single from AUD16,950 per person.

Tour Starts:  Oslo

Tour Ends:  Oslo

Tour Dates:  11 – 25 February 2023

PRICE INCLUDES:

Arrival & departure transfers (if on specified flights)

2 nights accommodation at The Hub Hotel, Oslo

2 nights accommodation at the Opus XVI, Bergen

2 nights accommodation at The Hotel Britannia, Trondheim

1 night aboard the Hurtigruten Expedition boat

3 nights at Hattvika Lodge, Lofoten Islands**

3 nights accommodation at Bjørnfjell Mountain Lodge, Alta

1 night’s accommodation The Hotel Continental, Oslo

Meals as specified in the itinerary

Guided walking tour in Bergen UNESCO Wharf & Fløibanen

Funicular in Bergen

Fedje Island visit

Feddie Ocean Distillery visit – Fedje Island

Guided walking tour of Trondheim

Nidaros Cathedral / Viking History of Trondheim

Access to wellness facilities at The Britannia

Private Northern Lights hunt on Lofoten with a Guide

Lofoten Fishing trip from Ballstad village

Private Harbour Sauna at Hattvika Lodge Sightseeing in Lofoten with Host

Lofotr Viking museum and Henningsvær village

Driving the Norwegian Scenic Route

Lofoten Lofoten Seaweed visit (and dinner)

Polar Night Bonfire Excursion in Alta

Private Sauna Cabin access at Bjørnfjell Mountain Lodge

Full day Dog Sledding wilderness adventure at Alta Sami & reindeer excursion in Alta

Private transport throughout

Fully escorted from Oslo by Jemma Wilson, Founder Mai Journeys

**Please Note:

• Hattvika Lodge – These are apartment-style fisherman cottages. There are only 2 rorbu with one bedroom / one bathroom.   The other rorbu are 2 bedroom, with shared bathroom.

NOT INCLUDED:

Airfares unless stated in the itinerary; items of a personal nature; phone calls; passport and visas (if applicable); entry fees into countries charged at the airport; laundry or tips. Personal transport; excess baggage; security and additional government taxes not covered already; travel insurance. Meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary; beverages unless specifically described. Optional excursions or activities that may be offered but are not included in the tour price.

FEBRUARY 2023

Day 1 – Saturday 11:  Welcome to Norway…

Welcome to Norway! Arrive at Oslo International Airport where you will be met and transferred to our hotel which takes about 45 minutes traffic dependent.

Our accommodation is the delightful Hotel Clarion, The Hub, a vibrant gathering place in the middle of Oslo. Take some time to rest after your flight. Depending on when we arrive, you may want to explore some of Olso’s landmarks, close to the hotel: the popular area of Aker Brygge is within walking distance, with its many seaside restaurants and shopping opportunities.

This evening, we all meet for a Cocktail in the bar, and then head out for a casual Welcome Dinner – at the likes of Nektar Winebar; a local favourite run by a woman who gets her food and wine from carefully selected farmers.

Overnight Accommodation:  Hotel Clarion, The Hub

Included Meals:  Tapas Style Welcome Dinner including 2 glasses of wine

Day 2 – Sunday 12:  Exploring Oslo…

After breakfast this morning, we meet our local guide in the lobby and set off for a guided tour through Oslo with a focus on modern city development, art and architecture. The tour will include icons such as the Opera House and Deichman Library, two iconic parts of the fjord city development. You will pass such national landmarks as the Parliament building, with its two imposing lion statues at the main entrance, the Cathedral, the National Theatre and the magnificent Royal Palace, the official residence of the present Norwegian Monarch. We will visit the Munch Museum – an art museum dedicated to the life and works of the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, best known for The Scream. In order to honour Munch’s legacy, Oslo has built the new museum as one of the world’s largest museums dedicated to a single artist. It won’t be hard to pick out the museum from Oslo’s skyline—the building towers 188 feet over the shore and features an angular form that bends toward the city’s historical centre, offering more than 26,000 feet of exhibition space over 13 stories.

Then stop for lunch (via tram) at Ekeberg Restaurant, located in the hills just above Oslo, with a stunning view of the inner Oslo fjord, the city and the Opera House. Time permitting, you may also drop into the new National Museum – a museum which is truly a colossus of Norwegian art, and will combine the collections of the Norwegian Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the National Gallery all under one, very large roof, making it the largest museum in the Nordic region.

Overnight Accommodation:  Hotel Clarion, The Hub

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 – Monday 13:  To Bergen, To Bergen…

After breakfast, we transfer by minibus to the train station. We will join the legendary ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ tour which takes us through Norway’s most breathtaking UNESCO-protected fjord and mountain scenery. We will experience the scenic Bergen Railway from Bergen to the mountain station of Myrdal where we change trains and travel on the breathtaking Flåm Railway to the picturesque village of Flåm. The ride through the towering mountains offers panoramic views of some of the wildest and most magnificent Norwegian mountain scenery, including the famous Kjosfossen Waterfall. On arrival in Flåm, we board a hybrid boat to Gudvangen and travel by bus up the Stalheimskleivane serpentine turns and onwards to Voss, where we will catch the train the last bit to Bergen. Upon arrival at Bergen train station, we will be transferred by minibus to our hotel, the Opus XVI. Our stunning accommodation is a contemporary boutique hotel immersed in Bergen’s rich musical heritage; our hosts are descendants of Bergen-born composer Edvard Grieg.

Overnight Accommodation:  Opus XVI

Included Meals:  Breakfast

Day 4 – Tuesday 14:  Exploring Bergen…

This morning we wake up in the ‘Gateway to the Fjords’. We meet our guide and enjoy a private walking tour in the beautiful Hanseatic
town including the fish market, the old Hanseatic warehouses, the cathedral (exterior only) and many charming wooden houses, as well as the fortress. We will combine history, culture, food and everyday life as we walk through both the most famous attractions of Bergen and the off-the-beaten-path parts of the city. From medieval architectural gems such as Håkon’sHall and St. Mary’s Church to the heritage buildings at Bryggen; from the old fish market to the new one and from the former city halls to the heart of the city at Byparken.
We can enjoy a ride by the funicular to Mount Fløyen for a panoramic view of Norway. The route winds its way down from the mountain
with many twists and turns, passing fantastic views and charming old wooden buildings. When you are almost at the bottom, you will see Skansedammen; in winter it’s frequented by ice skaters. We can also make a (quick?!) stop at Arven Silverfactory. Arven offers a wide range of beautiful silverware and unique jewellery, all handcrafted and made in the heart of Bergen. You can watch our goldsmiths and silversmiths at work through a 40-metre-long glass wall in our shop. Tonight we enjoy a fantastic 5-course experience at Cornelius.
Located just outside the city, Cornelius is one of Norway’s best seafood restaurants. A boat will take us to the restaurant and the journey
will take about 30 minutes with views to the skerries, fjord, and the bustling life along the coast from Bryggen wharf in the city to ‘Holmen’ Island. Inspired by the weather of the day, Cornelius serves its famous Meteorological Menu of exquisite seafood and trimmings, prepared using innovative culinary techniques and with a genuine passion for seafood.

Overnight Accommodation:  Opus XVI

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 – Wednesday 15:  Fedje Island and to Trondheim…

After breakfast, we start on our day tour to Fedje Island. Fedje – the village in the ocean, is a small island municipality on the outermost
coast of Western Hordaland. The island is a beautiful little boat trip from Bergen. “North by North West” in Norway, a short boat ride from Bergen.  Seaspray, open landscape, a lighthouse 104 feet above sea level, fresh air, 551 inhabitants and a lot of weather.
Fedje was not really known for anything until investor Anne Koppang decided she wanted to invest in the local brewery and turn it into a
distillery to set out & create the world’s best whisky. She wanted to use the distillery as a tool to shed light on the fact that more than 80% of stock values in Norway is owned by men and change this. Feddie distillery is inspired by Old Norse mythology; founded by women and 100% of the investors are women. Fedje is embraced by the waves — the ‘nine sisters’, so they produce Nine Sisters Ocean Gin and Nine Sisters’ Single Malt Ocean Whisky, and we have the opportunity to give them a taste test. Over the next few years, women will turn this island into a vibrant community with a new Ted Saunders-designed hotel, chocolate production, activities and more.

We will have lunch before we continue to Bergen airport for our evening departure to Trondheim.

Our fabulous accommodation in Trondheim is the Britannia Hotel – an iconic hotel with a storied past, serving Arctic explorers, politicians, royalty and celebrities. It first opened in 1870 to welcome aristocratic Britons, who came to fish the region’s legendary salmon rivers.

*We arrive quite late in Trondheim, so dinner is at leisure / on the run – we could grab a bite to eat at the airport or on arrival in Trondheim.

Overnight Accommodation:  Britannia

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 – Thursday 16:  Exploring beautiful Trondheim…

Today we have a chance to explore Trondheim, the wooden city of history. Norway’s first capital, Trondheim was founded in 997 by the
Viking King Olav Tryggvason, who gave the town the name ‘Nidaros’. Thanks to its imposing medieval Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim has been a pilgrimage site for nearly 1000 years. It is the world’s northernmost gothic cathedral. Built in 1070 over the tomb of St. Olav, the Viking king who brought Christianity to the heathen Vikings, the cathedral was completed around 1300. The oldest parts still in existence are from the middle of the 12th century.

This afternoon is at leisure. You can discover more of the city, or you could spend a delightful afternoon at the Britannia Spa. Beautifully designed, the new Britannia Spa is a modern, elegant oasis of tranquillity that offers the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation for both the mind and body. The spa boasts six treatment rooms, a heated lap pool, sauna, steam room, ice bath, mineral pool, gym, infrared cabin and much more. Before heading out to dinner this evening, we can meet in the Britannia Bar for a cocktail.

Tonight’s dinner is at one of the city’s Michelin-starred restaurants; Fagn. Fagn is a Nordic restaurant by Chef Jonas Andre Nåvik – alumni of three-Michelin-starred restaurant Alinea in Chicago. He has created a fine-dining restaurant on the first floor, and a more relaxed restaurant and cocktail bar on the second floor. As the first restaurant in Trondheim, Fagn was awarded a Michelin star in 2019.

Overnight Accommodation:  Britannia

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 – Friday 17:  Cruising to Lofoten…

Morning at leisure. At 12.45 we will step onboard Hurtigruten’s MS Kong Harald for a stretch of what is referred to as the world’s most
beautiful sea voyage. In the afternoon, the ship sails northwest, passing the ochre-coloured Kjeungskjær Lighthouse, islets, and rocky reefs.

After that, we head towards charming Rørvik. As we cruise, we will be able to get a better sense of Norway’s long coastline – an
uninterrupted panorama of breathtaking scenery and wildlife. If we are lucky, we might get our first glimpse of the Northern Lights tonight.

Full board – food onboard is based on local coastal produce – no plans while on board. This is a good chance to let all the impressions of
the last week sink in and get ready for “part 2” of your journey through Norway. Retire for the evening to your cabin and get ready to wake up for breakfast at the North Cape.

Overnight Accommodation:  Hurtigruten Overnight Cruise, Outside Cabins

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 – Saturday 18: Continuing to Lofoten…

A new morning at sea. We cross the Arctic Circle early in the morning, beginning your Arctic tour of Norway. The boat marks the moment with a traditional ceremony that’s sure to wake you up! Wake for breakfast with a lavish buffet and views out across the endless horizon.

At approximately 10am, the boat calls into Ørnes, near 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.

This afternoon, the ship enters the Lofoten archipelago. The 1,000 metre-high Lofoten Wall is a stunning sight on the horizon as if there to welcome us. Lofoten is located 68 and 69 degrees north of the Arctic Circle. The archipelago extends over 7 islands and has about 24,000 inhabitants. Arrival in Stamsund at 19.15 pm. Stamsund is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the islands and is 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.
Lofoten is epic – nature on steroids! – featuring huge contrasts between dizzying peaks, bone-white Arctic beaches and pastures that form the foundation of some of the most incredible food. It’s also the Kingdom of the Weather Gods – the constantly changing climatic
conditions, light and seasons are an attraction in themselves. With access to the right insiders, authentic adventures await you around every corner.

We transfer to Ballstad Village & our accommodation. Hattvika Lodge is a rorbu – historic fishermen’s cottages with views of the Norwegian Sea. For generations, Hattvika has been the address for fishermen during the legendary Lofoten fishing season, and today the fisherman’s cabins are available for us to sleep in!

Tonight we enjoy a rustic lodge dinner. The Hattvika Lodge Restaurant serves authentic food; with an emphasis on traditional food from local suppliers and a focus on what the Lofoten Sea produces in seasonal varieties. The menu will be coloured by day-caught fish or traditional preservation methods such as dried/salted fish.

The world’s only Cod Liver Oil Taste Depot is located at Hattvika Lodge. Lofoten’s history is based on the Lofoten fishery – the world’s
largest fishing takes place just outside your cottages. Cod Liver Oil has traditionally been used by locals as light oil, for painting fisherman’s cottages and for vitamin supplements. This is pure Omega-3. At Hattvikholmen, millions of bottles of Cod Liver Oil are produced annually and you, as a guest, can get your daily dose from the Cod Liver Oil Taste Depot.

Overnight Accommodation:  Hattvika Lodge

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 – Sunday 19:  Discovering Lofoten and chasing those Northern Lights…

This morning, from the quayside in Hattvika, a local fisherman will take us out in a sjark fishing boat in search of pollock and coastal trout.

This is a chance to explore the lifeblood of Lofoten for hundreds of years – the arctic cod! These fishermen know the Lofoten Sea like the
back of their hand and know the best fishing grounds outside Ballstad. This afternoon is leisure time – maybe a bit of sea kayaking?
Lofoten’s beautiful surroundings and deep fjords offer perfect surroundings for kayaking experiences. Local guides are available from
basecamp in Hattvika. Or perhaps a harbour sauna is more your thing.

After a day exploring the best of Lofoten’s nature, spend the evening recuperating ready for tomorrow’s adventures with private access to the sauna overlooking the ocean. And if you’re feeling really brave, why not take a dip in the ocean to cool off… Tonight’s dinner is a simple, light meal.

The natural phenomenon, Aurora Borealis is a fantastic sight and is best experienced in places with minimal artificial light (ref towns and cities), preferably out in nature where reflections in the sea, mountains and a fantastic landscape make this an experience out of the
ordinary. Tonight we will escape into the darkness on the hunt for the northern lights. Our guide will escort us around the archipelago in a private vehicle to some of the best spots to experience the northern lights according to the night’s forecast.

Overnight Accommodation:  Hattvika Lodge

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Light Dinner

Day 10 – Monday 20:  Exploring further…

Regardless of the time of year, Lofoten provides a journey amid breathtaking natural surroundings. The combination of the untamed ocean and stormy seas, jagged alpine mountains plunging into the water, tiny sheltered fishing villages and white beaches with crystal clear waters will never cease to enchant you. Today is a little fluid – we shall see where the wind takes us. But rest assured, we have some great sightseeing on hand! Lofoten is filled with arctic beaches, historical fishing villages and breathtaking mountain hikes. Our host will guide us through the picturesque landscape, typical of the Lofoten islands. Along the way we will stop at historical sites, beaches and the mandatory photo stops that you cannot miss in Kabelvåg, Lyngvær, Hov and Henningsvær. Lofotr Viking Museum is the world’s largest longhouse from the Viking Age. The Museum is the result of the onsite archaeological find from the Viking Age (800-1050). The house is reconstructed right beside its original site. We will learn all about the Vikings: Scandinavian warriors and raiders from Norway, Denmark, and Sweden famous for their exploits, raids, and conquests.  We will also visit Dan Graham’s glass construction. This piece of art has reflecting walls that display the magical Arctic beauty of winter in Lofoten.

Tonight we enjoy an evening at Lofoten Seaweed. Best friends & kick-ass women, Angelita and Tamara combine the best of two worlds;
Norwegian seafood meets Japanese traditions. Angelita, the daughter of a fisherman, grew up living off the ocean in the Lofoten fishing
village Napp. Co-founder, Tamara, grew up in New Zealand where her Japanese mother served seaweed with almost every meal. Their
strong common interest in food, sea, and health combined with a small amount of madness is the basis for their commitment to Lofoten
Seaweed and to introduce seaweed in the Nordic kitchen. This amazing female-owned and run company offers 100% natural, organic,
gluten-free Arctic seaweed seasoning as well as a range of other products such as seaweed flavoured chocolate.

Overnight Accommodation:  Hattvika Lodge

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 – Tuesday 21:  Time to go to Alta…

Morning at leisure before a transfer to Leknes for our flight to Alta – the Northernmost part of the country we will visit on this trip. Alta is located in Norway’s northernmost country Troms and Finnmark, and has a rich Sami history and culture.

On arrival to Alta, we will be transferred to our Mountain Lodge, run by Synnøve and her team, and checked in. Our base camp for our last two days is Bjørnfjell Lodge, a cosy mountain hideaway located above a fairytale Norwegian valley. With its location in the heart of the Arctic, you come into contact with the root of Norwegian culture and cabin life. Nestled amongst mountains and open space, the area catches the spirit of skiers, hikers & Northern Lights enthusiasts. The lodge has snowshoeing and skiing opportunities at the doorstep. It lies 379 km above the arctic circle, and 20 km away from Alta City Centre, which makes it a stunning location to be engulfed by open nature and natural phenomena.

Tonight we are invited for a Polar Dinner under the Northern lights and a million stars – if we are lucky! We will venture out on a polar night excursion at the top of Bjørnfjell mountain where our local hosts will make a gourmet meal on the bonfire outside the cosy cabin
“Bjørnehiet”. We will keep warm with our own reindeer skin and let our local insider tell us the mythical tales about the Aurora Borealis. This experience is a great introduction to Northern Norwegian culture.

Overnight Accommodation:  Bjørnfjell Lodge

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 – Wednesday 22:  You time, reindeers and Sami…

This morning is free to choose a preferred activity (not included), or simply just relax at the Lodge. Try skis or snowshoes, a Fjord & wildlife safari on the Altafjord, visit the Sorrisniva Icehotel; for ice sculpting, reindeer sledging or snowmobiling, fat biking in the forest and more.

We will have access to the using the sauna cabin after our day’s activities.

This afternoon, we transfer to Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge for an amazing Sami experience: dressed in winter clothes you will get to try reindeer sledding on the frozen Alta river and into the snow-covered forest. Here, we reach a traditional Sami lavvu heated by a bonfire, get to feed the reindeer, try Sami food and hear stories from the Sami people.

Return to the Lodge after a brilliant afternoon.

Overnight Accommodation:  Bjørnfjell Lodge

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13 – Thursday 23:  Alta adventures continue…

Our last day of adventures! And what an amazing one it is.

We transfer to Trasti & Trine for an active wilderness adventure. Pick up the reins and become a genuine dog-sledding musher for a day!
After gearing up and learning the names of our huskies, we will head out into the forest to enjoy the dogs and the frozen nature that
surrounds us. We drive in the forest, on the river and maybe up in the mountains. You play a part in deciding how many kilometres we go!

Midday brings a hot lunch around an open fire as the mushers gather to share stories and teach some more about dog-sledding.

After a thrilling day in the great outdoors with these incredible four-legged athletes, our multi-talented hosts will create a four-course dinner for us back at their lodge, where the menu will include fish from the fjord, potatoes from the farm, reindeer from the mountains, bread straight from the stone oven and sweet berries from the past summer’s harvest. The perfect way to end our journey through northern Norway.

We transfer back to Bjørnfjell after dinner.

Overnight Accommodation:  Bjørnfjell Lodge

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, dinner

Day 14 – Friday 24:  Bye bye Alta – to Oslo we go…

Today we fly back to Oslo for a final night in the capital before next morning’s international departure.

For our last night, we will check into the divine Hotel Continental. This evening we will celebrate our Nordic journey with a farewell dinner at Restaurant Rest – a pioneering restaurant with a mantra of ‘waste not, want not’, and an ethos based around using imperfect produce and items which would normally be discarded. Ingredients are used in multiple different ways in the skillfully prepared, multi-course menu.  (MICHELIN Green Star for Gastronomy and sustainability.)

Overnight Accommodation:  Hotel Continental

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Day 15 – Saturday 25:  Time to go…

All wonderful things must come to an end.

Depending on your flight time, you may have some time this morning to enjoy a last-minute stroll before being transferred to Oslo Airport to either fly home or further your travels in Europe.  Transfer time to be advised.

Included Meals:  Breakfast

Oslo:

Clarion Hotel, The Hub:

With the best location in the centre of Oslo, Clarion  Hotel The Hub is the perfect starting point and hotel for Oslo experiences. Clarion Hotel The Hub is a new and spectacular hotel that offers you exciting food with local roots, arenas to inspire, challenge, create and share. With immediate proximity to the city’s best bars, concerts and restaurants, you have access to the best experiences.

Bergen:

Trondheim:

Hotel Britannia:

Established in 1870, the Britannia has a rich history as the hub of mid-Norway. An iconic hotel with a storied past, serving Arctic explorers, politicians, royalty and celebrities. For 150 years, Britannia has been a destination for fine dining, elegant hospitality and special occasions. Bespoke furnishings and textiles, fine linens, and marble bathrooms adorn the bright guest rooms and suites. Four on-site restaurants and two bars range from the majestic Palmehaven for an unforgettable breakfast, to the remarkable Nordic Michelin-starred Speilsalen, and a wine bar with an international collection of 2,500 different labels.