Norway Intensive Cruise: Svolvaer, North Cape & Stavanger

Copenhagen is known as a city of spires: the skyline of its medieval core is punctuated only by the steeples of churches and towers of palaces, though a modern building boom has overtaken other parts of the city. Today’s Copenhagen is known for its excellent quality of life and environmental consciousness – with many parks, it is green both literally and in today’s sense of the word. It is also bicycle-friendly, with bike paths lining almost every major street. After a ride or wander through the old town, stop for a local repast of Smørrebrød, traditional open-face sandwiches, or a mouthwatering Danish pastry.

Gothenburg, a major city in Sweden, is situated off the Göta älv river on the country’s west coast. An important seaport, it’s known for its Dutch-style canals and leafy boulevards like the Avenyn, the city’s main thoroughfare, lined with many cafes and shops. Liseberg is a popular amusement park with themed rides, performance venues and a landscaped sculpture garden.

The village of Olden sits peacefully at the edge of the colossal Jostedal Glacier. This is Europe’s largest ice floe, covering 188 square miles, and 2000 feet at its thickest. But it’s not the only glacier in this park. If you are feeling energetic, consider a journey to the frozen cascade of the million-year-old Briksdal Glacier, hiking the last portion across a wooden bridge over a waterfall, through a bewitching mountain valley, right up to the glacier’s face. Alternatively, opt for a relaxing journey by boat on an emerald green lake framed by ancient mountains.

Alesund’s architecture is known far and wide. Turrets, spires, and other whimsical Art Nouveau architectural touches give the town its distinctive character like something from a fairytale. The scenic spectacle of the Geirangerfjord, one of Norway’s best-known attractions, is just a stone’s throw from this quaint little town.

The scenery of the Lofoten archipelago is among the most dramatic in Norway, its spectacular glacial rock formations always visible, looming large behind beaches and green fields. Here, 200 km (124 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, the landscape is wild and life is simple, the coast ringed with fishing hamlets and picturesque cabins on stilts that have attracted artists for centuries. Birdlife is abundant, with large colonies of co-habiting species nesting on towering cliffs. Six miles offshore the continental shelf drops away to depths of 3,000 feet, and massive sperm whales can be spotted feeding in the deep, nutrient-rich waters.

Sometimes the biggest adventures come in small voyages. A narrow two-kilometer strip of the Raftsundet Strait just 3,724 feet wide, Trollfjord is a breathtaking passage through the best of the Arctic Circle.

Nestled between the Lofoten Islands and Vesteralen Archipelago, go where the bigger ships leave off to discover Norway’s towering Arctic fjords with Azamara. The site of the largest sea eagle population in the world, listen to the call of these majestic kings of flight while keeping your eyes peeled for puffins clinging to cliffs and the other seabirds that call these steep mountainsides home. In the water below, otters and seals play in surf teeming with fish and the occasional porpoise or whale.

Far north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is surrounded by a dramatic landscape of snow-capped peaks, scattered islands, and fjords, a scene best observed by taking the cable car up Storsteinen Mountain. In town the striking Arctic Cathedral mirrors the setting in glass and concrete, its triangular façade representative of an iceberg pointing to the sky. This part of the country is home to the Sami, Norway’s indigenous people, with their own language, culture, and traditional pursuits of fishing, hunting, and reindeer herding. Stop in at the Wilderness Center to say hello to Tove and Tore, their children, and more than 100 Alaskan huskies.

Honningsvag, population 4000, is the last village before the North Cape. The Midnight Sun shines here unceasingly from mid-May to the end of July, during which time the hamlet’s numbers swell, as the Sami people and their reindeer herds settle on the outskirts of town. No one lives permanently at the North Cape itself, but many come to visit this majestic cliff, rising over 1000 feet above the sea, providing a lookout over a limitless panorama stretching silently to the North Pole. Ingeniously concealed inside the cliff is North Cape Hall, where you can ponder the vastness in comfort.

There’s nothing like the land above the Arctic Circle—and Alta is a always stunning. Tucked into the Altafjord, it enjoys a warmer, drier climate than other ports in Northern Norway. Rugged landscapes roll down to meet the calm waters of the sheltered harbor, and local Sami culture thrives in one of the world’s most northerly cities.

Inspired by the aurora borealis that illuminate Alta in winter, visit the Northern Lights Cathedral and marvel at its steel sheet design that captures the essence of this natural phenomenon. Inside, tour enchanting illuminated artwork and visit interactive exhibits to learn more about the Northern Lights.

Quaint, primary-colored houses and church steeples peek out from a treed hillside surrounding deep blue Atlantic waters, welcoming you to this beautiful Nordic port. Named after the old farm for which the city was built on, Harstad is more popularly known to locals as “The Pearl of Vågsfjorden.”

The land of the midnight sun, Norway experiences a full 24 hours of daylight during the summer months between May and July. The most darkness you might experience is when the sun dips just below the horizon, so take advantage of this phenomena by exploring the edge of the Arctic Circle to the fullest.

Adventure is endless in a land where the sun barely sets in the summer months. Just north of the Arctic Circle, Bodø is one of Norway’s fastest growing cities, full of urban excitement while remaining deeply connected to its rich natural surroundings. It’s home to a diverse community of artists all keen to capture such amazing seaside splendor, a lively music scene, and ample shopping opportunities.

A city founded over 1,000 years ago is certain to be rich in history and culture. Now the country’s third largest municipality, it’s been Norway’s capital city, a site of countless coronations, and an important pilgrimage for worshipers of the Christian faith. Today, Trondheim is a vibrant, youthful city that embraces the simplicity of Scandinavian life. But don’t let this laid back lifestyle fool you— there is so much to discover beneath Trondheim’s calm exterior.

Stavanger is a fascinating blend of old and new – from the Middle Ages when Vikings ruled the seas to today’s North Sea drilling platforms that have made Norway one of the world’s leading oil producers. Echoing this duality is the contrast of modern architecture and trendy, stylish cafés with ancient cobblestone walkways, and rows of 18th-century whitewashed wooden houses. As you wander around town, keep your eyes open for the 23 identical cast iron figures by sculptor Antony Gormley that are scattered about. They are six feet tall and all face 10° west.

Arendal is a city in Agder county, Norway. The city is the administrative centre of the municipality of Arendal and the seat of the County Governor of Agder. The city also includes a small area in the neighboring municipality of Grimstad as well.

This seaside town is one of Denmark’s main fishing ports, a cute little get-away destination with lovely beaches. In the late 19th century the wild landscape and quality of light drew the attention of artists, who came to paint and take a break from the city. They became quite famous as the Skagen School, and some of their work is featured in the local art museum. Each July the town hosts a major folk festival, with performances by bands from around the world – folk, folk rock, jazz, ballads, blues, and perhaps some never before heard new variations on the theme.

Copenhagen is known as a city of spires: the skyline of its medieval core is punctuated only by the steeples of churches and towers of palaces, though a modern building boom has overtaken other parts of the city. Today’s Copenhagen is known for its excellent quality of life and environmental consciousness – with many parks, it is green both literally and in today’s sense of the word. It is also bicycle-friendly, with bike paths lining almost every major street. After a ride or wander through the old town, stop for a local repast of Smørrebrød, traditional open-face sandwiches, or a mouthwatering Danish pastry.