Norway’s Capital & Coast

Welcome to Norway! Your 10-day adventure exploring the country's far north and beautiful coast starts in the cool, chic capital, Oslo. This walkable city has something for everyone: world-famous art, award-winning architecture, and museums that cover everything from Polar exploration to Nobel Peace Prize winners. There's great shopping, floating saunas and an array of parks, too.

Make your way to your hotel. It's centrally located, so if you have time to stretch your legs before dinner, there's plenty to see nearby.

Later, meet your tour manager and get to know your travel companions over a welcome dinner in the hotel.

Fill up with breakfast in your hotel in preparation for a 4-hour guided tour of Oslo. Your local, English-speaking guide will show you some of the city's most famous sights from the comfort of a private coach.

Highlights include the striking Oslo Opera House on the edge of the Oslofjord, and Holmenkollen Ski Museum and jump, in the hills behind the city. The views across Oslo and the island-peppered fjord beyond are as special as the attractions themselves.

You'll also visit Vigeland Sculpture Park, home to more than 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. Look out for The Angry Boy – a bronze-cast statue of a chubby child with pure frustration etched in every fold of his clenched fists and stamping feet.

The rest of the day is yours to explore the rest of the city.

After breakfast, it's time to check out of your hotel and transfer to Oslo Airport for your flight north. You'll fly the length of Norway's mainland to Kirkenes, travelling from around 60 degrees north to 70 degrees north. Here, you're approximately 400km within the Arctic Circle and on the very edge of Norway.

This Arctic town is a place of adventures in wild landscapes, with a surprising blend of cultures. You're just a few kilometres from the border with Russia – an influence you'll notice in the bilingual road signs.

We'll transfer you to your hotel where you can get a good night's sleep ahead of a fun-filled day tomorrow.

You're about to go on a King Crab Safari by RIB boat excursion topped off with a tasty meal of delicious, meaty king crab – so don't have too much at breakfast!

You'll join local fishermen as they bring in the day's catch of king crab, then feast on your haul in a rustic boathouse restaurant. It's an unforgettable way to experience a summer's day in the Arctic.

Afterwards, transfer from the hotel to your comfortable cabin on our ship, ready for a 12.30pm departure. It's time to start the main adventure of the trip: your voyage south to Bergen, on The Coastal Express – known as ‘the world's most beautiful voyage'.

Ahead of you lies five days filled with dramatic landscapes, UNESCO World Heritage sites and delicious onboard dining with Norway's Coastal Kitchen. You can watch the scenery slide by and explore the ports independently, or embellish your voyage with a range of optional excursions.

Today you sail around the northernmost tip of mainland Europe: North Cape at 71 degrees north.

Depending on which optional excursions you've booked, your day could start with a lavish breakfast overlooking the Barents Sea from the North Cape and end with a magical Midnight Concert in Tromsø Cathedral.

After brief stops along Norway's northernmost peninsulas, hop off your ship in the early afternoon to explore Hammerfest, one of the most northern settlements in the world. See the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, shop for souvenirs at the Polar Bear Society, or follow the trail for amazing views from Mount Salen.

Back on board, head to the deck as you approach Tromsø for incredible views of the Lyngen Alps, home to some of Norway's highest peaks. Your ship docks at Tromsø just before midnight but thanks to the endless light of the Midnight Sun, there's plenty to see even at this hour.

Today, you'll sail the archipelagos of Lofoten and Vesterålen, undisputed highlights of Norway's coast.

In the morning, your ship stops briefly at Harstad, home to Trondenes, the world's northernmost medieval stone church. From here, he landscape shifts gear from gentle hills to towering mountains as you sail to Stokmarknes, birthplace of The Coastal Express. It's the perfect place to jump into Norway's maritime heritage. At  Hurtigrutemuseet, you can step on board MS Finnmarken from 1956, preserved like a ship in a bottle.

Sailing along Raftsund from Vesterålen to Lofoten, your Captain might detour into tiny Trollfjord , where the soaring mountain walls feel almost close enough to touch.

In the evening, stroll the streets of Svolvær, gateway to the Lofoten Islands. Or join an optional excursion and trot along a white-sand beach on an Icelandic horse, meet the owner of the archipelago's only craft brewery, or go in search of Sea Eagles on a RIB.

Fall into bed after you've sailed past Stamsund and the vast granite cliffs of the Lofoten Wall.

Your ship crosses the Arctic Circle just after breakfast. Mark the moment with a taste of traditional Norwegian cod liver oil.

Sandnessjøen is the gateway to the magnificent Helgeland Coast. Ever wondered where your eiderdown quilt comes from? Join the optional excursion into the UNESCO-listed Vega archipelago to find out.

Be on the viewing deck as you cruise past the magnificent Seven Sisters mountain range. According to legend, seven beautiful troll princesses fleeing from an unwanted suitor got caught out as the sun rose, transforming into the seven beautiful peaks.

Step off your ship in Brønnøysund to see the bustling marina and the Neo-Gothic-style Brønnøy Church. Or join an optional excursion and hike through the cathedral-like hole running through the centre of famous Torghatten mountain.

Back on board, don't miss views of  Torghatten from the sea – your Expedition Team will tell you the troll story associated with it.

Your day begins in Trondheim, as the city wakes. See sacred Nidaros Cathedral, resting place of St. Olav, then stroll across Gamle Bybro bridge to the trendy Bakklandet district. Take your pick from the chic cafes serving coffee and pastries – try a traditional Norwegian boller (bun) – and walk up to Kristiansten Fort for unforgettable views of Norway's third largest city.

Later this afternoon, you'll dock at Kristiansund, known as Norway's ‘bacalao capital' for the salted cod – klippfisk – that's dried on the surrounding cliffs. Wander the old town's cobblestone streets, tour the lively port and head up to the old watchtower at Varden viewpoint for a panorama of the three islands that make up the city.

To reach Molde, the last port of the day, hop back on board or swap the ship for the swooping bridges of The Atlantic Road. You'll drive along the route that has featured in countless car ads and action movies, as well as visit a stave church and sample bacalao, a hearty stew made from klippfisk.

 Molde is famous for its skyline of 222 peaks. If you're here in July and August, you'll soon see why the town is nicknamed ‘The City of Roses'.

Before your coastal cruise comes to an end later today, soak up some of the views that put the Norwegian fjords at the top of so many travel bucket lists.

Make sure you're awake in time to catch a glimpse of Nordfjord snaking towards mainland Europe's largest glacier, majestic Jostedal, shortly after Måløy. As you depart Florø, look out for Stabben Lighthouse, a favourite with photographers. And keep your camera close as you cruise across the mouth of Sognefjord (Norway's longest and widest fjord) and through the islands and skerries of  Hjeltefjord on the approach to the fjord city of Bergen, the final stop of your voyage along Norway's coast.

It's time to say farewell to the ship but your Norwegian adventure isn't over yet. It's time for a private coach tour of Bergen's highlights, including the UNESCO-listed wharf, Bryggen, and the colourful fish markets.

Afterwards, check in to your centrally located hotel. There's still time to explore Bergen independently. Don't miss the funicular railway up Mount Fløyen – the incredible view across the city and out to sea is the perfect finale to your tour.

Unless you're heading off on another adventure with us today – such as our Norway in Nutshell experience from Bergen to Oslo – your tour draws to a close today.

After a delicious breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to your new friends, check out of your hotel, and head home with some incredible memories of our time together.

Thank you for travelling with us. We hope to see you on another of our tours or voyages soon.