From the 8th to the 11th century, the Vikings started their journey across Europe, looking for land and trade. Discover their amazing history during your visit to the Bygdoy Peninsula, home to three famous museums honouring the rich nautical heritage of the Norse race and its warrior ancestors. Wander the Viking Ship Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum and the Fram Polar Ship. Fram is the strongest wooden ship ever built and still holds the records for sailing farthest north and farthest south. You will be able to step on board the ship and see how the crew managed to survive in the coldest and most dangerous places on earth – the Arctic and the Antarctic.
Enrich: Immerse yourself in the architecture, stage technology, opera and ballet at Oslo’s Opera House during a private backstage tour with a specialist guide. Breathe in the beautiful views from the rooftop while enjoying a glass of wine. (B/D)
The remote wilderness of Svalbard is known as a polar desert, surrounded by rugged glaciers, frozen tundra and craggy mountain peaks. Due to the extraordinary nature of the region, the sailing and expedition schedule is flexible. Your experienced Captain and Discovery Leader will use their expertise to design this section of your voyage from day to day, making the most of the long daylight hours, weather and ice conditions to give you the best experience possible in this extraordinary part of the world.
Your Scenic Eclipse voyage sails in at prime time for wildlife spotting, and there will be opportunities to witness the dominant predators of the region including the majestic polar bear. Marine species in the area include the carefully protected walrus with its characteristic tusks and several species of whales. Once nearly hunted to extinction in a region now transformed into a dedicated conservation area, your encounters with these giants of the sea will be a memory to treasure. In addition, the surprisingly mild climate makes it the perfect Arctic location for observing a large variety of wildlife, including seabirds, seals, the Arctic fox, and reindeer. Make sure you always keep your binoculars with you.
Some of the possible landing sights that you may visit include Ny Ålesund, home to the northernmost post office in the world rich with history, the North East Svalbard Nature Reserve with the highest population of polar bears and walrus, and the North West Spitsbergen National Park, where we can explore magnificent fjords and the enormous Monaco Glacier. Discovery: You will partake in daily Scenic Discovery excursions by Zodiac, kayak and through nature walks. Discover majestic Arctic scenery, tundra landscapes, and native wildlife and marine life, exploring pristine locations. (B/L/D)
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