In Search of Northern Lights

Situated on the north bank of the Thames, Tilbury is steeped in history. The town is most famous as the site of a fortress built by Henry VIII to defend London from invasion by ships coming up the Thames. Upriver, the city is home to iconic power centers—Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey—from which the fate of the British Empire rose and wavered. Today, the city thrives amid a long tradition of arts and architectural innovation—from Shakespeare's Globe Theater to West End musicals, from Tower Bridge to the London Eye.

Cross the North Sea, where Vikings sailed as they established colonies on Scottish islands, coastal France and beyond.

Edinburgh has been Scotland's capital since the 15th century, despite the fact that the Union of the Crowns moved it to London in 1603. There is no capital quite like Edinburgh, with its gorgeous setting on green rocky hillocks and splendid views of the sea. Edinburgh Castle, home of the Scottish Crown Jewels and countless medieval treasures, overlooks the city from Castle Rock. The Royal Mile unfurls Edinburgh's architectural gems in all their finery, from the Canongate to St. Giles's Cathedral to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Scottish residence of British royalty.

Stretching between mainland Europe and Great Britain, the floor of the North Sea once formed a land bridge that connected the two during the last Ice Age. It was home to nomadic peoples, whose artifacts provide key insights into the Mesolithic Era.

Bergen is home to the Hanseatic League's only kontor (trading enclave) still in existence. Bryggen wharf, a row of timbered Hanseatic warehouses along a quaint quay, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Narrow wooden walkways are flanked by parallel rows of small, vibrantly painted buildings overlooking the picturesque Vågen Harbor. This is perhaps the most charming district of Bergen and a delight to explore, from its tight-knit community of workshops where artisans sell their wares to its cafés where freshly prepared smørbrød, or open-faced sandwiches, are on the menu.

Bergen, an ancient city with deep Viking roots, is located in the heart of western Norway, nestled between seven gargantuan mountain peaks. It is also the gateway to the country's magnificent fjords, including the Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord. Founded in 1070 on what was a Viking settlement, Bergen was Norway's capital during the 13th century; today, it is the second-largest city in Norway. Not to be missed is a stroll through the picturesque outdoor fish market, Fisketorget, where the fresh catch of the sea awaits—from cod and prawns to local caviar and icy oysters.

The Norwegian Inside Passage is a protected shipping lane that runs from Norway's capital of Oslo, down the Skagerrak coast and around the country's southern tip. It continues north along the coastline of the Norwegian Sea, before eventually terminating in the Russian waters of Siberia. It has been used by mariners for centuries, its channels protected from the dangers of the open water by countless skerries and the rugged coastline presenting opportunities for shelter in its many natural bays and inlets.

Narvik is situated on the innermost shores of the Ofotfjorden, within the Arctic Circle. The small town enjoys a dramatic backdrop, encircled by mountains and a glacier that spills right to the water's edge. The town served as a port city for the early Viking settlers. Much later, the discovery of iron ore in the nearby Swedish town of Kiruna forever shaped Narvik. Kiruna needed a year-round ice-free port from which to ship its new discovery, and so a rail link was built directly to the water. Still today, Narvik is a major exporter.

Hinnøya Island is Norway's largest coastal island and is famed for its diverse landscapes and natural beauty. Harstad's history is showcased at the Trondenes Historical Center, tracing the lives of locals from the Stone Age to the present day. The town lies 155 miles above the Arctic Circle and is known as the “Pearl of Vågsfjorden,” providing a gateway to explore the nature of northern Norway. Visitors can discover stunning fjords, admire majestic mountains and during the winter months, set out in search of the wonderous aurora borealis as she graces the nighttime skies.

Resting on the stunning shores of Altafjord, Alta is the gateway to some of Europe's most magnificent natural beauty. With its frequent clear skies, it is an ideal place from which to see the northern lights. Alta is perhaps most known as the site of ancient rock carvings dating back as far as 4200 BC. These fascinating depictions of hunters, gatherers, rituals, animals and geometric symbols are Norway's only primitive UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Alta Museum was built around the largest concentration of the carvings.

The small town of Alta lies in Norway's largely unspoiled county of Finnmark and is considered one of the world's northernmost cities. Here, pristine woodlands spill into the stunning Altafjord, which stretches some 24 miles. Perhaps, however, one of Alta's most striking sights is not natural at all; the boldly designed Northern Lights Cathedral in the center of town is a vision in titanium, with its circular exterior spiraling upward into a narrower cylinder and a breathtaking belfry.

Tromsø is Norway's most northerly city and has long been considered the gateway to the Arctic. During the summer months, pretty wooden houses exude an air of sophistication as they bask beneath the glow of the Midnight Sun. Winter brings pristine landscapes surrounded by snowcapped peaks and the aurora borealis, whose magical lights dance across the nighttime skies. World-renowned explorers have set sail from Tromsø's shores; Roald Amundsen, Norway's first son and the first explorer to reach both poles, is commemorated with a bronze statue in the city.

Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.