FROM HAMBURG TO HAMBURG

Bergen welcomes you to a Scandinavian gem. Over the years, the city’s wealth has been built on seafaring, trade and fishing. Today, the city’s past is reflected in the Hanseatic quarter of Bryggen with its narrow streets: with its colourful, historic merchants’ houses lined up next to one another on the quayside, the area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The picturesque fish market is also worth a visit. Mount Floyen, one of the city’s seven hills, rises up to 300 m (984 ft) above the centre – on a walk you will see from the top why Bergen is known as the “gateway to the fjords”.

Alesund nestles in a picturesque location on the Norwegian coastline, spread over several islands and surrounded by fjords. You can see the harmony between people and nature here from the top of Mount Aksla: after the effort of climbing up around 400 steps, you will be rewarded with amazing panoramic views. Are you interested in getting to know the city in more detail? Take a stroll through the charming streets and lanes of the city centre and discover the hidden gems of its impressive architecture: the entire city was rebuilt in the art nouveau style after a devastating fire in 1904. More than 400 listed buildings invite you to take the time to discover the many interesting architects’ quotes on the facades.

Norway is legendary in the truest sense of the word. Many of its impressive landscapes are closely linked with legends and Norwegian mythology. A particularly fascinating story comes to life when your ship cruises off Torghatten, the striking mountain with a hole in the middle. According to legend, this hole was created when the King of the Somna’s hat was pierced by an arrow fired by a wild troll prince. See it for yourself when your ship cruises off the island of Torget, offering a perfect view of the rock. Your team of experts on board will explain the actual story behind the special geological feature.

Once described by seafarers and polar explorers as the “Paris of the North”, Tromso has not lost any of its charm to this day. A lively city in idyllic natural surroundings. Playground of the midnight sun in summer and dance floor of the Northern Lights in winter. The city’s landmark, the Arctic Cathedral*, is a prime example of how strong an influence the Arctic has on the city’s architecture. Aluminium-coated concrete panels give the roof its striking design, making it look as if ice floes have been pressed up on both sides. The 23 m (75 ft) high stained glass window is also impressive. The exhibitions at the Polaria centre and the Arctic fish and other species at the aquarium will enhance your knowledge of the polar habitat. A number of museums bring to life the legendary polar explorers, for whom Tromso was the “gateway to the Arctic”. Back on board, when night falls you will perhaps be treated to a special light show of the Northern Lights if the sky is clear.

Honningsvag is the maritime centre of the North Cape region. Its colourful houses are huddled together on the slopes of the local mountain, Storfjellet, which stands at a height of around 300 m (984 ft). Walk from the port to the little shops and restaurants offering Nordic specialities or visit the church built in 1885. When the town was destroyed by German occupying forces in 1944, only the whitewashed church remained undamaged. Take a hike in the surrounding hills to appreciate the idyllic sight of the town today. Honningsvag is also a starting point for visiting the legendary North Cape. Here, black slate cliffs rise up about 300 metres (984 ft) out of the sea and are topped by a huge globe symbolically marking the end of the European mainland. The geographical location so far north makes it the perfect place for seeing the Northern Lights.

Exceptional weather conditions and the remarkably clear sky have made the region around Alta an ideal place to observe and study the Northern Lights ever since the 18th century. The first Northern Lights observatory was built in the charming little town right at the end of the Altafjord in the 19th century. The Northern Lights Cathedral, with its bell tower spiralling up into the sky, is also worth a visit. The architecture of the building was inspired by the lights in the sky and has a similarly undulating appearance from all sides. Compare for yourself: the aurora borealis can be observed in clear weather in the surrounding area. Alta is the perfect starting point for a large number of outdoor activities*.

Today will be entirely devoted to exploring, with your little ship cruising nimbly through the Norwegian fjords. The many open deck areas will ensure an exclusive preview of the works of art created by nature. Cruise right up close to majestic mountains and rugged rock faces forged during the Ice Age. Huge glaciers once created Norway’s deep valleys, which were then filled with water when the meltwater caused sea levels to rise. Your experts on board will provide a commentary as you cruise through the deep-blue fjords, providing information on the geology and marine biology of the region. The time of the cruise is ideal for spotting orcas, humpback whales and perhaps even some fin whales, which are now spending time in the fjords. Be captivated by the changing series of fantastic views – from the deck tour at the bow perhaps.

Skerry landscape, stockfish archipelago and expedition territory: the Lofoten Islands impress with dramatic landscapes and idyllic fishing villages. See what life is like here on the main island of Austvagoya and in its main town, Svolvaer. Once the ship has docked, take a stroll around the little town. Everywhere you go, you will see frames for drying stockfish, which is exported all over the world from the archipelago. Rather than the town itself, it’s the symbiosis with the surrounding mountains that makes this place so appealing. Its main landmark is the mountain of the same name, Svolvaer, with two rocky peaks standing a good 1.5 metres (5 ft) tall at the top. The extraordinary light and colour here have attracted many artists to settle in the town. Experience the spectacle of this centre of art and light – as creative as the Northern Lights which will perhaps also put on a show for you in the night sky.

Covering a surface area of 370 km² (143 square miles), Svartisen is Norway’s second biggest glacier. No other mainland glacier comes this close to sea level. Its name is derived from the old Norwegian “svartis” meaning “black ice”, although the glacier reveals amazingly bright blue tones rather than black. When less air is trapped in the ice, it will appear darker and more blue in colour. Your experts will be at your side to tell you more about this and other background information. Depending on ice and snow conditions, take a hike to the tongue of ice to admire this work of nature or enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of the glacier from the glacial lake.

Hungry for adventure or thirsty for knowledge? Trondheim sates both. In the city where Norwegian kings were crowned, you will feel like you have been transported back to the Middle Ages. Old warehouses line the banks of the Nidelva River and horse-drawn carriages rumble through the streets. The city’s main landmark, Nidaros Cathedral, reveals Trondheim’s Gothic beauty. One of the most magnificent churches in Scandinavia, it has been an important place of pilgrimage for centuries as the tomb of the national saint, King Olav Haraldsson. The cathedral is adorned with around 5,000 sculptures. Will you be able to spot Bob Dylan or other famous faces among them?

Your small expedition ship will also take you to the famous Geirangerfjord as it hugs the coastline. The UNESCO World Heritage Site seems unreal and will draw you under its spell with its majestic mountains and cliffs rising up to 1,000 m (3,280 ft) out of the water. Numerous waterfalls plunge into the fjord, including the “Seven Sisters” with a drop of 250 m (820 ft). Legend has it that the “Suitor” waterfall on the opposite bank had its eye on the beautiful sisters, but its desires remained unfulfilled because of the fjord that kept them apart. Out of frustration, it took to the bottle, which is now apparently reflected in its shape like a liquor bottle. You too will be intoxicated by the sight of this natural wonder, which will stay in your memory forever.

Stavanger is proof of how colourful and picturesque history and monuments can be. In the old town centre, Gamle Stavanger, you will find a collection of narrow cobbled streets and small, white-painted, lovingly decorated wooden houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, which give the historic centre a special kind of charm. Stavanger Cathedral, built in 1125, is Norway’s only medieval church to have kept its original architecture in the Anglo-Norman Gothic style. The city also has an interesting story to tell about the history of seafaring and oil extraction. On a walk through its narrow streets, soak up the casual, almost Mediterranean atmosphere in the boutiques, galleries and cafes. Stavanger is the starting point for exploring the impressive Lysefjord.