Everyone has something on their bucket list. This cruise is one of the items near the top of my list. Your journey begins in Bergen and 34 port later arrives in Kirkenes. In 2011 Norway's new concept of "Slow TV" chose to broadcast live the entire journey North.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1 Bergen
Your voyage begins in Bergen, a city surrounded by seven mountain. The cultural gateway to the fjords.
Day 2 Floro to Molde
You continue North to Alesund, a beautiful town filled with perfect examples of Art Nouveau architecture. In summer and autumn the fjords are an experience to behold, in winter you will be treated to expert-led lectures on the aurora borealis and the northern lights.
Day 3 Kristiansund to Rorvik
The architecture and surroundsings in Trondheim create a beautiful and almost mythical setting, whether you are exploring the city by foot, bike or boat. You can kayak on the river Nid and into the city's smaller channels, or take a guided tour to discover the city's most striking features.
Day 4 Bronnoysund to Svolvaer
Journey across the Arctic Circle where you can enjoy the 'Midnight Sun,' a natural phenomonon occuring past the Artic and Anartic circles in the summertime. Wintertime will give you the chance of experiencing the Aurora Borealis more commonly known as the Northern Lights.
Day 5 Stokmarkens to Skjervoy
Whale watching, Husky dog sledding, polar history walks, mountain hikes and kayaking are among the exciting activities you can experience visiting Risoyhamm, Harstad, Finnsnes, and the capital of the Arctic, Tromso.
Enjoy the magnificent sub-Arctic landscape as we cross the 71st parallel on our journey towards the North Cape, the northernmost point on the continent. In summer, you might see herds of reindeer and campsites belonging to the indigenous Sámi people. In winter, experience the snow-clad valleys, the fresh winter air and your best chances to see the mesmerizing northern lights.
Day 6 Oksfjord to Berlevag
As we cross the 71st parallel on our journey towards the North Cape, the Northern most point on the continent you will be awed by the sub-Arctic landscape. You may see herds of reindeer and Sami campsites. In winter, you will experience snow-clad valleys and fresh winter air as well as your best chance to be mesmerized by the Auroa Borealis.
Day 7 Batsfjord to Kirkenes
As your ship nears Kirkenes, only a few miles from the Russian border, the vistas become more and more dramatic. The capital of the Barents and the gateway to the east Kirkenes is the end of your Northbound voyage.
Since 1893 Hurtigruten has sailed the coast of Norway from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. The ships are part cruise ship, part ferry, and part cargo ship. Sometimes referred to as the Norwegian Coastal Express and often called The World's Most Beautiful Voyage, 11 ships continously make the voyage North to Kirkenes and South to Bergen.
Enjoy the complete cruise of M/S Nordnorge from Bergen to Kirkenes in 37 minutes, then give me a call to book your Hurtigruten cruise. The original footage was 8040 minutes. The speed in this timelapse varies between 100x to 300x normal speed. Footage is from the live broadcast "Hurtigruten Minutt for Minutt" aired on television in June, 2011.
