9 days / 8 nights
Bergen • Kirkenes

Fares

Edvard Grieg is synonymous with the very land of his birth, indeed there can be few Norwegians as widely known as the man who has become one of the most prominent ambassadors of Nordic music known today.

Taking a classical and unique voyage of discovery, you combine the dramatic and beautiful landscape of Norway's fjords and coastline with a series of on board concerts and lectures that will delight and edify as you sail north, deep into the heart of Arctic Norway.

Your itinerary will follow the northbound voyage beginning in Bergen and travelling to Kirkenes. In Bergen you will visit the home of Grieg at Troldhaugen, 'The Trolls Hill', before you board the ship for your journey north. Enjoying the relaxed charm of life on board ship you pass tumbling waterfalls and towering peaks and will enjoy daily lectures and piano recitals as you go, the vitality of Grieg's music the perfect accompaniment to the awe-inspiring vistas, before disembarking seven days later in Kirkenes.

Day 1 :

Join in Bergen. Visit Troldhaugen. Overnight in Bergen.

Day 2 :

Free time to explore Bergen. Embarkation late afternoon. Enjoy the northbound voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes, with lectures and music.

Day 3 :

A perfect start to your second day is an early arrival at the enchanting Art Nouveau town of Ålesund, which is situated across several islands at the entrance to Geirangerfjord. The ship will sail into the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site of Geirangerfjord, where tumbling waterfalls, rugged cliffs and majestic mountains are mirrored in the deep still water. Here you have the opportunity to join excursions ashore and weave through hairpin bends to overlook one of the world's longest fjords.

Day 4 :

Continuing north, the medieval city of Trondheim is today's highlight. Excursions include the medieval Nidaros Cathedral or the enthralling Ringve Music Museum. While you sleep the ship plies its trade along the coast and enters the land of the Midnight Sun.

Day 5 :

In the early hours you experience the thrill of crossing the Arctic Circle as the voyage continues to the modern town of Bodø, from where you can join a Sea Eagle safari and witness the world's strongest maelstrom or 'whirling stream' at Saltstraumen. The glorious Lofoten Islands are where the day draws to a close with a stop at the capital, Svolvær.

Day 6 :

A relaxing morning at sea precedes your arrival in Tromsø - the capital of the Arctic- where the Midnight Sun is visible from the end of May until the last week in July. The simple interior of the Arctic Cathedral gives prominence to a triangular stained-glass window filling an entire wall.

Day 7 :

After an early call at Hammerfest you arrive in Honningsvåg, the largest fishing village in Finnmark, and doorway to the wonders of the spectacular North Cape, mainland Europe's northernmost point at 71º north.

Day 8 :

The vistas become more dramatic as the ship approaches the finale of the northbound voyage here in the far reaches of Europe. Soon you reach Kirkenes, from where the emotive border with Russia a few kilometres away or the Sami communities of Northern Finland may be visited. Here the ship bids farewell to passengers travelling northbound only, and welcomes those joining for the southbound voyage. Transfer to airport for flight to Oslo. One night is included at a centrally located hotel in Oslo.

Day 9 :

Depending on flight times, there may be free time to explore Norway's bustling capital city before your flight to UK.

Southbound - Day 8 - 13 :

It is possible to extend your voyage to sail southbound from Kirkenes to Bergen including one night in Bergen at the end (unaccompanied).
Please contact us for prices.

 

DEPARTURE 2008 :

7 September, 2008.

PRICES : 2008 Move cursor over cabin grade for description.

*Single supplement.

All above prices are in £s per person based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin cabin/room.

Golden Years Reduction (GYR) : £50 applies to passengers aged 65 or over on ship departure date.

YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES:

• Domestic flight Kirkenes to Oslo incl all applicable airport taxes and service charges.
• Six nights Voyage North in a cabin of your choice incl. full board.
• One night in Oslo incl. breakfast.
• On board lecturer.
• Transfers (excluding airport transfers on days 1 and 9).

NOT INCLUDED :

• International flights
• Airport transfers on days 1 and 9
• Travel insurance
• Luggage handling
• Optional excursions

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FLIGHT PRICE : £285 per person

YOUR FLIGHT PRICE INCLUDES :

• Return economy class flights between London Heathrow and Bergen with return from Oslo, including all applicable taxes and service charges.
• Airport transfers.

Departures and supplements from other UK airports are available on request.