NORWAY

NORWAY FJORD CRUISE
plus OSLO
March 6 – 16, 2025

11 Day Escorted
Superior Class Tour

Celebrate 50^th
Anniversary of Scope Travel
with Marijka Helbig,
Family and Friends

Deposit of $800
Due by July 1, 2024

Festival of the Northern Lights!
Showcasing the spectacular Aurora Borealis
Scientists predict the Solar Maximum in 2024-25 will result in the most impressive and frequent display of Northern Lights in more than a decade! NOW is the best time to see the Northern Lights and celebrate with us the
50^th Anniversary of SCOPE Travel.

Tour Land cost:        $ 4490  Land rate per person in double room
Single supplement:  $ TBA
Gratuities:                 $ 150
Arriving:                     Begen
Departing:                  Oslo

Tour features:

• • Hurtigruten MS Nordlys Norwegian Voyage Northbound
  • A 350 passenger ship from Bergen to Kirkines  (7 days) 
  • Three meals daily
  • Rate based on Polar Outside Cabin– upgrade available
  • Transfers: In Bergen, Kirkines and Oslo
  • Guided city tours: Bergen and Oslo
  • Radisson Blu 5* Hotel in Oslo (3 nts)
  • Oslo: Breakfast daily and Farewell Dinner
  • Cultural Program: Concert/Opera TBA
  • Tour host from USA: Marijka Helbig

Not included:

• • International Airfare from USA or Canada and internal flight on tour.
  • Scope Travel can assist you in purchasing your airfare. 

Upon arrival in this second largest city in Norway and the gateway to the fjords, you will have a 2 hr guided tour of Bergen before transfer to your ship.  The ship is in port from 2:45PM to 8:30PM, allowing us time for a short city tour and some shopping.

Bergen is located on Norway’s southwestern coast. It is surrounded by mountains and fjords, including Sognefjord, the country’s longest and deepest. Bergen features colorful wooden houses on the old wharf, once a center of the Hanseatic League's trading empire. Bergen was also the birthplace and home of the famous Norwegian composer and pianist, Edvard Grieg.

Before boarding, relax in a comfortable guest lounge at the terminal. Once aboard, enjoy the first of many delicious meals made from fresh coastal produce. As we depart Bergen, we will sail the old Viking route along the Hjeltefjord.

You will meet your ship’s Coastal Experience Team, who will be your guides as we sail Norway’s coastline. They’ll organize lectures, onboard activities and optional hikes.

Time in port:

• Bergen: 2:45 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Into the fjords

Enjoy an early morning in the Nordfjord, near Torvik. Then sail past the West Cape for our approach to Ålesund.

Ålesund is renowned for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture and Atlanterhavsparken, one of northern Europe’s largest saltwater aquariums. If you’re traveling with us in spring or winter, you’ll have most of the day to explore this picturesque town.

Trondheim – Norway’s capital of technology                                                                                        This part of the voyage brings us to the Trøndelag region of Norway, with fields dotted with farmsteads and low-lying coastal settlements.  

Magical, medieval, and modern

Trondheim was founded by Viking King Olav Tryggvason in 997 A.D. and is now Norway’s third-largest city. It features a mix of historic buildings and a lively student population.

You’ll have three hours to explore Trondheim and its various highlights, either on your own or on one of our optional excursions.

A must-see site of the city is Nidaros Cathedral, nicknamed ‘Norway’s Notre Dame’ for its Gothic architectural style. It is considered the most sacred building in all of Norway. Adjacent to the cathedral is the Archbishop’s Palace, where Norway’s crown jewels are on display.

Nearby, the old city bridge Gamle Bybro sits over Nid River, marking the entrance to the old Hanseatic district of Bakklandet. The neighborhood’s colorful wooden wharfs are propped up on stilts by the river’s edge and now house a variety of restaurants. Up from Bakklandet is Kristiansten Fort, which has beautiful panoramic views of the city where Edvard Grieg, the renowned composer once lived.

Early in the morning, we cross the Arctic Circle and begin our Arctic tour of Norway. We mark the occasion with a traditional ceremony that is sure to wake you up!

During the summer, you can enjoy the sun 24 hours a day. However, in the winter, your chances of seeing the Northern Lights are best in March.

At 10 a.m., we will dock in Ørnes, near Norway’s second-largest glacier, Svartisen. Then we will sail to Bodø, Northern Norway’s second-largest city, overlooked by the Børvass peaks. Admire fabulous street art or join an optional boat excursion to Saltstraumen, one of the strongest tidal currents in the world.

Welcome to Lofoten

The ship enters the Lofoten Archipelago in the afternoon. The Lofoten Wall, standing over 3,200 feet tall, is a stunning sight on the horizon.

Stamsund is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the islands. It is busiest between January and April, when the Arctic cod—known locally as skrei—swim from the Barents Sea in the north down to Vestfjord to spawn.

This evening, you’ll know you’ve arrived in the pretty harbor of Svolvær when you see rows of traditional fisherman’s huts on stilts, known as rorbuer. This is the main town of the Lofoten Islands.

We dock in Harstad just after 7 a.m. Feel free to have a peaceful early morning stroll around town.

The ship will then continue to Finnsnes, which connects the beautiful island of Senja via the impressive Gisund Bridge. Keep an eye out for a variety of seabirds, including puffins, as there are several colonies nearby.

Gateway to the Arctic

We will sail to the historic Arctic exploration capital of Tromsø, where you’ll have four hours to explore the city or join an optional excursion.

 Along the waterfront you’ll find Polaria, a center exhibiting environmental research in the Arctic with a small aquarium. Visit one of the many shops and restaurants in the city center, including Mack Brewery and the Ølhallen pub, a favorite local watering hole. There are also cafés offering delicious cinnamon buns where baristas create innovative coffee-foam art. Across the fjord from where the ship docks, notice the iconic Arctic Cathedral, with its beautiful stained-glass mosaic.

Early evening departure from Tromsø. We will continue north to the trading post of Skjervøy, founded in 1622. On our way, we’ll pass the Lyngen Alps, which rise majestically from the sea.

Early in the morning, the ship reaches the town of Hammerfest on the island of Kvaløya. In the summer, herds of reindeer migrate to the island by the thousands.

You’ll know we’ve reached Havøysund when you see the wind turbines of the landmark Havøygavlen wind farm, which produces enough electricity to power 6,000 local homes.

At the top of Europe

Mid-morning, we’ll arrive at Honningsvåg, the portal to the North Cape, where a globe monument marks the top of continental Europe. An optional excursion will take you to North Cape from Honningsvåg by bus, passing herds of reindeer, depending on the season.

Sámi heartlands

Near the entrance to  Kjøllefjord village, pay attention to the striking, building-like rock formation Finnkirka, an ancient sacrificial site once used by the indigenous Sámi. You can join an optional excursion to meet local Sámi, learn about their reindeer-herding life and listen to joik folk songs.

Continuing north

We’ll reach our northernmost port of call, Mehamn, in the evening. During March, you might spot cod drying on outdoor wooden racks, called hjell. These are mainly destined for export.

The ship then sets off for Berlevåg. On the way, we’ll pass the tall Slettnes Lighthouse, the planet’s northernmost mainland lighthouse.

Kirkenes – right on the border

During the night, we call at Båtsfjord and Vardø, before docking in Vadsø early in the morning.

Looking to the skies

The area around Vadsø is one of the most scenic and popular birdwatching spots in the Arctic.  It lies directly under the migration path of birds flying from east to west. Look for hooded crows and sea eagles.

Near the Norwegian border

Morning transfer to Airport for flight to Oslo, the capital of Norway.

Upon arrival at hotel in Oslo, evening and dinner under own arrangements.

Breakfast at hotel.    Morning half day city tour. Evening Cultural performance. 

Details TBA

Breakfast at hotel.  Afternoon free for shopping.  Evening Gala Farewell Dinner.

After breakfast, transfer to airport for flights home.