Click here for the 2009 shore excursion booking form.

Day 8 8A BREAKFAS T AT THE NORTH CAPE (Honningsvag–hammerfest)
On this excursion, you can experience the immense North Cape, together with large parts of West Finnmark. The North Cape plateau stretches over 1,000 feet above the churning Arctic Ocean. Here, at the very top of Europe, we will enjoy a hearty breakfast and see an impressive 180 degree panoramic film about life in the North Cape region through the four seasons. On our return, we make a short stop to visit a Sami family. From Honningsvag, we drive through an underwater tunnel that connects the town with the mainland. The bus will then travel south along the majestic Porsangerfjord before heading back towards the coast to Hammerfest. It is here, in the world’s northernmost town, that we rejoin Hurtigruten.

Date: May 8–Oct 7 Price: CAD$180
Duration: 6 hours

Day 8 8B THE NORTHERNMOST TOWN IN THE WORLD, HAMMERFEST
Established in 1789, Hammerfest is the northernmost town in the world. On arrival here, the bus takes us to the Meridian monument, which is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. From here, we also have a spectacular view of Melkoya and the Snohvit Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) field. As we head up to the mountain Salen, you will learn more about Hammerfest’s unique history, while also getting an insight into both Sami history and culture and Europe’s first LNG factory. Once at Salen, we can experience great views over the town and our awaiting Hurtigruten ship.
Date: Jun 1–Sep 15 Price: CAD$45
Duration: 1 hour

Day 8 8D SAMI EXPERIENCE (Hammerfest)

Salen, the “town mountain” in Hammerfest, is not just a fantastic viewpoint but also
a splendid place to become much more acquainted with Sami history and culture by
experiencing a Sami goahti (turf hut) called Mikkelgammen. Here, you will be taken on a
journey into the world of the Sami and gain some insight into their historic and exciting
culture. By the warm fire, we will be served a range of typical Sami delicacies, including
reindeer meat, smoked fish and cloudberries. We will also be entertained with joik (a traditional form of chanting) and fabled stories.
Date: Jun 20–Aug 15 Price: CAD$65
Duration: 1½ hours

Day 8 8C MIDNIGHT CONCERT (Tromso)
With its exquisite mosaic glass window, there is perhaps no more beautiful way to experience the Arctic Cathedral than by attending a midnight concert. As the candle lights flicker, this elegant church is filled with the sounds of the most beautiful Norwegian folk songs, as well as some wonderfully powerful classical and
sacred selections. The Arctic Cathedral enjoys fantastic acoustics and is guaranteed to provide you with an incredible musical experience.
Date: Apr 22–Sep 30 Price: CAD$70
Duration: 1¼ hours

Day 9 9A A TASTE OF VESTERALEN (harstad–sort land)
Today, we will not only experience history but also stunningly beautiful scenery and a selection of breathtaking sights. We begin with a short sightseeing tour through Harstad, before moving on to the Trondenes peninsula. Here we visit the white medieval church Trondenes Kirke, which is one of our premier cultural heritage
sites from the late Middle Ages (short ecumenical worship services are often held for our
guests here). We will be on truly historic ground and in Trondenes Historical Center you’ll find an exciting exhibition complete with original objects from the region throughout history. The bus then takes us across Hinnoya Island, where we can enjoy a view of beautiful fjords, steep mountains, and large fertile agricultural areas. Moving on, we will cross the Gullesfjord by ferry, which will give you a chance to enjoy a hot drink and some freshly baked cakes. We then continue into Sortland, the center of the idyllic
group of islands called Vesteralen. It’s here that we again board Hurtigruten.
Date: Year-round Price: CAD$90
Duration: 4¼ hours

Day 9 9B LOFOTEN ISLANDS (Svolvaer–Stamsund)
Many people associate Lofoten with its precipitous, dramatic, and often fabled mountains, together with its picturesque fishing villages, but Lofoten is so much more. You’ll find quiet bays, white sandy beaches, sheltered fjords, and, perhaps surprisingly, large green agricultural areas. It is said that the light in Lofoten is unlike anywhere else in the world, which is why artists from Norway and abroad have always come here for inspiration. In Henningsvaer, we will visit a gallery where several Norwegian artists portray the beauty of the archipelago and we will also see a slide show that captures
the unique atmosphere here.
Date: Apr 1–Sep 8 Price: CAD$95
Duration: 3 hours

Day 9 9C SEA EAGLE SAFARI (svolvaer)

Just north of Trollfjorden is the Sea eagle’s realm and it is here that a smaller vessel lies
ready to take us out to see the “king of the birds” up close. First, we follow the Hurtigruten ship into the Trollfjord, where it turns around in the narrow fjord—a magnificent sight! The eagle safari begins when we leave Trollfjorden, starting with the gulls, as they dive for fish right from your hand. We then pass through a narrow sound flanked by a range of steep mountains— this is where the Sea eagles dwell and soon
enough they come flying in to get a share of the banquet. From here, we set our course for Svolvaer and we’re left with the memorable experience of seeing the Sea eagle up close and in his natural habitat. Two hours that will stay with you long after you return home.
Date: Apr 1–Sep 15 Price: CAD$120
Duration: 2 hours

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Day 9 9D LOFOTR VIKING FEAST
At the Lofotr Viking Museum, the largest Viking building ever found has been recreated. The original chieftain’s house was established in about 500 AD and was inhabited until around 900 AD. The rebuilt version exhibits original finds from the Viking Age. The chieftain and the lady of the house invite you to join in on a real Viking feast in the banquet hall. Experience the magic and excitement of such an occasion as they make sacrifices to the Norse gods, hoping that the sun will turn to avoid Armageddon. After the Viking feast, served with homebrewed mead, you travel by bus to Svolvaer, where you rejoin Hurtigruten.
Date: Jan 1–Apr 15, Oct 15–Dec 31, 2010; Jan 1–Mar 31, 2011
Price: CAD$135

Duration: 3 hours

Day 9 9E RIB-ADVENTURE IN LOFOTEN
Join us on a speed-filled excursion with RIBboats into the fantastic Lofoten archipelago.
Our experienced skippers take us to a lagoon with white sandy beaches surrounded by small islands and skerries that protect it from the mighty ocean outside. There is a good chance to see Sea eagles, Europe’s largest birds of prey, up close. After a short photo stop, we continue to the fishing village of Skrova, where we stop to have a snack and learn about Skrova, known for exporting salmon all over the whole world. The statue “The Fisherman’s Wife” will greet us when we return to the harbor in Svolvaer to rejoin our ship. Note: The excursion is not suitable for guests with back problems. Only available for sale on board.

Date: Jun 1–Aug 31 Price: CAD$130
Duration: 1 hour

Day 10 10B UNESCO ISLANDS VEGA
The Vega Archipelago was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list in 2004,
a status gained largely due to the unique interaction between the Eider ducks and the
islanders. Your tour around these islands will soon give you an insight into life in these small villages on the way to the fishing village of Nes, situated on the main island, Vega. Here, we make a stop to visit the “E-house,” a museum and documentation center for Eider ducks. At Nes, there is also a café and a World Heritage exhibit, all situated within a well-kept architectural environment that acts as the perfect setting to learn about the exciting history of the Eider ducks. Note: Short but steep stairs at the E-house museum.
Date: Jul 1–Sep 15 Price: CAD$205
Duration: 4 hours

DAY 11: Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral (Trondheim)

Trondheim is a large city by Norwegian standards, though it has still managed to preserve many of the charms and intimacy of a small town. It is also a town full of contrasts, with monastery ruins, impressive wooden buildings, colourful wharves, and a beautiful red-painted city bridge dating back to 1861.  You will hear all about the city’s many features as the bus takes us  through Trondheim’s streets and boroughs, including a short stop at “Utsikten” (“The View”) to admire the city from up high. As no sightseeing trip to Trondheim is complete without visiting one of its premier cultural treasures, you will of course make time to take in the impressive Nidaros Cathedral. Built over the burial place of St. Olav, the patron saint of Norway, the construction of this enormous building, with its countless details and decorations, began as early as 1070.  After a guided tour around the Gothic-style cathedral, you will soon understand why many describe it as the most beautiful church in Norway. 

Date: Year-round Price: CAD$60
Duration: 2 hours

DAY 11: Sverresborg Trondelag Folk Museum (Trondheim)

The Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum is one of Norway’s largest open-air museums. The tour includes a visit to the museum and a wander around the ruins of the medieval castle, Sion, which was built by King Sverre in 1182-83. This is where you will find Norway’s northernmost stave church, with the new visitors centre featuring a modern heritage exhibition that presents life in the region around the 1900’s. You begin our journey through history at Haltdalen stave church, built back in 1170, when Norway was a Catholic country. The trip continues past the ruins of the medieval castle, with its panoramic views across Trondheim’s Fjord, and onto a working farmyard. From here you continue onto the Old Town, which features buildings that used to proudly stand in the very centre of Trondheim. Finally, you enter the visitors centre, and the ‘Life Pictures’ exhibition.

Date: May 1–Sep 30 Price: CAD$50
Duration: 2 hours

Day 11 11C THE ATLANTIC ROAD (Kristiansund–Molde)
Five miles long, built on a total of eight bridges and surrounded by picturesque landscape, the Atlantic Road is one of Norway’s most visited tourist destinations and was the winner of the “Engineering Feat of the Century” prize in 2005. Today, we start our visit with a short city sightseeing trip in Kristiansund, before we take the ferry over to Bremsnes. From here we visit Kvernes Stave Church, which is beautifully located on Averoy. Afterwards, we go to the”Bjarmars Favorittkro” tavern, where we are
served the speciality of the house: bacalao, or cod, made from local ingredients and served with fresh bread. We then continue along the Atlantic Road and we finish the trip with a short sightseeing tour in Molde.
Date: May 1–Sep 15 Price: CAD$135
Duration: 4½ hours

Day 12 12A BERGEN CITY SIGHTSEEING
Bergen is an international city with small-town charm, surrounded by seven imposing mountains. Enjoy a guided tour past picturesque alleys and well-known locations such as the Nordnes peninsula, Hakon’s Hall, Rosenkrantz Tower, Maria Church, Bergen’s harbor, and the famous fish market. In addition to seeing all this, our well informed guides will also take you on a short walk through the old buildings at Bryggen, which is on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list. During this trip, you will receive a good insight
into the city’s history and development, from its founding in 1070, right up to the present day.
Date: Year-round Price: CAD$50

Duration: 2 hours

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All prices are subject to change without notice.