Guest Speaker 
Deluxe Stateroom
19 m2
2
- Last staterooms
Cruising the Norwegian Fjords – with Smithsonian Journeys
Bergen - Oslo
Dates:
30/7/2022
to
6/8/2022
days
nights on board
Shore excursion or activity in each port of call + transfers included
In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
Cruise with PONANT on an exceptional itinerary and discover the beauty of the Norwegian fjords.
Come aboard the Le Dumont-d'Urville for an 8-day cruise and sail along the Norwegian coastline, whose vertiginous cliff faces have been sculpted by the wind and the sea, giving rise to many unspoiled fjords.
From Bergen, famous for its Hanseatic wharf which still carries a few traces of the rich historic past of the city founded by the Vikings, your ship will first sail towards Alesund, where you will be able to admire the wonderfully preserved fishermen's houses that date from the 18th century. Then, you will discover the Geiranger Fjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before making your way to the small colourful and cosmopolitan towns of Hellesylt.
Le Dumont-d'Urville will set sail for Loen. From this small and charming village, located a few kilometres from Jostedalsbreen National Park, which is home to one of the last ice caps in Europe, you will have the opportunity to admire the magnificent Briksdal glacier.
During your cruise, you will have the privilege of sailing in the famous “Lysefjord” (light fjord), flanked by granite cliffs.
Arendal, once known as the Venice of the North because of its canals, will be an utterly charming port of call.
On the final leg of your trip you will call at Gothenburg, in Sweden. Your cruise will end in Oslo, the Norwegian capital, a city with a unique energy.
Ref : BO1745US - U300722
Your itinerary
A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call. Engaging discussions...
View detailed itinerary
Your trip in detail
Choose your stateroom
Choose your stateroom
Complete your trip
Complete your trip
Included in your cruise
To make sure things run smoothly, PONANT has included certain elements before and after your cruise as part of the price.
Shore Excursions, Overlands & Pre/Post Programmes
To complete your voyage, PONANT can organise a range of shore excursions, pre & post cruise activities and packages, plus transfers.
You may also like...
You may also like...
LE JACQUES-CARTIER
- New
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
L'AUSTRAL
4/11/2022 to the 20/11/2022
- New
LE LAPEROUSE
9/11/2022 to the 23/11/2022
LE LYRIAL
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24h room service
- Inclusive Wi-Fi Internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Hermès top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar included
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Two ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
Depending on the itinerary and the program of your cruise, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Smithsonian Journeys
Smithsonian Journeys is the travel programme of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers, and libraries. Drawing on Smithsonian's resources dating back 175 years, these sailings will feature notable experts and experiences that embrace local cultures and dive deeper into a destination’s history, cuisine, language, environment, and wildlife. For more than 50 years, Smithsonian Journeys has been rooted in and focused on cultural immersion and discovery – with a goal of inspiring guests to become global citizens through travel.
Elizabeth Kolbert
Elizabeth Kolbert traveled from Alaska to Greenland and visited top scientists to get to the heart of the debate over global warming. Growing out of a groundbreaking three-part series in The New Yorker (which won the 2005 National Magazine Award in the category Public Interest), Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change brings the environment into the consciousness of the American people and asks what, if anything, can be done, and how we can save our planet. She explains the science and the studies, draws frightening parallels to lost ancient civilizations, unpacks the politics, and presents the personal tales of those who are being affected most—the people who make their homes near the poles and, in an eerie foreshadowing, are watching their worlds disappear. Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change was chosen as one of the 100 Notable Books of the Year (2006) by The New York Times Book Review. Her book, The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, a book about mass extinctions that weaves intellectual and natural history with reporting in the field, was a New York Times 2014 Top Ten Best Book of the Year and is number one on the Guardian’s list of the 100 Best Nonfiction Books of all time. The Sixth Extinction also won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize in the General Nonfiction category and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle awards for the best books of 2014. As with Field Notes from a Catastrophe, The Sixth Extinction began as an article in The New Yorker.
Elizabeth Kolbert has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1999. Her series on global warming, “The Climate of Man,” appeared in The New Yorker in the spring of 2005 and won the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s magazine award. In 2006, she received the National Academy of Sciences Communication Award in the newspaper/magazine category and was awarded a Lannan Writing Fellowship. In September 2010, Kolbert received the prestigious Heinz Award which recognizes individuals who are addressing global change caused by the impact of human activities and natural processes on the environment. She has also been awarded a 2010 National Magazine Award in the Reviews and Criticism category for her work in The New Yorker, and the Sierra Club’s 2011 David R. Brower Award. She recently won the Walter Sullivan Award for Excellence in Science Journalism from the American Geophysical Union. She is also the recipient of the 2016 Sam Rose ’58 and Julie Walters Prize at Dickinson College for Global Environmental Activism.
Elizabeth Kolbert’s stories have also appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Vogue, and Mother Jones, and have been anthologized in The Best American Science and Nature Writing and The Best American Political Writing. She edited The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2009. Prior to joining the staff of The New Yorker, Kolbert was a political reporter for The New York Times.
Language spoken: English
Photo credit: Nicholas Whitman
Terje Leiren
Terje Leiren is Professor Emeritus of Scandinavian Studies and History at the University of Washington, Seattle. He taught at the University of Oslo before joining the UW in 1977. He served as Chair of the Department of Scandinavian Studies from 1995 to 2010. He is the author of four books and numerous scholarly articles on Scandinavian and Scandinavian-American history and culture, most recently a new revised edition of The Historical Dictionary of Norway. Leiren has lived and traveled extensively in Norway's fjord country. He has appeared in several television documentary programs about Scandinavia from the Vikings to World War II, including a documentary on the American years of Norwegian Crown Princess Martha who is the featured character in the PBS Masterpiece series, Atlantic Crossing.
Language spoken: English
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Highlights
- A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
- Engaging discussions onboard with Smithsonian Journeys Experts including Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Kolbert and Scandinavian studies expert Terje Leiren.
- Sailing in the heart of the Norwegian fjords, discovering extraordinary landscapes: steep cliffs, crystal-clear waters and lush vegetation.
- UNESCO World Heritage sites: Bryggen, former Hanseatic port of Bergen (embarkation port), the Geiranger Fjord.
- Possibility of a walk at the foot of the most beautiful glaciers in Europe, the Briksdal, from Loen.
- Sailing in the Lysefjord, meaning the “fjord of light”, flanked by granite cliffs that are several hundred meters high.
- Discovering colourful and cosmopolitan Norwegian villages, full of picturesque charm: Hellesylt, Alesund.
Ports of Call & Excursions
30 July 2022 - Bergen
Embarkation 30/7/2022 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Departure 30/7/2022 at 7:30 pm
Located at the end of Byfjord, Bergen was the capital of Norway in the 12th and 13th Centuries and has preserved some very beautiful monuments from the time when it was home to royalty. Wandering through Bergen’s streets means going back in time, in search of the hidden treasures that have been listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. A veritable openair museum, Bergen is home to a thriving artistic community of painters, potters, jewellers. The Bergen cable car offers you a splendid panorama over the port and the surrounding fjords. Do not miss the visit to the old quarter with its narrow streets, a testimony of the power of the hanseatic League that controlled trade in Northern Europe at the end of the Middle Ages.
31 July 2022 - Alesund
Arrival 31/7/2022 midday
Departure 31/7/2022 early evening
Surrounded by a multitude of islands, fjords and majestic mountains, the town of Ålesund surprises many visitors. In fact, it is internationally renowned for its Art nouveau architecture. After the terrible fire of 1904 which reduced a large part of the town to ashes, Norwegian architects inspired by the Art nouveau style contributed to its reconstruction, with a very picturesque result. Not far from Ålesund, you will also discover Giske, the native island of Rollon, the great Viking leader who commanded the Norse expeditions to Normandy, or the beautiful island of Godoy and the village of Alnes, which offers a grandiose panorama over the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding islands.
1 August 2022 - Geiranger
Arrival 1/8/2022 early morning
Departure 1/8/2022 midday
A must-see stopover in Norway, located halfway between Bergen and Trondheim, Geiranger offers the stunning beauty of a natural decor, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The splendour of the sheer cliffs, dark rock and crystalline water are the stars of the show here. The sides of the fjord offer many possibilities for hiking: the Eagle’s Road takes you up to a steep stretch offering a gorgeous panoramic view. A visit to Geiranger village will immerse you in the rhythm of life in the little local community.
1 August 2022 - Hellesylt
Arrival 1/8/2022 early afternoon
Departure 1/8/2022 late afternoon
Hellesylt is a small village located 20 kilometres from the Geiranger site. Here, you’ll get a taste of a traditional Norwegian village. Colourful houses, wooden walkways, rustic stalls where you can have a refreshment before heading off to discover more of the local colour. The surroundings are simply magnificent with cliffs, mountains and lakes with peaceful waters. The village is crossed by a river whose charming cascade tumbles into the fjord waters.
2 August 2022 - Loen
Arrival 2/8/2022 early morning
Departure 2/8/2022 midday
At the innermost reaches of the storied Nordfjord, the small village of Loen lies below the great Jostedal Glacier, the largest ice cap in continental Europe. More than a century ago, European cruise ships started to call here for guests to visit the stunning mountains and valleys of the fjordland by horse-drawn carriage. Today, the Loen Skylift provides modern access to the panorama of the fjord landscape by ferrying guests to the top of Mount Hoven – 1011 meters above sea level – via cable car in only five minutes. Just inland lies beautiful Lake Lovatnet, renowned for its turquoise waters that are fed by melt water from the surrounding glaciers.
3 August 2022 - Sandnes
Arrival 3/8/2022 early morning
Departure 3/8/2022 midday
In the south-west of Norway, nestling at the head of the Gands Fjord, Sandnes lies surrounded by nature. Known as the “pottery town” of Norway due to its significant ceramics industry resulting from the presence of readily-available clay in the region, Sandnes offers a combination of plains and peaks.
3 August 2022 - Sailing in Lysefjorden
Arrival 3/8/2022 mid afternoon
Departure 3/8/2022 mid afternoon
You will sail into the heart of one of Norway’s most breathtaking fjords, its marvellous décor dominated by pristine nature, between vertiginous granite cliffs, crystal-clear waters and luxuriant vegetation. Very close to Stavanger, the quiet waters of Lysefjorden stretch out over around forty kilometres, beneath impressive rocks. Admire the world-famous site of Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), a majestic cliff in the shape of a pulpit that rises to more than 600 metres above the waters. A bit further on, Flørli, from the top of its 4,444 steps, is the world’s longest wooden stairway, whereas the Kjerag, with its mythical boulder wedged between two rock faces, provides an unusual and unforgettable spectacle.
4 August 2022 - Arendal
Arrival 4/8/2022 midday
Departure 4/8/2022 early evening
This port town located on the south coast of Norway is considered to be the locality with the best climate in the entire country. Arendal was long reputed for its iron mines from which, in the 19th century, it was able to produce a particularly strong earthy iron ore.
5 August 2022 - Göteborg (Gothenburg)
Arrival 5/8/2022 early morning
Departure 5/8/2022 early afternoon
A lively harbour town, Göteborg is located on the west coast of Sweden, at the crossing of the Göta älv river and the bay of Cattégat. In the old Haga district, you can peruse hippy-chic fashion boutiques and bohemian cafés in the ground floors of traditional wood houses. On the majestic Gustave-Adolphe square, you’ll see elegant neoclassical buildings. Not far from here is the municipal museum dedicated to the town’s history. In addition, you will be able to sail along Göteborg’s numerous canals. As for eating, it’s the fish and shellfish which make the gastronomic reputation of this beautiful stopover.
6 August 2022 - Oslo
Arrival 6/8/2022 early morning
Disembarkation 6/8/2022 at 8:00 am
Capital of Norway, Olso, is a green city. Its many parks and gardens make it the reputedly pleasant city it is. The 80 hectares of Vigeland sculpture parks and its 212 open air exhibitions, the Munch Museum dedicated to the life and works of the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, plus the Akershus fortress which symbolises Oslo’s rich history, are both must-sees. For culture, the national gallery shelters the largest Norwegian collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures open to the public. And, for sports enthusiasts, the Holmenkollen district with its Ski museum and famous ski jump offer the most stunning, all-encompassing view of the city.
E-bike City Tour
Don your helmet, hop on your e-bike, and set off to discover hand-picked highlights in this enchanting city!
E-biking is just like traditional cycling, but with less pedaling thanks to the bike’s electric motor. After a full briefing, your guide will lead the way as you cruise into the streets. Glide around the heart of colorful Ålesund, which is renowned for its unique Art Nouveau style. Hear the story of the fire that destroyed the town in 1904 and admire the intricate façades of the buildings that rose from the ashes, embellished with dragons and flowers, and crowned by a forest of spires and turrets. Make the most of your bike’s motor and head up to a viewpoint on Mount Aksla. From here, soak up a breathtaking vista spanning Ålesund, the surrounding mountains, the sparkling fjords, and the distant Sunnmøre Alps.
- An e-bike and helmet will be provided. Participants are required to have previously ridden a normal bicycle. Participants must be at least 4’9” tall and weigh under 242 pounds. Pregnant women, those with back problems, and children under age 12 are not permitted. We recommend you wear a wind/waterproof jacket, flat shoes, and sunglasses.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Art Nouveau Museum & City Walk
Ålesund, the largest town on the Northwest coast, boasts a beautiful built on three islands close to the ocean and with a backdrop of impressive mountain peaks. A large part of Ålesund was destroyed by fire in 1904 and rebuilt in the so-called Jugend (Art Nouveau) style, typical of the first decade of the 20th century. In fact, it was the German emperor Wilhelm II, a great friend of Norway, who sent masons up to help rebuild the town.
Today Ålesund has a population of approximately 40,000, but the town center is relatively small and easy to cover on foot. Depart on foot and start with a visit to the Art Nouveau Centre, located in the old pharmacy building. The museum provides an interesting insight into the history of the fire in 1904 and the creative Art Nouveau period. After a break for coffee, tea, and cake, continue your walk and learn about the importance of fisheries in Norway's biggest fish-export harbor, and see several examples of the picturesque Art Nouveau-style that has made Ålesund famous as one of the three last Art Nouveau cities in Europe. Proceed uphill to a little, attractive park at the foot of Mount Aksla. Here you will find exotic trees and plants, as well as a memorial stone dedicated to Emperor Wilhelm II, after whom the main street in town is also named. In addition, here stands the statue of the Viking Gange-Rolf who sailed from Ålesund to present day Normandy, France, which is named after the Norwegian settlers. If you choose, walk up a few bends towards Mount Aksla to enjoy a spectacular view. Others can enjoy more time in the park to wander or relax before returning to the pier and your ship.
- This tour includes approximately 2 miles of walking over paved and cobblestone surfaces with some inclines. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and loose clothing. Please bring a light jacket and rain gear, if necessary. A parent or guardian must accompany children under the age of 16.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Atlantic Ocean Park
Ålesund, the largest town on the Northwest coast, boasts a beautiful setting, built on three islands close to the ocean and with a backdrop of impressive mountain peaks. A large part of Ålesund was destroyed by fire in 1904 and rebuilt in the so-called Jugend (Art Nouveau) style, typical of the first decade of the 20th century. Today it is a bustling town where the fish and furniture industries are the main sources of income.
Board your coach and drive approximately 2 miles to the Atlantic Ocean Park, a unique aquarium dedicated to marine life along the Atlantic coast of Norway, where tanks are built to resemble coastal environments. The largest tank contains over one million gallons of seawater, where you can view marine life through an acrylic panel that is over 10 inches thick, 60 feet long, and 13 feet high. The Park also features an outdoor pool with penguins. The aquarium is in a lovely setting, looking straight out towards Breisundet – the wide sound surrounded by islands and reaching far out the open ocean. Here seals come in regularly to be fed. The Park is currently undergoing renovation, and as of 2022, it will have status as a Marine Science Center with emphasis on how to manage ocean resources.
On the way back to the ship, you can see some of the fine details of the Art Nouveau architecture before heading up to Mount Aksla, where you stop to take in the spectacular view over many islands towards the ocean. After a short drive through the streets of Ålesund, arrive back at the pier.
- This tour includes approximately 0.25 miles of walking over flat and even surfaces. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Herdalssetra Mountain Farm & Fjord Center
From the village of Geiranger at the head of the UNESCO World Heritage Geirangerfjord, drive by coach up Eagle's Road. Arrive at Eagle's Bend, a wide curve from where there is a splendid view to the fjord below and the surrounding mountains, for a photo stop. See the Seven Sisters waterfalls in the distance as well as some of the abandoned mountain farms clinging to the sheer cliff sides. Continue towards the village of Eiddal and pass the highest point of the road at about 2000 feet above sea level.
After the village of Norddal, leave the fjord and drive up the valley until you reach the summer farm of Herdalssetra, situated on a mountainside at approximately 1500 ft above sea level. The setting is picturesque, and during the summer months, some 450 goats roam freely. The farm is also home to cows, sheep, and fjord horses – including the blond pony native to the west coast. The farm produces both white and brown goat cheese.
Discover the 300-year-old farm, consisting of 30 tiny houses. The small, wooden houses with turfed roofs were built under the mighty peak of Heregga, tucked away from the annual avalanches. Here, the farmers will introduce you to their cheesemaking process. Complete your visit by sampling the family’s goatmilk cheeses and caramels.
On the way back down the valley, admire the lovely Herdøla River, cascading down in several impressive waterfalls. Upon arrival back in Geiranger, stop at the Geiranger Fjord Center. Here you will be able to view exhibitions on various local themes including fjord boats, tourism, historic public transport, farming, and communication. End back at the pier.
- Notes: This tour includes moderate walking over some uneven terrain, and guests will need to step over thresholds to enter the houses at the farm. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Geiranger to Hellesylt by Land
From the pier, leave Geiranger by coach on a journey of discovery through the countryside in the west of Norway, a land of majestic mountains and emerald-green lakes.
Head for Mount Dalsnibba, climbing up through a beautiful landscape of mountains, waterfalls, and lakes that follow one after the other, before arriving at Lake Djupvaten. A fantastic spectacle awaits as you enter a world of naked rock, ice, and snow. Your route continues up Mount Dalsnibba to a height of 4,930 feet (1,495 m) from where you will have an exceptional view (weather permitting). At this altitude, all the snow-capped peaks cast light on a scene that appears inaccessible.
After an included lunch in a local restaurant, you will head to the summer ski resort of Tystigen to capture the stunning panorama. Arrive at the Jostedal Glacier National Park Centre to view a film and visit exhibits about the glacier and the surrounding environment. Drive along the shores of Lake Stryn, the emerald-green color of which is so typical of the area, due to the melting Jostedal Glacier that you will see further on. You will continue your route along the River Stryn, an excellent spot for salmon fishing, to Nordfjord and the village of Stryn. Your last stop will be Hornindalsvatnet, one of the deepest lakes in Europe at 1,695 feet (514 m) deep.
- This excursion includes minimal walking over mostly flat surfaces, depending on how far guests venture during stops. We advise you wear comfortable shoes, bring a windproof jacket, and protect yourself from the sun and rain. Not recommended for guests who suffer from vertigo.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
From Fjord to Sky by Cable Car
From the pier, drive through the Lodalen Valley to the far end at Kjenndalen. From here, take a short stroll up to a viewpoint over the Kjenndalen Glacier in the distance. This glacier is an arm of the mighty Jostedal Glacier – the largest glacier on mainland Europe.
Walk back to the coach and drive back towards Loen. Leaving the buses, board the new cable car (inaugurated in 2017) which takes you up to Mount Hoven, 3300 feet above sea level and around 650 feet above the tree line in this part of Norway. Here, enjoy a coffee break and spectacular views of the fjord and villages below, as well as of the surrounding mountain scenery. While at Mount Hoven, you have the opportunity to enjoy a short walk to soak up the scenery around you.
After some time at leisure, return by cable car to Loen and your ship.
- This tour will operate in nearly all weather conditions, even if there isn’t a good view from the top station and/or it is raining. In case of strong wind, the cable car may be closed on short notice. At the Kjenndalen viewpoint, guests who have difficulties walking may stay in the coach or at the parking area. Walking distance is approximately 1 mile over uneven terrain to the viewpoint and back. Flat comfortable shoes and a warm, windproof jacket are recommended. Please note the order of the visits may be reversed.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Briksdal Glacier with Troll Cars
Briksdal Glacier lies at the end of the enchanting Oldedalen Valley and is a part of the Jostedal glacier ice field, which is the largest glacier on the European mainland. The wild glacier is a fantastic work of nature. Its slope plunges from a height of 3,937 feet (1,200 m) down to the lush, narrow Briksdal Valley. Board your coach in Loen. The drive through Oldedalen Valley to Briksdal Glacier is an amazing symphony of scenic splendors – from wildflowers to awe-inspiring mountains that are reflected in crystal clear lake waters and to great waterfalls that cascade from vertical mountainsides.
Your coach will stop at a mountain lodge, where you will board electric “troll cars” (7 seats in each) for a ride from the lodge up to a parking lot to reach the glacier. The troll cars are the only motorized vehicles allowed on this gravel road. En route, you will travel along a river, past a waterfall, and through serpentine bends. From the parking lot, the walk to the face of the Briksdal Glacier is about 0.4 miles and takes about 10 minutes to reach.
Glacial ice only reflects blue light, so the Glacier provides an impressive site. It might be hard to imagine that the ice is in constant motion – and the arms of a glacier can grow or shrink several hundred yards in only a few years, depending on the amount of snow that fell in years past. Sometimes the glacier calves, and huge chunks of ice fall off the edge. Therefore, guests are urged to respect the warning signs that stand near the Glacier for the sake of their security.
Return by foot to the troll cars that will take you back to the lodge. At the lodge, enjoy a snack including coffee, tea, and pastries, and some time at leisure to browse for souvenirs. Re-board your coach for the drive back to the ship.
- This tour includes about 1 mile of walking over gravel paths that are sometimes uneven and include uphill/downhill sections. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes, a sunhat and sunglasses, a warm jacket, and a waterproof layer. The drive to and from the lodge will go through tunnels, the longest of which is about 0.5 miles long.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Walking & Trail Snack
Norway has a long tradition of cross-country skiing, and this technique has been further developed for walking. Nordic walking is a total body version of walking that can be enjoyed both by non-athletes as a health-promoting physical activity and by athletes as a sport. The activity is performed with specially designed walking poles, adapted to each participant. The technique is easy to learn, and you will get a unique workout where most muscles are used combined with a true nature experience.
From the pier, you will begin your tour with a short walk through an industrial and residential area before you reach the shores of the Gandsfjord and a 19-mile-long trail reaching all the way to the city of Stavanger. The trail runs in open countryside right beside the fjord and offers a fantastic view over the Gandsfjord and the mountains beyond. There are several lovely beaches along the way, and you will pass large rocky headlands protruding into the fjord.
Relax in a peaceful outdoor area, where you will enjoy one of Norway’s best loved – and one of the simplest – culinary treats, the brown cheese. Together with rye bread and beverages, this constitutes a typical Norwegian back-to-the-basics trail snack. After walking for approximately 5 to 6 miles with plenty of time to take photos en route, board a coach for your transfer back to the pier.
- This tour includes approximately 5 to 6 miles of trail walking over mainly flat, paved and gravel surfaces. We recommend you wear sturdy walking shoes and bring a small rucksack to hold any gear. Walking poles will be provided.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Stavanger Heritage & Petroleum Museum
Sandnes, Stavanger, and the surrounding areas have for centuries played a leading part in Norway's maritime history, from the time when the Viking kings battled in Hafrsfjord, through the period of the "white sails" and the steamships, up to modern super-tankers. Stavanger is also the most important oil city in Norway due to its geographical position. Your tour will show you a bit of the city's history.
Departing the pier in Sandnes, you pass through rich agricultural countryside, pausing briefly at the Sword-in-Stone monument that commemorates the victory in 872 of Viking king Harald Haarfagre (the fair-haired) over the last of the regional princes, thus uniting 29 small kingdoms under one crown and establishing the Kingdom of Norway. Visit the nearby village of Ullandhaug, where farmhouses have been reconstructed to show what life was like during the Iron Age. To the East, the fertile farmland of Jaeren and the Ryfylke Mountains form the background.
Arriving in Stavanger, you visit the modern Petroleum Museum. This striking building is situated in the middle of the harbor. It displays many exhibits from Norway’s relatively new petroleum history. After the museum you may opt to participate in a guided walk through Old Stavanger with picturesque, well preserved wooden houses dating to the 18th and 19th centuries.
At the end of the tour, return to the ship in Sandnes.
- This tour includes approximately 0.25 miles of walking over uneven surfaces, including over cobblestones and dirt paths with some incline. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. The coach will drive through several tunnels during the tour; the longest of which is about 0.5 miles long.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Utstein Monastery & Music Recital
From Sandnes, depart on a one-hour drive through the countryside to Mosteroy Island, pausing briefly at the Sword-in-Stone monument that commemorates the victory in 872 of Viking king Harald Haarfagre (the fair-haired) over the last of the regional princes, thus uniting 29 small kingdoms under one crown and establishing the Kingdom of Norway.
Mosteroy Island, one of a group of islands at the entrance to Boknafjord, is a tranquil, fertile place suitable for pasturing sheep and cows, and an environment conducive to quiet introspection. The perfect site for Augustinian Friars to establish a monastery in the mid-13th century. You reach the island via an underwater tunnel almost 3 miles long and running nearly 700 feet below the surface. Arriving at Mosteroy, you drive through the verdant landscape to reach Utstein Monastery, the best-preserved monastery in Norway.
Utstein is small. There were probably never more than a dozen monks living here at a time. But the staff of the monastery — household servants and those who farmed the land in support of the monks — would have brought the total size of the community to about 250.
The Lutheran Reformation brought the religious life of the monastery to an end. And the buildings were repurposed for secular pursuits until a renovation project was begun in 1937. The restored monastery is now a museum and a popular venue for lectures and recitals.
Your guided visit of the museum and its idyllic grounds will end with a short music recital in the chapel, before you leave the serenity of this place and return to your ship in Sandnes.
- This tour involves approximately 25 steps to negotiate at the monastery. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes, layered clothing, and protect yourself from the sun.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Næs Ironworks Museum & Tvedestrand
Board your coach for a drive to the Næs Ironworks Museum. The Museum is very well preserved and almost completely intact, consisting of buildings, machinery, and equipment that date back to the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The ironworks here were operational from 1665 to 1959, and the Museum offers a fascinating glimpse of how iron and steel were produced in days gone by. Enjoy a guided walk through the Museum and a refreshment stop with coffee or tea and munker (a local pastry).
Re-board your coach and drive to the village of Tvedestrand. Proceed with a guided walk through the white wooden houses of the picturesque little village and take a picture of Norway’s narrowest house. Tvedestrand is known as an “international book town” and presents a bookshop on nearly every corner. Enjoy some free time to discover more at your leisure.
Drive back to Arendal along the North Sea Route scenic road which offers fantastic views to the coastline and the ocean.
- This tour includes approximately 0.75 miles of walking over mostly flat surfaces, including cobblestones, sidewalks, and grass. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Hiking in Raet National Park
Raet National Park was established in 2016 to protect the unique topography of the moraine created by the retreat of a massive glacier at the end of the Ice Age. This excursion provides an opportunity to experience this distinctive coastal landscape up close during a refreshing guided walk.
From the pier, a 20-minute drive brings you to Hove, on the southern part of the island of Tromøy. Part of the Raet National Park, the entire area around Hove has been adapted for recreation and includes a variety of trails along the shoreline and through the woodlands that overlook it. Join your guide for an unhurried hike along the coast, where the rocks and boulders left behind by the glacier define the shore, and then into the woods for the return to your starting point.
At the end of this loop, board your coach again for a leisurely hour-long scenic drive back to Arendal and your ship.
- This hiking tour includes 3.75 miles of walking on mostly flat and gravel paths, which can be dirty depending on the weather conditions. Wear hiking shoes or boots and dress in waterproof clothing.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Gothenburg City Tour & Volvo Museum
Your panoramic tour of Gothenburg begins with a drive to the Masthuggs Church, built atop a hill overlooking the city and the busy port below. Continue to Götaplatsen, one of the most beautiful squares in the city, where the Museum of Fine Arts, the Concert Hall, and the Municipal Theater are grouped around Carl Milles's famous Poseidon Fountain, celebrating Gothenburg's intimate relationship to the sea.
From Götaplatsen, your tour proceeds along Avenyn, the main street and Grand Boulevard of Gothenburg, lined with restaurants, bars, and shops. At Gustav Adolf’s Square, you will see the City Hall, the Court House, and the Stock Exchange. You will pass by Lilla Bommen, a striking modernist office building nicknamed by locals the "Lego House," on your way to the inner harbor, where the Volvo Museum is located.
Not just for car aficionados, the Volvo Museum tells the story of one of Sweden's most important businesses. It houses every Volvo model produced since 1927, including passenger cars, buses and heavy trucks, as well as marine engines and construction equipment. You will also find an exhibit of Volvo's racing history, the latest concept cars, and what the company touts as "the world's fastest hybrid truck." A bit more whimsical is the life-sized Volvo SUV constructed with LEGO bricks — a wedding of two of Scandinavia's most famous brands.
At the end of your tour, a typical Swedish fika will be served — coffee with a tasty bun or pastry. You will also have some time at leisure before returning to your ship.
- The amount of walking on this excursion is at your discretion, most of it in the Volvo Museum.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Gothenburg City Tour & Museum of Fine Arts
Your panoramic tour of Gothenburg begins with a drive to the Masthuggs Church, built atop a hill overlooking the city and the busy port below. Continue to Götaplatsen, one of the most beautiful squares in the city, where the Museum of Fine Arts, the Concert Hall, and the Municipal Theater are grouped around Carl Milles's famous Poseidon Fountain, celebrating Gothenburg's intimate relationship to the sea.
Disembark your motorcoach here for a guided tour of the Museum of Fine Arts. Its collection is regarded as one of the finest in Northern Europe, featuring works of Carl Larsson, Edvard Munch, Anders Zorn, Van Gogh, Picasso, Chagall, Monet, Rembrandt, others. But it is perhaps best known for its superb collection of Nordic art from the turn of the 20th century. A docent will guide you through the magnificent Fürstenberg Gallery, made possible when Pontus Fürstenberg and his wife donated their entire private collection to the city of Gothenburg. Their wing of the museum is almost an exact replica of the original gallery. You will have some time at leisure before leaving the museum.
From Götaplatsen, your tour proceeds along Avenyn, the main street and Grand Boulevard of Gothenburg, lined with restaurants, bars, and shops. You will pass through Gustav Adolf’s Square, site of City Hall, the Court House, and the Stock Exchange, before arriving at Haga, a pedestrian district known for its picturesque wooden houses and its charming 19th-century atmosphere. After your guided walking tour, you will have time to explore on your own or take a cup of coffee at one of the many cafés before rejoining your coach for the drive back to the pier.
- This excursion involves moderate walking, mostly on flat surfaces. The streets in the Haga district are cobblestone. We recommend comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Le Dumont-d'Urville
Le Dumont-d’Urville belongs to a new generation of ships fitted with innovative equipment and designed to be environmentally friendly, and which come equipped with lounges that are largely open to the exterior, an outdoor swimming pool and a Blue Eye, a multisensorial underwater lounge. Everything is in place for an extraordinary cruise experience. It's now possible to depart for adventure to the most remote places on the planet onboard a ship offering luxury services.
Up to 184 Guests
92 staterooms & suites
118 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Shore excursion or activity in each port of call + transfers included
PONANT and Smithsonian Journeys have organised the following included programme for you, which starts the day of embarkation.
Included Features:
- A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts – Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Kolbert and Scandinavian studies expert Terje Leiren.
- Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Bergen to the ship on the day of embarkation
- Comprehensive 7-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Dumont-d’Urville, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famous
- One included shore excursion in each port of call (see “Itinerary” for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable)
- Transfer from the ship to the airport in Oslo at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation
Not included:
- Independent meals and beverages ashore
- Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)
Notes:
- This voyage is offered on a space available basis
- Programme is subject to change without notice
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
HISTORIC BERGEN (1 NIGHT)
Located at the end of Byfjord, Bergen was the capital of Norway in the 12th and 13th centuries and has preserved much of its past. A veritable open-air museum, Bergen is also a vibrant cosmopolitan city, known for its artist colony of painters, potters, and jewelers.
Day 1 - Bergen, Norway
Arrive at Bergen's Flesland Airport, where you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Norge by Scandic. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and answer any questions you may have. Join your fellow travellers for a welcome cocktail reception this evening. Dinner is independent and at your leisure.
Day 2 - Bergen | Embarkation
After breakfast at the hotel, join a morning excursion that includes a visit to the Fantoft Stave Church, originally built in 1150 and reconstructed after a fire in 1992 exactly as it was in the 12th century. You will also tour Troldhaugen, once the summer home of composer Edvard Grieg and now a museum and concert venue. Following lunch at a restaurant back in Bergen, enjoy a guided walking tour of Bryggen, the old waterfront wharf, a reminder of the town's importance as part of the Hanseatic League's trading empire from the 14th to the mid-16th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will have some free time to browse the shops before transferring to the pier to embark in late afternoon.
Your hotel:
Hotel Norge, first opened in 1885, was completely renovated in 2018. Located in the centre of the city, it is within walking distance of the Festplassen and several nearby restaurants. It has a modern, informal, and international atmosphere. The hotel has 415 rooms that boast floor-to-ceiling windows, and it features a lobby bar, a café, and a fine-dining restaurant.
Your programme includes:
- 1 night at the Hotel Norge by Scandic (or similar).
- Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on Day 1.
- Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day.
- Welcome cocktail reception on Day 1.
- Breakfast and lunch on Day 2.
- Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary.
- Local English-speaking guide.
- Gratuities for the drivers and local guides.
Your programme does not include:
- Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled programme arrival day.
- Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the programme.
Please note:
- It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 30 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
- Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
- The official currency is the Norwegian krone. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
- This pre-cruise programme is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
- Programme is offered on a space available basis.
- Programme is subject to change without notice.
Hotel contact information:
Hotel Norge by Scandic
Nedre Ole Bullsplass 4
5012 Bergen
Telephone: +47 55 55 40 00
Email: hotelnorge@scandichotels.com <mailto:hotelnorge@scandichotels.com>
Total : AU$1,050
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
E-bike City Tour
Don your helmet, hop on your e-bike, and set off to discover hand-picked highlights in this enchanting city!
E-biking is just like traditional cycling, but with less pedaling thanks to the bike’s electric motor. After a full briefing, your guide will lead the way as you cruise into the streets. Glide around the heart of colorful Ålesund, which is renowned for its unique Art Nouveau style. Hear the story of the fire that destroyed the town in 1904 and admire the intricate façades of the buildings that rose from the ashes, embellished with dragons and flowers, and crowned by a forest of spires and turrets. Make the most of your bike’s motor and head up to a viewpoint on Mount Aksla. From here, soak up a breathtaking vista spanning Ålesund, the surrounding mountains, the sparkling fjords, and the distant Sunnmøre Alps.
- An e-bike and helmet will be provided. Participants are required to have previously ridden a normal bicycle. Participants must be at least 4’9” tall and weigh under 242 pounds. Pregnant women, those with back problems, and children under age 12 are not permitted. We recommend you wear a wind/waterproof jacket, flat shoes, and sunglasses.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Art Nouveau Museum & City Walk
Ålesund, the largest town on the Northwest coast, boasts a beautiful built on three islands close to the ocean and with a backdrop of impressive mountain peaks. A large part of Ålesund was destroyed by fire in 1904 and rebuilt in the so-called Jugend (Art Nouveau) style, typical of the first decade of the 20th century. In fact, it was the German emperor Wilhelm II, a great friend of Norway, who sent masons up to help rebuild the town.
Today Ålesund has a population of approximately 40,000, but the town center is relatively small and easy to cover on foot. Depart on foot and start with a visit to the Art Nouveau Centre, located in the old pharmacy building. The museum provides an interesting insight into the history of the fire in 1904 and the creative Art Nouveau period. After a break for coffee, tea, and cake, continue your walk and learn about the importance of fisheries in Norway's biggest fish-export harbor, and see several examples of the picturesque Art Nouveau-style that has made Ålesund famous as one of the three last Art Nouveau cities in Europe. Proceed uphill to a little, attractive park at the foot of Mount Aksla. Here you will find exotic trees and plants, as well as a memorial stone dedicated to Emperor Wilhelm II, after whom the main street in town is also named. In addition, here stands the statue of the Viking Gange-Rolf who sailed from Ålesund to present day Normandy, France, which is named after the Norwegian settlers. If you choose, walk up a few bends towards Mount Aksla to enjoy a spectacular view. Others can enjoy more time in the park to wander or relax before returning to the pier and your ship.
- This tour includes approximately 2 miles of walking over paved and cobblestone surfaces with some inclines. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and loose clothing. Please bring a light jacket and rain gear, if necessary. A parent or guardian must accompany children under the age of 16.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Atlantic Ocean Park
Ålesund, the largest town on the Northwest coast, boasts a beautiful setting, built on three islands close to the ocean and with a backdrop of impressive mountain peaks. A large part of Ålesund was destroyed by fire in 1904 and rebuilt in the so-called Jugend (Art Nouveau) style, typical of the first decade of the 20th century. Today it is a bustling town where the fish and furniture industries are the main sources of income.
Board your coach and drive approximately 2 miles to the Atlantic Ocean Park, a unique aquarium dedicated to marine life along the Atlantic coast of Norway, where tanks are built to resemble coastal environments. The largest tank contains over one million gallons of seawater, where you can view marine life through an acrylic panel that is over 10 inches thick, 60 feet long, and 13 feet high. The Park also features an outdoor pool with penguins. The aquarium is in a lovely setting, looking straight out towards Breisundet – the wide sound surrounded by islands and reaching far out the open ocean. Here seals come in regularly to be fed. The Park is currently undergoing renovation, and as of 2022, it will have status as a Marine Science Center with emphasis on how to manage ocean resources.
On the way back to the ship, you can see some of the fine details of the Art Nouveau architecture before heading up to Mount Aksla, where you stop to take in the spectacular view over many islands towards the ocean. After a short drive through the streets of Ålesund, arrive back at the pier.
- This tour includes approximately 0.25 miles of walking over flat and even surfaces. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Herdalssetra Mountain Farm & Fjord Center
From the village of Geiranger at the head of the UNESCO World Heritage Geirangerfjord, drive by coach up Eagle's Road. Arrive at Eagle's Bend, a wide curve from where there is a splendid view to the fjord below and the surrounding mountains, for a photo stop. See the Seven Sisters waterfalls in the distance as well as some of the abandoned mountain farms clinging to the sheer cliff sides. Continue towards the village of Eiddal and pass the highest point of the road at about 2000 feet above sea level.
After the village of Norddal, leave the fjord and drive up the valley until you reach the summer farm of Herdalssetra, situated on a mountainside at approximately 1500 ft above sea level. The setting is picturesque, and during the summer months, some 450 goats roam freely. The farm is also home to cows, sheep, and fjord horses – including the blond pony native to the west coast. The farm produces both white and brown goat cheese.
Discover the 300-year-old farm, consisting of 30 tiny houses. The small, wooden houses with turfed roofs were built under the mighty peak of Heregga, tucked away from the annual avalanches. Here, the farmers will introduce you to their cheesemaking process. Complete your visit by sampling the family’s goatmilk cheeses and caramels.
On the way back down the valley, admire the lovely Herdøla River, cascading down in several impressive waterfalls. Upon arrival back in Geiranger, stop at the Geiranger Fjord Center. Here you will be able to view exhibitions on various local themes including fjord boats, tourism, historic public transport, farming, and communication. End back at the pier.
- Notes: This tour includes moderate walking over some uneven terrain, and guests will need to step over thresholds to enter the houses at the farm. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Geiranger to Hellesylt by Land
From the pier, leave Geiranger by coach on a journey of discovery through the countryside in the west of Norway, a land of majestic mountains and emerald-green lakes.
Head for Mount Dalsnibba, climbing up through a beautiful landscape of mountains, waterfalls, and lakes that follow one after the other, before arriving at Lake Djupvaten. A fantastic spectacle awaits as you enter a world of naked rock, ice, and snow. Your route continues up Mount Dalsnibba to a height of 4,930 feet (1,495 m) from where you will have an exceptional view (weather permitting). At this altitude, all the snow-capped peaks cast light on a scene that appears inaccessible.
After an included lunch in a local restaurant, you will head to the summer ski resort of Tystigen to capture the stunning panorama. Arrive at the Jostedal Glacier National Park Centre to view a film and visit exhibits about the glacier and the surrounding environment. Drive along the shores of Lake Stryn, the emerald-green color of which is so typical of the area, due to the melting Jostedal Glacier that you will see further on. You will continue your route along the River Stryn, an excellent spot for salmon fishing, to Nordfjord and the village of Stryn. Your last stop will be Hornindalsvatnet, one of the deepest lakes in Europe at 1,695 feet (514 m) deep.
- This excursion includes minimal walking over mostly flat surfaces, depending on how far guests venture during stops. We advise you wear comfortable shoes, bring a windproof jacket, and protect yourself from the sun and rain. Not recommended for guests who suffer from vertigo.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
From Fjord to Sky by Cable Car
From the pier, drive through the Lodalen Valley to the far end at Kjenndalen. From here, take a short stroll up to a viewpoint over the Kjenndalen Glacier in the distance. This glacier is an arm of the mighty Jostedal Glacier – the largest glacier on mainland Europe.
Walk back to the coach and drive back towards Loen. Leaving the buses, board the new cable car (inaugurated in 2017) which takes you up to Mount Hoven, 3300 feet above sea level and around 650 feet above the tree line in this part of Norway. Here, enjoy a coffee break and spectacular views of the fjord and villages below, as well as of the surrounding mountain scenery. While at Mount Hoven, you have the opportunity to enjoy a short walk to soak up the scenery around you.
After some time at leisure, return by cable car to Loen and your ship.
- This tour will operate in nearly all weather conditions, even if there isn’t a good view from the top station and/or it is raining. In case of strong wind, the cable car may be closed on short notice. At the Kjenndalen viewpoint, guests who have difficulties walking may stay in the coach or at the parking area. Walking distance is approximately 1 mile over uneven terrain to the viewpoint and back. Flat comfortable shoes and a warm, windproof jacket are recommended. Please note the order of the visits may be reversed.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Briksdal Glacier with Troll Cars
Briksdal Glacier lies at the end of the enchanting Oldedalen Valley and is a part of the Jostedal glacier ice field, which is the largest glacier on the European mainland. The wild glacier is a fantastic work of nature. Its slope plunges from a height of 3,937 feet (1,200 m) down to the lush, narrow Briksdal Valley. Board your coach in Loen. The drive through Oldedalen Valley to Briksdal Glacier is an amazing symphony of scenic splendors – from wildflowers to awe-inspiring mountains that are reflected in crystal clear lake waters and to great waterfalls that cascade from vertical mountainsides.
Your coach will stop at a mountain lodge, where you will board electric “troll cars” (7 seats in each) for a ride from the lodge up to a parking lot to reach the glacier. The troll cars are the only motorized vehicles allowed on this gravel road. En route, you will travel along a river, past a waterfall, and through serpentine bends. From the parking lot, the walk to the face of the Briksdal Glacier is about 0.4 miles and takes about 10 minutes to reach.
Glacial ice only reflects blue light, so the Glacier provides an impressive site. It might be hard to imagine that the ice is in constant motion – and the arms of a glacier can grow or shrink several hundred yards in only a few years, depending on the amount of snow that fell in years past. Sometimes the glacier calves, and huge chunks of ice fall off the edge. Therefore, guests are urged to respect the warning signs that stand near the Glacier for the sake of their security.
Return by foot to the troll cars that will take you back to the lodge. At the lodge, enjoy a snack including coffee, tea, and pastries, and some time at leisure to browse for souvenirs. Re-board your coach for the drive back to the ship.
- This tour includes about 1 mile of walking over gravel paths that are sometimes uneven and include uphill/downhill sections. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes, a sunhat and sunglasses, a warm jacket, and a waterproof layer. The drive to and from the lodge will go through tunnels, the longest of which is about 0.5 miles long.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Walking & Trail Snack
Norway has a long tradition of cross-country skiing, and this technique has been further developed for walking. Nordic walking is a total body version of walking that can be enjoyed both by non-athletes as a health-promoting physical activity and by athletes as a sport. The activity is performed with specially designed walking poles, adapted to each participant. The technique is easy to learn, and you will get a unique workout where most muscles are used combined with a true nature experience.
From the pier, you will begin your tour with a short walk through an industrial and residential area before you reach the shores of the Gandsfjord and a 19-mile-long trail reaching all the way to the city of Stavanger. The trail runs in open countryside right beside the fjord and offers a fantastic view over the Gandsfjord and the mountains beyond. There are several lovely beaches along the way, and you will pass large rocky headlands protruding into the fjord.
Relax in a peaceful outdoor area, where you will enjoy one of Norway’s best loved – and one of the simplest – culinary treats, the brown cheese. Together with rye bread and beverages, this constitutes a typical Norwegian back-to-the-basics trail snack. After walking for approximately 5 to 6 miles with plenty of time to take photos en route, board a coach for your transfer back to the pier.
- This tour includes approximately 5 to 6 miles of trail walking over mainly flat, paved and gravel surfaces. We recommend you wear sturdy walking shoes and bring a small rucksack to hold any gear. Walking poles will be provided.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Stavanger Heritage & Petroleum Museum
Sandnes, Stavanger, and the surrounding areas have for centuries played a leading part in Norway's maritime history, from the time when the Viking kings battled in Hafrsfjord, through the period of the "white sails" and the steamships, up to modern super-tankers. Stavanger is also the most important oil city in Norway due to its geographical position. Your tour will show you a bit of the city's history.
Departing the pier in Sandnes, you pass through rich agricultural countryside, pausing briefly at the Sword-in-Stone monument that commemorates the victory in 872 of Viking king Harald Haarfagre (the fair-haired) over the last of the regional princes, thus uniting 29 small kingdoms under one crown and establishing the Kingdom of Norway. Visit the nearby village of Ullandhaug, where farmhouses have been reconstructed to show what life was like during the Iron Age. To the East, the fertile farmland of Jaeren and the Ryfylke Mountains form the background.
Arriving in Stavanger, you visit the modern Petroleum Museum. This striking building is situated in the middle of the harbor. It displays many exhibits from Norway’s relatively new petroleum history. After the museum you may opt to participate in a guided walk through Old Stavanger with picturesque, well preserved wooden houses dating to the 18th and 19th centuries.
At the end of the tour, return to the ship in Sandnes.
- This tour includes approximately 0.25 miles of walking over uneven surfaces, including over cobblestones and dirt paths with some incline. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. The coach will drive through several tunnels during the tour; the longest of which is about 0.5 miles long.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Utstein Monastery & Music Recital
From Sandnes, depart on a one-hour drive through the countryside to Mosteroy Island, pausing briefly at the Sword-in-Stone monument that commemorates the victory in 872 of Viking king Harald Haarfagre (the fair-haired) over the last of the regional princes, thus uniting 29 small kingdoms under one crown and establishing the Kingdom of Norway.
Mosteroy Island, one of a group of islands at the entrance to Boknafjord, is a tranquil, fertile place suitable for pasturing sheep and cows, and an environment conducive to quiet introspection. The perfect site for Augustinian Friars to establish a monastery in the mid-13th century. You reach the island via an underwater tunnel almost 3 miles long and running nearly 700 feet below the surface. Arriving at Mosteroy, you drive through the verdant landscape to reach Utstein Monastery, the best-preserved monastery in Norway.
Utstein is small. There were probably never more than a dozen monks living here at a time. But the staff of the monastery — household servants and those who farmed the land in support of the monks — would have brought the total size of the community to about 250.
The Lutheran Reformation brought the religious life of the monastery to an end. And the buildings were repurposed for secular pursuits until a renovation project was begun in 1937. The restored monastery is now a museum and a popular venue for lectures and recitals.
Your guided visit of the museum and its idyllic grounds will end with a short music recital in the chapel, before you leave the serenity of this place and return to your ship in Sandnes.
- This tour involves approximately 25 steps to negotiate at the monastery. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes, layered clothing, and protect yourself from the sun.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Næs Ironworks Museum & Tvedestrand
Board your coach for a drive to the Næs Ironworks Museum. The Museum is very well preserved and almost completely intact, consisting of buildings, machinery, and equipment that date back to the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The ironworks here were operational from 1665 to 1959, and the Museum offers a fascinating glimpse of how iron and steel were produced in days gone by. Enjoy a guided walk through the Museum and a refreshment stop with coffee or tea and munker (a local pastry).
Re-board your coach and drive to the village of Tvedestrand. Proceed with a guided walk through the white wooden houses of the picturesque little village and take a picture of Norway’s narrowest house. Tvedestrand is known as an “international book town” and presents a bookshop on nearly every corner. Enjoy some free time to discover more at your leisure.
Drive back to Arendal along the North Sea Route scenic road which offers fantastic views to the coastline and the ocean.
- This tour includes approximately 0.75 miles of walking over mostly flat surfaces, including cobblestones, sidewalks, and grass. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Hiking in Raet National Park
Raet National Park was established in 2016 to protect the unique topography of the moraine created by the retreat of a massive glacier at the end of the Ice Age. This excursion provides an opportunity to experience this distinctive coastal landscape up close during a refreshing guided walk.
From the pier, a 20-minute drive brings you to Hove, on the southern part of the island of Tromøy. Part of the Raet National Park, the entire area around Hove has been adapted for recreation and includes a variety of trails along the shoreline and through the woodlands that overlook it. Join your guide for an unhurried hike along the coast, where the rocks and boulders left behind by the glacier define the shore, and then into the woods for the return to your starting point.
At the end of this loop, board your coach again for a leisurely hour-long scenic drive back to Arendal and your ship.
- This hiking tour includes 3.75 miles of walking on mostly flat and gravel paths, which can be dirty depending on the weather conditions. Wear hiking shoes or boots and dress in waterproof clothing.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Gothenburg City Tour & Volvo Museum
Your panoramic tour of Gothenburg begins with a drive to the Masthuggs Church, built atop a hill overlooking the city and the busy port below. Continue to Götaplatsen, one of the most beautiful squares in the city, where the Museum of Fine Arts, the Concert Hall, and the Municipal Theater are grouped around Carl Milles's famous Poseidon Fountain, celebrating Gothenburg's intimate relationship to the sea.
From Götaplatsen, your tour proceeds along Avenyn, the main street and Grand Boulevard of Gothenburg, lined with restaurants, bars, and shops. At Gustav Adolf’s Square, you will see the City Hall, the Court House, and the Stock Exchange. You will pass by Lilla Bommen, a striking modernist office building nicknamed by locals the "Lego House," on your way to the inner harbor, where the Volvo Museum is located.
Not just for car aficionados, the Volvo Museum tells the story of one of Sweden's most important businesses. It houses every Volvo model produced since 1927, including passenger cars, buses and heavy trucks, as well as marine engines and construction equipment. You will also find an exhibit of Volvo's racing history, the latest concept cars, and what the company touts as "the world's fastest hybrid truck." A bit more whimsical is the life-sized Volvo SUV constructed with LEGO bricks — a wedding of two of Scandinavia's most famous brands.
At the end of your tour, a typical Swedish fika will be served — coffee with a tasty bun or pastry. You will also have some time at leisure before returning to your ship.
- The amount of walking on this excursion is at your discretion, most of it in the Volvo Museum.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.
Gothenburg City Tour & Museum of Fine Arts
Your panoramic tour of Gothenburg begins with a drive to the Masthuggs Church, built atop a hill overlooking the city and the busy port below. Continue to Götaplatsen, one of the most beautiful squares in the city, where the Museum of Fine Arts, the Concert Hall, and the Municipal Theater are grouped around Carl Milles's famous Poseidon Fountain, celebrating Gothenburg's intimate relationship to the sea.
Disembark your motorcoach here for a guided tour of the Museum of Fine Arts. Its collection is regarded as one of the finest in Northern Europe, featuring works of Carl Larsson, Edvard Munch, Anders Zorn, Van Gogh, Picasso, Chagall, Monet, Rembrandt, others. But it is perhaps best known for its superb collection of Nordic art from the turn of the 20th century. A docent will guide you through the magnificent Fürstenberg Gallery, made possible when Pontus Fürstenberg and his wife donated their entire private collection to the city of Gothenburg. Their wing of the museum is almost an exact replica of the original gallery. You will have some time at leisure before leaving the museum.
From Götaplatsen, your tour proceeds along Avenyn, the main street and Grand Boulevard of Gothenburg, lined with restaurants, bars, and shops. You will pass through Gustav Adolf’s Square, site of City Hall, the Court House, and the Stock Exchange, before arriving at Haga, a pedestrian district known for its picturesque wooden houses and its charming 19th-century atmosphere. After your guided walking tour, you will have time to explore on your own or take a cup of coffee at one of the many cafés before rejoining your coach for the drive back to the pier.
- This excursion involves moderate walking, mostly on flat surfaces. The streets in the Haga district are cobblestone. We recommend comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.