Duration: 14 Days
We’re on the top of the world on this 10-day escorted tour of Scandinavia—the Arctic Circle to be exact. Explore the Land of the Midnight Sun as you travel into the exquisite beauty of from Finland to Norway. Along the way, you’ll be warmed by the traditions, tastes, and legends. Begin in Finland’s southern capital of Helsinki poised on the country’s gulf peninsula, where Nordic cuisine is as hearty as the generations of tradition here. Visit Santa at the village of Rovaniemi, just across the Arctic Circle, once you’re sure to be on the “good list,” head through Lapland to the North Cape of Norway to discover the Sámi culture alive today in Karasjok. Call in a husky farm to learn about the life of mushers and sled dogs. Continue to Tromsø where the glow from the Arctic Cathedral adds a shining light to the end of your amazing arctic adventure! Continue your expedition with a 4-day cruise from Tromsø to Bergen, a spectacular feasts for the eyes complete with fjords, frozen glaciers, archipelagos, and alpine panoramas!
Traveller Notes
- We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect holiday—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides (with headsets to hear every word), to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring in spacious comfort by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach. Free Wi-Fi is included on board your coach and in most hotel lobbies and common areas. Cruise ship from Tromsø to Bergen.
- Services of the Tour Director end on day 10.
Welcome to Helsinki!
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)
Perfection on the Peninsula
HELSINKI Guided sightseeing. Flight to Oulu (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Finland's southern capital of Helsinki is poised on the peninsula in the Gulf of Finland, where striking architecture and Nordic cuisine delight visitors. See the beautiful cathedral and Sibelius Monument in this historic and picturesque setting.
The Creative Edge
OULU Orientation. Free time. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
FREE TIME TIP Consider an optional excursion to Hailuoto, the largest island in the Bothnian Bay. The island started to rise from the sea approximately 2,000 years ago and continues to do so. Eventually the island will adjoin mainland as the rising shoreline is constantly changing to form a living conservation area. The manmade environment in Hailuoto, characterized by well-preserved traditional buildings, together with its unique natural features, has earned Hailuoto the designation as one of Finland's national landscapes-and the only national landscape covering the entire municipality.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
ROVANIEMI Visit Santa Claus Village. Cross the Arctic Circle and [LF] get the Arctic Circle Certificate (B,D) 127 mi / 205 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
LEGENDS & LORE About a hundred years ago, a passer-by started spreading the word about the true location of Santa's real home. Since then, Santa has traveled to the Arctic Circle to meet with kids from 1 to 92 to hear Christmas wishes in his remote Santa's Village in Rovaniemi. Enjoy a visit with Old St. Nick and receive your official Arctic Circle Certificate documenting your crossing this hemispheric line.
North to the Cape
LUOSTO [LF] Visit a husky farm and enjoy traditional snacks of the Sami culture. (B,D) 196mi/ 315km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
CULTURE & TRADITION Learn about the special relationship between musher and dog with a visit to a local husky farm. Hear about arctic survival gear, sleds, racing equipment, and working with the sled dogs. Visit the puppy yard and linger with the friendly adult racing dogs. Whether or not you're a passionate dog-lover, you'll gain respect and admiration for these hard-working dogs and their remarkable fortitude under the care of expert mushers.
Norwegian Good
KARASJOK Visit the Sami Cultural Park. (B,D) 242mi/ 390km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Get a comprehensive insight into various aspects of Sami culture, history, and traditions when visiting the Sami Cultural Park in Karasjok. Explore exhibitions that feature Sami art, handicrafts, traditional clothing, and artifacts and learn about the history of the Sami people, their way of life, and their struggles for cultural preservation and recognition.
The Old Men & The Sea
HONNINGSVAG Visit North Cape Hall and visitor centre. (B) 168mi/ 270km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
THE EDGE OF THE WORLD The North Cape cliff has long been a popular and important navigation mark for shipping traffic in the north. In 1553, an English expedition set sail under the command of commander Richard Chancellor to find the North-East passage to China. They did not succeed, but the old sea charts after this expedition are the first to mention the name, North Cape. The North Cape Hall complex is built mainly out of stone. The globe at the top of the building has become the symbol of Nordkapp. It marks that you are at the end point of Europe - the northernmost of the continental mainland. This is a treasured place for photography and contemplation. This is the culmination of all journeys.
Written in Stone
ALTA Visit the Rock Carvings Museum (B) 186mi/ 300km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ANCIENT TREASURES Experience Northern Europe's largest and richest rock carving site, inscribed on the UNESCO's World Heritage List. Here you can walk on pathways arranged around the rock carving area. Fantastic view over the Alta Fjord. The 2000 to 6200 years old rock carvings show the life of hunters and fishermen. The rock carvings in Alta were made on the smooth rock surfaces at the water's edge. As the land gradually rose, and new rock surfaces came to light, the artists made use of these for their carvings.
Shining Lights
TROMSO Orientation walk includes the Arctic Cathedral. Farewell dinner at the hotel. Later in the night embark your ship. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ICY ARCHITECTURE The Arctic Cathedral stands proud at the end of Tromso bridge, clearly visible from the centre of the town. Strip lights have been positioned between the eleven lamella panels that make up the church walls. When darkness falls, the church's unusual shape is visible from all parts of Tromso to represent the light in the long, dark winter days.
High Peaks and Idyllic Islands
TROMSO Cruise towards the Lofoten Islands (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Pass with the cruise ship the Lofoten Wall, a giant granite cliff shooting out of the Arctic Sea. A number of bright fishing villages hug the shoreline where a majority of the inhabitants make their livelihood in the winter cod season.
Mountain Maidens
Sail south as your ship calls at Bodo in the small hours of the morning and then Ornes at 7am.
NESNA Short stop at Nesna before sailing on to Sandnessjoen, gateway to the magnificent Helgeland Coast.
BRONNOYSUND: Walk along Havnegata to explore the bustling marina and see Bronnoy Church- a stone church in the Neo-Gothic style dating back to 1870.
RORVIK Stop in the Cosy fishing port in the picturesque Vikna archipelago. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LOCAL LEGENDS While admiring the stunning landscape of the Seven Sisters mountain range, hear the story about seven beautiful troll princesses who, fleeing from an unwanted suitor, were turned to stone at sunrise to become the seven beautiful mountains of today.
Capital of the Viking Age
TRONDHEIM Take a stroll around the city early in the morning and see the sacred Nidaros Cathedral, resting place of St. Olav. Then, walk to Gamle Bybro bridge for a photo opportunity over Nid River.
KRISTIANSUND Take a walk around the cobblestone streets of the old town and tour the lively port.
MOLDE Spot the tops of the Romsdal Alps. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION The city of Kristiansund sits on four islands and is founded on bacalao (dried salted cod) known locally as "klippfisk." It has a distinctive architecture, decorated in shades of red, yellow. and green, giving it the nickname the polychrome city. Head up to the old watchtower at Varden viewpoint for a lovely panorama.
Fjord Every Scene
Glimpse Nordfjord, under the giant Jostedal Glacier, mainland Europe's largest glacier.
FLORO Morning stop to take in the harbour and the marina.
BERGEN Disembarkation and transfer to your hotel. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE PERFECT Depart Floro with a perfect photo opportunity of the Stabben Lighthouse. Enjoy stunning views as your ship crosses the mouth of the Sognefjord, the longest and widest fjord in the whole of Norway. Reaching your final port this afternoon, you'll navigate through the last islands and skerries of the Norway scenic route, and sail down Hjeltefjord to arrive into Bergen.
Safe travels until we meet again!
BERGEN Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
