August 6-8, 2018 

Our 2 Night Pre Cruise Package in Oslo, Norway Includes:

• 2 nights at 3-star Thon Hotel Terminus in Oslo City
• 1-day HOHO Double Decker Bus tour
• Roundtrip airport transfers**
• Hot Daily Breakfast (2)
• Daily Evening Meal (2)
• Hotel Tax
• Personal Services of our STI Concierge (minimum 10)
• Company of other Single Travelers

DAY 1- Monday- August 6

Flights arrive at Oslo Airport and board the Flybus to the newly renovated Thon Hotel Terminus. Check-in (after 3 pm) with our Singles Travel International Concierge upon arrival. Here, you can meet your fellow travelers and ask about the best attractions in Oslo City!

Settle in your room and enjoy included dinner, at the hotel, before we meet for optional after dinner drinks at Skybar. The bar is just a short walk and on the 34^th floor of the Radisson Blu. Enjoy fabulous views of the Oslo City night lights while you mingle with great company and cocktails!

Day 2- Tuesday- August 7

Wake up and enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you head over and jump on the HOHO double decker bus, for your tour of the city. Choose to stay on, for the 1.5 hour guided tour, or hop off at any of the 17 stops around the city!

The day is yours to jump on and off all day. Visit the Royal Palace, the Vikingship Museum or the Kon-Tiki Museum! Vigeland Sculpture Park is another great site and shouldn’t be missed. Tour the Akershus Fortress and stroll past the Nobel Peace Center, Parliament and City Hall.

After you have taken full advantage of the city’s attractions along the HOHO tour, take local train #1 to the Holmenkollen Ski Museum and Tower, the most visited site in Norway, and take in the breathtaking, panoramic views of the city!

Dinner is at your leisure, included at the hotel, and the last night in beautiful Oslo is yours to enjoy!

Day 3- Wednesday- August 8

Relax during your final breakfast at the buffet before we checkout and head to the airport, on the Flybus.

**Please reserve Norwegian Air Shuttle (DY 310) from Oslo to Kirkenes on August 8 at 9:20 a.m., arriving 11:30 a.m. in order to travel to the airport with the group. Transportation in Oslo is via Flybus and requires a short taxi ride between the terminal and our hotel at your own expense.

Rates are subject to change at any time until confirmed by STI vacation specialist.

Note that guests must make the reservation with STI in order to participate in group activities in Oslo. Bookings made directly with the hotel do not qualify and fees will apply to join group activities.

The northern shores of Norway offer spectacular scenery, including Finnmark’s wide plains, the North Cape and the Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands. As we cross the Polar Circle, the climate and landscapes become milder, but none the less impressive. On this southbound trip, we stop in Harstad, Lofoten and Trollfjorden during daytime. From there, we sail south along the Helgeland coast, passing the Seven Sisters mountains. We will continue to be impressed, when we sail through the overwhelmingly beautiful, unspoilt west coast landscapes.

Visiting 34 ports along the route is a great way to experience genuine and spectacular Norway and there are incredibly exciting excursions to match (optional). We’ll see small settlements with less than 200 inhabitants and the big cities teeming with life. As we reach Bergen, the last port of call, we’ll have completed a journey that has taken place along the Norwegian coast every day for the last 120 years. How’s that for authentic?

Please schedule your flight to arrive in Kirkenes, Norway (KKN) before 5 p.m. on August 8 and depart any from Bergen (BGO) on August 15. Itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of Hurtigriten without compensation. Singles Travel International is not responsible for the consequences of any changes.

NOTE: All excursions listed are optional. Read about them here, then purchase them on our Book Now or Price My Trip links.
Have breakfast at the North Cape, challenge yourself on a mountain hike in Hammerfest or Lofoten, explore the wilderness on a snowmobile or on a dog sledge, enjoy a hi-octane RIB adventure or discover cultural highlights.

Day-to-Day Itinerary 

Day 1: Wednesday, August 8
Kirkenes- Capital of the Barents Region

Kirkenes is known as the capital of the Barents region and gateway to the east. The Russian border is a just few miles away. You may find it intriguing that the local road signs are written in both Norwegian and Russian. Depending on the season, there are many ways to visit the Russian frontier. Travel either by bus (all year), enjoy a riverboat safari, or join an action-packed trip on ATV/quad-bikes. Kirkenes also boasts several fascinating small museums recounting the remarkably rich history and heritage of this remote region.

Spending time in Kirkenes provides the opportunity to take part in numerous adventurous activities into the Arctic environment. During any of our torus, our guides tell us about the history of the Sámi people, the extreme Arctic climate and the area’s unique wildlife. On our dog-sledge adventures (optional), huskies eagerly transport us across the frozen Arctic landscape. Catch and eat giant king crab from the Barents Sea. In summer, we’ll have the opportunity to hike across mountainous terrain with our own husky companion.

Arrive in Kirkenes and transfer to our hotel, included in our package.  Meet your fellow travelers and our STI Concierge at our hotel late in the afternoon.  We’ll get to know one another and share an optional drink and dinner.

Overnight at the Thon Hotel Kirkenes.

Day 2: Thursday, August 9
Mehamn – Tromsø

Breakfast at our hotel followed by a transfer to the Nordkapp.

We’ll check in for our cruise and get settled into our cabins as the excitement mounts. As the ship starts its voyage south, we’ll enjoy lunch followed by views of the surrounding Arctic landscape on deck or from the panorama lounge. As we depart Kirkenes, you’ve only seen half of what our voyage along the Norwegian coastline has to offer. Prepare yourself for many new experiences. In the afternoon, the ship again docks at Vardø, Norway’s easternmost port. Weather permitting, we may invite you to experience ice bathing in the Arctic Ocean. Heading south, we cruise along the Varanger peninsula to Båtsfjord, before reaching Berlevåg in the evening. The latter town is home to one of Norway’s most famous male choirs, consisting mainly of local fishermen.

In the middle of the night ( because it;’s still light out) we dock at Mehamn, where it is possible to join an unforgettable snowmobile trip (optional) through one of Europe’s most extreme and exciting natural areas. Experience snow-clad valleys, fresh winter air and perhaps the mesmerizing Northern Lights in the clear, starry sky.

At Honningsvåg, join an excursion that features breakfast at North Cape and the discovery of hidden parts of Finnmark along the way. Before stopping in Hammerfest, enjoy an ‘energy coffee’ and short on-board introduction to Melkøya – the world´s northernmost natural gas terminal’. Hammerfest was founded in 1789, and over time became Norway’s polar capital, serving as a base for hunting expeditions into the high Arctic. Here you’ll see the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, erected in 1854 to commemorate the first precise, geographic measurement of the globe. You may also join a mini-mountain expedition to experience the Arctic outdoors and learn about local polar hero and cook, Adolf Henrik Lindstrøm.

We continue south to Øksfjord. After crossing open water, we make a brief stop at the old trading post of Skjervøy, where Hurtigruten founder, Richard With, was born. We then dock at Tromsø, just in time to enjoy a magical midnight concert (optional) at the Arctic Cathedral. Alternatively, a walk around the town provides you the chance to enjoy a local brew at one of the city´s many friendly pubs.

During our summer voyages we are invited to join the Expedition Team for explorer boat activities to discover more of Tromsø and its surroundings.

Day 3: Friday, August 10
Tromsø – Stamsund

We arrive at Harstad this morning, where we have the opportunity to participate in one of the classic Hurtigruten excursion programmes: A taste of Vesterålen. Experience history, beautiful scenery and a selection of breathtaking sites that include a visit to Trondenes Church, one of Norway’s premier cultural heritage sites from the late Middle Ages. Those who choose to stay on board can admire views of this old church as we sail towards the Risøyrenna, a shallow 7m-deep channel made especially for Hurtigruten in the 1920s to provide an ‘inside route’ between Harstad and Sortland. The sand banks along the Risøyrenna are visible through the clear, green water. The island groups of Lofoten and Vesterålen offer some of the most stunning scenery you will see during the entire coastal voyage. The Lofoten region is renowned for its natural beauty with steep mountains, wild nature and small, picturesque fishing villages. The daylight sailing route through the Lofoten Islands is a highlight for many of our guests.

Risøyhamn is a small village with only 200 inhabitants, and we make a short stop here to deliver passengers, groceries and mail. As a springtime tribute to the region´s fishing history, our chef shows how to fillet the catch of the day on deck. We then continue south via Sortland to Stokmarknes, where Hurtigruten was founded more than 120 years ago. Go ashore and pay a visit to the Hurtigruten museum here. Continuing southwards, it looks like we are sailing straight into the mountain wall, but we inevitably slip through an opening leading to the narrow Raftsund. This 20 km passage between Lofoten and Vesterålen takes you through mountains soaring 1,000 m directly out of the sea.

Now we reach the spectacular Trollfjord, only 2 km long and 100 m wide, surrounded by majestic mountains. If the weather and time permit – the captain makes a detour into the fjord. Steep cliffs hug the ship´s sides and the dramatic landscape conjures fairy tale images of an imaginary land of trolls. Trollfjord is also the realm of the sea eagle. Just north of the fjord, a smaller vessel awaits to take you out to see this magnificent bird up close on an optional sea eagle safari (optional). To join the safari, transfer to the smaller tour boat on Trollfjord. To do this, the Hurtigruten ship must turn around in the narrow fjord, a magnificent sight in its own right! The eagle safari begins in earnest after leaving the Trollfjord, passing through narrow channels flanked by steep mountains where the sea eagles dwell and can be viewed. These beautiful, rare birds of prey circle the boat a few times before we toss fish into the sea for them to grab and devour. Be sure to take along a camera!

Reaching Svolvær, choose from several excursion options. Join our Lofoten Islands tour to learn more about the fishing communities, beautiful scenery and art from this area. Join a horseback ride and experience a sunset trot through powdery white sand on a beach along the Norwegian Sea. If you want more of an adrenaline rush, join one of our high-octane excursions by RIB. Lofoten is known for its excellent fishing, and in winter you can join a fishing trip to try your luck at catching cod. If you prefer dry land, a guided fishing village walk provides in-depth insights into the history and culture.  From Svolvær, we continue on to Stamsund, where we see the majestic peaks of the huge Lofoten wall. We leave Lofoten during the evening and set course for the mainland.

Day 4: Saturday, August 11
Bodø – Rørvik

Crossing the Arctic Circle at 66°33’N is an important ‘rite of passage’. Today we celebrate the event out on deck with a `taste´ of Arctic tradition – a spoonful of cod liver oil. As we sail along the Helgeland coast, you pass hundreds of islets, fertile farmland and steep granite walls rich in local lore. On deck you can see the strange mountain Torghatten (rising 258 m above sea level), famous for its distinctive hole right through the middle. The hole is 160 m long, 35 m high and 20 m wide, and was created during the ice age.

Another highlight is sailing past the Seven Sisters mountain range. All seven mountains are between 900 and 1,100 m high, and it is easy to understand how these ‘ladies’ influenced ancient myths. The story goes that there were seven troll sisters, the daughters of King Sulis, who kept them under strict control. One night, when the king fell into a deep sleep, the seven maidens sneaked out. Vågekallen, who was eager for a wife, was lying in wait. He pursued the sisters, who fled southwards down the coast. Several other trolls joined the chase to either capture or rescue them. When night turned to morning, the troll sisters and their pursuers were petrified as the sun turns all trolls to stone. They all became the rocks and mountains that today make the Helgeland coastline one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Next we make a short stop at Nesna, an idyllic old trading post before moving on to Sandnessjøen. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Vega Islands is close to Sandnessjøen and can be visited on an optional excursion during summer. This unique cultural landscape consists of dozens of islands. The UNESCO designation was awarded due to the unique interaction between the eider duck and island population. Learn how the fishermen and farmers have cultivated a centuries-old symbiotic relationship with the ducks, and how it continues to contribute to a livelihood of eiderdown harvesting and making down-filled duvets.

On another optional excursion between Sandnessjøen and Brønnøysund, you can experience an exciting blend of culture, nature and architecture. Visit the museum at Alstahaug, which is dedicated to the life of Petter Dass (1647-1707), the foremost Norwegian poet of his generation. The museum consists of several buildings, the oldest being the old vicarage from the mid-1700s. There are continuous exhibitions, and the building interiors date back to the 17^th and 18^th centuries. The museum, church and graveyard are preserved and protected by the Norwegian Cultural Heritage.

Day 5: Sunday, August 12
Trondheim – Ålesund

Today provides another opportunity to explore the city of Trondheim. Join the Explorer Team to discover even more of the surroundings on explorer boat activities offered during summer. Back on board, the ship heads out into the majestic Trondheimsfjord, which is 170 km long and up to 25 km wide. Like all other Norwegian fjords, it is deep, plunging to 577 m.

As we sail along the coast, you realise the importance of fish to Norwegian coastal communities. Kristiansund’s location has steadily provided the town with a wealth of opportunities in the fishing, shipbuilding and oil industries. Kristiansund is today regarded as Norway’s ‘dried cod capital’ because of its long-time export of salted dry fish. Here you can join an excursion to the renowned Atlantic Road, one of Norway’s most visited tourist destinations. It is 8.2 km long, built on a total of eight bridges and surrounded by picturesque landscapes and open sea. You can also choose a sightseeing tour of Kristiansund, and visit Kvernes Stave Church on the nearby island of Averøy.

Another interesting excursion is to the Bergtatt marble mine, which includes entering a mountain and sailing across an illuminated subterranean lake, before enjoying a meal in the mine´s ‘Grand Hall’.   Those choosing to stay on board at Kristiansund will experience the ship’s crossing the open sea on our way to Molde, known as Norway´s  ‘City of Roses’. Along the way we’ll see the steep, grey, pointed peaks of the Romsdal Alps.