Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
Your Nordic adventure kicks off as you arrive for your journey across Sweden, Finland, and Norway. You'll travel from the Arctic wilderness of Lapland to Norway's colorful coastal towns over the coming days.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Elite Adlon Hotel)
- Day 2
Stockholm
You'll arrive in Stockholm, a city built across 14 islands and connected by 57 bridges. The afternoon is yours to walk around at your own pace. Later, you'll gather with other travelers for a welcome dinner this evening.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner with fellow travelers)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Elite Adlon Hotel)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner with fellow travelers
Optional Activities
- Explore Stockholm at your own pace
- Day 3
Stockholm
A local guide leads you on a three-hour walking tour through Stockholm's center, covering the city's history and fika, the Swedish coffee tradition. After that, the rest of your day is free to check out museums, galleries, or wander on your own.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Clarion Hotel Sense)
Included Activities
- Three-hour walking tour of Stockholm with local guide
Optional Activities
- Visit Vasa Museum
- Visit ABBA Museum
- Visit Fotografiska gallery
- Further explore Stockholm
- Day 4
Stockholm to Luleå
You head north from Stockholm toward Swedish Lapland. The first stop is Sigtuna, Sweden's oldest town, where you'll see Viking rune stones and walk through charming streets along the lake. Then you board a flight to Luleå on the Arctic coast, and the evening is free to settle in and explore.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Clarion Hotel Sense)
Included Activities
- Stop in Sigtuna to view Viking rune stones and explore the town
Optional Activities
- Stroll along the harbor in Luleå
- Enjoy fika in Luleå
Landmarks Sigtuna - Day 5
Luleå
A local guide takes you on a walking tour of Luleå, showing how modern life exists alongside tradition. You then visit Gammelstad Church Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site with 400 red cottages around a 15th-century stone church. Lunch happens at a local restaurant in the village, and you're back in Luleå by evening with free time.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a cozy local restaurant in the historic village of Gammelstad)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Santa's Hotel Claus)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Luleå with local guide
- Visit Gammelstad Church Town (UNESCO World Heritage site)
- Lunch at local restaurant in Gammelstad village
Optional Activities
- Free evening in Luleå
Landmarks Gammelstad Church Town - Day 6
Finnish Lapland to Rovaniemi
You head toward the Arctic Circle, moving into Finnish Lapland. A stop in Tornio lets you see Finland's oldest wooden church from the 1600s. Next, you reach Kukkolankoski to watch centuries-old fishing traditions and walk to a traditional kota where whitefish gets grilled over an open fire. You'll gather around, hear local stories, and taste the fresh catch prepared in traditional Kukkola style before arriving in Rovaniemi by evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (At Kukkola Rapids, enjoy freshly grilled whitefish inside a traditional kota (wooden hut))
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Santa's Hotel Claus)
Included Activities
- Visit Tornio—Finland's oldest wooden church
- Visit Kukkolankoski rapids and traditional fishing installations
- Experience traditional whitefish grilling at a kota (wooden hut) over open fire
Landmarks Tornio—Finland's oldest wooden church Kukkolankoski Rapids - Day 7
Rovaniemi
After waking in Finnish Lapland, a local expert leads a two-hour walking tour of Rovaniemi. You visit the Arktikum Museum to learn about the North's people, wildlife, and natural forces. This afternoon, you can either tour and taste at Lapland Brewery, Finland's northernmost brewery, or visit a local artisan's studio where antlers are crafted into keepsakes. The evening is yours to enjoy.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wilderness Hotel Muotka)
Included Activities
- Two-hour walking tour of Rovaniemi with local expert
- Visit Arktikum Museum
Optional Activities
- Guided tour and tasting at Lapland Brewery (Finland's northernmost brewery)
- Visit local artisan's studio featuring reimagined antler keepsakes
Landmarks Arktikum Museum Lapland Brewery - Day 8
Arctic Circle to Saariselkä
You cross the Arctic Circle today as the journey goes deeper into Finnish Lapland's untouched wilderness. By afternoon, you arrive in Saariselkä, a remote village in the fells where quiet surrounds you and the sky stretches wide open.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wilderness Hotel Muotka)
Included Activities
- Cross the Arctic Circle
- Day 9
Saariselkä
A local guide leads you on a two-hour morning walk through the Arctic forest, wandering pine-scented trails and watching for native wildlife. You're back at the hotel for included lunch, then the afternoon is free. There are various activities available at your lodge if you want to try something.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Thon Hotel)
Included Activities
- Two-hour morning walk in Arctic forest with local guide
- Lunch at hotel
Optional Activities
- Experiences available at lodge
- Day 10
Saariselkä to Kirkenes
You travel further north into Norway, crossing into the land of the midnight sun. In Inari, you visit Siida, the Sámi Museum, where the heritage of Europe's only Indigenous people comes alive through art, artifacts, and storytelling. By evening, you arrive in Kirkenes, positioned near the Russian border and full of Nordic character.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hurtigruten Coastal Express)
Included Activities
- Visit Siida—Sámi Museum in Inari
Landmarks Siida—Sámi Museum - Day 11
Kirkenes to Coastal Express
The morning in Kirkenes is relaxed before you board your ship for a five-night Coastal Express voyage along Norway's legendary sea route. After settling in and having dinner, you can stroll the deck and take in the Norwegian waterways.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hurtigruten Coastal Express)
Included Activities
- Board Hurtigruten Coastal Express ship
- Dinner on board
Optional Activities
- Stroll the deck
- Day 12
Hammerfest & Tromsø
Your first full day cruising Norway's coast brings majestic fjords, mountains, cities, and isolated hamlets into view. The longest dock today is Hammerfest, one of the world's northernmost towns, where a scenic bus tour shows post-World War II history, the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, and mountain views from Mount Salen. You return to the ship as it continues to Tromsø, arriving close to midnight. Summer months offer 24-hour daylight.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hurtigruten Coastal Express)
Included Activities
- Scenic bus tour of Hammerfest
- Visit museum showing post-World War II regional history
- View UNESCO-listed Meridian Column
- Visit Mount Salen for sweeping mountain views
Optional Activities
- Explore Tromsø in 24-hour daylight (summer months)
Landmarks Meridian Column Mount Salen - Day 13
Harstad - Stokmarknes
A short sightseeing tour of Harstad covers this coastal town's fishing, oil, and military heritage. You'll visit the 13th-century Trondenes Church and the historical center outside town. A scenic drive crosses Hinøya Island before a ferry ride takes you across the fjord with hot chocolate, fresh waffles, and lefse. Later, a bus takes you to Sortland to rejoin your ship, which continues with a longer dock in Stokmarknes, birthplace of the Coastal Express.
- Meals
- Snack (Hot chocolate, fresh waffles, and lefse during ferry crossing)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hurtigruten Coastal Express)
Included Activities
- Short sightseeing tour of Harstad
- Visit 13th-century Trondenes Church and historical center
- Scenic drive across Hinnøya Island
- Ferry crossing with hot chocolate, fresh waffles, and lefse
Optional Activities
- Explore Stokmarknes
Landmarks Trondenes Church Hinnøya Island - Day 14
Arctic Circle to Brønnøysund
Early this morning, your ship crosses the Arctic Circle. As the ship makes several brief stops along the coast, landscapes come into view and local legends about troll lore come up. By afternoon, you arrive at Brønnøysund, a charming town between sea and mountains, with time to check out the busy marina. This evening, you can relax onboard, chat with fellow travelers, or watch the sun linger on the horizon.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hurtigruten Coastal Express)
Included Activities
- Cross Arctic Circle
- Coastal stops with scenic landscape viewing
Optional Activities
- Explore Brønnøysund marina
Landmarks Brønnøysund - Day 15
Trondheim & Kristiansund
You wake in Trondheim where the ship docks until 9:30 a.m. The time is yours to explore on your own, crossing Gamle Bybro bridge for river photos, visiting Nidaros Cathedral where St. Olav rests, or wandering cobbled streets. After the ship continues its coastal journey, it docks briefly in Kristiansund in the late afternoon, a fishing town known as the 'Bacalao Capital' for salted cod dried on surrounding cliffs. Your final evening aboard lets you relax as the ship cruises past tiny coastal communities and dramatic fjords.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Hotel Terminus)
Optional Activities
- Stroll across Gamle Bybro bridge
- Visit Nidaros Cathedral
- Explore cobbled streets and visit cafés in Trondheim
- Explore Kristiansund
Landmarks Gamle Bybro bridge Nidaros Cathedral - Day 16
Bergen
Early risers can glimpse Nordfjord under the Jostedal Glacier, mainland Europe's largest ice field. You disembark in Bergen in the early afternoon and settle into your hotel. After that, a local guide leads a walking tour through the historic Bryggen Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where colorful wooden buildings once housed Hanseatic merchants. This evening, you'll gather with fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner in a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bryggen Wharf (UNESCO World Heritage site) with local guide
- Farewell dinner with fellow travelers in local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Early morning viewing of Nordfjord and Jostedal Glacier
Landmarks Bryggen Wharf Jostedal Glacier - Day 17
Departure
Your Nordic journey ends today as you depart.
