Nordic Wildlife, Fjords & the Arctic Circle

Welcome to Copenhagen. Your wondrous journey begins with a two-night Special Stay in the capital of Denmark. The city has humble origins as a fishing village but went on to become the glittering capital of the Danish Empire. Today Copenhagen is one of the world’s premier design capitals and is a brilliant mix of the historic and modern. The cityscape comprises sumptuous palaces, copper-roofed town houses and atmospheric cobbled squares. The harbour is at its heart and is a popular place for putting about on boats and kayaks, swimming, and even boasts floating bars and hotels.

This morning, tour Rosenborg Castle, an elegant Renaissance castle built as a country summerhouse in 1606. Rosenborg Castle houses some of the Denmark’s greatest cultural treasures spanning 400 years, including royal art, the Crown Jewels and Royal Regalia. You will also get to see the delightful courtyard of Amalienborg Palace, home to Queen Mary and the Danish Royal Family. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner at one of Copenhagen’s finest restaurants.   Freechoice: Take a cruise to see the city’s many attractions including Christiansborg Palace, the impressive Black Diamond library and the Little Mermaid sculpture, while gliding along the canals. Alternatively, visit the Tivoli Gardens, an enchanting amusement park that has been operating since 1843.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to the trendy Swedish capital, Stockholm. Stretching for 80 kilometres to the Baltic Sea, the Stockholm archipelago comprises some 30,000 islands. Built on 14 islands, the city is connected by 57 bridges and is considered one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world. It’s also a creative city, fostering innovations in music, design, fashion and technology. Spend the next two nights at your Special Stay hotel.

Take a city tour with a local guide to discover City Hall, one of Sweden’s most famous buildings whose spire features the golden Three Crowns. You’ll also see the Riddarholm Church and the Royal Palace. Then, visit the Vasa Ship Museum located on the island of Djurgården, where the 17th-century warship ‘Vasa’ is now housed after it tragically capsized and sank on its inaugural voyage in 1628.   This evening, enjoy a dinner featuring Swedish cuisine with European influences in a stunning setting.

Take a short flight to Oslo, the capital of Norway. The Norwegian capital is the smallest in Scandinavia but packs a punch when it comes to cultural and nature-based experiences. Awarded the title of European Green Capital in 2019, half of Oslo is covered in forest and parks and its cityscape is a melange of historical buildings and cutting-edge architecture.   Enrich Immerse yourself in the architecture, stage technology, opera and ballet at Oslo’s Opera House on a private backstage tour with a specialist guide. Breathe in the beautiful views from the rooftop and enjoy a glass of wine.

From the 8th to the 11th century, the Vikings journeyed across Europe, looking for land and trade. Discover this amazing history on the Bygdoy Peninsula, home to three famous museums honouring the rich nautical heritage of the Norse race. Visit the Viking Ship Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum and the Fram polar ship. Fram is the strongest wooden ship ever built and still holds the records for sailing the farthest north and farthest south. Step on board the ship and see how the crew managed to survive in the coldest and most dangerous places on Earth – the Arctic and the Antarctic.  Enrich Enhance your art knowledge with an art specialist at the Munch Museum. Explore one of the most comprehensive one-man museums in the world, home to more than half of Munch’s paintings, including ‘The Scream’.

Drive through the majestic Hardangervidda National Park, the country’s largest national park and Europe’s highest mountain plateau. This vast Arctic wilderness also claims Norway’s largest herd of wild reindeer.   Arrive Lofthus, known as the orchard of Hardanger region for its many fruit trees. The town is a hub for cider production and hosts an annual cherry festival. It also has a scenic position overlooking the majestic Folgefonna glacier, the country’s third largest. Your overnight Special Stay is complete with awe-inspiring fjord views.

Leave Lofthus and journey to Bergen, a Hanseatic fishing port that dates to the 12th century. Bergen is now Norway’s second largest city, however it possesses the charm and warmth of a small town. Surrounded by seven hills that are dotted with colourful houses, the city coined ‘Heart of the Fjords’ is considered one of the prettiest in the country.

During the Middle Ages, Bergen was Norway’s major seaport, as well as its capital, a legacy that can still be seen today. You will have the opportunity to wander through Bergen’s narrow and steep cobblestoned laneways, and its World Heritage-listed wharf Bryggen. Afterwards, drive to Troldhaugen, the former home of Edvard Grieg, Norway’s most celebrated composer and pianist. Freechoice: Journey 320 metres up the funicular railway to Mount Fløyen for a spectacular view of the city and fjord. Alternatively, take the tram to Fantoft Stave Church. The old church burned down in 1992 but was painstakingly reconstructed to reflect a style unique to Norway.

This morning your handcrafted land journey will end in Bergen, but your discovery will continue on board Scenic Eclipse. This afternoon, you’ll meet the Captain and crew of your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht. Be welcomed on board with a glass of Champagne and explore your spacious suite. Meet your fellow guests for a drink at the Sky Bar and toast to the start of an unforgettable journey as you set sail into the largest fjord in Norway, Sognefjord.

Nestled at the heart of Sognefjord and flanked by steep mountains, the tiny village of Flam is one of Norway’s most popular destinations. Here you can take one of the world’s most spectacular railway journeys, the 20km Flam Railway, which offers unobstructed views of the valley as it winds gently through the peaks towards the town centre.  Depart after lunch for an awe-inspiring scenic cruise through the majestic Nærøyfjord. This World Heritage-listed site is the most wild and beautiful arm of Sognefjord, with its towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Later, be immersed in the charming village of Gudvangen, nestled amidst dramatic landscapes. 

An Art Nouveau gem at the entrance to Geirangerfjord, Ålesund is one of Norway’s most beautiful cities. It was completely reborn after a devastating fire in 1904, and its gorgeous architecture acts like a living time capsule.   Wander the streets lined with some of the best period architecture in Europe or learn about the city’s unique history at the Art Nouveau Centre & the Art Museum KUBE. See otters, seals, Humboldt penguins, fish and more at Northern Europe’s largest saltwater aquarium, Atlanterhavsparken. A late departure lets you experience the vibrant nightlife in a place where the sun doesn’t set until close to midnight.

Make a short stop this morning in the small village of Hellesylt. Then you’ll cruise into the World Heritage-listed Geirangerfjord, sailing over sparkling waters beneath 800-metre cliffs. Look out for the jaw-dropping Seven Sisters Waterfall. Perhaps join the Discovery Team on kayaking excursions or other discovery experiences.   Make a short stop this morning in the small village of Hellesylt. Then you’ll cruise into the World Heritage-listed Geirangerfjord, sailing over sparkling waters beneath 800-metre cliffs. Look out for the jaw-dropping Seven Sisters Waterfall. Perhaps join the Discovery Team on kayaking excursions or other discovery experiences.

After a busy start to your expedition voyage, take some time today to relax. You may choose a class in one of the fitness spaces, soothe your muscles in one of the therapy lounges, or book an indulgent treatment# in the Senses Spa. Meet new friends at the Scenic Lounge Bar or Sky Deck or ask the butler to bring your favourite cocktail to your private verandah.  The Discovery Team will be hosting lectures in the state-of-the-art theatre, recapping the wonders you have seen so far and providing inspiration for the ports to come.

Stand on your private verandah early this morning or join the other passengers on the Observation Terrace as you sail into the Lofoten Islands. Rising dramatically from the sea, these tall, craggy outcrops with impossibly blue water, sheltered coves and pristine beaches are a must-see. Leknes is the gateway to the islands’ outdoor adventures with sea kayaking, hiking, birdwatching and even surfing available nearby. Tonight, under the glow of the midnight sun, Scenic Eclipse will sail through the majestic Trollfjord. With a narrow entrance and steep mountains along each side, it appears almost too small for the ship to enter.

Known as the cultural hub of the Arctic, Tromsø sits 400 kilometres above the Arctic Circle. Surprisingly cosmopolitan for its remote location, during the summer Tromsø is full of locals basking in the endless sunlight, tucking into fresh seafood on the docks, enjoying a drink at the world’s northernmost brewery or taking a dip in the refreshing waters of the local beach. Tromsø has been the starting point for many Arctic expeditions over the past two centuries, and you can follow in the footsteps of legendary explorers through the town or learn their stories at the museum.

It’s another sea day today, though make sure you’re standing on the Observation Deck or with a drink at the Sky Bar after lunch for a remarkable sight. Scenic Eclipse will sail past Nordkapp, or North Cape, soaring 307 metres from the sea into the sky. This is the northernmost point of Europe, where the sun doesn’t set for up to three months over summer.   Use your time today to dive into Norwegian history and the legends of the fjords with engaging lectures from the Discovery Team. Scenic Eclipse will sail north tonight, across the Barents Sea towards Svalbard.

Welcome to the remote wilderness of the Svalbard Archipelago, a dramatic polar desert surrounded by rugged glaciers, frozen tundra and craggy mountain peaks. Bear Island, or Bjørnøya in Norwegian, is the southernmost island in the archipelago. It’s home to the largest seabird colony in the northern hemisphere with around 1.5 million nesting birds – use the binoculars in your suite to spot Svalbard rock ptarmigans, puffins, skuas, little auks, kittiwakes, black guillemots and more.  If conditions allow, join a Zodiac tour to explore spectacular sea caves and tunnels or possibly step ashore on an island where the only inhabitants work at a meteorological station. 

Due to the extraordinary nature of Svalbard, your itinerary will be flexible over the next five days. Your experienced Captain and Discovery Leader will use their expertise to design this section of your voyage from day to day, making the most of the long hours, weather and ice conditions to give you the best experience possible in this extraordinary part of the world. Daily Scenic Discovery excursions include Zodiac cruises, kayak tours and nature walks where you can discover majestic Arctic scenery, native wildlife and marine life. Then join the Discovery Team for insightful lectures in the state-of-the-art theatre.

As we continue sailing around the islands of Svalbard, there may be opportunities to see whales, Arctic foxes, seals and seabirds, along with possible sightings of Svalbard reindeer, wolverines and Arctic rabbits. Be sure to keep the binoculars provided in your suite with you or use the Swarovski telescopes on the Observation Lounge for a closer look at the Arctic wildlife. Listen out for the loud crack of a glacier calving as you soak in the scenery and keep your eyes peeled for movement on the ice and in the water.

Take advantage of the open bridge policy today and join the Captain at the helm of your Discovery Yacht as it sails through this Arctic wonderland. See how they navigate through Polar regions where ice and weather conditions can rapidly change plans before your eyes. The unpredictability of an Arctic voyage is all part of the journey and adds to the excitement.    Weather permitting, more Discovery excursions will be available today, taking you further into these spectacular landscapes. Remember you can always look for the Discovery Team to answer any questions you may have and to help plan your upcoming expedition experiences.

Every day brings a new magical vista, from magnificent glaciers in iceberg dotted waters to jagged snow topped mountains towering over green slopes of tundra.   This morning, we may visit Signehamna, a stunning natural harbour that’s home to the remains of a secret German weather station from World War II. Nearby is Ny Ålesund, home to the world’s northernmost post office. The UK Arctic Research Base here is believed to be the world’s northern-most community, made of up to 150 people. The harsh environment and mixture of nationalities working at the base creates a unique atmosphere that you may be able to experience with a guided visit.

Mark your final day in Svalbard with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For many, the polar plunge is an exhilarating rite of passage and, while the day may change, your Discovery Team will always look for a special place to set up the Discovery Yacht’s marina so that you can don your swimsuit and leap into the icy water below. After the plunge, warm up with a drink of your choice, from a specialty tea to aged whiskey, or head to the infrared saunas in the Senses Spa# for some relaxation.

Your journey concludes this morning in Longyearbyen, the capital of the Svalbard Archipelago and the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. The glaciers, the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see and the untouched landscapes will make you feel like you’re on the edge of the earth.    Savour one last luxurious breakfast on board your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht before saying farewell to the crew who have shared this once-in-a-lifetime journey with you. For the final part of your journey, you will be transferred to Oslo for an overnight stay.

After breakfast in your hotel, take the time to say goodbye to your fellow Arctic travellers as you fly back to your own corners of the world. +All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits. #Spa treatments at additional cost. ~Kayaking may not operate in all locations.  Please note the itinerary is a guide and may be subject to changes for operational reasons. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.