Hamburg - Longyearbyen Expedition Norway and north-west Svalbard: Arctic adventure as far as the ice edge

Bergen welcomes you to a Scandinavian gem. Over the years, the city’s wealth has been built on seafaring, trade and fishing. Today, the city’s past is reflected in the Hanseatic quarter of Bryggen with its narrow streets: with its colourful, historic merchants’ houses lined up next to one another on the quayside, the area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The picturesque fish market is also worth a visit. Mount Floyen, one of the city’s seven hills, rises up to 300 m (984 ft) above the centre – on a walk you will see from the top why Bergen is known as the “gateway to the fjords”.

Your small expedition ship will also take you to the famous Geirangerfjord as it hugs the coastline. The UNESCO World Heritage Site seems unreal and will draw you under its spell with its majestic mountains and cliffs rising up to 1,000 m (3,280 ft) out of the water. Numerous waterfalls plunge into the fjord, including the “Seven Sisters” with a drop of 250 m (820 ft). Legend has it that the “Suitor” waterfall on the opposite bank had its eye on the beautiful sisters, but its desires remained unfulfilled because of the fjord that kept them apart. Out of frustration, it took to the bottle, which is now apparently reflected in its shape like a liquor bottle. You too will be intoxicated by the sight of this natural wonder, which will stay in your memory forever. From the little town of Geiranger at the end of the fjord, you can take the opportunity to go on a variety of excursions*.

Norway is legendary in the truest sense of the word. Many of its impressive landscapes are closely linked with legends and Norwegian mythology. A particularly fascinating story comes to life when your ship heads for Torghatten, the striking mountain with a hole in the middle. According to legend, this hole was created when the King of the Somna’s hat was pierced by an arrow fired by a wild troll prince. See it for yourself when you walk through the hole and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding coastal scenery and the sea. Your team of experts on board will explain the actual story behind the special geological feature.

A wonder of the archipelago, the stockfish archipelago, a haven for explorers: the Lofoten Islands captivate visitors with their dramatic landscapes and idyllic fishing villages. You’ll get a taste of life here on the main island of Austvagøy, with its main town of Svolvaer. Once the ship has docked, take a stroll through the little town. Everywhere you look, there are racks for drying stockfish, which is exported from the archipelago all over the world. It is not so much the townscape itself, but the symbiosis with the surrounding mountains that makes this place so charming. Its landmark is the mountain of the same name, Svolvaer, with two rocky peaks standing a good 1.5 metres apart. Many artists have settled here because of the special light conditions and the colourful way of life. That is why Svolvaer is now also regarded as a town of artists.

A spectacular backdrop opens up as you cruise through Trollfjord, whose entrance is only 100 m (328 ft) wide. The fjord lies on the border between the Lofoten Islands and the Vesteralen archipelago. Only a very small ship can explore the 2 km (1.2 mi.) long inlet with its peaks towering up to 1,100 m (3,608 ft). Slowly glide through this still life of the last ice age, created by glacial erosion – glaciers once carved deep into the rock, leaving behind a majestic valley that was flooded by the sea. With luck, you will spot sea eagles hunting for fish. A peaceful sight in contrast to the heated conflict that took place here in 1890: the Trollfjord conflict. Traditional fishermen resisted the blockade of their fishing grounds by modern steamships. They prevailed, and the conflict contributed to parliament later banning bottom trawling in the Lofoten Islands.

Discover charming Stokmarknes, a coastal town in the Vesteralen archipelago, north-east of the Lofoten Islands. Nature and culture come together in a special way here: surrounded by majestic mountains and deep-blue coastal waters, the region invites visitors to explore nature on foot or with binoculars – it is home to eagles, whales and seabirds. Authentic encounters with coastal culture, northern Norwegian hospitality and deep-rooted seafaring traditions await you. Stockmarknes is the birthplace of Norway’s famous postal ship line, which also has its own museum dedicated to it. An active hike accompanied by experts will take you to the nearby local mountain Storheia: at a height of around 500 m (1,640 ft), you can enjoy a stunning 360-degree view of the islands and the open sea.

Once described by sailors and polar explorers as the ‘Paris of the North’, Tromsø has lost none of its charm to this day. A vibrant city set amidst stunning natural surroundings. A playground for the midnight sun in summer and a dance floor for the Northern Lights in winter. Just how much the Arctic shapes the city’s architecture is evident, among other things, in its landmark, the Arctic Cathedral: aluminium-coated concrete slabs give the roof its striking shape, as if ice floes were pushing each other upwards. The 23-metre-high stained-glass window is also a fascinating feature. The Polaria Experience Centre raises awareness of the polar habitat through its exhibitions and an aquarium housing Arctic fish and animal species. In numerous museums, the legendary polar explorers are brought back to life, for whom the ‘Gateway to the Arctic Ocean’ opened here.

Honningsvag is the maritime centre of the North Cape region. Its colourful houses are huddled together on the slopes of the local mountain, Storfjellet, which stands at a height of around 300 m (984 ft). Walk from the port to the little shops and restaurants offering Nordic specialities or visit the church built in 1885. When the town was destroyed by German occupying forces in 1944, only the whitewashed church remained undamaged. Take a hike in the surrounding hills to appreciate the idyllic sight of the town today. Honningsvag is also a starting point for visiting the legendary North Cape. Here, black slate cliffs rise up about 300 m (984 ft) out of the sea and are topped by a huge globe symbolically marking the end of the European mainland.

The rugged beauty of the countryside, combined with the powerful waves in the sea, create an unforgettable atmosphere when your ship cruises off the legendary North Cape. The North Cape is a geographical point, as well as a symbol of the spirit of adventure that will also come to life in you.

On an adventure in north-west Svalbard, feel the connection with Willem Barents, who discovered the archipelago in 1596. Now, more than 430 years later, you can still expect some stunning expedition experiences on your cruise to the ice edge. Where the route is determined by nature, the weather and the ice, the crew’s many years of polar experience and the highest ice class for passenger ships are what really count. Time and again, you will head off in the Zodiacs to admire icy glacial cliffs or go ashore in remote bays. Your team of experts will provide captivating background knowledge during lectures on board and on numerous walks. With a little luck and from a respectful distance, you will be able to spot polar bears, whales, Arctic foxes and walruses.

Forge your way along deserted coasts like the great pioneers before you and visit Hornsund, where hundreds of thousands of little auks live on the shores. Blubber ovens, houses and graves are the main remnants of the early European whale industry here: some 50 whaling stations were registered in Svalbard. This site is one of the oldest and comes from a time when whaling was still operated from the shore.

Prins Karls Forland is an extraordinarily long island, mostly glaciated on the north-eastern side. The wild mountain scenery includes several peaks over 1,000 m (3,280 ft). The land is very barren in the open, with the tundra becoming bright green only near cliffs full of birds. Unforgettable wildlife sightings await on the gently sloping coastline, where walruses like to relax – a great photo opportunity for you.

The small settlement of Ny-Alesund is known for great polar history and international research. The world’s northernmost year-round research station is devoted to meteorology and research into global warming and the Northern Lights. Around 30 people live here in the winter and about 120 people in the summer. In Ny-Alesund you can find the world’s northernmost post office.

In the Liefdefjord, the majestic Monacobreen glacier will catch your eye. Blocks of ice keep falling into the fjord from the 5 km (3.1 mi.) wide front. Take a look from the deck or from a Zodiac. The glacier was named in honour of Prince Albert I of Monaco, who explored the area in 1906 and 1907 with Gunnar Isachsen.

The Arctic leaves nobody out in the cold – especially not at the thermal springs at Bockfjord. Limestone sinter terraces have formed around the hot springs, the only place you can see them in Spitsbergen. The water in the springs is groundwater, which is so hot that the temperature at the surface stays above 20 °C (68 °F) all year round.

The Raudfjord will surprise you with its colourful accents and mountain slopes that shimmer in a striking red. These red sandstone mountains are what give the fjord its name, meaning “red fjord”. Go ashore with the Zodiacs and enjoy the Arctic silence and solitude.