Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/669304
I N S E A R C H O F T H E N O R T H E R N L I G H T S VARDO – HAMMERFEST Day 12: Thursday 16 March From the wilderness of Batsord to Honningsvag, the North Cape's capital, the spirit of Scandinavia will yawn and stretch to life. A gallery of sleepy fishing ports and ordland serenity concludes at Hammerfest, the world's most northerly town. OKSFJORD – SORTLAND Day 13: Friday 17 March Wild and remote, the untouched Arctic is encapsulated in our pristine journey today. Impossibly dramatic mountains admire their own mirror image in glassy waters as we drift past, stopping to admire the ordlands' most celebrated icons. After exploring Tromso's Arctic Cathedral, the shining Bronze Age history of Harstad and the Blue City of Sortland, we call it a night. STOKMARKNES – SANDNESSJOEN Day 14: Saturday 18 March The essence of the Arctic is encapsulated in our pristine journey today. Tasting saltspray on our lips, we visit the tiny village that's the birthplace of Hurtigruten cruise liners. With eyes cast ever skywards, we chase flocks of birds who know the secrets of the Aurora Borealis from Helgeland to Lofoten and Svolvaer. As dinner is served onboard, we nestle in for the night in the radiant shadow of the Seven Sisters Mountain Range. BRONOYSUND – TRONDHEIM Day 15: Sunday 19 March Casting out among the 6,000 islands of Rorvik today, we plot a course for Trondheim. There's plenty of time to admire Nidaros Cathedral in a triumphant university city that proudly celebrates its youth while paying homage to history and heritage. ALESUND – BERGEN DISEMBARK MS NORDNORGE Day 16: Monday 20 March If you thought the journey couldn't get any more stunning, you haven't prepared yourself for Norway's most famous ord. Come face to face with the icons of Geiranger as we sail into Molde and Alesund today, dumbfounded by the enchanting beauty of the place. Back on dry land, we look forward to two nights in contemporary style at the Radisson Blu Royal Bergen, where dinner is served. BERGEN Day 17: Tuesday 21 March In the shadow of seven hills and flanked by seven ords, the Bergen region is one of raw natural beauty. A city tour here precedes another foray into the ords as a tranquil cruise introduces the quiet delights of Mostraumen. Cruise sheer serenity pas the Lofoten Islands 22 CAPTAIN'S CHOICE | Europe 2017