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Norwegian Coastal Odyssey

Norwegian Coastal Odyssey

From GBP £5,195

Description

Norway is, by anyone’s standards, one of Europe’s most beautiful and awe-inspiring countries. The beautiful panoramas and pristine wilderness promises to delight those with a love for the natural world and time spent discovering some of the country’s most impressive fjords from the deck of the MS Serenissima promises to astound even the most jaded of travellers.

During our summer voyages along the western coast of this remarkable country we will discover a landscape punctuated by picturesque villages, bustling coastal towns, fjords of cinematic grandeur, majestic waterfalls, charming summer resorts and thriving fishing communities.

Our days will be spent on excursions with local guides, on walks with our naturalists and on deck of the MS Serenissima as we cruise amongst the fjords. There will also be ample time to relax and enjoy the summer days independently when in some of the delightful towns such as Lillesand and Kragero, ports which the larger cruise vessels in the region are unable to access. With less than 100 travelling companions, the atmosphere aboard the MS Serenissima is akin to a private yacht trip and, ashore with our local experts we will divide into small groups thereby enjoying a more comprehensive and peaceful experience.

Trip Name
Norwegian Coastal Odyssey
Days
13
Overview
Vessel Type: Small Ship Length: 87 metres Passenger Capacity: 95 Built / refurbished: 1960 / 2013 / 2018 MS Serenissima is a charming vessel and one of her best known and loved features of this vessel is its unique style. During a major refit the then owners commissioned Swedish interior designers to create a Gustavian style interior. This bright Swedish 18th century influenced, country house style works particularly well on a vessel of this vintage, providing intimacy and classic nautical sensibility often lacking in larger vessels. The vessel is equipped with a fleet of Zodiac landing craft allowing us to visit remote places where normal tender arrangements are not possible. The European Captain, Officers, Expedition Staff, and crew offer a first class service and have been selected for their professionalism and caring attitudes. The atmosphere on board is warm and welcoming and dedicated to discovery and relaxation. AIR-CONDITIONING The ship is air conditioned throughout. Please note that only the Serenissima Suites have individually controlled air-conditioning. DAILY PROGRAMME A Daily Programme, detailing the following day’s arrangements as well as any specific information about the day’s activities is produced onboard and delivered to your cabin each evening during the turn down service. DINING, DRINKING AND DIETARY REQUIREMENTS The Venice Restaurant onboard serves international cuisine and accommodates all guests at a single open seating. Tables seat 4 to 10 diners. In addition, there is an outside dining area for when the weather and itinerary permit. Breakfast and lunch are both buffet style, dinner is waiter service only. Complimentary (red and white) house wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner. Bar drinks and other beverages with meals are not included; these may be purchased onboard and paid for at the end of your cruise. Complimentary tea and coffee are available between 07:00 hours and 23:00 hours at the tea and coffee station located in the Andrea lounge. Please advise of any special dietary requests in advance. DISABLED FACILITIES The ship can accommodate passengers with mobility restrictions and wheelchair dependent passengers in cabin 407, which has a wider door and no step into/out of the bathroom and shower area. There is a lift serving decks 3 to 6, but there is no stair lift. DOCTOR A medical doctor is available on board 24 hours a day. A fee is charged for any consultations and medication prescribed. Please ensure you carry adequate supplies of any regular medications you may require.  ELECTRICITY The electrical outlets in the cabins and public areas are 220V and take a two-round-pin plug (as in continental Europe). There is a 110/220V, 60Hz outlet for electric shavers in the bathroom. We recommend that you bring an international adaptor. GRATUITIES Gratuities to crew and whilst on excursions are included in the cost of your holiday. INTERNET The onboard library has a computer equipped for email/internet access and Wi-Fi access is available in public areas, although you will require your own laptop, tablet or smartphone, and charges apply – 100mb for €15 Euros, or 500mb for €25 Euros. Please note that connection is dependent on weather conditions and location. LANGUAGE All members of the crew speak English. MONEY The following payment methods are accepted for settlement of shipboard accounts: Cash (Euros or British Pounds), Credit Card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express), Debit Card (MasterCard and Visa). Please note that personal cheques and Travellers’ Cheques are not accepted. PUBLIC AREAS • Andrea Lounge (on Deck 5). The bar is open from 11.00 until 24.00. • Harald Jarl Lounge (on Deck 5). There is a small library here with books and games. There is also a computer for public use (charges apply for internet access) • Lido area (on Deck 5) with a Jacuzzi and fitness room with two running machines • Observation Deck (access from Deck 5 lido area) • Deck 5 and Deck 6 outside seating areas SNORKELLING Snorkelling equipment is kept onboard. Please note that there is no snorkelling from Zodiacs. All snorkelling stops will operate from a beach.  TELEVISION The ship is equipped with a satellite TV system which receives 15 channels. TV reception depends on the satellite dish and on occasion it may not be possible to receive a signal. There is one central video channel on which it is possible to listen to the lectures delivered in the Andrea Lounge. There is also a channel for the ship’s camera located in front of the ship. ZODIACS Some destinations may require the use of Zodiacs to go ashore. These are usually on expedition cruises though may sometimes be used on destination cruises. 

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - London to Tromso, Norway.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to the MS Serenissima. Embark and enjoy a Welcome Drink and Dinner as we sail this evening.
Day 2 - Day 2 - Lofoten Islands.
Our first morning of exploration sees us in the Lofoten Archipelago, an enchanting area of picturesque villages with jagged granite mountain peaks forming a dramatic backdrop. We will have a full day tour to explore the villages and see the life of these islands. We will disembark in Svolvaer and drive to the Viking Museum at Borg. The Viking Museum has an exhibition of items found by archaeologists, as well as recreations of Viking homes. After lunch we continue the day with a scenic drive to Vikten, home to a local glassblower’s studio and then to Nusfjord, where we discover why this charming fishing hamlet is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its restored fishing cabins and quaint atmosphere. Our day ends in Reine where the MS Serenissima will have sailed to meet us.
Day 3 - Day 3 - Torghatten & Bronnoysund.
Over breakfast we will cross the Arctic Circle as we pass by the island of Vikingen where we will see the Arctic Circle Monument marking the location. We will continue to cruise through Bronnoysund and in the early afternoon Mount Torghatten will come into view, one of the most famous landmarks on the Norwegian coast. A fairly strenuous walk will take you to the ‘hole’ in the mountain which has been eroded by the sea. For those wishing to have a more relaxing afternoon our naturalists will lead some gentler walks along the water’s edge.
Day 4 - Day 4 - Trondheim.
Founded in AD 997 by Viking King Olav Tryggvason, Trondheim was Norway’s first capital city and we will discover its historical treasures today. We will drive past the old wooden buildings and visit the 11th century Nidaros Cathedral built over the grave of St Olav and richly ornamented in stone with stunning stained-glass windows. We continue to Ringve Manor, a typical manor house of the Trondelag district and home to Norway’s only musical instrument museum, before enjoying a panoramic view of the city from the Sverresli Viewpoint.
Day 5 - Day 5 - Alesund & Runde.
We spend the morning in Alesund, one of the most beautiful towns in Norway. It is a great place to explore the streets with their Art Nouveau buildings. The more active can take a walk-up Mount Aksla taking the 418 steps for magnificent views of the town, islands and Sunnmore Alps. Be on deck this afternoon as we cruise by the bird cliffs at Runde, one of the largest nesting cliffs in Norway and home to half a million birds. More than 240 different species have been observed here including puffins, gannets, razorbills and northern fulmar.
Day 6 - Day 6 - Loen.
Today we leave from the charming village of Loen and take a drive to the Kjenndal valley where we board a small boat to experience the lovely Loen Lake, passing through tall mountains covered by protruding glacier arms. We finally end up at the Kjenndalsbre Fjellstove where we enjoy a short break with homemade Norwegian waffles. We continue our visit to the Kjenndalsbre glacier view point, an arm of the mighty Jostedals Glacier, the largest in mainland Europe. After lunch on board you can choose to enjoy some free time in Loen, or to take a trip on the cable car which rises 1100 metres and offers wonderful views over the fjord below.
Day 7 - Day 7 - Bergen.
We arrive this morning in the lovely fjord capital of Bergen. A guided excursion will include King Hakon’s Hall, the Rosenkrantz Tower, the Bergen Theatre and St. Mary’s Church which was built around 1170 and is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Norway. A funicular will take us approximately 300 metres above sea level, from where we can enjoy a panoramic view over the town centre. There will be some free time to enjoy a stroll before returning back to the MS Serenissima. After lunch on board enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore at your own pace. We sail late this evening for anyone who wishes to enjoy dinner ashore or an evening stroll.
Day 8 - Day 8 - Rosendal.
Sail this morning into Hardangerfjord, the third largest fjord in the world. We will dock in Rosendal and drive along the fjord towards the small part of the Hardangerfjord called Maurangerfjord, experiencing the idyllic scenery and farms on the way and viewing the magnificent Langfoss waterfall. When we arrive at the small village of Sunndal we will walk to Bondhus Lake which is surrounded by a fascinating landscape of fjords and mountains. After lunch on board we have free time to explore the town, maybe visit the 12th century Kvinnherad church or see the gardens at Barony Rosendal.
Day 9 - Day 9 - Lysefjord & Stavanger.
This morning we will cruise Lysefjord, measuring 23 miles end to end. We will pass by Preikestolen (Priest Rock) and Kjerag Mountain, both towering above the fjord. This afternoon we arrive in Stavanger and have the chance to stroll in the small harbour with its multi-coloured traditional wood buildings. Old Stavangar is a cluster of 173 small white wooden houses built in the 19th century which house craft shops, galleries and museums.
Day 10 - Day 10 - Lillesand.
Enjoy a relaxing morning cruising before we arrive at one of Norway’s best kept secrets, the charming summer resort of Lillesand. Using our small ship, we navigate the small islands and skerries which dot the coastline making the approach to the town from the sea a truly memorable sight. We will enjoy a few hours ashore in Lillesand exploring the old town with its old white clapboard houses, beautiful gardens and the local shipping museum whilst enjoying the unique atmosphere of a Norwegian summer resort.
Day 11 - Day 11 - Kragero.
Surrounded by nearly 500 islands and skerries, Kragero is a charming town in the region of Telemark and a popular summer retreat. This morning we head inland to the Telemark Canal. When completed in 1892, after five years of construction, it was described as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. We will join one of the local nostalgic boats as they transit the 18 locks, lifting the ship 72 metres above sea level and enjoy the changing scenery as we travel from the sea to the mountains. The afternoon is free to explore the town at your own pace. Take a walk through the narrow streets and alleyways amongst the old wooden houses.
Day 12 - Day 12 - Aalborg, Denmark.
Aalborg was founded by the Vikings in the late 10th century across the Limfjord and prospered from the fishing and sea trade on the fjord. On a morning excursion we will explore the ancient Viking site of Lindholm Hoje, one of the most important ancient monuments in Scandinavia which was dug out from a thick layer of sand. We will visit the burial site of 700 graves, scattered on a hilltop with a beautiful view of the fjord. Continue to the onsite museum that contains a fascinating exhibition on the Viking settlements found close to the burial ground. Our tour will end with the chance to enjoy authentic Viking cuisine with some small dishes prepared using traditional recipes. After lunch on board choose to enjoy the afternoon at leisure or alternatively, for anyone interested in sampling the local beers there will be the opportunity to join a guided walk of the old town including a tasting of the local specialities.
Day 13 - Day 13 - Copenhagen to London.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight to London.
Day 14 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
09-08-201921-08-2019GBP £5,195Standard Stateroom
09-08-201921-08-2019GBP £5,495Superior Stateroom
09-08-201921-08-2019GBP £5,895Deluxe Stateroom
09-08-201921-08-2019GBP £6,295Junior Suite
09-08-201921-08-2019GBP £6,295Standard Single
09-08-201921-08-2019GBP £6,995Owners Suite

Inclusions

    • Discover the Lofoten Archipelago, an enchanting area of picturesque villages with jagged granite mountain peaks forming a dramatic backdrop
    • Cross the Arctic Circle as you pass by the island of Vikingen where you will see the Arctic Circle Monument marking the location
    • Explore Alesund, one of the most beautiful towns in Norway
    • Arrive in the lovely fjord capital of Bergen. A guided excursion will include King Hakon’s Hall, the Rosenkrantz Tower, the Bergen Theatre and St. Mary’s Church which was built around 1170 and is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Norway

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