Hurtigruten - North Cape to Bergen Deluxe fly and coach tour on the world's most beautiful sea voyage

Day 1: Switzerland - Stockholm

Flight from Zurich to Stockholm. Transfer to the city centre and free time for your first discoveries.

Day 2: Stockholm - Sundsvall

On a guided city tour in the morning, you will get to know the magnificent metropolis of Stockholm. The island rises out of the water, and in the middle lies the charming old town with its narrow, winding lanes, its churches, the Stadshuset, where the Nobel Prizes are awarded, the Parliament Island and the Royal Palace, Kungliga Slottet, which has 608 rooms. At midday, continue via Uppsala, the old capital of Sweden, to Gävle. The journey now heads north at some distance from the coast, passing the two coastal towns of Söderhamn and Hudiksvall in Hälsingland. Sundsvall, the northernmost city of central Sweden, is your destination for today.

Day 3: Sundsvall - Luleå

You travel through the vast expanses of Sweden with its forests and red houses, along the "High Coast" to Umeå and on to charming Luleå, whose picturesque old town is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 4: Lapland

On the way from Luleå to the Swedish town of Haparanda on the Finnish border, you are already in the land of the Swedish Sami, also known as Lapps. Near Tornio you cross the border formed by the Torniojoki river. Then you continue into the heart of the Pallas-Ounastunturi National Park. Overnight stay at the simpler, mid-range Pallas Hotel, in a superb location with views, in the middle of the park above the tree line. It offers something that is sought in vain elsewhere: the tranquillity of nature and the purity of air and water. Perhaps reindeer will peer in through your window?

Day 5: Lapland - North Cape

You travel through the birch tundra of Lapland to the "reindeer capital" of Kautokeino, in the heart of Sami country, where only 3,000 people but 80,000 reindeer live. The journey continues via Karasjok to Lakselv, where you reach the sea and follow the western shore of the Porsangerfjord for a good 100 kilometres. In the evening, an excursion from Honningsvåg to the North Cape, where you can enjoy the stunning midnight sun. Between Honningsvåg and the North Cape lie 35 kilometres of Europe's only true Arctic landscape. The island may be bare and treeless, yet it radiates a rugged beauty that is enhanced still further by the clear air on sunny days.

Day 6: Havila - Tromsø

Embarkation. Voyage to Hammerfest, the northernmost town in Europe. Via Ösfjord and Skjervøy you continue to Tromsø. In Tromsø you have the opportunity to celebrate the midnight sun in a very special way on the optional Hurtigruten excursion: in the Arctic Cathedral, a unique night-time concert of Norwegian folk music and classical pieces awaits you. (4 nights on board).

Day 7: Havila - Lofoten

The sight of the Risøyrenna strait and the passage through the Raftsund, only about 100 m wide, are certainly among the most beautiful moments of the trip. In good weather, your ship sails into the extremely narrow Trollfjord with its towering rock walls on both sides. Stokmarknes is now home to the Hurtigruten Museum. As your ship heads for Svolvær, the main town of the Lofotens, and finally Stamsund, the majestic mountains of the Lofoten Wall glide past.

Day 8: Havila - Arctic Circle

Rising early is worthwhile: you pass the colourful backdrop of the fertile Helgeland coast and cross the Arctic Circle. The varied voyage along the Helgeland coast is described as "the most beautiful stretch in the world". A varied landscape of countless islands, mountains and waterfalls follows: the mountain range of the "Seven Sisters" (Syv Søstre), the "Bridal Veil" waterfall (Brudeslør) and the legendary rocky island of "Torghatten", which has a 40 m wide hole at a height of 160 m.

Day 9: Havila - Kristiansund

The charm of the past becomes visible in Trondheim's old town with its wooden merchants' houses and warehouses and the Nidaros Cathedral. Past the islands of Munkholmen and Hitra, you cross the open sea to Molde, which, thanks to its fertile Gulf Stream location, is also known as the "Town of Roses".

Day 10: Havila - Bergen

A fantastic landscape unfolds before you: the Nordfjord below the vast Jostedalsbreen glacier, the mouth of the mighty Sognefjord and the skerry gardens off the city of Bergen. Guided walk through the old district of Bryggen.

Day 11: Bergen Railway - Oslo

You travel to Hønefoss on one of the most fascinating railway lines in Europe. The Bergen Railway crosses Europe's largest high plateau, the Hardangervidda, running for about 100 km above the tree line. The line also passes over some 300 bridges spanning countless rivers. In Hønefoss, shortly before Oslo, you will meet your Eurobus coach driver again, who will be waiting for you at the station. Continue by coach to Oslo.

Day 12: Oslo - Switzerland

Guided tour of "Europe's greenest capital". Oslo has plenty to offer, from the Royal Palace to the old Viking ships. Drive to the airport and return flight to Switzerland.

Would you like to extend your stay in Oslo by 1, 2 or 3 days, or perhaps arrive in Stockholm earlier? Please ask us, and we will gladly reserve suitable flights and hotels for you.