Grand Nordic Adventure – Finland, Norway & Iceland

• Travel by bus through beautiful scenery between Sortland and Stokmarknes.

• Then, join a guided tour of Hurtigrutemuseet, housed in one of our retired ships.

• Travel back in time to 1912 and 1956 while traveling through different sections of the ship.

• Discover the history and stories that made the Original Norwegian Coastal Express the icon it is today.

• Disembarking port: Sortland

• Embarking port: Stokmarknes

• Available: All year (except Christmas Day)

• Transportation: Bus

• Clothes: Comfortable shoes, warm and windproof clothing

• A Taste of Vesterålen

• Lofoten Islands

• Sea Eagle Safari

• Lofoten by Horse

• RIB Adventure in Lofoten

• Discover a Fishing Village

Enjoy the scenery on our bus ride from Sortland to Stokmarknes, the birthplace of Hurtigruten. On the waterfront, you’ll find a full-sized ship encased within a large glass building. This is our very own MS Finnmarken from 1956, which has been lovingly restored and transformed into a museum in honor of the Norwegian Coastal Express.

Hurtigrutemuseet showcases archives, photos, and artifacts chronicling the birth and evolution of the Norwegian Coastal Express, its pivotal contribution to coastal communities, and the impact it had on the transformation of the Norwegian coast. On a guided tour, you’ll get to explore 1956 MS Finnmarken’s bridge, galley, engine room, classic dining room, and cabins. Then, relax in the lounge of DS Finnmarken, a Coastal Express ship from 1912.

With knowledgeable guides and a range of interactive exhibitions, Hurtigrutemuseet promises a memorable visit, encapsulating and celebrating the legacy of the Original Norwegian Coastal Express voyage.

Excursion is subject to a minimum number of participants.

• Experience breathtaking nature on the island of Gimsøy in Lofoten.

• Try horseback riding with your own Icelandic horse.

• Ride to the sound of the waves on white-sand beaches.

• Have the opportunity to see the Northern Lights on horseback during autumn and winter, if you’re really lucky!

• Disembarking port: Svolvær

• Embarking port: Stamsund

• Available: February 1–October 31

• Transportation: Bus and horse

• Clothes: Comfortable shoes, warm clothing Riding boots and rainproof outerwear are available

• Max rider weight of 198 lb. No horseback-riding experience necessary

• Minimum age limit: 5 years old when accompanied by an adult

• A Taste of Vesterålen

• Sea Eagle Safari

A short bus ride from Svolvær will bring us to Hov on the island of Gimsøy. Considered one of the oldest places in Lofoten, the area has boat mounds and tombs from the Viking Age. We’ll visit Hov Hestegård, a horse-riding center on a farm with views of Mount Hoven and the ocean.

Then, you’ll meet your magnificent Icelandic horse and saddle up for a horseback ride along a guided trail to the beach. We’ll follow the white sandy beach by the North Sea, passing remains from the Viking era on our way. During fall and winter, we’ll de through the rugged terrain in darkness amid the sound of the waves and—if we’re lucky—with the Northern Lights above.

The route and the horses are well suited for both beginners and experienced riders. Icelandic horses are known for their calm demeanor and comfortable gait, both at walking pace or at a fast trot.

Excursion is subject to a minimum number of participants.

• Visit a family-run working farm in Lofoten.

• Meet some of the family and hear their story.

• See the farm’s many cherished animals.

• Sample the fresh cheese made and the fresh herbs herbs grown at the farm.

• Disembarking port: Stamsund

• Embarking port: Svolvær

• Available: April 1–September 30

• Transportation: Bus

• Meals: Tastings of local produce

• Clothes: Comfortable shoes and warm clothing

• Svartisen Glacier

• Arctic Coastal Walk

• Experience Bodø and Saltstraumen 

• RIB Safari to Saltstraumen

Today, you’ll have the opportunity to experience life on a farm in Norway’s Far North. Aalan Farm is a herb and cheese farm in Lauvdalen, Lofoten run by husband and wife Knut and Tove Åland with some help from their children.

The farm supplies our ships with quality tea and award-winning cheeses throughout the year. This farm is one of our only local food suppliers that you can visit during the cruise. Come along and thank them in person for the delicious cheeses you’ve had on the ship!

At Aalan, you’ll learn all about the reality of farm life. You’ll have the chance to taste cheeses, herbs, and other products that they make from scratch. You can also meet the farm’s goats, dogs, cats, miniature pigs, ducks, and chickens. If you’re lucky, their free-range cow Victoria might also make an appearance.

Excursion is subject to a minimum number of participants.

• Enjoy a scenic boat tour that takes you past the islands and mountains around the Lofoten Islands.

• Sail into the Trollfjord and see if your Coastal Express ship can make an impressive 180° turn.

• Watch for sea eagles, gulls, and other birds dive and feed on fish near your boat.

• You may also see whales, porpoises, basking sharks, and seals.

• Disembarking port: Tender operation in open sea

• Embarking port: Svolvær

• Available: Mar 24 - Oct 15

• Transportation: Boat

• Meals: Coffee and biscuits

• Clothes: Comfortable shoes, warm clothing. Life vests are provided

• Hurtigruten ships sail into Trollfjord from the end of April depending on sea and ice conditions

• A Taste of Vesterålen

• Lofoten Islands

• Lofoten by Horse

A smaller boat will meet your ship out at sea to take you on a spectacular journey into Lofoten’s fjords, past islands and steep mountains, and towards the famous Trollfjord. Along the way, keep an eye out for sea eagles soaring overhead, whales surfacing in the water, and seals resting along the shores.

Trollfjord is only 2.5 kilometres long, yet rises with dramatic, sheer mountainsides on both sides. Your Coastal Express ship will sail into the fjord, navigating through its 100-metre entrance before performing its iconic 180° turn inside. From aboard the smaller boat, you’ll have the perfect front-row perspective to photograph and film this impressive manoeuvre.

As we approach Trollfjord, we begin attracting the surrounding birdlife with fish. Gulls may dive for fish right from your hand, while sea eagles circle the boat a few times before swooping down to take their meal from the water. All eagle feeding takes place outside Trollfjord, and stops at the fjord’s entrance to preserve the tranquillity of this unique landscape. This gives you unforgettable opportunities to capture Northern Europe’s largest bird of prey in action.

• Visit Lofotpils, a local brewery in the Lofoten Islands.

• Learn about the brewery’s history.

• See how Lofotpils brews its quality beer on site.

• Taste local beer in a beer-tasting session.

• Disembarking/embarking port: Svolvær

• Available period: Jan 4 - Dec 19

• Transportation: A short, 275-yard walk

• Clothes/footwear: Comfortable shoes and warm clothing

In 2006, a local beer enthusiast repurposed an old fish-landing facility from 1937 in the center of Svolvær, turning it into the site of Lofoten’s first brewery. On today’s excursion, you’ll meet the brewery’s owner, Thorvadur, and take a tour of the building.

Our guided tour will take you around Lofotpils, the only craft brewery in Lofoten, where you’ll learn all about the beer-making process, from start to finish. You’ll also hear about the history of the brewery, and how the special conditions of Lofoten’s water made it possible to embark on this ambitious enterprise.

At the end of the tour, you’ll taste some of the beer brewed here in a beer-tasting session. All Lofotpils beer is brewed using fresh water from the Lofoten mountains. This gives the beer a fresh and unique taste, offering you the freshness and beauty of the mountains of Lofoten with every sip.

Excursion is subject to a minimum number of participants.

• Enjoy views of Lofoten’s spectacular landscapes throughout the tour.

• Visit Kabelvåg, a small, charming fishing village.

• See the exhibitions in the Galleri Espolin and Lofoten Museum in Kabelvåg.

• Admire a beautiful Vågan church, also known as the Lofoten Cathedral, as we pass by.

• Disembarking port: Stamsund

• Embarking port: Svolvær

• Available period: April 15–August 31

• Transportation: Bus

• Clothes: Comfortable shoes and warm clothing

• Svartisen Glacier

• Arctic Coastal Walk

• Experience Bodø and Saltstraumen 

• RIB Safari to Saltstraumen

Starting in Stamsund, this excursion will take you on a tour of Kabelvåg, one of Lofoten’s oldest fishing villages. Our first stop is Torvdalshalsen, a rest stop with gorgeous views across the fjord. We’ll continue on to Kabelvåg, where the commercial fishing industry began in Lofoten more than 1,000 years ago.

Here, we’ll visit Galleri Espolin, which has the largest collection of the work of beloved artist Kaare Espolin Johnson. Close to the gallery lies the Lofoten Museum, where you can learn about local fishing history.

Kabelvåg’s origins may stretch back to the medieval town Vågar. In the center of the village, you will find the main building, which dates back to 1815, and Vågan Church, also known as the Lofoten Cathedral. The church was built in 1898 in the Gothic Revival style and is one of Norway’s largest churches.

Excursion is subject to a minimum number of participants.

• Admire the stunning scenery of the Lofoten Islands.

• Visit the picturesque fishing village of Henningsvær.

• Enjoy looking around local boutiques and galleries

• Learn more about the nature and history of Lofoten.

• Disembarking port: Svolvær

• Embarking port: Stamsund

• Available: April 9–August 31

• Duration: 3 hours, 30 min 

• Transportation: Bus

• Clothes: Comfortable shoes and warm clothing

• A Taste of Vesterålen

• Sea Eagle Safari

The Lofoten Islands are known for excellent fishing, extreme nature, and small fishing villages. During the guided trip from Svolvær to Stamsund, see sheltered bays, white-sand beaches, and green farmland. The scenery, the special light, and the fishing have attracted artists from both Norway and abroad for centuries. We stop in Henningsvær, a charming fishing village with 500 inhabitants. In the 18th century, it was the most important fishing village in Lofoten. Fishing is still important here today, but the beautiful harbor is also full of charming local arts and crafts shops.

Henningsvær became protected in 2022 and is one of Norway’s most historically important fishing villages.

In Henningsvær, we will visit Galleri Lofoten, which exhibits one of Norway’s largest collections of paintings from Northern Norway dating back to the turn of the last century, a period by many called the golden age of Northern Norwegian painting.

After the visit in Henningsvær, the bus takes you to Stamsund, where the ship awaits.

Excursion is subject to a minimum number of participants.

• Enjoy views of the beautiful UNESCO-listed Vega Archipelago by boat.

• Visit the Vega World Heritage Center, which charts the islands’ history.

• Learn about the traditional industry of eider duck down harvesting.

• Savor a complimentary hot drink and local snack in the café.

• Disembarking port: Sandnessjøen

• Embarking port: Brønnøysund

• Available: June 10 - September 9

• Transportation: Boat

• Meals: Local fruit drink, coffee, tea and local snack

• Clothes: Comfortable shoes, warm and windproof clothing

Discover this hidden gem on a tour of the UNESCO-listed islands of Vega, which sit south of the Arctic Circle. Venture from Sandnessjøen by boat, through the cluster of islands, islets, and reefs, while our guide explains the fascinating culture of this coastal landscape and its people.

We’ll land at Gardsøy and visit the Vega World Heritage Center, which highlights this 1,500-year-old tradition that is unique to the area. The islanders act as bird guardians for the migrating eider ducks that nest here. They build tiny ‘houses’ for the animals. After the hatchlings have moved out, they collect the highly prized eider down.

At the heritage center, you’ll journey from Stone Age settlements to modern-day fish farming through exhibits and a short film. Admire gorgeous views from the café while enjoying a hot drink and local snack.

We’ll sail back along the idyllic Helgeland coast and end our journey in Brønnøysund.

Excursion is subject to a minimum number of participants.

• Feel tiny as we wander through the cathedral-like hole through the heart of Torghatten, on the island of Torget

• Hear the enchanting myths around the formation of the hole – and how geology and geography explain it

• Learn fascinating Viking stories as we drive through one of the region’s important Viking seats, mentioned in the Icelandic sagas

• Sample a local version of lefse, a traditional flatbread with a unique connection to Torghatten mythology

• Availability: May 1 – September 30

• Included: Drink and snack

Torghatten is one of Norway’s most iconic places, known for its spectacular hole and the enthralling myths behind it. According to legend, it was created by an arrow fired by the lusty son of a mighty troll king while he was chasing a troll maiden who had been making lefse.

On the scenic drive there, we’ll hear all about the history and modern life of Brønnøysund and the Helgeland region. When we arrive at Torghatten, we’ll follow a narrow footpath along the seashore and, after a short walk, wander through the awe-inspiring hole, which is 525 ft long, 115 ft high, and 50–65 ft wide. It’s so big, a Hurtigruten ship could fit through it!

Then, we’ll share a drink and taste local lefse as we learn how and why people have thrived here for thousands of years.

We’ll drive back past the Norwegian Aquaculture Center, a beautiful sight from our bus.

Excursion is subject to a minimum number of participants.

• Enjoy a short journey around the beautiful town of Brønnøysund.

• Take an informative tour at the Norwegian Aquaculture Center.

• Feed salmon and learn about their live cycle from experienced guides.

• Taste a fresh morsel of local, world-famous Norwegian salmon.

• Embarking/disembarking port: Brønnøysund

• Available: January 1–December 31

• Transportation: Bus

• Meals: A taste of salmon

• Clothes: Comfortable shoes and warm clothing

After a bus tour around the pretty town of Brønnøysund, we’ll admire impressive views as we cross the magnificent bridge to the Norwegian Aquaculture Center in Toft.

Our guides there will tell the story of Norway’s vibrant salmon fishing culture. Meet the salmon that grow here and see how they live. Then, take part in feeding these amazing, beautiful creatures. You’ll also hear about the different kinds of technology that help the salmon from egg to fish. There’s even an opportunity to try an underwater camera to see the fish up close.

The cool and clear waters of the Norwegian coast offer prime conditions for sustainable and responsible aquaculture. That is why Norway is one of the world’s major fish and seafood exporters, with around 37 million people around the globe enjoying the country’s produce. Sample it for yourself, as we end the tour with a taste of this internationally loved salmon.

Excursion is subject to a minimum number of participants.

• Ride through the historic parts of Brønnøysund town, hearing dramatic tales of local history along the way.

• Get a healthy dose of fresh air and exercise as you pedal through Norway’s geographic center.

• Visit a local modern visual artist in her showroom on a picturesque farm near the seashore.

• Spot Torghatten, the mountain with the hole right through it, in the distance.

When we’re kitted out with our bikes and helmets, our guide will take us on a tour of historic Brønnøysund. Along the way, we’ll hear intriguing stories about the town at Norway’s geographic center.

Follow the smaller roads to Tørrfiskbrygga to see traditional boats and old handcrafts, and discover why Brønnøy Church isn’t just any old Norwegian church.

Next, we’ll cycle about 1.2 miles to Kunstlåven, the ARTBARN, in a picturesque old farm near the sea. It’s the showroom of a local visual artist. We’ll share traditional coffee and cake with her here. If you’d like, take time to explore outside. Head to the shore and scan the beautiful bay to spot the famous Torghatten mountain.

When we’ve cycled back to the pier, we’ll have earned a taste of what is reputedly the best soft-serve ice cream in the world!

Excursion is subject to a minimum number of participants.

• Take a relaxing guided bus tour around Trondheim.

• See the city from above at the picturesque Utsikten viewpoint.

• Admire the Gothic-style architecture of Nidaros Cathedral on a guided tour.

• Receive a complimentary book about Nidaros Cathedral as a souvenir.

• Embarking/disembarking port: Trondheim

• Available: January 2 - December 31, except December 25

• Transportation: Bus

• Clothes: Comfortable shoes and warm clothing

• The Atlantic Road

• Bergtatt

Founded as early as 997 A.D., this age-old Viking capital is full of culture and history. It has also established itself as a leader in innovation and Norway’s knowledge center.

A bus tour of Trondheim will bring us past the beautiful red city bridge and old wooden wharf buildings of the Bakklandet neighborhood, which have stood in the former capital along the Nid River since the 18th century.

Then, we’ll enjoy the magnificent panoramic views of the bustling city from the Utsikten viewpoint, which overlooks nearby Kristiansten Fortress, with views of Munkholmen island in the fjord.

The next stop is Nidaros Cathedral, Norway’s national shrine. Built over the tomb of St. Olav in 1070 A.D., it boasts stunning architecture and ornate Gothic-style decoration, carved masterfully into the stone. After a fascinating guided tour of the cathedral, pick up a complimentary book about ‘Norway’s Notre Dame’ to take home as a souvenir.

Excursion is subject to a minimum number of participants.

• Tour the attractive fishing towns of Kristiansund and Molde.

• Ride along the world-renowned Atlantic Road in Romsdal County.

• Discover the impressive 17th-century Kvernes Stave Church.

• Enjoy a traditional local dish of bacalao at a charming restaurant.

• Disembarking port: Kristiansund

• Embarking port: Molde

• Available: April 11–September 10, except May 17

• Transportation: Bus

• Meals: Bacalao, bread, caramel pudding, coffee or tea

• Clothes: Comfortable shoes and warm clothing

• Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral

What has been called ‘the world’s best road trip’ starts with a short tour of picturesque Kristiansund before continuing to Averøy, an island that sits at the entry of ‘The Road in the Ocean,’ the Atlantic Road. This route is one of Norway’s most visited attractions and won the title of ‘Engineering Feat of the Century’ in 2005.

Over 5 miles, this highway zigzags along the dramatic coastline over bridges that connect the succession of small islands and islets that decorate the stunning landscape.

At the unique Kvernes Stave Church, take a peek at the attractive Baroque interior and admire the magnificent views of the fjord.

We’ll stop at a cozy tavern to tuck into a Norwegian specialty, Bacalao. Made from the region's famous klippfisk (salted and dried cod), this hearty stew is influenced by Mediterranean recipes and is a result of extensive trading with southern Europe in the 19th century.

Our scenic ride ends with a brief tour around Molde, called the ‘City of Roses’, before rejoining our ship.

Excursion is subject to a minimum number of participants.