FLY-RAIL
GRAND ARCTIC NORWAY TOUR
15 nights / 16 days From £ 3,890 per person
Lofoten Islands
TRONDHEIM • BODØ • LOFOTEN ISLANDS • SENJA • ALTA • KARASJOK • KIRKENES • TROMSØ
This grand, luxury, touring holiday of Norway by train, boat and car takes you across the magical landscape of northern Norway. Cross the Arctic Circle by train, visit the far northern town of Kirkenes on the Barents Sea and take a cruise around the northern tip of Europe before finishing in the Arctic Capital of Tromsø.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
DAY ONE Arrive in Trondheim This grand touring holiday of Norway’ s Arctic starts with a flight to Trondheim via a short stopover in Oslo.
DAY TWO In Trondheim Trondheim lies on the southern shore of the Trondheimfjord and has played a significant role in Norwegian history. As the country’ s first capital city, it was the site where Norwegian kings were crowned for over 700 years, specifically in the Nidaros Cathedral.
DAY THREE Trondheim to Bodø by Nordland rail After two nights in Trondheim you will board the direct Nordland Railway line service to Bodø. The journey starts by skirting around Trondheim Fjord, reaching the small town of Steinjker two hours later at the head of the longest arm of the fjord. A while later you cross the Arctic Circle, before heading back towards the coast to reach the shores of Skjerstad Fjord. Bodø is the final stop on the Norwegian railway system and your base for the next two nights.
DAY FOUR In Bodø The city of Bodø is an excellent base from which to explore some of Norway’ s best scenery and natural attractions. One of its most well-known features is the Saltstraumen maelstrom, a small strait home to the world’ s strongest tidal current. Slightly further out of the city is Kjerringøoy, a small, rural community featuring beautiful alpine landscapes ranging from mountains to white sandy beaches.
DAY FIVE Bodø to Svolvaer by ferry After two nights in Bodø you board the Hurtigruten service in the mid-afternoon heading to the Lofoten Islands. This is a journey of roughly six hours which takes you across the open waters of the Vjestfjord to the port of Svolvaer. As you draw closer to the Lofoten Islands its majestic peaks will welcome you as you pull into Svolvaer, the largest town on the islands.
DAY SIX In Svolvaer This morning collect your hire car and start exploring your surroundings. The Lofoten Islands have some of the most incredible landscapes in the world, ranging from mountains to fjords to white sandy beaches. Your base of Svolvaer is the largest town in the Lofoten Islands and offers fishing excursions and cruises around the islands. For the best views the Lofoten Islands have to offer we recommend indulging in some of their hiking trails.
DAY SEVEN Svolvaer to Harstad On your final day in the Lofoten Islands drive across to
Harstad on Norway’ s largest island Hinnøya, a journey of roughly two and a half hours.
DAY EIGHT Harstad to Senja Today you travel to Senja via the car ferry from Harstad. Although it is the second largest island in Norway, Senja is a lot quieter than most other destinations, giving you chance to truly appreciate the scenery and tranquillity of this beautiful area. Hiking is a popular activity here.
DAY NINE Senja to Alta After one night on the island of Senja you will drive further into the heart Arctic Norway to Alta, a journey of around six hours. Located 375 km above the Arctic Circle, Alta is a small town with a population of just under 15,000 people. Alta is known as the Town of the Northern Lights and is home to the world’ s first observatory dedicated to studying the Aurora Borealis.
DAY TEN Alta to Karasjok After one night in the Town of the Northern Lights, you travel on to Karasjok, a journey of roughly two and a half hours. Karasjok is the headquarter of the Sami people, an indigenous group with a total population of approximately 80,000 and the oldest culture in large areas of northern Norway.
110 To speak to our specialist rail holidays team telephone 01392 441250 or see www. expressionsholidays. co. uk