DAY 1

BERGEN

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• The Adventure Begins
• Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.
• For your added comfort, an English-speaking assistant will meet you at your hotel to walk you through your welcome package documents, your itinerary, and answer any questions you may have.
• A welcome package with a city map, train tickets (if relevant), and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful, will be provided to you on your first day in destination.
• With so many options to choose from, deciding on which restaurant to try during your stay in Bergen can prove challenging. To assist, within your final trip documents, you’ll receive a supplemental composition showcasing our top restaurant suggestions for Bergen, as selected by Kensington Tours Destination Experts.
• Where you’ll be staying
• Clarion Hotel Admiral
• Deluxe Room

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DAY 2

BERGEN

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• Explore with an Expert
• Meet your private driver and guide, and embark on a half-day city tour of the colorful city of Bergen. Discover the old wharf area known as Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site revered for its Hanseatic commercial buildings, a nod to Bergen's former importance in the 14th-16th century Hanseatic League empire. Visit the town's traditional fish market, a lively and oddly picturesque area where the local catch has been traded for over 800 years. Discover small wooden houses from the 18th and 19th century, tucked away on charming streets and narrow alleyways, and enjoy a round-trip ride on the Floibanen funicular - Bergen's greatest attraction. The journey is an experience in itself, and at the top of Mount Floyen you can enjoy fantastic views of the city. Make your way to Bergenhus Fortress for views of one of Norway’s oldest castles, and visit Troldhaugen, the charming home-museum of the late renowned Norwegian composer Edvarg Grieg, set in a picturesque backdrop. Conclude on arrival back to your hotel.
• Where you’ll be staying
• Clarion Hotel Admiral
• Deluxe Room

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DAY 3

BERGEN

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• Tastes and Traditions
• Apart from captivating landscapes, unique architecture and the abundance of cultural heritage, Norway is recognized for its exquisite cuisine. Meet your private guide and set out on foot for a gastronomic walking tour through Bergen. Visit the town's traditional fish market, a lively and oddly picturesque area where the local catch has been traded for over 800 years. Spot vendors with oysters, shrimps, octopuses, cod, salmon, lobsters, skates, and even whale meat, and be treated to tastings of local seafood delicacies. Continue to Bryggeloftet & Stuene Restaurant, a century-old restaurant, still one of the most popular in town, where you'll be greeted by the manager, and hear a story about the development of restaurant business and food culture in Norway, before trying a sample of a whale meat paired with a traditional potato spirit akevitt. Admire the fantastic view out over the fjord from a local deli, where you'll be treated to a wooden tray of cheeses and sausage products served with freshly baked bread from a local bakery. Learn about the history of the alcohol industry in Norway as you peruse a specialized spirits shop.
• Where you’ll be staying
• Clarion Hotel Admiral
• Deluxe Room

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DAY 4

BERGEN TO OSLO

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• A Change of Scenery
• Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.
• Board a scheduled flight from Bergen to Oslo. Approximate flight duration is 1 hour.
• Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.
• For your added comfort, an English-speaking assistant will meet you at your hotel to walk you through your welcome package documents, your itinerary, and answer any questions you may have.
• With options aplenty across the city, knowing which restaurants in Oslo are worth your patronage can prove challenging. To assist, within your final trip documents, you’ll receive a supplemental composition showcasing our top restaurant suggestions for Oslo, as selected by Kensington Tours Destination Experts.
• Where you’ll be staying
• Hotel Continental
• Deluxe Room

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DAY 5

OSLO

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• Sights and Insights
• Today you’ll set out with a private guide and driver on a highlights tour of Oslo, the Norwegian capital. Walk the ramparts of the 13th century Akershus Fortress, medieval residence of the royals with a coastal view. Discover the city’s main street Karl Johans gate, where you can admire the likes of the 19th century Royal Palace, and see the surrounding 54-acre public green space known as Palace Park. View the 17th century Oslo Cathedral and admire some of the grandiose old university buildings. Walk to the Mathallen, Oslo's indoor food hall where you'll bear witness to Norwegian food culture, enjoying some included samples of local specialties and beer. Venture outside of the old center to The Vigeland Park, one of the major Scandinavian cultural treasures, and the world’s largest sculpture park dedicated to a single artist: Gustav Vigeland and his bizarre nude statues in granite and bronze. Discover history and culture at the open-air Folk Museum on the peninsula of Bygdøy, where you can see an ancient stave church made over 800 years ago. You’ll also get to step back in time as you visit the famous wooden polar vessel of the Fram Museum, a symbol of Norway's significant participation in the heroic age of exploration. Step on board what was once the strongest wooden ship in the world and discover the tales and adventures of Norway's greatest explorers, imagining life at sea and experiencing firsthand how the crew survived one of the coldest and most dangerous places on earth.
• Where you’ll be staying
• Hotel Continental
• Deluxe Room

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DAY 6

OSLO

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• A Sight To Behold
• Depart Oslo with your private guide and driver for a tour to the famous Oscarsborg Fortress and the nearby resort town of Drobak. Amid picturesque nature, and positioned across two islands in the narrowest part of the Oslofjord, Oscarsborg Fortress is a mid 19th-century construct which played a key defensive role against German forces in the early stages of WWII. Visit this castle-museum and learn about its history, including the German cruiser it sank in April 1940, which still sits as a wreck at the bottom of the fjord to this day. Continue to the cozy summer resort town of Drobak, accessed by a scenic public boat ride. Also located at this convergence of the Oslofjord, only 1600 feet of distance separates the nearest points of the two sides. Beyond its lovely wooden architecture, the town is home to the famous Christmas house and office of Julenissen, the Norwegian Christmas gnome. No matter the time of year, it's always a little bit Christmas in Drobak. Conclude your day on arrival back to Oslo.
• Where you’ll be staying
• Hotel Continental
• Deluxe Room

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DAY 7

OSLO TO LONGYEARBYEN TO ARCTIC CRUISE

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• All Aboard!
• Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.
• Board a charter flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen. Approximate flight time is 3 hours.
• A shared transfer will be provided between the airport and your hotel.
• Welcome aboard!
  
  Take some time to get settled in to your stateroom and explore the length of your ship, as your vessel prepares for its departure. On board, you'll meet for an introductory briefing and then adjourn to the dining room for your first meal aboard.
• The Silver Wind features superb onboard facilities to accompany your Arctic exploration. Savor varied dining options at four restaurants sure to tantalize your taste buds. Make a splash and watch icebergs seemingly sail by at the onboard pool deck. Indulge in a wide range of treatments including facials, body wraps and massages at the beauty spa and salon. Visit The Connoisseur’s Corner for exceptional cognacs served with premium cigars for purchase. Drink in exceptional views overlooking the ocean in the Observation Lounge or the Panorama Lounge. Stop by the duty-free boutique for a carefully curated selection of cutting edge fashions, jewelry, and accessories. Keep your wellness goals on track courtesy of the onboard fitness center, boasting free weights, weight machines, state-of-the-art treadmills, elliptical trainers and recumbent and upright bicycles. Learn to perfect your photoshoots with a visit to The Photo Studio, a creatively inspiring space where you can master the art of digital photography.
• Your Silver Wind voyage to the Arctic offers a wealth of included amenities and services. Explore the polar wonders with a range of daily shore excursions, guided zodiac tours, and a complimentary parka. All meals are included, with your choice of diverse cuisine at a selection of restaurants, and beverages in-suite and throughout the ship, including champagne, selected wines, and spirits. Gain insight into Arctic history and geology from enriching lectures delivered by a highly qualified Expeditions Team. Additional luxury perks include butler service in every suite, onboard entertainment, and unlimited complimentary wi-fi.
• Where you’ll be staying
• Silver Wind
• Vista Suite

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DAY 8

NORTHEAST SVALBARD NATURE RESERVE TO ARCTIC CRUISE

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• Lazy Seals
• Svalbard’s northern region is less influenced by the Norwegian Current coming through the Greenland Sea than the southern region and shows more ice. The northern part of the island of Spitsbergen shows quite a number of impressive fjords, bays and glaciers. The Nordaust Svalbard Nature Reserve includes Spitsbergen’s east coast, the Hinlopen Strait, Nordaustlandet and some islands further east like Kvitoya and Storoya. Several walrus haul-outs, spectacular glaciers, bird cliffs and bird islands, as well as surprising flora in Arctic deserts and the possibility to see polar bears and to visit historically important sites make this an area prone for exploration. Ice conditions will dictate which sites can be seen.
• Where you’ll be staying
• Silver Wind
• Vista Suite

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DAY 9

NORTHEAST SVALBARD NATURE RESERVE TO ARCTIC CRUISE

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• Off the Beaten Track
• Svalbard’s northern region is less influenced by the Norwegian Current coming through the Greenland Sea than the southern region and shows more ice. The northern part of the island of Spitsbergen shows quite a number of impressive fjords, bays and glaciers. The Nordaust Svalbard Nature Reserve includes Spitsbergen’s east coast, the Hinlopen Strait, Nordaustlandet and some islands further east like Kvitoya and Storoya. Several walrus haul-outs, spectacular glaciers, bird cliffs and bird islands, as well as surprising flora in Arctic deserts and the possibility to see polar bears and to visit historically important sites make this an area prone for exploration. Ice conditions will dictate which sites can be seen.
• Where you’ll be staying
• Silver Wind
• Vista Suite

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DAY 10

NORTHEAST SVALBARD NATURE RESERVE TO ARCTIC CRUISE

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• Where the Wild Things Are
• Svalbard’s northern region is less influenced by the Norwegian Current coming through the Greenland Sea than the southern region and shows more ice. The northern part of the island of Spitsbergen shows quite a number of impressive fjords, bays and glaciers. The Nordaust Svalbard Nature Reserve includes Spitsbergen’s east coast, the Hinlopen Strait, Nordaustlandet and some islands further east like Kvitoya and Storoya. Several walrus haul-outs, spectacular glaciers, bird cliffs and bird islands, as well as surprising flora in Arctic deserts and the possibility to see polar bears and to visit historically important sites make this an area prone for exploration. Ice conditions will dictate which sites can be seen.
• Where you’ll be staying
• Silver Wind
• Vista Suite

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DAY 11

SOUTH SPITSBERGEN NATIONAL PARK TO ARCTIC CRUISE

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• Breathe the Mountain Air
• Svalbard’s Southern Region and specifically Spitsbergen’s west coast is less ice-clogged than the rest of Svalbard due to the moderating influenced of the Gulf Stream. Several fjords cut into the western coast of Spitsbergen and have been used by trappers and hunters, as well as the different mining companies that tried to exploit the riches of the archipelago’s largest island of Spitsbergen. Remains of huts and mines, as well as active commercial and scientific settlements can be found and visited. Depending on the time of the season, glaciers can be visited on foot or by sea. Hornsund will reveal fascinating views of geological formations, craggy mountains, spectacular glaciers and a variety of seabirds and seals.
• Where you’ll be staying
• Silver Wind
• Vista Suite

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DAY 12

SOUTH SPITSBERGEN NATIONAL PARK TO ARCTIC CRUISE

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• Lose Yourself in Nature
• Svalbard’s Southern Region and specifically Spitsbergen’s west coast is less ice-clogged than the rest of Svalbard due to the moderating influenced of the Gulf Stream. Several fjords cut into the western coast of Spitsbergen and have been used by trappers and hunters, as well as the different mining companies that tried to exploit the riches of the archipelago’s largest island of Spitsbergen. Remains of huts and mines, as well as active commercial and scientific settlements can be found and visited. Depending on the time of the season, glaciers can be visited on foot or by sea. Hornsund will reveal fascinating views of geological formations, craggy mountains, spectacular glaciers and a variety of seabirds and seals.
• Where you’ll be staying
• Silver Wind
• Vista Suite

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DAY 13

SOUTH SPITSBERGEN NATIONAL PARK TO ARCTIC CRUISE

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• Nurtured by Nature
• Svalbard’s Southern Region and specifically Spitsbergen’s west coast is less ice-clogged than the rest of Svalbard due to the moderating influenced of the Gulf Stream. Several fjords cut into the western coast of Spitsbergen and have been used by trappers and hunters, as well as the different mining companies that tried to exploit the riches of the archipelago’s largest island of Spitsbergen. Remains of huts and mines, as well as active commercial and scientific settlements can be found and visited. Depending on the time of the season, glaciers can be visited on foot or by sea. Hornsund will reveal fascinating views of geological formations, craggy mountains, spectacular glaciers and a variety of seabirds and seals.
• Where you’ll be staying
• Silver Wind
• Vista Suite

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DAY 14

SOUTH SPITSBERGEN NATIONAL PARK TO ARCTIC CRUISE

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• Close Encounters
• Bear Island is considered Svalbard’s southernmost island, roughly half way between Spitsbergen and Norway’s North Cape. Although the last polar bears were seen in 2004, the name goes back to Dutch explorer Willem Barentsz and his visit in 1596. The island has been used to hunt walrus, for whaling, and even coal mining has taken place. The strategic location on the border of the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea has led to a meteorological station being set up by Norway near Gravodden on Bear Island’s north coast. Some two thirds of the island is a relatively flat plain with shallow freshwater lakes and Ramsar Wetland, while the entire island and the surrounding waters are a Nature Reserve. Bear Island has also been designated an Import Bird Area as it is a staging area for Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese and the steep cliffs south of Sørhamna are home to thousands of breeding seabirds. This is a specially protected area where Zodiacs are allowed to cruise along the cliffs around Kapp Kolthoff. In smaller amounts Atlantic Puffins, Northern Gannets, Glaucous Gulls and Great Skuas are found in between the large Black-legged Kittiwake, Little Auk, Common Guillemot and Brünnich’s Guillemot colonies. The constant battering of the sea has not only created impressive sea caves and tunnels, but unfortunately the Russian vessel Petrozavodsk shipwrecked near Revdalen at the base of the limestone cliffs and the waves are causing a continuous disintegration of the remains of the ship.
• Where you’ll be staying
• Silver Wind
• Vista Suite

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DAY 15

TROMSO TO ARCTIC CRUISE

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• A Sight To Behold
• For those who like to travel far (very far) off the beaten track, then you have found your Nordic nirvana in Skarsvag. Large, sparsely populated (there are just 60 human year round residents), and a joy to all those who revel in stark, unbridled beauty, Skarsvag also enjoys the auspicious title of being the world’s most northerly fishing village. But rolling hills, prolific birdlife and arctic fjords aside, Skarsvag is above all famous for its proximity to the North Cape. Found on the island of Magerøya, the most northernmost point of Europe above the arctic circle is a bucket list basic. Stand beneath the massive metal globe and gaze out onto the Barents Sea, where the only land between you and the North Pole is the Svalbard archipelago. This is truly the land of the midnight sun – in fact, you are so far north that the sun doesn’t even dip beneath the horizon between May and mid-July. The island’s famous bird cliffs are quite spectacular, and home to thousands of puffins, gannets and cormorants. Those willing to hike to cape Knivskjellodden, the northernmost point on Magerøya, will be rewarded with stunning cliff face views of the North Cape Plateau. Before leaving, head into the impressive North Cape Hall for exhibitions on the North Cape’s history. Travellers have been visiting since 1664, when Italian priest Francesco Negri arrived, so there are some tales to tell! More intriguingly, a tunnel has been hewn into the rock, leading down to the cliff face, complete with a chapel. Situated at the very north tip of Norway and inside the Arctic Circle, there is something very special about being (almost) at the top of the world. Called the northernmost point of Europe, the North Cape (Nordkapp in Norwegian) lies about 1,306.3 mi from the North Pole, with no dry land between except for the Svalbald archipelago. Home to where the Atlantic and Arctic oceans meet, this is the true land of the midnight sun – constant spectacular scenic views and 24-hour sunlight lends itself to a sense of giddy informality aboard. Just imagine sipping a chilled glass of champagne at the very top of the world in full daylight at midnight – sensational. Be sure to be on the lookout for hundreds of thousands of puffins, gannets, cormorants, seals, dolphins and whales that make this stretch of chilly water their home. Not forgetting the colourful, compact fishing villages, so at odds with the otherwise this stark, barren landscape. Home more than a million birds that perch atop its cliffs, the Gjesværstappan islands are a marvel of nature. Gjesværstappan is a grouping of nearly one hundred islands and rocks, mostly high, steep-sided islands covered in grass that is nearly covered by seabirds. These islands were designated as a nature reserve in 1983 due to their importance as nesting grounds for many species of seabirds, some of them endangered. A birdwatcher’s paradise, Gjesværstappan is noted as one of the more easily-accessed nesting areas inEurope for viewing Atlantic seabirds. It is comprised of several particularly large, tall islands, including Storstappan (rising 283 meters, or 928 feet, out of the sea), Kjerkestappen (166 meters or 545 feet) and Bukkstappen (92 meters, 302 feet). On Storstappan alone, more than one million nesting birds have been counted, and visitors are not allowed to set foot here between June and August to protect its activity as a nesting and breeding ground. The islands of Gjesværstappan are home to one of the most important colonies of Atlantic Puffins in Norway. Other birds that visitors may see include White-tailed Eagles, Arctic Skuas, Common Eider Ducks, Razorbills, Guillemots (black and common), Great Cormorants, Gannets and other species. Tour the islands from a small water craft (kayak or Zodiac) and prepare to be amazed at the splendor of the dramatic cliffs rising from the sea, vibrant and positively teeming with birdlife.
• Where you’ll be staying
• Silver Wind
• Vista Suite

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DAY 16

TROMSO

• Until Next Time…
• This morning you'll disembark from your cruise vessel, bidding farewell to the crew and your fellow expeditioners.
• A shared transfer to the airport is provided.

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Clarion Hotel Admiral

Hotel Continental

Silver Wind