Hurtigruten "North Cape Line"

Travel from Switzerland to Hamburg. You will stay at the 4* Hotel ARCOTEL Rubin. Dinner is served in the hotel’s own restaurant.

Today you board the legendary MS Finnmarken. This historic mail ship will take you north to the Arctic. Get to know your comfortable ship for the first time. In the evening, the first delicious dinner on board awaits you.

The Danish town of Esbjerg combines its seafaring tradition with a distinctly modern Scandinavian style. It lies on the edge of the UNESCO-protected Wadden Sea National Park. Stroll through the elegant town centre or try Danish classics such as smørrebrød.

One of Norway’s most photogenic towns charms with colourful lanes and the best-preserved collection of wooden houses in Northern Europe. The culinary scene has made the town famous.

After breakfast on board, we dock at Ålesund, a town spread across a cluster of islands. Take part in an optional excursion or explore the Art Nouveau-inspired town on foot at your own pace.

This idyllic fishing harbour has a proud history, told through excellently equipped museums. In the afternoon the journey continues north. During the night we cross the Arctic Circle.

Today we explore one of Norway’s most beautiful regions, the Lofoten Islands. The MS Finnmarken docks in the town of Svolvær in the morning. You can stroll through galleries and admire the Svolværgeita mountain. Afterwards, a detour takes us to Stokmarknes, where the ship will again berth for several hours.

Tromsø, 350 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, is the gateway to the Arctic and the best address for the Northern Lights. Trendy restaurants, art galleries and the impressive Arctic Cathedral with stained-glass windows await you. The Polar Museum and the experience centre Polaria showcase Arctic wildlife. Keep your eyes on the sky – with a little luck you may see the magical Northern Lights!

The highlight of your journey: the legendary North Cape. Today you reach the northernmost point of mainland Europe. Unforgettable views and magnificent snow and ice landscapes await you. Optionally, try traditional ice fishing or enjoy precious king crab specialities from these waters. Once the North Cape has been reached, the ship sets course south.

Alta, at 70 degrees north, is considered one of the best places in the world to watch the Northern Lights. Visit the historic rock carvings and the Northern Lights Cathedral – a museum of Arctic aurora research. For adventure seekers: dog sledding through snowy landscapes or a visit to the northernmost ice hotel in the world.

Narvik lies picturesquely on a peninsula where three spectacular fjords meet. For an unforgettable panorama of Narvik, we recommend a ride on the cable car up Narvikfjellet. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the town and the three surrounding fjords.

Today we sail south along the enchanting Norwegian coast. Admire wind-swept islands, sheltered bays and some of the most beautiful fjords in the world – a privilege enjoyed only by small ships such as the MS Finnmarken. Majestic sea eagles accompany the voyage.

This picturesque coastal town sits beneath imposing mountains, earning its reputation as a mecca for nature lovers and climbers. Optionally, take the Romsdal cable car up Nesaksla mountain with breathtaking views over the Isfjord, or experience the ‘Golden Railway’ – Lonely Planet called it ‘the most scenic railway route in Europe’.

Bergen, once the capital of Norway, charms with its seven mountains and its proximity to the sea. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bryggen, with its colourful 14th-century warehouses, is a dream of past and present.

This last full day on board is dedicated to your well-being. The expedition team presents a photographic summary of your journey. The farewell dinner on board is likely to be another highlight.

The North Cape adventure ends back in Hamburg. You return to Switzerland with unforgettable memories.