15 Day Follow The Lights - Southbound

After breakfast this morning at your hotel, we hit the streets as you enjoy a walking tour of Helsinki by your guide that will take in the main attractions and highlights of Finland’s capital. Included on the tour is a stop at Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square and the world famous Tempeliaukio Church, also known as the ‘Church of Rock’, which is built into the bedrock of the city.

This evening is yours to explore the vibrant nordic capital, why not check out the many bars, restaurants and cafes that are all within walking distance to your hotel.

After breakfast, we catch the train journey that is known as the Santa Claus Express as we depart the cosmopolitan landscapes to the wild landscapes of Lapland as we travel north to Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland.

Upon arrival, you will have time to explore this quaint town, surely to be covered in snow, in your own time. Keep your eyes peeled, as you are in the Arctic Circle, where there are greater chances to see the elusive Northern Lights.

For our second day in Rovaniemi, we enjoy our first authentic experience of Finnish Lapland - a visit to a local husky kennel. Learn about the intricate and essential role huskies have played with the local Sámi people. After lunch, you will enjoy a husky-drawn cart or sled ride through the Lapland wilderness.

No visit to Rovaniemi is complete without seeing one of the main attractions, Santa Clause himself. This morning, we visit the world famous Santa Claus Village, home to the bearded man himself. The village is the epitome of Christmas, and is a destination from people all over the world. Enjoy interacting with reindeer and the spirit of Christmas.

A short drive away is Saariselkä, where we will check-in to the Northern Lights Village in your very own glass igloo. Spend the afternoon taking in the beautiful surroundings before we enjoy a dinner at the hotel. A local Sámi family will join us at dinner, who will tell us about their unique lifestyle and culture. The real treat is after dinner, as weather permitting, you will enjoy a reindeer sleigh ride through the Lapland wilderness, in the hope of seeing the northern lights.

Come back to your glass igloo, where the search doesn’t stop as you continue to spot the natural phenomena from the comfort of your own bed.

Today, we continue our journey further north into the heart of Lapland as we arrive at Inari, known as the Sámi capital, the cultural home of the Sámi people of Finland. A visit to the newly renovated SIIDA museum, home to a collection featuring the spiritual and material culture of the Sámi people.

Afterwards, we cross the border into Norway to the northern hub of Kirkenes and to another truly unique stay at the Snowhotel Kirkenes, where you will stay in one of their Gamme cabins, named after a traditional hunting and fishing hut.

The Snowhotel itself has its own ice hotel, husky kennel and even reindeer. It is truly a magical place. Tonight we enjoy dinner in their farmhouse restaurant, Låven.

The next stage of our Arctic adventure today, as we board our Hurtigruten ship to begin our five night journey south along the beautiful Norwegian coast.

The first point of call is Vardø, with its iconic star-shaped Vardøhus Fortress. As we venture into the first night of the cruise, there will always be a chance to witness the Northern Lights. Today, there is even a chance to experience a dip in the Arctic waters, entirely optional of course.

A late night stop in Mehamn, offers a unique opportunity to hunt for the Northern Lights on snowmobiles (bookable onboard) through the Arctic wilderness. Throughout the day we venture through the stunning coastline of Northern Norway, making a few stops along the way, including in Hammerfest where you can see the UNESCO-listed Meridian Column, erected in 1854 to honour the first precise geographic measurement of the globe.

Enjoy more scenery before we arrive in Tromsø, the capital of the Arctic Circle, where this evening a truly magical experience awaits - a midnight Northern Lights concert at the Arctic Cathedral (optional).

After a leisurely morning on the ship cruising along the coastline, we will arrive in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, Lofoten and Vesterålen. With its steep mountains, local fishing villages and natural beauty, it will surely be a highlight of your journey south.

This evening, if weather permits the ship will navigate through Trollfjord, with parts so narrow, it will make you feel like you can reach out and touch the cliff faces - a truly unforgettable experience (optional).

Today, we leave the Arctic Circle, and your crew onboard will mark the occasion with a tradition of tasting a spoonful of cod liver oil.

On today’s sail, you will see the mountain of Torghatten, with its distinctive hole through its centre. You will also sail past the Seven Sisters mountain range, a source of local legends and stories that come from its ancient peaks.

We arrive today in the old capital of Norway, Trondheim. Founded in 997, the centrepiece of the city is the magnificent gothic Nidaros Cathedral, nicknamed ‘Norway’s Notre Dame’ and is considered the most sacred building in all of Norway.

Afterwards, make sure you make your way to the district of Bakklandet and get a photo of the colourful wooden wharves from Gamle Byro, the old city bridge. Make way back to the ship’s departure south, passing important coastal communities highlighting the country's important dried cod industry - its long time export of the dried fish.

During the night, we port at Ålesund, Torvik and Måløy as our journey south draws to a close, passing more magnificent scenery.

We arrive early in the afternoon to Bergen, known as the gateway to the fjords. After disembarkation, we are collected on a private coach to tour the city, including a walking tour. You will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Bryggen, the waterfront district made up of colourful wooden wharves, St Mary’s Church and Håkon’s Hall. The tour concludes at Troldhaugen, home to the famous Norwegian composer, Edvard Grieg.

This evening, the city is yours to explore at your own leisure, with time to catch the Fløibanen funicular up to Mount Fløyen to enjoy spectacular views of the city.

There is a reason that Bergen is known as the gateway to the fjords, and you are going to experience that today as you journey to Oslo via the famous Norway in a Nutshell journey, encompassing rail, coach and ferry across the beautiful landscapes.

First we catch a train from Bergen to Voss, before catching a coach through the Nærøydalen valley we arrive in the village of Gudvangen. Here we board a ferry that will take us through the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord before arriving in the picturesque village of Flåm. Here, after a short stop, we embark on one of the most famous train journeys in the world - the Flåm Mountain Railway which climbs up to 850 metres above sea level. Along the way, the train will stop at Kjosfossen Waterfall before arriving in Myrdal, where the remainder of the journey will be on rail to the cosmopolitan city of Oslo, capital of Norway.

Upon arrival in Oslo, the evening is yours at your own leisure.

After breakfast this morning at your hotel, enjoy an Oslo Grand City tour that will take in the main attractions and highlights of Norway’s capital. Included on the tour is a stop at Oslo Opera House and the world famous Vigeland sculpture park, created by iconic Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland. Also, see the Holmenkollen Ski Jump before returning to the hotel.

This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner to reminisce on our Northern Lights adventure.

Your journey across Scandinavia ends after breakfast today.  Please make your own way to the airport.