Svalbard & Arctic Journey -Copenhagen to Reykjavik

See another side of this lovely city with a cruise along its charming canals. Visit the quaint old harbor at Nyhavn and beautiful Rosenborg Castle and, of course, the famed statue of the Little Mermaid. Or venture into the countryside and enjoy its panoramic vistas, fairy tale castles and the village of Fredensborg.

Overlooking a gorgeous fjord, Norway’s capital and largest city simply radiates with natural beauty and sophistication. Oslo’s rich seafaring history is on display at the Viking Ships Museum, rivaled only by the Kon-Tiki Museum, which holds the balsawood raft that Norwegian adventurer Thor Heyerdahl used to sail from Peru to Polynesia. History aside, Oslo exudes a love of the outdoors in city parks like Vigeland, which is adorned with over 200 life-size sculptures by artist Gustav Vigeland. Much of Oslo is heavily forested with pines, making it one of Europe’s greenest cities.

Founded in 1641 near the southern tip of Norway, Kristiansand once claimed the world’s largest fleet of sailing ships. Today the proud city exudes an energy that peaks in summer, when your ship calls. The Posebyen old quarter boasts a collection of historic wooden houses surrounded by shops and restaurants. Museums abound and include the Agder Museum of Natural History and Botanical Garden, which opened in 1828. Kristiansand Zoo, said to be Norway’s most visited attraction, covers 150 acres of Nordic terrain where animals like red pandas, moose and Bactrian camels roam in wide-open spaces.

Norway’s medieval capital pays homage to its past with wooden houses and cobbled streets that grace the historic Bryggen area around the wharf. Here the Hanseatic Museum reveals a glimpse of working life in the Middle Ages, and the eerie 13th century Rosenkrantz Tower offers a phenomenal view of the seaport. But Bergen is also contemporary. The modern city stretches inland from the harbor, tempting visitors with attractions such as Bergen Aquarium and Trolls’ Hill, the romantic summer villa of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, who is buried on the estate.

Sailing into the dramatic Lofoten Islands among towering jagged peaks and sheltered bays sets the stage for an unforgettable experience. Nothing short of stunning, the main islands – Austvågøy, Vestvågøy, Flakstadøy and Moskenesøy – are separated from the mainland by a long fjord, but all are connected by bridges and tunnels. Located on Vestvågøy, Leknes is a gateway to unspoiled beaches and the Lofotr Viking Museum as well as traditional fishing villages and outdoor adventures on nearby islands. The unique quality of light has long drawn artists to the archipelago, so you’ll also find myriad galleries featuring everything from glassware and sculptures to jewelry. If you’re yearning to experience a Lofoten-style city, head to the unofficial capital of Svolvaer.

Located on Hinnøya, Norway’s second largest island, prosperous Harstad is considered the country’s northern culture capital. It’s also distinguished by its superlative attractions. The Anna Rogde, the world’s oldest schooner still in operation, sails from the harbor. The world’s most northerly stone church, dating to 1250, is just outside town. Nearby lies the world’s largest battery of Adolf guns, the heavy artillery used by the Germans during World War II. Harstad is also blessed with natural beauty, as seen by walking the gentle slopes to Keipen for a breathtaking view. To see a historic trading center from 1750, visit Røkenes Farm.

While the Midnight Sun will soon dip below the horizon, Honningsvåg should be illuminated throughout the evening spent here. It’s an awe-inspiring setting in northernmost Norway, surrounded by dense forests and fjords, inhabited by reindeer and held sacred by the indigenous Sami people. One of the world’s most memorable, otherworldly experiences is standing atop the precipitous North Cape, the late-night sun eerily hanging over the Arctic Ocean. There is even a museum in town devoted to the North Cape. The area is also famous for the Gjesværstappan Nature Reserve, where literally millions of arctic birds flourish during the summer nesting period.

Founded in 1838, Hammerfest was razed repeatedly over the years by storms, fires and most savagely by retreating German soldiers at the end of World War II. Now almost completely rebuilt (it was Europe’s first city with electric street lights), Hammerfest is known for its colorful homes lining the sea, contemporary attractions and passion for welcoming visitors to its pristine Arctic environs. The most avant-garde building is the striking Kirkegata church with its tent-shaped gable. But don’t miss the whaling artifacts in the museum in Market Square, or the panoramic view atop Salen ridge.

As you admire the striking architecture of the Arctic Cathedral and Polaria aquarium overlooking Tromsø Sound, you may get the sense that this city, 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle, has an edgy streak. This should come as no surprise in a place where the sun never sets – or rises – depending on the month. The area’s biggest draw is its majestic fjords and mountains, an untouched wilderness that you can explore by boat, bus, foot and more. At the Polar Museum, you’ll discover what it takes to survive in the Arctic, and at the Roald Amundsen Monument, you’ll witness a city that honors the lives – and death – of those who live on the edge.

More than half of Spitsbergen is covered with glaciers, the ideal landscape for viewing the abundant reindeer, especially since your ship calls here during the Midnight Sun, when daylight lasts through the evening. Discovered by the Vikings in the 12th century, Spitsbergen enjoys a comparatively mild climate due to the Gulf Stream, so you should be comfortable outdoors taking in the spectacular scenery. The main town of Longyearbyen, one of the world’s northernmost, was founded in 1906 to accommodate the coal mining industry.

More than half of Spitsbergen is covered with glaciers, the ideal landscape for viewing the abundant reindeer, especially since your ship calls here during the Midnight Sun, when daylight lasts through the evening. Discovered by the Vikings in the 12th century, Spitsbergen enjoys a comparatively mild climate due to the Gulf Stream, so you should be comfortable outdoors taking in the spectacular scenery. The main town of Longyearbyen, one of the world’s northernmost, was founded in 1906 to accommodate the coal mining industry.

Renowned as Iceland’s whale-watching capital, the picturesque fishing village of Husavik offers unforgettable adventures to witness a variety of extraordinary whale species. Skjálfandi Bay is home to a diverse array of whales and other sea life, including minke, humpback and blue whales; white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. The Husavik Whale Museum makes an excellent accompaniment to whale watching, shedding light on the ecology of these fascinating creatures as well as the history of whaling. Meanwhile, the Culture House provides an interesting look at the folk, maritime and natural history of northern Iceland. Lake Myvatn and Jökulsárgljúfur National Park make equally compelling day adventures.

This colorful fishing village is rich with Inuit culture and a strong connection to the sea. Learn about the town’s history and culture on a guided tour revealing archaeological discoveries that indicate the area was inhabited as far back as 1500 BC. Explore the stunning coastline on a ferry and perhaps catch a glimpse of the minke whales, fin whales, humpback whales and orcas that swim in pods in the surrounding waters.

The largest city in Greenland, Nuuk is the cultural and economic center of the country. Explore the picturesque colonial harbor with its quaint old buildings and the newly renovated market where locals sell their daily catch. Greenland’s history comes alive in the National Museum, and its culture thrives in the Nuuk Museum of Art and the Katuaq Cultural Centre. Nuuk’s extensive fjord system is home to many whales, and the area is also populated by seals, reindeer, arctic foxes, arctic hares and ravens.

This charming, colorful town has a pleasant center with a small square featuring Greenland’s oldest fountain. The culture project Stone and Man can be seen as an open invitation to explore the town to find the 30 different motifs that are chiseled into rocks and stones by local and Scandinavian artists. The Church of Our Savior from 1832 and the town’s two museums are also well worth a visit.

Discover this fascinating land where the forces of nature hold sway as you visit the modern capital with its thermally heated outdoor swimming pool, remarkable botanic gardens and folk museum. Explore the starkly beautiful countryside of lava formations, glaciers and incredible waterfalls and the site where the first parliament sat in 930 A.D.