Rugged & Remote Spitsbergen with the Midnight Sun

Situated in the most spectacular of settings, Ålesund is built on three islands with a magnificent mountainous backdrop. The city was rebuilt in 1904 after a devastating fire, into the classic Art Nouveau style it is renowned for today, and which can be seen in the displays at the Jugendstilsenteret, The National Art Nouveau Centre. The panoramic views of the city, archipelago and Sunnmore Alps from the top of Mount Aksla are well worth the 418 steps to the summit.

Located deep within the Arctic Circle, Longyearbyen is seen as the world’s most northernmost town, and is surrounded by incredible Norwegian Arctic wilderness. The sun doesn’t set here in the summer months, and is the gateway to many Arctic adventures in Svalbard. Home to reindeer, arctic fox, and a range of cetaceans, Longyearbyen is the perfect place for observing wildlife in its natural habitat.

Tempelfjorden is a fjord branch at the inner end of Sassenfjorden, a part of Isfjorden at Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Located between Sabine Land and Bünsow Land, the fjord is named after the mountain Templet, which resembles a temple. Tunabreen Glacier is a breath-taking shade of blue, and is constantly moving and creaking, creating a powerful, natural experience.

Recognised as the world’s most northerly urban town, Hammerfest is also one of Norway’s oldest towns. Despite being virtually destructed by the Nazis during the Second World War, Hammerfest retains many colourful houses from the 1950’s. Thanks to its northerly location, the town experiences the phenomenon of the ‘midnight sun’ during the summer months, and the chance to see the Northern Lights in winter. Hammerfest is home to elk, reindeer, eagles and many cetaceans.

Located deep into the Altafjord, and originally inhabited by the indigenous Sami people, Alta is one of the best places on earth to see the ethereal Northern Lights. As the city had to be rebuilt after the Second World War, many of its buildings are relatively new – one remarkable piece of architecture is the striking Northern Lights Cathedral. The Alta Rock Drawings, dating back to between 4200 and 500 BC, provide an excellent example of human activity in this area.

During winter, the ice-covered seas around Tromso are filled with hundreds of whales, as they go in search of food and breeding grounds. One of the main reasons they visit this area is for the abundance of herring in the waters. Tromso is also well-known for its husky sledding, where these magnificent creatures pull sleds through the snowy countryside. It’s also possible to see the other-wordly Northern Lights as they dance and flicker in the skies above northern Norway’s largest city.

Slicing through the rugged landscapes of Troms og Finnmark, separating the islands of Hinnøya and Tjeldøya from the mainland, the Tjeldsundet Strait has long been one of Norway’s most important waterways, serving as vital route between the country’s northern and southern regions. The beauty and peace of Tjeldsundet is surrounded by mountains and dramatic rock faces; and the impressive Tjeldsund Suspension Bridge connects the islands of Lofoten and Vesterålen with the mainland.

Forming a majestic chain of peaks overlooking the shipping channel, the Seven Sisters mountain range is an awe-inspring backdrop to a myriad of islands and Norwegian landscapes. Standing 1,000 feet above the shoreline, these striking peaks are perhaps best observed in all their glory from your cruise ship. It is possible to climb them, and to learn the legend of the trolls who were turned to stone!

Located on the island of Torget, Torghatten Mountain is one of Norway’s most astonishing natural wonders. Known affectionately as ‘the mountain with the hole’, Torghatten is famous for the huge hole which strikes right through the middle of it. Formed during the Scandinavian Ice Age, looser sediment and rock were eroded, but the harder rock at the top of the mountain remained, creating the distinctive hole. There are also one or two folklore tales about how the hole was formed!

Often referred to as the Atlantic City, due to its close proximity to one of the world’s most scenic roadways, the Atlantic Road, Kristiansund is home to much of Norway’s most iconic modern architecture. The Atlantic Road is a true feat of engineering, offering breath-taking scenery and culture at every point, as it snakes over a series of small islands, spanned by a total of eight bridges.