Coastal Norwegian Voyage: Between Tromsø and Edinburgh

Arrive in Edinburgh and transfer to your hotel which is centrally located in this vibrant city. Known throughout time for its hill fort, and now the iconic Edinburgh Castle, Scotland’s capital offers a variety of experiences throughout its streets. Explore the city at your own pace before embarking the ship in the afternoon.

Edinburgh is to London as poetry is to prose, as Charlotte Brontë once wrote. One of the world's stateliest cities and proudest capitals, it's built—like Rome—on seven hills, making it a striking backdrop for the ancient pageant of history. In a skyline of sheer drama, Edinburgh Castle watches over the capital city, frowning down on Princes Street’s glamour and glitz. But despite its rich past, the city’s famous festivals, excellent museums and galleries, as well as the modern Scottish Parliament, are reminders that Edinburgh has its feet firmly in the 21st century.Nearly everywhere in Edinburgh (the burgh is always pronounced burra in Scotland) there are spectacular buildings, whose Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian pillars add touches of neoclassical grandeur to the largely Presbyterian backdrop. Large gardens are a strong feature of central Edinburgh, where the city council is one of the most stridently conservationist in Europe. Arthur's Seat, a mountain of bright green and yellow furze, rears up behind the spires of the Old Town. This child-size mountain jutting 822 feet above its surroundings has steep slopes and little crags, like a miniature Highlands set down in the middle of the busy city. Appropriately, these theatrical elements match Edinburgh's character—after all, the city has been a stage that has seen its fair share of romance, violence, tragedy, and triumph.Modern Edinburgh has become a cultural capital, staging the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe Festival in every possible venue each August. The stunning Museum of Scotland complements the city’s wealth of galleries and artsy hangouts. Add Edinburgh’s growing reputation for food and nightlife and you have one of the world’s most beguiling cities.Today the city is the second most important financial center in the United Kingdom, and the fifth most important in Europe. The city regularly is ranked near the top in quality-of-life surveys. Accordingly, New Town apartments on fashionable streets sell for considerable sums. In some senses the city is showy and materialistic, but Edinburgh still supports learned societies, some of which have their roots in the Scottish Enlightenment. The Royal Society of Edinburgh, for example, established in 1783 "for the advancement of learning and useful knowledge," remains an important forum for interdisciplinary activities.Even as Edinburgh moves through the 21st century, its tall guardian castle remains the focal point of the city and its venerable history. Take time to explore the streets—peopled by the spirits of Mary, Queen of Scots; Sir Walter Scott; and Robert Louis Stevenson—and pay your respects to the world's best-loved terrier, Greyfriars Bobby. In the evenings you can enjoy candlelit restaurants or a folk ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee, a traditional Scottish dance with music), though you should remember that you haven't earned your porridge until you've climbed Arthur's Seat. Should you wander around a corner, say, on George Street, you might see not an endless cityscape, but blue sea and a patchwork of fields. This is the county of Fife, beyond the inlet of the North Sea called the Firth of Forth—a reminder, like the mountains to the northwest that can be glimpsed from Edinburgh's highest points, that the rest of Scotland lies within easy reach.

After sailing along Scotland’s Northern Isles, arrive in the Shetland Islands which are characterized by deep-seated cultural traditions and dramatic, windswept landscapes. As a part of the Norwegian kingdom for over four centuries, these remote islands continue to have strong Nordic ties. Explore these ancient, rural islands with locals by your side as you delve into their farming, maritime, and musical traditions.

Lerwick is Shetland's only official town with a little more than 7,000 inhabitants. Spend the morning delving into your choice of interests, from the ruins of Jarlshof, the Lighthouse and bird cliffs of Sumburgh Head, or by heading to the quieter western villages to hike, birdwatch and meet local fisherman. After dinner, the ship will attempt a landing at Foula, part of the Shetland Archipelago. Conditions permitting, enjoy an evening exploration on this remote island.

The last day in Shetland is spent anchored in a secluded fjord, just below the Hermness Nature Reserve. For nature lovers, there is no limit to the number of discoveries waiting along its paths, notably its extensive moorland and dramatic bird cliffs. For those looking to understand the cultural heritage of Shetland and the island of Unst, visit their cultural center and Viking project with reconstructed longhouse.

Arrive in Bergen, a storied city once known as the capital of the Hanseatic League. Take a guided walk through the historic and colorful Bryggens Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage site or visit the Maritime Museum that shares a unique glimpse at Norwegian history. Later on, choose to wander among the wooden houses and local shops, taste some of the gastronomic specialties, or explore the trails above the city for spectacular views of the fjord below.

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Bergen is home to the Hanseatic League’s only kontor (trading enclave) still in existence. Bryggen wharf, a row of timbered Hanseatic warehouses along a quaint quay, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Narrow wooden walkways are flanked by parallel rows of small, vibrantly painted buildings overlooking the picturesque Vågen Harbor. This is perhaps the most charming district of Bergen and a delight to explore, from its tight-knit community of workshops where artisans sell their wares to its cafés where freshly prepared smørbrød, or open-faced sandwiches, are on the menu.

The stunning, glacial mountain landscape of Nordfjord is a haven for adventurers and photographers alike. Travel by cable car to Mount Hoven, offering panoramic views on a clear day across the peaks and fjords of the region. Make sure your hiking shoes are ready to traverse the numerous trails and overlooks across this beautiful mountain and your camera is at hand to capture the wealth of photo ops, including Lovatnet Lake filled with meltwater from the surroundings glaciers.

One of the most famous regions of the Norwegian fjords, the Møre og Romsdal name comes from old Norse meaning ‘archipelago of islands.’ Spend the morning exploring one of these outer islands known for its scientific center for seabirds and expansive bird cliffs. As the species populations migrate throughout the year, you’ll have the chance to observe various birds, including storm petrels, auks, kittiwakes, gannets or fulmars. This afternoon, venture into the region’s storied fjords and watch as the Bridge team navigates narrow gorges and spectacular scenery.

The Lofoten archipelago boasts an enchanting landscape of picturesque villages ringed by jagged, granite peaks. Explore an idyllic village as you venture through an area known throughout the centuries for its dramatic landscapes and cod fishing traditions. Along the way, choose to hike up to one of the region's most iconic overlooks across granite stairs or opt for water-level views on a Zodiac cruise that will offer another perspective of the striking scenery.

Round out your expedition on Senja Island, Norway's second largest island known for its diverse landscape and a wealth of opportunities to actively explore the natural beauty. Capture panoramic landscapes alongside your Certified Photo Instructor, glide among islands in a kayak or take to the mountainside trails on a hike through valleys and peaks.

Off Norway's coast, two of its largest islands offer stunning landscapes, challenging and rewarding hikes and protected fjords to explore. The mountainous island of Sørøya, known for its scenic bays, pristine nature reserves and large populations of skrei, or cod, welcomes you to its shores as you make your way south from Bear Island. After exploring this gateway to Finnmark, Norway's northernmost county, head south to Senja Island. Capture panoramic landscapes along your certified photo instructor, glide amongst islands in a kayak or explore village streets and shops as you get to know Norway's second-largest island.

Disembark in Tromsø and transfer to the airport for flights home.

With its centre located on the island of Tromsø, the municipality of Tromsø is more than five times the size of Norway’s capital, Oslo, and is the world’s northernmost university city. Lying 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle, it is known as the 'Gateway to the Arctic' because it was used as a starting point for hunters looking for Arctic foxes, polar bears and seals. In the 19th century it was a base for explorers on Arctic expeditions – a history that is remembered in the city’s Polar Museum, which you can visit on an excursion. Also commemorated in the area is the history of Norway’s indigenous people, the Sami. Visitors can learn about the traditions, heritage and modern preservation of the Sami culture at the Tromsø Museum. Nowadays, Tromsø is a charming mix of old and new, with wooden buildings sitting alongside contemporary architecture such as the impressive glacier-like Arctic Cathedral, which features one of the largest stained glass windows in Europe. Looking down on the city is Mount Storsteinen, and a cable car runs to the top, giving wonderful views over the surrounding countryside of forested peaks and reindeer pastures.