Visiting the North Cape Hall or Nordkapphallen Day 6 of our Hurtigruten cruise and our coach from Honningsvåg drops us off at the North Cape Hall or Nordkapphallen, a visitor centre with very modern facilities. The North Cape Hall was built inside the mountain and from here you have a panoramic view of the coast. The North Cape globe monument can also be seen from here, if you aren't able to walk to the monument. Nordkapphallen Facilities There is an information office, souvenir shop and … [Read more...]
Svolvær – Capital of the Lofoten Islands
December 24, 2009 by
A Gateway for Tourism on the Lofoten Islands: Day 9: Tromsø - Finnsnes - Harstad - Risoyhamn - Sortland - Stokmarknes - Svolvær - Stamsund. Today traditional Norwegian "Julegrot" - Christmas porridge will be served and in the bar. Find the almond in the porridge and you win a prize! Together with fellow passengers and crew you will decorate the Christmas tree. A coffee and cake buffet will also be available at the bar.Arrive Harstad at 8.00 a.m. where you have the opportunity to … [Read more...]
Hammerfest, Kingdom of the Polar Bears
December 23, 2009 by
Hurtigruten Norwegian Cruise -Southbound Journey: Day 8: Mehamn - Kjøllefjord - Honningsvåg - Havøysund - Hammerfest - Øksfjord - Skjervøy - Tromsø. A brief call is made in Havøysund before arriving in Hammerfest at 11.15 a.m. You are now in the northernmost town in the world - Hammerfest is the first town in Norway to get electric street lights! Whilst in Hammerfest you might want to see St Michael's Church, which has a shining stained glass painting as an altar background and … [Read more...]
Kirkenes – the End of the Journey for Some
December 22, 2009 by
Kirkenes, a Town Near the Russian Border: Day 7: Båtsfjord - Vardø - Vadsø - Kirkenes - Vardø - Båtsfjord - Berlevåg. The ship sails into Kirkenes where you will have the opportunity to go ashore. You may wish to participate in a shore excursion from Kirkenes to Storskog the Norwegian/Russian border station or you could participate in the 'Barents Safari' (15.12 to 05.05), an excursion by snowmobile. At 12.45 p.m. the ship departs Kirkenes and starts the second half of its … [Read more...]
Crossing the 71st Parallel to the North Cape
December 22, 2009 by
Making it to Nordkapp or the North Cape: Day 6: Øksfjord - Hammerfest - Havøysund - Honningsvåg - Kjøllefjord - Mehamn - Berlevåg. In Finnmark, icebergs, wind and weather have created a harsher, more dramatic landscape. You will see both abandoned fishing stations and lively fishing ports bustling with activity.Havøysund is the next port of call before arriving in Honningsvåg in the late morning. To many people the visit to North Cape, the mountain with the peculiar horn, is the … [Read more...]
Cruising Norway’s Spectacular Coastline with Hurtigruten
November 29, 2009 by
A Spectacular Voyage along Norway's Coast: The Hurtigruten 12-day Norwegian Coastal Voyage from Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen is a spectacular voyage showcasing Norway's scenic coastline, its rich sea heritage and the life of communities along the coastal stretch. Doing the cruise at Christmas time, we get an extra day as the ship overnights in Sandnessjøen for Christmas Eve celebrations. Hurtigruten's Norwegian cruises are interesting in that they are neither an ocean cruise nor a river … [Read more...]