Viking Cruises has announced the addition of the “In Search of the Northern Lights” itinerary, allowing travelers aboard the Viking Sky to experience Norway’s far north during wintertime – a peak period for viewing the aurora borealis.
This new 13-day itinerary sailing between London and Bergen will begin in 2019, making Viking the first United States cruise line to offer a full-length itinerary in the Arctic Circle during the winter season, Viking said.
Travelers who take part in this Nordic experience will be able to immerse themselves in the culture of Northern Europe, while also visiting Tromsø, Alta and Bergan, Norway, along with complimentary excursions in each port.
While in Alta, voyagers will fully experience the Northern Lights, as the city’s frequently clear skies make it an “ideal place” to view it during the height of the season, according to Viking. They will also be able to travel to the nearby native Sami community of Máze, where they will eat an authentic lunch consisting of local dishes and go for a ride in a reindeer-drawn sleigh.
In Tromsø, voyagers can visit the Arctic Cathedral, often referred to as the “Opera House of Norway,” as it resembles the Sydney Opera House. Visitors can also go to the Archaeological Museum, where they will be given a tour by a host in traditional Viking dress. The host will also demonstrate essential tools and artifacts of the time period, finishing the tour at the Swords in Stone monument that commemorates the Battle of Hafrsfjord in 872.
The last stop on the itinerary is the city of Bergen. Here, visitors will travel to the preserved wharf of Bryggen. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the wharf was central to Bergen’s role in the Hanseatic League, an alliance that protected merchant guilds and their market towns. The tour finishes with a gondola ride to the top of Mount Ulriken, the highest of Bergen’s famous Seven Mountains.
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