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Dates and prices are subject to change. For booking, availability, and detailed itineraries, consult your travel agent or check online. Norwegian Fjords Highlights › Cruise around Bjørnøya – a birdwatcher's paradise › Discover Torghatten – one of the most bizarre rock formations in Norway › Explore the mysteriously beautiful Træna archipelago › Witness the Standing Stones of Stenness › Explore the intriguing Ring of Brodgar and the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Skara Brae and Geirangerfjord What's Included 14 nts aboard the G Expedition. Meeting point to ship transfer. Zodiac and land excursions with our expert expedition team. Ancient ruins guided tour (Orkney Islands). Local village visit (Lofoten Islands). Guided city tour including museums, cathedral and cable car (Tromsø). Departure transfer (for select flights). Waterproof boots supplied for USA size 6. 16. Expedition parka. ACCOMMODATIONS Aboard the G Expedition in quad-, triple-, twin-share cabins, or suites (all with en suite bathrooms and porthole or window) (14 nts). Please note that all cabins consist of twin-size berths and are ocean-facing. Suites have one queen-size bed TRANSPORT G Expedition, Zodiac, local bus, coach GROUP LEADER One Expedition team member per 10 guests MEALS 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners. Drinks and tips aboard the Expedition not included. ITINERARY Take part in a mystical North Atlantic journey and explore the various medieval towns of the Norwegian coast before heading north to the island of Spitsbergen. This is your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ply the Norwegian Sea, keeping your eyes open for unique wildlife while searching for the elusive polar bear. DAY 1 EDINBURGH The G Expedition departs in the evening at 4pm. ( 1D ) DAY 2 KIRKWALL Visit historic and mystical sites by coach on this remote island. Explore the Standing Stones of Stenness, the intriguing Ring of Brodgar, and the village of Skara Brae. ( 1B, 1L, 1D ) DAY 3 LERWICK Continue northwards to the remote Shetland Islands. ( 1B, 1L, 1D ) DAY 4 NORDFJORDEN Weather and time permitting, stop in Olden for a short bus ride to the Birksdal area and a walk to a glacier. ( 1B, 1L, 1D ) DAY 5 GEIRANGER Sail deep into one of Norway's most beautiful fjords and into the mainland. The Geirangerfjord is one of Norway's most visited sites and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ( 1B, 1L, 1D ) DAY 6 MUNKHOLMEN Sail towards Munkholmen, just off the shore of Trondheim. The Benedictine monks built a monastery in the 11th century, and today it's a recreational area. Later, visit Austrått, which has been a residence for many nobles who played a significant role in Norway's development. ( 1B, 1L, 1D ) DAY 7 TORGHATTEN/ALSTAHAUG The rugged coastline of central Norway features some of the world's most beautiful scenery. The captain will negotiate with local Norwegian pilots to determine our best Zodiac landing options. ( 1B, 1L, 1D ) DAY 8 SVARTISEN/VIKINGEN Visit Svartisen and Vikingen, for beautiful glaciers and a globe sculpture which marks Vikingen as a point directly on the Arctic Circle. ( 1B, 1L, 1D ) DAY 9 LOFOTEN/SVOLVÆR/TROLLFJORD The Lofoten archipelago is an enchanting area of picturesque villages by the sea backed with jagged peaks. Go ashore via coach on the island of Å, where cod fishing is still a major part of the economy. In the evening, be sure to be on deck as you cruise into one of Norway's most famous fjords, the short yet dramatic Trollfjord, and search the cliffs for Norway's mythical trolls. ( 1B, 1L, 1D ) DAY 10 TROMSØ Explore this northern haven and be sure to visit the Arctic Cathedral, whose unique architecture is evocative of snow and icebergs. ( 1B, 1L, 1D ) DAY 11 AT SEA Sail past mist-shrouded Bjørnøya (Bear Island) – a birdwatcher's paradise featuring spectacular views. ( 1B, 1L, 1D ) DAYS 12-13 HORNSUND/BELLSUND Explore this archipelago of deep fjords, mountains, and massive ice sheets. Keep your eyes open for walruses, seals, reindeer, Arctic foxes, and (of course) polar bears. ( 2B, 2L, 2D ) DAY 14 FESTNINGEN/ALKHORNET The highlight of Festningen ("the fortress") is an impressive dike of rock that runs along the top of a small cliff where fossilized footprints of dinosaurs have been discovered. Alkhornet features a towering horn of rock which serves as a nesting site for thousands of guillemots and kittiwakes, while foxes and reindeer take advantage of the lush tundra vegetation below the cliffs. ( 1B, 1L, 1D ) DAY 15 LONGYEARBYEN Disembarkation is scheduled for 8am. ( 1B ) ADD TO YOUR EXPERIENCE REALM OF THE POLAR BEAR IN DEPTH: Keen to see polar bears? The 'Ream of the Polar Bear' spends eight days sailing through the pristine wilderness of Svalbard. See trip XVRDNX on page 46. Guaranteed Departures This tour has one IF YOU'RE BOOKED, YOU'RE GOING | special departure. May 30 - June 13, 2016 EXPEDITION › ARCTIC, NORWAY, SCOTLAND, UNITED KINGDOM 48