15 Night Journey to the North Cape – July 2018

Take it from the top, at Edinburgh Castle perched above the city, for a look at the view, the crown jewels, and the Stone of Destiny on which Scottish monarchs were crowned.

At the far end of the mile is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official residence when in Scotland.

Buildings steeped in history, with fascinating stories to tell, line the route between them. Outside the city are numerous impressive stately homes with beautiful grounds and gardens.

And for those itching to get out on the links, there is no better place than this, the land where golf was born.

Many old wooden houses survive here, making an exploration of the narrow lanes a worthwhile pursuit.

A funicular will take you from the city center to the top of Mt. Floyen, for an expansive view of the city below, and the surrounding mountains and fjords. If you are feeling energetic you can walk back down, enjoying the clear air and delights of nature, all the way to the bustle of the fish market, with its large selection of the freshest of seafood.

Surrounded by steep mountainsides, roaring waterfalls and deep valleys, you’ll experience a one-of-a-kind experience with nature.

Its almost 65-year-old Flam Railway is widely known as one of the world’s most fantastic stretches of railroad.

Sail up the fjord all the way to its head and the tiny village of Geiranger, dwarfed by the towering snow-capped peaks that surround it.

There will be many magical moments along the way, perhaps the most spectacular being views of the Seven Sisters Waterfall, spilling hundreds of thousands of gallons of water into the fjord from an incredible height of 5,000 feet. Directly opposite is the Suitor Waterfall, so far having no luck in seducing any of the sisters.

Here, 200 km (124 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, the landscape is wild and life is simple, the coast ringed with fishing hamlets and picturesque cabins on stilts that have attracted artists for centuries. Birdlife is abundant, with large colonies of co-habiting species nesting on towering cliffs. Six miles offshore the continental shelf drops away to depths of 3,000 feet, and massive sperm whales can be spotted feeding in the deep, nutrient-rich waters.

No one lives permanently at the North Cape itself, but many come to visit this majestic cliff, rising over 1,000 feet above the sea, providing a lookout over a limitless panorama stretching silently to the North Pole.

Ingeniously concealed inside the cliff is North Cape Hall, where you can ponder the vastness in comfort

If you are feeling energetic, consider a journey to the frozen cascade of the million-year-old Briksdal Glacier, hiking the last portion across a wooden bridge over a waterfall, through a bewitching mountain valley, right up to the glacier’s face.

Alternatively, opt for a relaxing journey by boat on an emerald green lake framed by ancient mountains.

In the late 19th century the wild landscape and quality of light drew the attention of artists, who came to paint and take a break from the city. They became quite famous as the Skagen School, and some of their work is featured in the local art museum.

Each July the town hosts a major folk festival, with performances by bands from around the world – folk, folk rock, jazz, ballads, blues, and perhaps some never before heard new variations on the theme.

In town the striking Arctic Cathedral mirrors the setting in glass and concrete, its triangular façade representative of an iceberg pointing to the sky.

This part of the country is home to the Sami, Norway’s indigenous people, with their own language, culture, and traditional pursuits of fishing, hunting, and reindeer herding.

Stop in at the Wilderness Center to say hello to Tove and Tore, their children, and more than 100 Alaskan huskies.