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Experience the magical mix of colours that form in the Arctic sky, cruise among the Norwegian fjords and enjoy time ashore among the beautiful landscapes on our Northern Lights tour! There’s plenty of time for workshops with your Stitchtopia expert as you journey amongst the islands, islets and skerries that make up a coastline considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Though days may be short, Norway’s remarkable landscapes take on a special beauty at this time of year. Each day you can step-ashore and explore, or relax and take in the snow-cloaked scenery and wintry lifestyle of Norway’s remotest coastal communities.
Juliet Bernard will be your expert in 2024 and on the 3rd December 2025 departure. Aleks Byrd will be your expert on 31st October 2025 departure.
Please choose your preferred 9 day itinerary
Workshop information 2024: Turning our northern lights into northern brights! While we sail our way up into the Arctic circle, we will work on a wonderful shawl design. Taking our inspiration from the traditional Nordic stranded knitting technique, and our colour interpretation from the Aurora Borealis, The shawl is worked from point to point, increasing and decrease to create a gentle curve. Using a pallet of bright colours, with a dark for the skies and a light for the snow. Hopefully channelling the light sensation as we go!
Workshop information 31 October 2025 departure: coming soon!
Workshop information 3 December 2025 departure: Your kit will comprise a hat and cowl, taking its inspiration from the northern lights and interpreted in a graphic way using the Fair Isle technique
With our flight inclusive package, meet your expert and Tour Manager at London airport for your flight to Bergen via Oslo. Here we will be met by our coach and driver and transfer to our hotel.
If you have booked our join direct package, meet us at the hotel in Bergen.
This morning’s guided sightseeing tour of Bergen will introduce us to the highlights of Norway’s charming second city known as the ‘Gateway to the Fjords’. We will enjoy time at leisure for lunch and explore the traditional handicraft stores on the historic Bryggen waterfront.
In the late afternoon, we embark on MS Nordlys (2024) or MS Kong Harald (2025)to start our northbound coastal voyage. This evening’s dinner is a buffet of delicious Norwegian dishes. This is served as we sail along Hjeltefjord, the same route taken by Vikings as they ventured to the Shetland Islands and beyond.
Our day starts in the beautiful Nordford with a delicious breakfast. Knit with your expert as we sail past West Cape into the open sea before navigating through skerries and islands to reach Ålesund. Today is a chance to admire the highly ornate buildings decorated with turrets, spires and gargoyles in Norway’s Art Nouveau town. Here we will visit Husfliden, a shop specialising in Norwegian and Nordic arts and crafts.
This morning we will have the opportunity to explore Trondheim. There are a number of yarn shops for us to visit, as well as Nidaros Cathedral that is the centrepiece of this ancient city, founded by Norway’s Viking King Olav Tryggvason in 997.
In the afternoon, we continue knitting with your expert as the ship sets a northwest course, passing the beautiful Kjeungskjær lighthouse and numerous charming islets and rocky outcrops. After passing through Stokksund, the ship will set sail towards Rorvik.
Today we cross the Arctic Circle! This invisible line is situated at 66 degrees and 33 minutes north, marking the border to the Arctic region, where the hunt for the Northern Lights begins! We will step ashore in Bodø and cruise alongside the magnificent granite peaks of the Lofoten Wall that reaches up to 1000m high. Tucked between majestic granite cliffs and white sandy beaches, Lofoten is a truly unique experience. The charms of the Lofoten Islands are revealed in the small, picturesque fishing villages with their bohemian ambience.
During the morning hours, we briefly dock at Risøyhamn, Harstad and Finnsnes. The ship then continues to Tromsø, also known as the ‘Capital of the Arctic’. Many epic Arctic expeditions used Tromsø as a starting point, and you may like to take your own mini polar expedition on an optional husky dog ride.
After an afternoon in Tromsø, we will continue our journey. Whilst the ship sails, you will be able to continue knitting with your expert whilst waiting for the opportunity to see the Northern Lights.
Knit at ‘the top of the world’ before calling into Honningsvåg. This small, remote town is the gateway to the spectacular North Cape. The ship then continues north, sailing into the heartland of the indigenous Sami people. We will pass their ancient sacred site, Finnkirka rock formation, as we approach the tiny fishing village of Kjollefjord.
The vistas become more dramatic as we approach Kirkenes. We arrive in nearby Vadsø early in the morning and, just after breakfast, we arrive in Kirkenes. Kirkenes lies just a few miles from the Russian border. The town marks the end of this wonderful voyage and, after disembarking the ship, we will enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the area, where local road signs are written in both Norwegian and Russian. In Kirkenes we stop for lunch at the famous Snow Hotel. We check into our hotel this afternoon where this evening’s farewell dinner is served.
With our flight inclusive package, we include your transfer to Kirkenes airport. From here board your return flight to London via Oslo.
If you have booked our join direct package, your tour ends after breakfast.
Tour Notes: You will need to have a reasonable level of fitness to get the most out of this holiday. On excursion days you will need to walk a short distance from the hotel to the coach and you should be able to board the coach unaided. On arrival at the excursion destination, you should be able to alight the coach unaided and there may be a walk between the coach drop off point and the excursion venue. By their nature, walking tours, museum visits etc involve being on your feet for a significant amount of time. Whilst our excursions are taken at a leisurely pace, for the enjoyment of everyone in the group you should be able to keep up with your fellow travellers.
You will stay at the 4-star Clarion Hotel Bergen for 1 night, before boarding the MS Nordkapp (2024) or MS Kong Harald (2025) for 6 nights, and then going on to stay at the 3-star Thon Hotel, Kirkenes for 1 night.
This 4-star hotel is perched on the quay in central Kirkenes, with unimpeded views of the fjord. The bright and modern guest rooms come equipped with hairdryer, TV and Wi-Fi.
Single Room Supplement from £1,380.00
Named after Norway’s reigning monarch, the MS Kong Harald was built in 1993 and refurbished in 2016. This vessel now boasts a modern and Arctic-inspired interior. Featuring three high-quality restaurants, a bakery, and even an ice cream bar, guests can indulge in delicious cuisine before gazing at the gorgeous scenery from the observation saloon or panorama lounge. There is a sauna and up-to-date fitness room on board, ideal for relaxing between ports of call. The ship also has its own Expedition Team and serves as a university at sea, offering interesting lectures, presentations, activities and daily evening gatherings.
Single Room Supplement from £1,380.00
The Clarion Hotel Bergen is located in the heart of Bergen in the middle of historic Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 4-star hotel has recently been renovated and the elegant, classic style has been preserved to bring out the beautiful stone building.
Single Room Supplement from £1,380.00