Welcome to Stockholm — a compact city, built on 14 islands and connected by 57 bridges. With no scheduled activities through the afternoon, take some time to get to know this Scandinavian capital at your own pace. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

Step off the beaten path and into the heart of Stockholm on an immersive three-hour walking tour with a local guide. Discover the city’s secrets — and the locals’ love of fika, the cherished Swedish coffee break. The rest of the day is yours to further explore Stockholm your way. Perhaps you’ll venture to the Vasa Museum, the ABBA Museum, or the contemporary Fotografiska gallery.

This morning, say hej då to Stockholm as you head for Luleå, the gateway to Swedish Lapland. Board your flight to Luleå, and upon arrival, experience pure Nordic hospitality by stepping inside a lavvu, a traditional Sámi tent. Your host will welcome you with stories of life in the Arctic while you savor a slice of traditional Sámi cake. Enjoy Nordic hospitality where culture, taste, and tradition come together. Get settled in and explore this coastal city at your leisure, perhaps taking a stroll along the harbor.

Step into the soul of Swedish Lapland with a local guide leading the way. Begin with a walking tour of Luleå, where modern life blends with centuries of tradition. Just outside Luleå, visit Gammelstad Church Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site where 400 red cottages cluster around a 15th-century stone church. Step back in time as you learn how worshippers once traveled great distances to gather here for services. Enjoy lunch at a cozy local restaurant in the village. Later, return to Luleå for a free evening.

Head towards the Arctic Circle today, crossing into Finnish Lapland. In Tornio, pause to see Finland’s oldest wooden church, still in use since the 1600s. Then, continue to Kukkolankoski, where the river’s rapids sustain a centuries-old fishing tradition. See the fishing installations that line the banks and walk to a kota (wooden hut), where whitefish is grilled over an open fire. As your catch cooks in the traditional Kukkola style, gather around the fire, listen to local stories, and enjoy the fresh, smoky flavors straight from the flames. Later, arrive in Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus.

Wake up in the heart of Finnish Lapland. This morning, join a local reindeer farmer at Konttaniemi Reindeer Farm to discover the traditions of reindeer herding and experience the unique bond between locals and these majestic animals. Enjoy lunch at the farm and savor the taste of reindeer soup or salmon soup, a local favorite. This afternoon, it’s your choice! Sip and savor at Lapland Brewery, Finland’s northernmost brewery, for a guided tour and tasting -OR- visit a local artisan’s studio, where reimagined antlers become beautiful keepsakes as you are welcomed inside to see a traditional Finnish home. The evening is yours to enjoy in Rovaniemi as you please.

Cross the Arctic Circle today as your journey ventures deeper into the untouched wilderness of Finnish Lapland. By afternoon, arrive in Saariselkä, a remote village nestled in the fells. This is your home for the next two nights — a place where silence is golden and the sky stretches endlessly.

Step into the stillness of the Arctic forest on a two-hour morning walk with a local guide. As you wander through pine-scented trails, keep an eye out for native wildlife and listen to the quiet magic of Lapland. Return to your hotel for an included lunch and unwind in a rustic outdoor sauna surrounded by the silence of Lapland's forests. Afterwards, take the ultimate Arctic plunge and immerse yourself in crystal-clear, icy waters for a refreshing burst of energy and an unforgettable Nordic tradition.

Venture further north into Norway, crossing into the land of the midnight sun. In Inari, visit Siida, the Sámi Museum where the rich heritage of Europe’s only Indigenous people comes to life through art, artifacts, and storytelling. By evening, arrive in Kirkenes, nestled near the Russian border — remote, rugged, and full of Nordic spirit. In the evening, you might take an optional excursion to the Russian border where you’ll catch king crab for dinner!

This morning, venture to Andersgrotta, an extraordinary World War II bomb shelter hidden beneath the center of Kirkenes, Norway’s most heavily bombed town during the war. Afterward, journey to the edge of Norway and stand at the Russian border, a place where East meets West. Here you’ll feel the weight of history and the unique atmosphere of Europe’s northern frontier. Board your ship midmorning and settle in for a five-night Coastal Express voyage through Norway’s legendary sea route. After dinner, stroll the deck and take in the beauty of the Norwegian waterways.

Enjoy your first full day of cruising, allowing you to discover the unmatched beauty of coastal villages, mountains, cosmopolitan cities, market towns, and isolated hamlets. While the cruise makes its regular scheduled stops at several smaller towns, the longest docking today will take place in Hammerfest, where it’s your choice! Join your Tour Manager for a short hike to a spectacular view over the northernmost town in Europe -OR- take a leisurely stroll to the Museum of Reconstruction and learn how the region was rebuilt after World War II. Back on board this afternoon, your ship continues its route down Norway’s coast, docking in Tromso close to midnight. If you’re traveling in the summer months, you can stroll around the still-busy city in glorious 24-hour daylight!

Begin the day with a short sightseeing tour of Harstad, a coastal town shaped by fishing, oil, and military history. Just outside town, visit the small island of Kvæøya to see how families lived and farmed on the island before the arrival of electricity and the ferry. Before departing, experience island hospitality with freshly cooked waffles. Afterward, take a short scenic ferry over Gullesfjord for a guided walk in the arctic blue city of Sortland. Continue your sailing with a longer docking in Stokmarknes, the birthplace of the Coastal Express in the late 19th century.

Today, your voyage will have you crossing the Arctic Circle in the early hours of the morning. As your ship makes several brief stops along the coast, admire the stunning landscapes drifting by and learn about the legends that link these landscapes to troll lore. In the afternoon, arrive at Brønnøysund, a charming town nestled between sea and mountains, with some time to explore its bustling marina as you wish. This evening, relax on board, mingle with fellow travelers, or simply watch the sun linger on the horizon.

Wake up in Trondheim, where the ship will dock until 9:30 a.m. Join an excursion to discover the Bakklandet neighborhood and enjoy panoramic views over the city and the fjord. Enter the stunning Nidaros Cathedral before it’s open to the public, and tour Norway’s national shrine. The cathedral was built over the tomb of St. Olav, the Viking who converted Norway to Christianity and became the nation’s patron saint. After continuing its coastal trek, your ship docks briefly in Kristiansund’s harbor in the late afternoon, a fishing town known as “Bacalao Capital”, or klippfisk, for the salted cod that’s dried on the surrounding cliffs. During your final evening aboard, relax as you cruise past tiny coastal communities and dramatic fjords.

If you are up for an early start to your day, you’ll have a chance to glimpse Nordfjord, under the enormous Jostedal Glacier, mainland Europe’s largest. Disembark in Bergen in the early afternoon. After settling into your hotel, head out with a local guide for a walking tour through the historic Bryggen Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Admire the colorful wooden buildings, once home to Hanseatic merchants, and soak in the city’s vibrant culture. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

Your Nordic journey comes to an end today.