Trollfjord & the Lofoten Islands

If you’re seeking a northern Eden, it doesn’t get much closer than Tromsø, an unhurried city cradled by spectacular fjords and titanic mountains. Among nature’s most magnificent displays, marvel at the nightless days of the midnight sun. Wind along the glasslike waters of the Balsfjorden, Kaldfjorden, Ullsfjorden and Malangen fjords, watching achingly beautiful panoramas unfold as you keep a sharp eye out for seals, eagles and reindeer. In Tromsø, delight in the angular forms of the Arctic Cathedral, which evokes a steep, snow-coated mountain or slabs of ice jutting into the sky. A short distance away, ride a cable car to nearly 1,400 feet above sea level for sweeping views of the town and the intense blues, greens and whites of the surrounding scenery. Examine a unique array of cold-climate plants at the Arctic-Alpine Botanical Garden, which showcases specimens from far-flung lands such as Tibet, and unwind with a cold one at celebrated Macks Ølbryggeri, a local institution that is proud to be “the world’s northernmost brewery.”

Nowhere are there fjords to match the grandeur of those in Norway, where the clear water reflects the mountains like a mirror. Sail between soaring granite cliffs and spy mountainside farms, charming villages, and an array of wildlife along this stunning coastline.

Norway’s celebrated archipelago of islands is heralded for its dramatic scenery, with peaks like the Svolværgeita pinnacle jutting up into the sky. This is where majestic mountains meet brilliantly white sandy beaches, fishing villages dot the coastlines, and hiking trails crisscross their way through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Norway. Against the backdrop of the midnight sun and small villages, SeaDream overnights in Lofoten.

Norway’s celebrated archipelago of islands is heralded for its dramatic scenery, with peaks like the Svolvaergeita pinnacle jutting up into the sky. This is where majestic mountains meet brilliantly white sandy beaches, fishing villages dot the coastlines, and hiking trails crisscross their way through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Norway. Reine, an authentic fishing village in Lofoten renowned for its scenic location by the majestic Lofoten peaks, is your gateway to the Lofoten Islands.

Norway’s celebrated archipelago of islands is heralded for its dramatic scenery, with peaks like the Svolvaergeita pinnacle jutting up into the sky. This is where majestic mountains meet brilliantly white sandy beaches, fishing villages dot the coastlines, and hiking trails crisscross their way through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Norway. Reine, an authentic fishing village in Lofoten renowned for its scenic location by the majestic Lofoten peaks, is your gateway to the Lofoten Islands.

A small harbor town in Norway known for its stunning location, Brønnøysund sits on a narrow peninsula in the southern part of Helgeland surrounded by islands. Brønnøysund boasts a thriving coastal culture, with charming cafés and a picturesque marina. Discover Torghatten, a legendary mountain with a natural tunnel created during the Ice Age that can be hiked through, located on the nearby island of Torget. Explore the Vega archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage site of islands, reefs, and skerries, perfect for kayaking and bicycling. Walk into the Neo-Gothic Brønnøysund Church, opened in 1870 and housing a beautiful pulpit, chandelier, and organ, and wander the shops and markets of Havnegata street.

Perched at the entrance of the Geirangerfjord, itself featured on the UNESCO World Heritage list, Ålesund is the gateway to some of the region’s most spectacular fjords. Jugendstil, or Art Nouveau, was popular at the turn of the twentieth century when designers incorporated it into the city’s architecture. Ålesund's Museum houses photos and a model of the 1898 town layout, offering a glimpse into the city’s past. SeaDream anchors overnight here to enable guests to fully enjoy this beautiful seaside town on Norway’s west coast, with ample time for strolling, kayaking, hiking, or exploring some of the nearby fjords.

Located at the mouth of the Oldeelva River at the northern end of the Oldedalen Valley on the southern shore of the Nordfjorden, sits the charming village of Olden. Surrounded by steep mountains, blue glaciers, and bubbling waterfalls, Olden presents abundant kayaking, hiking, and biking opportunities. Olden is your gateway to the Jostedal Glacier, Europe’s largest mainland glacier, part of Jostedal Glacier National Park. Jostedal separates two of the longest fjords in the world, the Sognefjord and the Nordfjord.

A quaint village nestled among the awe-inspiring landscapes of Norway’s towering Sognefjord, Vik exudes a raw, natural Norwegian charm. With its breathtaking natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and small-town ambiance, it creates the perfect opportunity to create your own perfect day.

Oslo is capital, but Bergen is the quintessential Norwegian city. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Bryggen (“the docks”) is filled with carefully preserved wooden buildings. Restored as shops, cafés, and museums, the attractive district looks as though it was lifted from another century. Stroll across Fisketorget, the open-air fish market and allow your senses to take it all in (and be sure to sample some fresh shrimp or smoked peppered mackerel). Ride the funicular to the top of Mount Fløien and admire the sweeping view before heading off to visit composer Edvard Grieg’s birth home.

The romantic village of Rosendal, Norway sits pretty on the Hardangerfjord. Discover its historic charm and maritime culture through Kvinnherad Church, built in 1255, The Folgefonn Center, the Skaaluren Ship Building Museum, and Scandinavia’s smallest castle, the Barony Rosendal manor house and gardens. Hike the Myrdalsvatnet Trail or explore Folgefonna National Park and glacier lake, an impressive mix of dramatic fjords, lakes, and waterfalls, perfect for kayaking.

The town of Lysekil sits on Sweden’s Bohuslän Coast, where the mouth of Gullmarsfjorden faces the open sea. The Stångehuvuds Nature Reserve, affording incredible sea views from its red granite cliffs, are joined by a white lighthouse. In the Old Town, cobblestone streets and café-lined alleyways reveal perfectly manicured houses, several of which bear plaques telling the story of their history. Towering above Lysekil’s skyline, Lysekil Church was built entirely from granite and completed in 1901, in part as a navigation marker for seafarers.

Norway is a land steeped in myth, where irascible gods armed with frost and lightning once inspired Viking clans to plunder foreign lands. These days, genteel customs imported from mainland Europe have softened the country’s hard edges, but traces of an unruly past still abound. The exceptional museums dotting the Bygdøy Peninsula hold some of the city’s foremost attractions, including a thousand-year-old longship that was preserved in mud and the 12th-century Gol Stave Church, an exemplar of Norway’s distinctive wood sanctuaries. No less fascinating is a visit to the 1892 Fram, a legendary ship revered for her vital role in early polar explorations. To witness the evolution of Oslo’s soul, contrast battle-hardened Akershus Fortress, a ruggedly elegant citadel wrapped in nearly impregnable ramparts, with the neoclassical Royal Palace, whose formal exterior encloses sumptuously appointed rooms. You might wish to view Edvard Munch’s iconic The Scream, which hangs in the outstanding Norwegian National Gallery amid priceless European and Scandinavian masterworks. In expansive Frogner Park, wander among Gustav Vigeland’s thought-provoking sculptures, and if you’ve worked up an appetite, choose among the many restaurants and cafés lining the charming waterfront district of Aker Brygge.