Northern countries Cruise - from Longyearbyen - 133793

Longyearbyen is the capital of the Svalbard islands (Spitzbergen). For thousands of years the island was located close to the equator. At that time, there were many trees on Svalbard, which later broke down to become coal. As a result of the continental drift, the islands slowly wandered North to their current position close to the North Pole. Sights include: the art gallery, the Svalbard Museum, where exhibits include stuffed arctic animals and items relating to mining as well as several trappers' huts.

Ny-Ålesund, a former mining town, is the most northerly settlement in the world and was the starting point of many Polar expeditions. Today, it is a scientific research station. The small museum with its post office, which once served as the base station for many expeditions, is a must-see.

The small town of Svolvaer is the principal town on the Lofoten Islands and lies on the island of Vagan. The small fishing harbour has a population of 4,000 and a regular ferry connection. Visitors can join in fishing aboard a real Lofoten fish cutter, catching mainly cod, shell fish and lythe.

The port of Ålesund, which stretches across three islands, was reconstructed after the great fire of 1904 with Art Nouveau architecture. The best view of the city and the skerries before the coast is to be had from the observation hill "Aksla", which can be reached on foot via 418 steps or - the more comfortable option - by car. The panorama restaurant "Fjellstua" is located here. The Ålesund Museum provides an insight into the city's history. At Atlanterhavs Park, visitors can marvel at the creatures that inhabit the Atlantic in a huge sea water aquarium. Around 4 km to the east of the city centre is the Sunnmøre Museum which has various sections. The Medieval Museum gives an idea of what daily life was like at that time and there is also an outdoor museum and a maritime exhibition with old fishing boots and reconstructed Viking ships. The popular trip to the bird island "Runde", to the South-West of Ålesund, provides a very special natural phenomenon.

Bergen is one of the most charming cities in Norway, not least due to its unique setting between seven hills. With a population of 218,000 it is the second-largest city in the country and the capital of "Fylke Hordaland". The town of Bergen was granted the city charter in 1070 by Bishop Olav Kyrre. Not that long after, in 1217, King Hakon IV. declared the town to the Norwegian seat of government. Today, the oldest and most famous wooden houses of the city are at the "Bryggen", the former dock of the Hanseatic League. These unique buildings were among four properties in Norway to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Sights include: the Hanseatic museum, the Bryggen Museum, Bergenshus fort, St. Mary's Church and the Leprosy Museum, and the aquarium.