The Norwegian Fjords, Bear Island & Svalbard

Home , Bear Island (Norway), Fishing village, Lofoten

THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS, BEAR ISLAND & SVALBARD 7th - 22nd May 2018 with M/S Stockholm THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS, BEAR ISLAND & SVALBARD

Join M/S Stockholm on a great adventure, exploring some of Norway’s most exciting and scenic locations. Our stops along the Norwegian coast include the majestic Storfjord, the charming town of Ålesund and the picturesque fishing village of Nusfjord, included on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. We continue towards the seldom visited Bear Island, located in the middle of Barents Sea and home to hundreds of thousands of seabirds. The adventure culminates in one of the world’s most magnificent wildernesses – Svalbard. This early in the season, Svalbard is characterised by a wonderful purity, pastel coloured skies and breathtaking sceneries. Here we keep our eyes open for polar bears, walrus and other Arctic animals.

Reine fame and fortune. The city is known as the stunning nature that surrounds us We hope to visit the picturesque fishing Paris of the North, which derives from – sparkling ice formations, snow covered village of Reine. This charming village, its vast cultural offerings. mountains and glistering glaciers. We with characteristic wooden houses over- start by exploring parts of Storfjorden look Kirkefjord with high mountaintops Day 10: At sea towards Bear Island and constantly keeping our eyes peeled in the background. It is not difficult to for the Arctic wildlife. How far in we see why it was once voted Norway’s most Day 11: Bear Island reach depends on the drift ice that beautiful place. Today we hope to reach this marvellous often accumulates here this time of Day 1: Bergen Geirangerfjorden known as the Seven Sisters, followed by rocky island, situated in the middle of year. We continue towards majestic The journey begins in the city of Bergen, We get to know the majestic Storfjorden Torghatten – a rock with a big hole, that Nusfjord the Barents Sea. On the 400-meter Hornsund, consisting of several fjords, beautifully surrounded by high mountains and pay a visit to the UNESCO-protected the ice sheet once created, or according Nusfjord is a well-preserved and authentic high cliffs, hundreds of thousands of which glaciers calve out shimmering and deep fjords. We stay the night at a Geirangerfjorden, which is characterised to the legend; the hole a giant created in fishing community with focus on cod seabirds are nesting – puffins, guillemots, blue icebergs.It is also a favourite centrally located hotel. by deep blue water and lush mountain despair from a broken heart. fishing. The village is part of UNESCO’s razorbills and kittiwakes among others. haunt for polar bears. In Bellsund we plains with beautiful waterfalls. World Heritage list of unique wooden As well as a spectacular Zodiac cruise hope to reach Vårsolbukta, where the Day 2 - 9: Expedition Kerringøy houses with a charming old-fashioned along the impressive bird cliffs we aim little auks nest in tens of thousands. We embark M/S Stockholm and head Grip The island of Kjerringøy is a real shop well worth a visit. We sail further to make a landing on this rarely visited towards the beautiful passage of Alver- This deserted fishing village is now gem on the Norwegian coast. Here along what is known as the Lofoten island. We then continue our journey Day 16: Longyearbyen sund. During our adventure along the popular with summer guests. Its original we encounter a diverse landscape wall. In the evening we enter magi- and sail over night. Our next destina- We arrive in Longyearbyen and begin Norwegian coast we hope to visit some and colourful wooden buildings are well of mountains, white sandy beaches cal Trollfjorden and later set course tion is Svalbard – one of the world’s our journey home. of the following places: preserved. We visit the beautiful church and small farming communities, but towards Tromsø. most magnificent wildernesses. and we also pass by the small and very the island is most famous for its old Please note: Our exact route will depend Ålesund dramatically situated lighthouse. trading post. This is a unique heritage Tromsø Day 12 - 15: Svalbard on ice, weather conditions and wildlife. We Upon reaching Ålesund we explore this consisting of 15 well-preserved houses, In Tromsø we visit the prestigious Polar It is spring in the Arctic and it is a always strive to maximise your experience. small town, built in a true Art Nouveau Torghatten which gives the visitor a great insight Museum and learn more about the first powerful experience to witness the Please remember that flexibility is the key style, enjoying its delightfully decorated On our way north we sail past famous into what it was like to live in this polar explorers, who went north to seek archipelago spring to life. We enjoy to a successful expedition! facades, towers and pinnacles. natural attractions like the mountain peaks northern trading town in the 1800s. THE EXPEDITION SHIP M/S STOCKHOLM DATES & PRICES

RATE INCLUDES: 1 hotel night in Bergen . 14 nights on board Upper Deck M/S Stockholm . All meals on board . Wine and beer with lunch and dinner . 1 Expedition Leader and 1 guide . Guiding ashore and talks on board . All excursions and activities . The customary gratuity to the ship’s crew . Comprehensive information material before the expedition . An illustrated post-expedition log. Main deck

21 22 23 NOT INCLUDED: Flights to Bergen and from Longyearbyen .

Travel and cancellation insurance. 25 26 27

Dates: 7th - 22nd May 2018. Duration: 16 days. Cabin category Price per person in USD Group size: Maximum 12 passengers. Twin cabin (bunk beds & private facilities) 8 790 Accommodation: Cabin on board M/S Stockholm, hotel in Bergen. Transport: Expedition ship, Zodiacs. Twin cabin for single use 16 690

The M/S Stockholm is a classic ship built in 1953 for the Swedish National Maritime Administration. In 1998 she was totally refitted and started her career as a comfortable polar passenger ship. The M/S Stockholm carries a maximum of 12 passengers in twin cabins with bunk beds. All cabins have private facilities and small windows (portholes). M/S Stockholm is a marvellous piece of maritime history with beautiful brass details and wooden decks. It is no wonder she is loved by so many! On board the ship you will enjoy delicious meals in the company of likeminded travellers, who are all fascinated by the Arctic nature, wildlife and history. The food on board is of high standard and all beverages are included in the price. With such a small party on board, this is like travelling on a private yacht. The crew on board M/S Stockholm are also great enthusiasts of the unique wildlife and unspoiled nature. Their genuine curiosity is a prerequisite for expedition cruises of this kind. A trip on board M/S Stockholm in these northern waters, with its unique wildlife and pristine nature, is an experience of a lifetime! P.O. Box 180 SE- 401 23 Göteborg, Sweden Phone: +46 31 333 17 30 e-mail: [email protected] www.polar-quest.com

PHOTO: ADAM RHEBORG (P. 2 UPPER NO. 2 & P. 4 BACKGROUND), ADRIAN NORDENBORG (P. 3 LOWER LEFT), CHRISTIAN ENGELKE (P. 3 UPPER LEFT), ELKE LINDNER Foto:(P. Adam4 MIDDLE Rheborg, LEFT), JOHANNA Adrian Nordenborg,VAKKILA (P. 3 BACKGROUND), Lisa Ström, Magnus J-P LAHALL Lundgren, (P. 4 UPPER Mattias RIGHT), Henningsson, KERSTIN LANGENBERGER Niklas Nilsson, (P. 4 UPPER Peter RIGHT),& Beverly LISA Pickford. STRÖM (P. 4 MIDDLE MIDDLE & P. 5), MATTIAS HENNINGSSON (P. 3 UPPER MIDDLE & BACK COVER), NIKLAS NILSSON (P. 3 LOWER RIGHT), OLLE CARLSSON (P. 2 UPPER NO. 4), PETER & BEVERLY PICKFORD (P. 2 NO. 5), ÅSA LINDGREN (P. 2 BACKGROUND & P. 4 UPPER LEFT & UPPER MIDDLE).