The Coastal Express – North : Bergen – Kirkenes

Bergen is surrounded by seven mountains, and one of the most popular attractions of the world: the fjords. The city offers the ideal combination of nature, culture, history and exhilarating city life. What has made Bergen famous is its unique charm, which is something you have to experience for yourself. Enjoy strolling around the old streets and alleyways where people have lived for centuries.

Walking through UNESCO-listed Bryggen’s narrow alleyways, made even darker and more mysterious by overhanging balconies, feels like stepping back in time. Bryggen is not a museum but part of the cultural heritage that is still in use – a living historical area of the city. The Fløibanen Funicular is a very popular attraction, running from the city centre to the top of Mount Fløyen in about 7 minutes. From the viewing platform you can admire spectacular views of the city, mountains and fjords. In addition to the wide range of hikes, you’ll find a restaurant, café, souvenir shop and playground.

Ålesund is mostly known for its unique Art Nouveau architecture, which was in fact the result of a disaster. In 1904, the larger part of Ålesund was destroyed in a devastating fire. In an act of excellent foresight, it was decided to rebuild the town entirely in Art Nouveau, the fashionable style of the time. Most of this beauty has been preserved. If you look up as you explore the town, you will be enchanted by the rounded towers, sinuous lines and foliate forms typical of Art Nouveau.

Cette jolie ville a été la première capitale de la Norvège, entre 997 et 1380, ce fut l’endroit où les nouveaux rois de l’ancienne Norvège recevaient leur bénédiction solennelle. Reconstruite au XVIIème siècle, cette ville cosmopolite bénéficie de larges rues bordées de maisons aux couleurs vives et d’entrepôts à pignons.

Dans les premières heures, ressentez le frisson provoqué par la traversée du cercle polaire, le voyage continue dans la ville moderne de Bodo, d’où l’on peut joindre à un safari d’aigle de mer et assister au plus fort maelström, c’est à dire tourbillon, du monde à Saltstraumen. Les glorieuses îles Lofoten sont vous attirent vers une escale dans la capitale, Svolvaer. La fascinante Magic Ice Gallery, musée de «l’art en dessous de zéro» se trouve sur ​​le quai et la petite ville élégante n’est qu’à quelques minutes.

Tromso a été le point de départ de nombreuses expéditions polaires. Une ville universitaire, dotée d’une chaîne de pics qui rappellent la Suisse, Tromso est l’une des villes côtières les plus agréables.

Honningsvag is the largest fishing village in Finmark and was completely rebuilt after the last war. It is the nearest port of call to the North Cape and from here it is possible to take an excursion to Nordkapp at 71 degrees North.

Kirkenes is located in the extreme northeastern part of Norway on the Bøkfjord, a branch of the Varangerfjord, near the Russian border. We’re about 400 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle and actually as far east as St. Petersburg. Most of the approximately 7,000 inhabitants are of Norwegian background, while a minority is Sami. Others originate from Finland and some 500 immigrants have recently arrived from Russia.