PS67-15
May 25 – June 8, 2007

Day 1: LEITH – Join your ship, the M/V Polar Star in Leith, the port town of Edinburgh.

Day 2: THE ORKNEYS – We visit the 5,000 year old chambered tomb of Maes Howe, the mysterious Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stennes and the ancient village of Skara Brae.

Day 3: SHETLAND ISLANDS – Immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Shetlands with visits to Jarlshof, Scatness and Lerwick. The rich birdlife of the islands will also be a focus.

Day 4: BERGEN (Norway) – Wander the quaint cobblestone streets of the Old Quarter and see the Hanseatic Houses. We visit the museum and home of Edward Greig, Norway’s best known composer.

Day 5: RUNDE & ÅLESUND – We Zodiac cruise around the island of Runde, home to 230 species of seabirds including Puffin, Kittiwake, Gannet, Fulmar, Petrel and Sea eagle. We then visit the aquarium at Ålesund and see the town’s Art Nouveau inspired architecture.

Day 6: TRONDHEIM – We explore the city, rich in medieval history, and visit the haunting 11th Century (1070) Niadros Cathedral and nearby Monk’s Island.

Day 7: TORGHATTEN –Spend the day exploring the countryside, perhaps hiking through the legendary hole in the mountain.
 
Day 8: TRÆNA ARCHIPELAGO – In this archipelago of over 1000 flat, rocky islands we visit Lovund, home to 200,000 puffins and Sanna, where we will explore Kirkhellen Cave. In this cathedral-like cave, artefacts from over 9000 years ago were found.

Day 9: LOFOTENS – Explore the breathtaking scenery of glacier mountain peaks, bays and pastures including visits to villages, a Viking Museum and Blacksmith workshop. In the evening, we plan to cruise in Trollfjørd.

Day 10: TROMSØ – In this vibrant city, considered the gateway to the Arctic, we learn about the Arctic at the Polar and Tromsø Museums, visit the Arctic Cathedral and take the cable car to enjoy stunning views from above.

Day 11: NORDKAPP – At 71° north, “North Cape” boasts itself to be the most northerly point of Europe.

Day 12: BEAR ISLAND – We make landfall at this remote island to explore by Zodiac dramatic sea stacks, cliffs and caves. We plan a landing to visit a radio station and walk across the tundra.

Days 13-14: SPITSBERGEN – We visit the amazing world of Svalbard where 60% of the land is covered in sheets and rivers of ice. While there, we will be on the lookout for walrus, whale, seal, reindeer, Arctic Fox, rare Ivory Gull and Polar Bear.

DAY 15: LONGYEARBEN – Disembark in the capital of Svalbard after breakfast to begin your homeward journey.

Number of Meals Included
14 Breakfasts
13 Lunches
14 Dinners

Expedition Map