Search for the Northern Lights

Day 1 London (Southampton)

Depart 5pm

The south of England boasts a dramatic coastline that encloses some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain. The landscape of hills and heaths, downs and forests, valleys and dales, is without rival. Southampton serves as your gateway to the countryside - and to a wide variety of historic sites, national landmarks and charming. And of course, London is a two-hour drive by modern highway.

Day 2 At Sea

Day 3 Stavanger, Norway

Arrive 10am, Depart 6pm

Norway's fourth largest city, Stavanger lies at the mouth of the Gandsfjord. The old port, attests to the sea's enduring role in Norwegian history. Here, Vikings once sailed on voyages of conquest and exploration. In later centuries, the port served as a major hub for Norway's mercantile and fishing fleets. By the mid-20th century, however, Stavanger had fallen on hard times as the fishing grounds dwindled. In 1969, the discovery of North Sea oil opened a new chapter in Stavanger's history.

Days 4-5 At Sea

Day 6 Tromso, Norway

Arrive 9am, Depart 11:59pm

As one of the best places to see the Northern Lights, Tromsø is teeming with wonders from the skies above to the fjords below. On a Norway cruise, learn about the city’s history of Arctic hunting at the Polar Museum. Visit the Husky Wilderness Camp to meet championship dogs and hear about their racing careers. Or ride a cable car to the peak of Mt. Storsteinen for sweeping views of the city.

Days 7-8 Alta, Norway

Arrive 11am of day 7, Depart 11pm on day 8

Alta is known as the "City of the Northern Lights" and people from around the world come here to watch the spectacular phenomenon known as the Aurora Borealis. In 1899, the world's first Northern Lights observatory was built on Halddetoppen just outside of Alta. But Finnmark's largest city has more to offer than bright dancing lights. Alta's the gateway to unspoiled beauties such as the Finnmarksvidda plateau and the Sautso, often called Northern Europe's Grand Canyon. From the UNESCO-protected rock carvings at the Alta Museum to the fascinating Sami culture, Alta is a tantalizing treasure just waiting to be discovered.

Day 9 At Sea

Day 10 Lofoten Islands (Gravdal), Norway

Arrive 8am, Depart 11pm

Gravdal is one of the largest villages in Vestvågøy and part of the Lofoten Archipelago in northern Norway. Gravdal serves as your gateway to the Lofoten Islands, the western remnants of great mountains that were worn away by glaciers. Lying entirely above the Arctic Circle, the islands' dramatic natural architecture of rocky peaks along with picturesque villages places this archipelago in a league of its own.

Day 11 At Sea

Day 12 Alesund, Norway

Arrive 8am, Depart 5pm

The island of Giske is the reputed birthplace of the great Viking Rollo, who laid siege to Paris and founded the Duchy of Normandy. William the Conqueror was his grandson.

Days 13-14 At Sea

Day 15 London (Southampton)

Arrive 6am