Norway in a Nutshell

Norway in a Nutshell: Arctic Adventures, Northern Lights and an Incredible Coastal Cruise

From husky adventures and dancing Northern Lights to spectacular fjords and charming Norwegian towns, my recent trip to Norway was packed with unforgettable experiences!

I’ve recently returned from an incredible adventure in Norway, discovering a little of what this beautiful country has to offer. From the Arctic city of Tromsø to a coastal voyage aboard Havila Polaris and the historic streets of Trondheim, this trip was a wonderful introduction to Norway’s spectacular scenery, fascinating history and unique experiences.

If you’re looking for a holiday that combines nature, adventure, culture and a rather special way of travelling, read on!

Day 1: Tromsø – The Arctic Capital

Our journey began with a flight via Oslo to Tromsø. Oslo Airport is well signposted for transfers, but it’s larger than you might expect, and some connections involve quite a long walk. You also need to clear customs before your onward flight, so I’d definitely recommend allowing plenty of time between flights.

We arrived late, so it was straight to the Thon Hotel Tromsø for a good night’s sleep.

The hotel is very centrally located, with well-furnished rooms and an excellent breakfast offering plenty of choice, including options for different dietary requirements. One little thing to note when travelling in Norway: many hotel beds have one large mattress but two separate duvets!

Discovering Tromsø

Sitting at approximately 69° north, well above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is the largest city in Northern Norway. Known as the Arctic Capital, it is surrounded by mountains, fjords and vast stretches of Arctic wilderness.

Our morning began with a hotel visit to Hotel Dock 69°39° by Scandic, which opened in June 2025. With 305 rooms, it is the largest hotel in Tromsø, and it certainly makes an impression.

The rooftop was a real highlight, with little igloos where guests can enjoy a meal or drinks while taking in the spectacular views. Dining in the igloos needs to be booked in advance, so it’s worth planning.

There’s also an outdoor running track, a jacuzzi overlooking the city and a wellness centre. In winter, the rooftop could be a wonderful spot from which to watch for the Northern Lights, weather and conditions permitting.

Husky Karting: An Arctic Adventure

After a quick lunch, we set off on a drive of around an hour and a half for one of the most exciting experiences of the trip: husky karting!

This is an autumn activity that helps keep the Alaskan Huskies fit and ready for the winter sledging season. We were provided with warm suits and boots before taking turns to drive and ride in the kart.

What an experience! The Huskies were absolutely amazing and clearly loved every minute of it. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and it was a fantastic way to experience the Arctic outdoors.

Afterwards, we warmed up with hot drinks and cookies before heading back to Tromsø.

An Unexpected Northern Lights Display

Dinner that evening was at Egon, a local restaurant, before we headed back to the rooftop igloos for a few drinks.

And then, completely unexpectedly… the Northern Lights appeared!

Tromsø lies beneath the auroral oval, making it one of the world‘s best-known destinations for viewing the Aurora Borealis. Of course, sightings can never be guaranteed, but to see the lights appear while we were sitting on the rooftop was incredibly special.

There was something magical about watching this natural phenomenon light up the sky after such an action-packed day.

It was an unforgettable end to our time in Tromsø!

Day 2: A Coastal Voyage with Havila Polaris

Our next adventure began at the port of Tromsø, where we boarded Havila Polaris for our coastal cruise.

This is not a conventional cruise ship where the focus is on onboard entertainment. Havila operates working coastal vessels that carry passengers alongside freight and supplies to communities along the Norwegian coast. The ships call at ports throughout the day and night, serving smaller towns and villages along the fjords.

Our departure was scheduled for 1.30 am, so it was a very late boarding, and we headed straight to our cabins for some much-needed sleep!

Sustainable Cruising Along the Norwegian Coast

Havila Voyages operates four modern coastal ships, designed with comfort and sustainability in mind.

One of the most interesting features is their large battery systems, which allow the ships to sail for periods of up to four hours with zero-emission battery power under suitable operating conditions. They can recharge while in port, rather like an electric vehicle.

This makes for a particularly peaceful experience when sailing through Norway‘s magnificent fjords. With less engine noise, you can really appreciate the tranquillity of the surroundings and keep an eye out for wildlife.

We were lucky enough to spot several sea eagles along the way!

Dining is another highlight, with locally sourced ingredients featuring in menus that showcase Norwegian cuisine. Breakfast, lunch and dinner offer a choice of traditional dishes and other options, giving you a taste of the regions you're travelling through.

Later that night there was a call on theship'ss tannoy - the Northern Lights were out - and even better than before - everyone was on deck. If you head to your cab,in you can set your phone to ring when they are out, so sowere we in their pj's under their coats who did not want to miss them!

For more information, visit Havila Voyages and explore their coastal cruise itineraries.

Exploring Norway Along the Way

One of the things I loved most about this journey was the opportunity to leave the ship at one port, explore the surrounding area on an excursion and rejoin it further along the coast.

It’s a wonderful way to see more of Norway without having to pack and unpack at every destination.

Harstad and the Vesterålen Region

The following morning was an early start. We disembarked at Harstad at 8 am, even though the ship was only in port for around half an hour, to join our Taste of Vesterålen excursion.

We enjoyed several scenic stops, including Trondenes, an area rich in history. Here, we visited a remarkable 13th-century stone church, took part in a short church service and explored a reconstructed historic homestead.

The excursion also involved a short ferry crossing over the fjord, before we rejoined Havila Polaris in Sortland at around 12.30 pm.

What a fantastic way to travel! You can explore on land while your ship continues along the coast, meeting you at the next port.

Sailing Through Trollfjord

Back on board, we gathered on deck to enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery of the entire trip.

Towering mountains rose steeply on either side of the fjords, with snow visible on some of the peaks. The scenery was simply breathtaking.

One particular highlight was Trollfjord, a narrow fjord approximately two kilometres long. Its dramatic landscape makes it especially memorable, and its narrow entrance means access is restricted to vessels suited to the conditions and available space.

With the ship sailing quietly through this incredible landscape, we were lucky enough to see sea eagles soaring overhead once again.

It was one of those moments when you simply stop, take it all in and appreciate just how beautiful Norway is.

A Short Visit to Svolvær

Our next stop was Svolvær, one of the main towns in the Lofoten Islands.

With around two hours in port, we took the opportunity to step ashore and explore the marina and town before returning to the ship for dinner.

It was only a short visit, but enough to get a feel for the waterfront and the character of this northern Norwegian destination.

Trondheim: History, Culture and Wonderful Views

Eventually, we arrived in Trondheim, where it was time to disembark and continue our adventure on land.

This coastal cruise had been a fantastic introduction to Norway, offering a real sense of the country's scenery, communities and natural beauty. There were no West End-style shows or busy entertainment schedules on board; the scenery itself was the star of the show.

We were collected and taken to Thon Hotel Nidaros, where we left our luggage before heading out to explore the city.

Discovering Trondheim's Historic Centre

We began with a walking tour led by a lovely local guide, who brought the city's history to life as we explored its beautiful buildings and waterfront.

A bus then took us up to the fort, which dates back to 1681 and was built to help protect Trondheim from attack. The views across the city were fabulous.

From there, we could see the magnificent Nidaros Cathedral, so we made our way back down the hill, passing Trondheim's famous bicycle lift — a rather unusual local attraction!

Nidaros Cathedral: A View Worth the Climb

Another guide joined us at the cathedral and took us up the tower.

There were 172 steps, and the staircase was very narrow, but the views at the top were absolutely worth the effort. From every side, there was a different perspective across Trondheim and its surrounding landscape.

The cathedral itself is one of Norway's most important historic and religious landmarks, and visiting it was a real highlight of our time in the city.

Lunch at the Elegant Britannia Hotel

After all that exploring, it was time for lunch at the Britannia Hotel, Trondheim's celebrated five-star hotel.

We enjoyed a tour of the property before sitting down for lunch in the brasserie. It is an elegant hotel with impressive facilities, including a spa and wellness centre, a gym and extensive spaces for weddings, meetings and conferences.

The hotel is also renowned for its afternoon tea, which looked wonderful. If you're tempted, do book well ahead!

A Hike with a Sweet Reward

Fueled by lunch, we headed off for a hike.

Although the walk was only around two miles, it was quite a challenge in places, with uneven, rocky terrain and some steep sections. We'd had some rain, which made parts of the route slippery, so sensible footwear was definitely needed.

Reaching the summit at approximately 552 metres was a great feeling, and the reward was hot chocolate and a cinnamon bun!

Sometimes it's the simplest things that make a trip memorable.

A Wonderful Farewell Dinner

Our final evening was spent at Two Rooms One Kitchen, where Visit Trondheim had arranged a private dining experience.

We enjoyed a delicious three-course dinner with paired wines, making it a fabulous end to an amazing Norwegian adventure.

The following morning brought an early start and our journey home.

Could Norway Be Your Next Adventure?

Although our time in Norway was relatively short, we managed to experience an incredible variety of things: the excitement of husky karting, the magic of the Northern Lights, peaceful sailing through spectacular fjords, fascinating historic towns and wonderful Norwegian food and hospitality.

For anyone wanting to experience even more, the full six-night Havila coastal voyage between Bergen and Kirkenes offers the opportunity to discover much more of Norway's remarkable coastline, with numerous ports of call along the way.

Whether you're drawn to Arctic adventures, wildlife, history, dramatic landscapes or simply a different style of cruising, Norway has so much to offer.

And my biggest takeaway? Sometimes the most memorable moments are the unexpected ones — like sitting in a rooftop igloo in Tromsø when the Northern Lights suddenly appear!

Thinking about your own Norwegian adventure? I'd love to help you explore the options, from a short Arctic escape to a longer coastal cruise. Get in touch and let's start planning your trip to Norway!