Bucket List - Savor the Northern Lights - Finland & Norway

Nov 26 - Dec 10, 2028

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Full Itinerary Daily Overview Pricing

Erika Commisso

Journey with Erika / Glacial Expeditions

Overview

Start with Christmas in Helsinki, then board the train and head north into Finnish Lapland, where snowy forests, huskies, reindeer, glass igloos and the Northern Lights await.

From there, we'll continue to Tromsø and board HX's Ultimate Norway – Arctic Expedition under the Northern Lights for seven nights of fjords, mountains, islands, wildlife and Arctic adventure.

From Nordic cities to snowy wilderness and the dramatic coast of Northern Norway, this is more than a cruise - it's a journey into the Arctic.

Day 1 · Sun, Nov 26 · Flights Depart the US for Helsinki

Flights Depart the US for Helsinki, Finland

Day 2 · Mon, Nov 27 · Helsinki, Finland

Arrive in Helsinki

Welcome to Helsinki

Our Arctic adventure begins in Helsinki! After arriving, we'll settle into our boutique Nordic hotel and ease into the Finnish way of life. Depending on arrival times, we'll have time to wander through the Christmas-season streets, enjoy a cozy di...

Stay at Hotel F6

Nov 27 – Nov 29

Fabianinkatu 6, 00130 Helsinki, Finland

Tucked just off Helsinki's elegant Esplanadi park, Hotel F6 is a small, stylish boutique hotel that feels wonderfully at home in the Finnish capital. Rather than a large international hotel, F6 has the warmth and personality of a place that feels ...

Day 3 · Tue, Nov 28 · Helsinki, Finland

Christmas in Helsinki

Today is all about experiencing Helsinki. We'll explore the city's beautiful architecture, Nordic design and Christmas atmosphere, with plenty of time for cafés, shopping and local discoveries. And because no Finnish adventure would be complete wi...

Day 4 · Wed, Nov 29 · Rovaniemi, Finland

Checkout

All Aboard for Lapland

It's time to head north! We'll board the daytime train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and watch Finland's landscape gradually transform from city to forest to Arctic wilderness. By evening, we'll arrive in Lapland and settle into our special Arctic ac...

~8 Hr Day Time Train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, Lapland

Stay at Lapland Winter Park

Nov 29 – Dec 1

Lapland Winter Park Resort & Experiences, Olleronvaarantie, Rovaniemi, Finland

Welcome to a world of snow, lights and Arctic magic. Lapland Winter Park in Rovaniemi brings the spirit of Finnish Lapland to life with a festive winter setting where you can slow down, explore and simply enjoy being surrounded by snow. Set agains...

Day 5 · Thu, Nov 30 · Rovaniemi, Finland

The Magic of Lapland

Today we experience the magic of Finnish Lapland. Think snowy forests, huskies, reindeer and the Arctic Circle, with time to explore and enjoy the winter landscape. As darkness falls, we'll turn our eyes to the sky and hope for a Northern Lights a...

Day 6 · Fri, Dec 1 · Tromsø, Norway

Checkout

From Lapland to the Arctic

We'll enjoy one last taste of Finnish Lapland before continuing north toward Norway. The scenery becomes increasingly wild as we leave the forests behind and make our way toward the mountains and fjords of the far north. By the time we reach Troms...

70 minute flight from Rovaniemi to Tromso

Stay at The Dock 69 39 By Scandic

Dec 1 – Dec 3

Skansegata 7, 9008 Tromso, Norway

Welcome to Tromsø, the gateway to the Arctic. Dock 69°39 gives us a stylish and distinctly Scandinavian home base right on the waterfront, surrounded by the mountains, harbor and dramatic landscapes that make Northern Norway so unforgettable. Afte...

Day 7 · Sat, Dec 2 · Tromsø, Norway

Discover Tromsø

Welcome to Tromsø, the gateway to the Arctic! We'll have a full day to explore this lively northern city, surrounded by mountains and fjords. Enjoy some free time, discover the local food and culture, and perhaps make one more attempt at seeing th...

Day 8 · Sun, Dec 3 · Tromsø, Norway

Checkout

The Expedition Begins

After breakfast, we'll make our way to the ship and begin the next chapter of our journey — HX's Ultimate Norway: Arctic Expedition under the Northern Lights. The Finnish forests, snowy landscapes and Arctic adventures of the past week have brough...

Embarkation in Tromso

Discover the gateway to the Arctic Tromsø was the base for many historic Arctic expeditions, including those of Roald Amundsen, and its situation 250 miles north of the Polar Circle has led to it being called the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’. Just like...

About Your Ship - MS Spitsbergen

Named after the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, MS Spitsbergen embodies the history of HX's 1896 'Sports Route' between mainland Norway and Svalbard.

Lodging Options

Dec 3 – Dec 10

4 room options

Day 9 · Mon, Dec 4 · Lyngen Alps, Norway

Exploring Lyngen Fjord & Lyngen Alps

The scenic Lyngenfjord Stretching out to just about 50 miles long is Lyngenfjord, a region of dramatic mountains and valleys, framed by the glacier-capped Lyngen Alps. It’s an incredible place for winter activities. Conditions permitting, you can ...

Day 10 · Tue, Dec 5 · Senja, Norway

Senja

Discover Norway in miniature Senja is Norway's second-largest island, sometimes called Norway in miniature. With its rugged mountains, sandy beaches, dark forests, and idyllic fishing villages, it's easy to see how it earned the name. Keep an eye ...

Day 11 · Wed, Dec 6 · Lofoten, Norway

Amidst the Lofoten Peaks

Svolvær and a polar plunge Anticipation builds as we reach the Lofoten Islands, a winter wonderland of snowcapped peaks rising straight from the sea, narrow fjords, and picturesque fishing villages tucked along them. This iconic coastline is best ...

Day 12 · Thu, Dec 7 · Lofoten, Norway

More Adventures in Lofoten

Experience dramatic panoramas The Expedition Team will seek out the best vantage point to explore the Lofoten Islands from water level. We'll head out in Zodiacs or kayaks, gliding beneath dramatically steep peaks that rise straight from the sea, ...

Day 13 · Fri, Dec 8 · Vesterålen, Sortland, Norway

Vesterålen

Enjoy an exclusive adventure As we sail towards Vesterålen, an archipelago of rolling moorlands and mountains. Here, the Expedition Team will chart the day’s route based on conditions and opportunities, ensuring we make the most of what the region...

Day 14 · Sat, Dec 9 · Tromsø, Norway

Toward Tromso

Experience a final day on expedition We'll stay sheltered in the deep fjords as we make our way back towards Tromsø. Along the way, we have plenty of time to scout out landing sites in our Zodiacs, go on nature walks, and take part in other activi...

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