Community Highlights Europe Norway 2025 in search of Northern Lights

Norway 2025 in search of Northern Lights

Published 10 Sep 2025 · United States Virgin Islands · Comments

in our travels one of the the things I love the most is the people we meet along the way. Years ago we met a retired ship captain from Norway. He said we must come to his country Norway to see the fiords. When our friend Michele listed this trip we said we were in.She had a group of 71.We have met a lot of the group from previous trips. It is always good to see familiar faces.

We left for Chicago at 1000 arrived at Wyndham hotel to park carand ate at Longhorn . Left at 2, short drive to Ohare . Flew British air left at550 pm at airport Michele’s group was ahead of us checking in.

Waited our turn on runway, about half hour. Had a one year old and 2 year old that were kids from hell in front of us. They cried kicked and screamed and ran up isle. Food was actually ok or maybe was free drinks, had BAILEYS IRISH CREAM make that a double please .

MICHELE had aLarge bus for 1 and half hour ride to South Hampton arrived at 0930 we could not check in unto 1 .Michele had arranged a tour if we wanted . The Hotel had notified her that there would be no early check in .She had scrambled to find something for us to do . Might as well go see Stonehenge . A large van with 6 other people took us to Stonehenge a hour drive. We bought a ticket to get in online .

When we got there still had to wait inline to verify tickets. We took a bus
out to see Stonehenge, interesting one of the famous landmarks in United Kingdom. It is a world Heritage site

Left after hour and drove back and was able too check into MOXY HOTEL. Tinyest rooms ever"HAD FREE DRINK AT hotel BAR Walked to old town to a cute pub called pig? Ate outside I HAD BEET SALAD AND Jim had pollock fish with potatoes it was a lovely evening To bed 9pm

Monday Sep 25

Slept great, went down to get coffee and had a lovely breakfast buffet . The sun was out and went for a long morning walk and got a glimpse of Apex docked

Michele had arranged a transfer by taxi to boat, Thankful for all the little extras she does to make our trip run smooth. Did I MENTION Michele and Doug and Maria stayed with our luggage so we could go out and explore yesterday. Also to Connieand Cathy, Bob and Gloria and Maria rock star luggage movers Yesterday

Easy peasy getting on boat have infinity room for first time

Able to drop luggage off in room and off to deck14 for buffet lunch.

We walked around to check out the ship. Stopped to have a drink at the pool bar. we went out to the magic carpet

to have a drink and watch the sail away and met a great couple from Texas. We had dinner reservations at six in the Cypress dining room and they now have a special every night. I had the special shrimp linguine and Jim had a pork chop always good. We enjoyed talking to a Polish couple from New York.

Tuesday Sept 26 Zeebrugge Bruges Belgium

Today we took a ship excursion and started off with two buses, went to a Flemish village and settlement in Flanders, the Dutch speaking region of northern Belgium, and it is often characterized by medieval architecture, canals, Gothic and Baroque styles rivers and canals, are common features with towns like Bruges
known as the Venice of the north for their romantic waterways and bridges

We stopped at a windmill first

Damme.

The 13th century Church known as the church of our lady

Canal rides offer a scenic and relaxing way to travel between Bruges and Damme

We then traveled to the Loppem castle, which is like traveling through time and a trip around the world rolled one, the Neil Gothic interiors walking up a stately staircase. You reach the first floor and you could see how the family lived and where King Albert and Queen Elizabeth stayed in 1918.

The impressive castle said in a romantic park with ponds and a maze

Off to a chocolate store called Roose. It was the best chocolate, it was tucked away, and it was a small Haven of delight the aroma as we stepped into the shop was powerful. We went around tasting because we didn’t have much time to buy. We had samples of everything and it was delicious. We had our arms full of chocolate and checked out for our last stop of the day

Wednesday Sept 27 Sea day

We usually eat breakfast in dining room love being pampered

Had a frittata and fruit

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Walked outside on the walking track.

Ate inside at dining room with Karla,Sue and Chris for lunch. The mushroom soup is to die for

EDEN

The show Christalize was spectacular

Enjoyed sunset from balcony

Thursday, 28 September

Alesund is a picturesque Norwegian city on the West Coast known for its distinctive art nouveau architecture, which was built after a devastating fire in 1904. It’s located on several islands and has stunning views of the surrounding fields and mountains. today it thrives as a center for fishing and seafood processing.

As we journey through the Valldal we will stop at the Gudbrand gorge, a breathtaking natural spectacle, where a rushing river carves through narrow ravine far below

Well then continue along the Norddalsfjiord to Valldal a valley celebrated for its delicious strawberries.

we will stop at trolls Steinman for lunch and a panoramic view.

Then we will descend the iconic Trollstigheimen road a marvel engineering with 11 hairpin turns flanked by the majestic bishop King queen peaks This road took eight years to complete. We will stop at the all inspiring Stigfossen waterfall cascading 320 meters down the mountain side
We did start till 10:30 AM

Island of Godoya the drive was pretty exciting and special as she would go underneath some sea tunnels that were quite long

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Gudbrandsjuvet is the name of a small but scenic gorge

hairpin bends Charleston Mountain Road features 11 hairpin pins and is one of Norway‘s 18 national scenic routes it made for an interesting drive in a large bus

We ate dinner with Michele and Doug and Maria and Cindy and Terry in the Tuscany

Friday the 29 th

it was a misty morning and felt dream like as we we’re enveloped in clouds,started out on the train
Today Michele had the flam railroadFlamsbana scheduled for us. We had an early time of 8 o’clock. It is a very famous spectacular scenic train ride in Norway that goes from Flam am at the head of Aurlandsfjord QX Ford to the mountain station Myrdal It is known for breathtaking use of fjords expired shrimp, waterfalls and mountains. It offers a unique and memorable travel experience. It was constructed and involved during engineering, including 20 tunnels, it was built between 1923 to 1940.

enjoyed talking to Ester and Richard from Carolina on train

Ina

Saturday 30 was a sea day

Delicious apple pancakes

it was to cold 59 degrees. so I walked inside Jim went to seminar. I had a pear ginger ice tea people watching .we hung out in Eden and Jim played cards. Ate with group from Wisconsin in Tuscany for supper what a fun group.

at 1030 woke up by helicopter air lifting a patient off the ship.I said prayers for the Thursdayfamily and wish there was a way to know how he was doing.

Sunday, August 31 Tromso Norway, this colorful Norwegian city is located above the aorta article circle. It

The cruise to Tromso is mind bending .Another jaw dropping view around each bend.

We had reindeer running in front of us

Monday, September 1, 2025

Honningsvag Norway located on the island of Magura Honningsvag is the northern most city in mainland Europe this rugged yet charming town features brightly painted wooden buildings with a surrounding landscape characterized by expensive tundra, breathtaking, fjords, and waterfalls and dense forest the tiny fishing town was completely rebuilt after World War II and is one of the best places to experience the midnight sun a phenomenon where the sun doesn’t set in the summer, providing continuous daylight

We took abus up to North Cape

Lucky it was sunny and in low 50 degrees we got there early it was about an hour bus ride to the North Cape, the north most point of mainland of Europe, experiencing the sense of standing at the continents end.

Northcape or Nordkapp is a jet out of rock the landscape getting there with characterized by Rocky tundra and grazing reindeer owned Sami reindeer herding is a traditional aspect of the SAI culture SAMI culture uses every part of the reindeer, utilizing the meat for food hides for warmth and crafts and bones and antlers for tools in art only SAMI people have the legal rights to her reindeer in Norway

The iconic globe monument stands at Cliff’s edge. We went there first since it wasn’t busy to get pictures.

The plateau provides breathtaking views of BARENTSC no dry land between the Cape and North Pole North Cape Hall or North Capanelle underground visitor center had a movie museum in a post office

Honningsvag fishing village

September 2 aortic Circle cruising today things Wednesday

Tonight is the night where the stars ailining and we have our best chance to see the northern lights.we bundled up and went to the back of the ship. it was so exciting you would hear someone gasp and then there would be the light that you could see really better through your camera than with a naked eye as we stood there you got more acustom and knew what you were looking for it was easier to to see them. it was a little early in September too to see them, but the we were gifted to an experience of the northern lights that was epic I’ll never forget. I feel so lucky to have experienced this special phenomena pinch me. Is it real? blessed we went to bed with smiles on our face.

tonight we went to show headliner Kerry Bethany the Cruise Director. Corinne said that tonight might be the night to see the northern lights.

Wednesday Sept 3

Trondheim woke up to the island of MUNKHOLMEN also known as monk islet It’s located just off the coast of Trondheim
This small island has a rich and varied history. Having served as a site for Viking era X executions a Benedict monastery, a fortress and a prison and a World War II anti-aircraft station today. It’s popular tourist, destination, and recreational area featuring a beach restaurant and guided tours

Trondheim is known for its historical significance is a former Viking capital and medieval pilgrimage site

The Nidaros it is in the Romanesque and Gothic style Cathedral in Norway is a national shrine where Kings and Queens were crowned. In fact it is a 1300 year-old cathedral was first Catholic and is now a Lutheran Church.

The rose window depicts the last judgment with a red central field symbolizing Christ

The high ribbed, Gothic vaulted ceiling constructed with intricately carved stones and pointed arches which became a defining feature as a cathedral transition to the Gothic architectural style

The old town Bridge is known locally Gamibybro this charming wooden bridge also referred to as the portal of happiness. It offers scenic views of the colorful warehouse is lining the NIDELVA river.

We ended our tour with a visit to Sverresborg Trendalag folk museum and open air museum that features over 80 historical buildings we wandered through the recreated old town with wooden houses from downtown Trondheim. We strolled along the farmsteads and the historical houses and explored the SAMI collection. this was all set around the ruins of a medieval castle and offered a picture ass background of the trend lags region countryside, and completed the journey