The Highlights of Norway and Svalbard by Sea

Today you will explore Bergen, Norway's UNESCO gateway city to the fjords. Filled with history and tradition, this big city enjoys a small-town charm and is easily explored on foot. Stroll around the fairy-tale-like old cobbled streets and small wooden houses and discover the well-known, old Hanseatic wharf with its unique architecture.

Bryggen, recognised as the old wharf of Bergen, defined by a line of colourful heritage buildings, the architectural character here saw this area designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. A stop at the city's fish market for a little bit of local hustle and bustle in a picturesque setting will also be part of the tour, as will a trip up the funicular to Mount Floyen for remarkable views back across Bergen.

The history of Rosendal dates back to the 1650s when the nobleman Ludvig Holgersen Rosenkrantz (1628-1685) came to Bergen as Commissioner of War for the Danish king, Fredrik III. At a ball at the fortress of Bergenhus, he met Karen Axelsdatter Mowat (1630-1675), sole heiress to the largest fortune of the country at the time. Her father was a great landowner and had more than 550 farms all over the western part of Norway. Ludvig and Karen married in 1658, and were given the farm of Hatteberg in Rosendal as a wedding present and shortly after, Rosenkrantz started building his own manor. In 1678 King Christian V of Denmark gave the estate the status of the barony – the only one of its kind in Norway. There were more than 500 farms in its domain and an expansive renaissance garden was laid out. The families of Rosendal were important and influential and Norwegian celebrities such as Henrik Ibsen, Hans Gude, Edvard Grieg and Ole Bull were regular exclusive guests of the Barony.

Today the farm has a total area of ​​approximately 1200 hectares, including 200 hectares of farmland and 1000 hectares forest. The residence consists of three two-story wings together built around a square courtyard. The building is now a museum. The garden of the Barony is often referred to as the most magnificent Victorian garden in Norway and around 2000 roses in bloom can be seen from June to November.

The Guddal Galllery, which dates back to 1993, is located at the very charming farm at Guddalstunet just outside then Rosendal centre. It houses exhibitions of the best Norwegian contemporary art and has a section devoted to graphic art, ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles and booksdedicated to around 70 different Norwegian artists. This section is kept updated with the latest work of each artist.

The Kabuso Art Centre alongside the Ingebrigt Vik museum, showcases temporary art exhibitions right in the heart of Hardanger. The exhibitions cover everything from Norwegian national romanticism to international contemporary art. Kabuso also has a wonderful chamber music hall with outstanding acoustics and concerts and other shows are put on throughout the year. A beautiful park connects Kabuso with the Ingebrigt Vik Museum - the sculpture collection of the artist Vik. Vik (1867-1927) is considered one of Norway's foremost sculptors and the art centre is celebrating his 150-year anniversary.

This morning head into Tromso to acquaint yourself with the vibrant city and visit some of its best museums. During the tour you will see the Polar museum and Polaria, the world's most northerly aquarium.

In the evening, from around 6 to 11pm, sail out into the arctic wilds on an expedition boat. The focus will be on finding wildlife and seeing spectacular glaciers under the midnight sun, with a chance of spotting maybe seals, whales, polar bears and thousand of birds. En route there will be a warming expedition dinner at a scenic place.

Transfer to Adventfjorden port where you will board your boat, the TARGA 42/44. Your private expedition will focus on finding wildlife (seals, whales, polar bears and thousand of birds) and marvelling at the breathtaking scenery, which is best experienced from the boat's fly bridge.

Ny-Alesund, which is the northernmost settlement in the world, is today a scientific town where all major Arctic nationalities are present. Walk through the town and enjoy hearing stories and facts from your guide as you learn about the history of this exciting and historically important town. If you would like, there is the possibility of visiting the northernmost shop, post office and telegraph station in the world.

After visiting the town you will sail towards the Krossfjorden where you'll spend the night after a historical landing in Signehamna. Lunch and dinner are included on board. Overnight in a double cabin.

Start the day just beneath a bird cliff where you'll experience both the wildlife and the exciting geology that surrounds you. Your expedition will continue southwards and on your way back to civilization, visit Alkefjellet - the mountain of Auks - and the remains from both the Russian and the Dutch whaling period in Trygghamna. You will then head back to Longyearbyen.

This evening enjoy a delicious dinner on your final night in Svalbard.

This privately guided tour of Norway's capital will be structured with your interests in mind. Your local guide will introduce you to some of the city's most important and interesting sites. You could take a tour of the Viking Ship Museum and learn all about the Scandinavians who explored Europe by its seas and rivers. Stop in at the open-air Norwegian Folk Museum, the country's largest museum of cultural history, where there are a variety of exhibitions of folk art, costumes, toys and Sami culture. Or spend some time in the Vigeland Sculpture Park which boasts more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and wrought iron, all crafted by Gustav Vigeland. You can also take a turn past Holmenkollen ski jump hill and the Ski Museum below it. The museum's exhibitions outline 4000 years of ski history.