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If you have booked Hurtigruten, the daily passenger and freight shipping service along Norway’s western and northern coast between Bergen and Kirkenes, chances are you have spoken to Eliza Gale, Sarah Field (Hurtigruten Team Leader) or Joshua Hore.
They are part of the specialist and dedicated Hurtigruten team. Get to know these specialists a bit further and discover their insider tips, best travel experience and what they love about Hurtigruten.
What is your best travel experience?
Chasing the midnight sun and witnessing the Northern Lights are the two iconic things you hear when people talk about Hurtigruten and Scandinavia as a destination. Therefore it was no surprise this came up when asking the specialists their best travel experience.
Eliza had previously been on the Hurtigruten voyage to Svalbard Circumnavigating the Realm of the Polar Bear. Eliza described her experience as “everything she could have ever imagined”. Travelling in July allowed Eliza to follow the Midnight Sun and also see Polar Bears. ”The scenery and glaciers look amazing. Being able to see the polar bears in their natural habitat was a bucket list experience” described Eliza.
The ever popular Norway also got a mention with Josh. “Visiting the North Cape in Finnmark, Norway, has been my best travel experience. On our way there I got up early to see the Northern Lights dancing above us” described Josh. “I walked all the way to the northern tip of continental Europe and felt like I was looking off the edge of the world, as a low cloud bank covered the sea below us. I’ve never since felt such a strong sense of adventure”.
Most interesting enquiry?
“Hire an entire ship” Sarah instantly declared when this question was asked. “I was asked the cost to hire out one of the Hurtigruten vessels for an entire week in 2017”. “Any last minute Antarctica enquiries. The thought of going to the end of the world on a whim would be amazing!” Eliza said. With such incredible expedition voyages it would be an amazing destination to visit.
Josh described he had a client who was 22 years old and looking to celebrate finishing university by travelling all over Russia, Scandinavia and Iceland over the course of eight weeks. She explored all the far off corners that don’t get many visitors, from Finnish Lapland, to Arctic Sweden, and the northern coast of Iceland. “She was a real explorer” he said.
Best destination?
“The Faroe Islands” Eliza said. The Faroe Islands consist of 18 rocky, volcanic islands between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic Ocean. “The puffins are so cute” Eliza says, describing the iconic bird that you can visit in this remote destination. “I think our best destination is the south of Norway. In the summer you can take hikes to places like Trolltunga, Kjerag and Pulpit Rock, for some unbeatable views from rock formations jutting out 800m above the fjords below” describes Josh.
The hot destination of the moment was also discussed by the team leader. “My favourite destination is Iceland, also known as the land of fire and ice. I have never seen such contrasting environments in the same amount of space, Iceland has so much to offer for everyone” said Sarah.
Top tip for travellers?
Sarah suggests travellers “take one of Hurtigruten’s photography classes when you get on board”. It will make your photos stand out even more when you describe your epic adventure to friends and family when you get home. Josh encourages travellers to get off the beaten track! “There are some amazing places you can stay” said Josh. When booking Hurtigruten voyages Eliza tells you to, “book your Hurtigruten cabin on the Starboard side of the vessel, when travelling north from Bergen to Kirkenes. That way you will be able to look at the entire coast of Norway and all the scenery it has to offer whilst out at sea”.
Favourite Hurtigruten trip?
“My favourite trip that we operate is the Tri-Arctic National Park Expedition” says Josh. “It’s the best trip we offer for seeing arctic wildlife, there are opportunities you can’t get anywhere else in the world. This trip offers the best chance of any tour I’ve ever seen for seeing polar bears, and in addition you can also expect to see Musk Oxen, Arctic foxes and wolves, Greenland falcons and snowy owls, and countless seabirds. All this in combination with the untouched reaches of the world makes for an unbeatable trip.”
Sarah explained Christmas is her favourite time of the year so her favourite trip would have to be White Christmas in Antarctica. “Christmas is such a magical time of the year, but imagine being surrounded by ice, snow and the most beautiful scenery, and you can’t have a much better Christmas adventure. Even though you are sailing through untouched beauty, on board there are still the normal Christmas festivities that make you feel right at home. This is definitely a bucket list wish of mine, and one which I will do someday.”
For live availability, instant confirmation and best available rates contact our Hurtigruten team direct on 1800 487 844 or hurtigruten@bentours.com.au
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