Polar bears, islets and fjords is the theme of a 1,800 nautical miles long sailing with expedition cruise ship M/S Fram from Longyearbyen on Svalbard in the north – at 78° North – to Bergen in the south – at 62° North.

I was so lucky that I got the opportunity to be part of the ship’s Expedition Team. It has been enormously educational and inspiring to be part of a gigantic logistical operation, to work together with knowledgeable and enthusiastic colleagues, be on excursions with wonderful guests from all corners of the world, and experience these beautiful places in Svalbard and along the Norwegian coast. Landings (going ashore) along the way provide guests great opportunities to explore and discover nature from a different perspective.  Blue ice, mountains, and fjords, dancing northern lights, majestic animals like polar bears, fin whales and eagles, blue sky and hurricane: these expeditions leave a mark.

Looking at the photos, you will see Svalbard is over-represented. With right, it is by far the most exotic part of Norway.

In 2014, we explored Isfjorden with the Russian settlements of Barentsburg and Pyramiden, and icy Hornsund with its many glaciers. In 2015, we sailed northwards, past Forlandet, the majestic Magdalenafjorden, and former Dutch whaling station Smeerenburg, to cross the 80th parallel north at Moffen Island (where there is nothing to see).

On both expeditions, we visited desolate Bjørnøya on our way south to mainland Norway. Via Tromsø, the Vesterålen and Lofoten archipelago, we traveled south along Norway’s long-stretched coastline, visiting Nyksund, Skipnes, Tinden, Svolvær, Å, Reine, Hamarøy, Kjerringøy, and other fishing villages. The magic Trollfjord and hiking at Romsdalseggen were among the many highlights of this trip, which ended in Bergen.