NORWAY Land of the Midnight Sun

Hurtigruten • ms Richard With May 24 - June 8, 2014

16 Days • 41 Meals

Escorted by Mark Aitchison

Like a crumpled ribbon, Norway stretches along the

northern coast of Europe, offering some of the world’s most

spectacular scenery. Sheer cliffs rise steeply from the

tranquil waters; freshly melted snows from hidden ice fields

cascade down steep slopes, creating feathery streams of

light. Tiny farmhouses cling precariously to the steep

slopes while quaint villages sit nestled in small protected

coves. Like long fingers of the sea, the fjords penetrate

deep into the heartland of Norway, creating watery

roadways to isolated villages.

Join us this spring as we journey to the Land of the

Midnight Sun on board the ms Richard With of the

Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Cruises fleet. Originally

developed to serve the remote communities of northern

Norway, these specially designed vessels are really cruise

ships serving a dual purpose - in addition to carrying freight

for the cities and villages of the far north, they allow

cruisers a unique opportunity to visit these picturesque

settlements while sailing the inside passage to the North

Cape and beyond.

We have limited space on this special departure and our

rates are indeed attractive - we urge you to book early.

INCLUSIVE FEATURES

11 night cruise on Hurtigruten’s ms Richard With sharing a twin-bedded stateroom in category selected

Rail / ferry journey to Oslo

1 night in Bergen at first class hotel plus a city tour

2 nights in Oslo at first class hotel plus city tour

41 meals included as noted in the itinerary (B - 14 breakfasts, L - 13 lunches, D - 14 dinners)

Seven shore excursions - Geiranger, Trondheim, Tromso, to the North Cape, Kirkenes and the Lofoten Islands (2)

Services of your tour escort and/or local guides

Baggage handling at hotels and shipside for one piece of luggage

Gratuities for all included services

All current taxes, surcharges and fees

Comprehensive insurance coverage

Air-Inclusive rates also include:

Return economy class airfare with Air Canada

Transfers between airports, hotels and the ship

All taxes including fuel surcharges and taxes

Airport transfers in Canada or equivalent value

Insurance coverage

OUR CRUISE SHIP - ms Richard With

Richard With is named after the founder of Hurtigruten, Captain Richard With. His establishment of the Norwegian Coastal Express back in 1893 had an enormous impact in life along the Norwegian coast. This ship was delivered in 1993, 100 years after the founder completed his first ever Hurtigruten voyage. Designed to serve the coastal waters of Norway, carrying post, freight and passengers to the world; designed also to serve as a cruise ship, the 11,205 ton vessel can carry up to 623 passengers in comfortable and fully featured cabins. On board there is beautiful art by the famous Harr family. The panorama lounges, Horisont and Syvstjernen, treat you to unforgettable views of the surrounding scenery. There are also Jacuzzis and eight junior suites on board. The ship features include two modern panoramic lounges surrounded by picture windows, located on Deck 4 is the main dining room, a cafe, shops, an internet cafe, a library and a bar/lounge. Self-service laundry facilities are available. Our cabins are comfortable and cozy and they feature twin beds plus a full bathroom with shower.

May 24, Saturday Depart CANADA

Group members from across Canada gather in Toronto for the overnight flights to Europe with a connection to Bergen.

May 25, Sunday Arrive BERGEN / EMBARK

On arrival in Bergen, we shall be met by a local guide and taken first for lunch followed by an afternoon city tour. Norway is a fascinating country known for its incredible landscapes and friendly people. After the tour we embark on our floating home, to begin our cruise up Norway’s inside passage through the Norwegian Fjords, felt by many to be the most scenic cruise in the world.

ms Richard With (11 Nights) LD

May 26, Monday ALESUND

Be sure to rise early this morning to discover the magical beauty of Norway’s fjords. Our coastal voyage, known in Norwegian as the ‘Hurtigruta’, follows the traditional route to service the tiny settlements dotted along the coast. In fact, our ship is carrying mail and other supplies for the various settlements that we will visit. This afternoon we will visit Alesund, a relatively modern port (it was completely rebuilt in Arte Nouveau style after a fire in 1904). Lying on a strip of land, the city has virtually no room to expand but this makes it very easy to explore on foot. There is also a tourist train (extra cost) that you can take that will introduce to the city’s highlights including the view of the town and surrounding islands from Mount Aksla. BLD

May 27, Tuesday TRONDHEIM

This morning, we arrive in Trondheim, a former capital of Norway, and visit the fascinating Ringve Museum of Musical History. The 18th century manor house features an extensive collection of historic instruments displayed in a number of rooms, each furnished according to the period of the famous composer for which it is named. After a brief city tour, including a visit to the Nidaros Cathedral, Norway’s largest dating from 1070 AD, we rejoin the ship in time for lunch as we sail north towards the Arctic Circle. BLD

May 28, Wednesday

ARCTIC CIRCLE / LOFOTEN ISLANDS

Very early this morning we will sail across the Arctic Circle. Enjoy a day of relaxed cruising as we sail by the Borvass Mountains en route to Bodo. Alternatively you can join an optional excursion from Ornes to the Svartisen Glacier, the second largest in Norway. Later today we sail across Vestfjord, cruise amongst the Lofoten Islands, visit a number of small ports and sail the dramatic Raftsund Strait, passing majestic Trollfjord. BLD

May 29, Thursday TROMSO

After a morning of coastal cruising we arrive in Tromso, the ‘Paris of the North’ and a lively university town. Our excursion begins with a cable car ride to the top of the mountain for incredible views of the fjord landscape followed by a city tour including the Arctic Cathedral which boasts one of Europe’s largest stained-glass windows. BLD

May 30, Friday NORTH CAPE / HONNINGSVAG

Today we will experience one of the highlights of the trip, the North Cape plateau, the most northerly point in Europe. Boarding our coach in Honningsvag, we cross a starkly

barren landscape, climbing up to the North Cape, where we will visit the museum and information centre, offering views of the Arctic Ocean. In the evening we re-board our ship and sail past the Cape. BLD

May 31, Saturday KIRKENES

Arriving in Kirkenes by mid-morning, we will enjoy a brief tour of the city and a visit to the Russian Borderland Museum, dedicated to the long and varied history of this region which became quite important during the Second World War. This afternoon the ship will turn around for our southward journey back towards Bergen. BLD

June 1, Sunday NORTH CAPE / HONNINGSVAG

Arriving in Honningsvag, members can join an optional excursion to the North Cape followed by a motor coach tour through the treeless northern landscape (if weather interfered earlier). The ship will continue its journey southward passing the northernmost point of the European continent on its port side. BLD

June 2, Monday LOFOTEN ISLANDS

Disembarking in Risoyhamn late this morning, we will visit the fascinating Hurtigruten Museum and enjoy a special concert at the Royal Neptun Hall before rejoining our ship in Stokmarknes. This evening, taking full advantage of the extended hours of daylight, we have an incredible shore excursion between Svolvaer and Stamsund to see the Lofoten Wall, with its sheer mountain cliffs rising from the sea. BLD

June 3, Tuesday CRUISING

After a busy day, we can to relax on board as our route takes us along the beautiful inside passage, making brief stops at a number of small villages where you may have the opportunity to purchase original Norwegian handicrafts that are often sold near port. BLD

June 4, Wednesday TRONDHEIM / KRISTIANSUND

Arriving in Trondheim early this morning, we have some free time to explore the city centre on our own or join an optional excursion. Cruising beautiful Trondheimsfjord later this morning, we sail by the islands of Grip and Hitra, with their large flocks of deer. Following lunch on board, we can sit back and relax as the coastal scenery unfolds before us. Later today we make a brief stop in Kristiansund, known for its local specialty of salted cod. BLD

June 5, Thursday BERGEN/ DISEMBARK

Enjoy a final day of scenic cruising along the Norwegian coast as we visit Svanoy and then sail across the mouth of Sognefjord and the beautiful archipelago en route to Bergen. On arrival in the afternoon we will transfer to our hotel and have the balance of the day and evening at leisure. Radisson Blu Norge Hotel (1 night) BLD

June 6, Friday Rail Adventure to OSLO

Enjoy another day of spectacular scenery. Departing Bergen, we travel by high speed ferry along the world’s longest fjord, Sognefjord, enjoying the magnificent scenery, en route to Flam. Transfer to the Flam Railway for the hour long journey winding our way slowly up the steep slopes to Myrdal, with exceptional views of Aurlandsfjord. Switching

CRUISE ESCORT

Reverend Mark Aitchison and his life partner, Pattie, have

escorted groups to Israel, Europe, Peru, South Africa and

Greece. They have travelled throughout Europe as well

as to Australia, New Zealand, Turkey and Egypt. Mark spent the last 37 years as a pastoral minister in the

United Church of Canada serving in rural and urban

charges in Ontario and Saskatchewan. During his

ministry he has also served in interim postings in Edinburgh, Scotland and Newcastle, Australia. Currently,

he is Senior Minister at Islington Untied Church, Toronto,

where he has served since 1993. Mark and Pattie are

very excited about this journey to Norway and look forward to sharing this experience with you.

Cruise Cost in Canadian Dollars (per person)

Category/Description/Deck Sharing Twin

Cat I Inside Twin (Deck 3,5 & 6) ................................. $6,095 Cat J Outside Twin (Deck 6, Obstructed view) ......... $6,665 Cat L Outside Twin (Deck 2 &3, Portholes) .............. $6,665 Cat N Outside Twin (Deck 3 & 5, Window) ............... $6,815 Cat P Outside Twin (Deck 5 & 6, Window) ................ $7,175 Cat U Superior Outside Twin (Deck 6, Window) ....... $7,685 Single Supplement ........................... Please Call for Rates

Other stateroom categories are available. Above rates are

per person based on sharing the category chosen. Cruise

only costs are based on joining at the pier in Bergen and

leaving the group at the hotel in Oslo. See Deck Plan for

full details on various categories available. Ask for prices

or visit our website. For your complete cost, add the airfare

noted below to your cruise cost above.

Sample air add-ons from cities across Canada: Toronto....................................................................... $1,775 Montreal / Ottawa ...................................................... $1,895 Halifax / Saint John / St. John’s / Charlottetown ....... $1,995 Winnipeg / Thunder Bay ............................................ $2,025 Saskatoon / Regina ................................................... $2,135 Calgary / Edmonton / Vancouver ............................... $2,075 Victoria ....................................................................... $2,135

Airfares from other gateways are available on request. Refer to Inclusive Features for details.

CT RATING 2 - Moderately Easy: While the cruise is easy, the shore arrangements associated with this cruise include some relatively fast paced walking tours. The rail journey across Norway (June 6) is a long day involving boat and rail travel.

REV16APR14

Prices are based on a minimum 20 members and on rates, taxes and fees effective May, 2013. Prices are subject to change due to factors beyond our control. Our escort will accompany this group with a minimum enrollment of 20.

The price includes the cost of comprehensive insurance ($353 - $458pp) for passengers up to and including 74 years on departure date (rate varies by cost of the trip). Cost supplements will apply for members aged 75 - 85 years (from $210 - $422pp). Clients 86 years and older and/ or clients residing outside Ontario - please contact our staff for procedures. This insurance is effective from the date of confirmation and carries limitations on pre-existing medical conditions. Please discuss your insurance coverage prior to booking.

Please check our website for the most current information. See enrolment form for general information and conditions.

Final payment will be due March 10, 2014. Deposit is $800 per person plus the cost of the insurance.

To reserve your spot on this tour, simply complete the

enclosed enrollment form, indicating the tour you wish to

join and your home city, and forward it with your deposit to:

CRAIG CANADIAN GROUP TRAVEL LTD

1092 Mount Pleasant Road Toronto ON M4P 2M6

Tel: 416-484-0926 or 1-800-387-8890 / Fax: 416-484-8143

Email: cruises@craigtravel.com / www.craigtravel.com

trains we enjoy a box dinner as we continue across the mountainous backbone of Norway, passing picturesque mountain villages and snow capped peaks en route to Oslo. Rica Grand Hotel (2 nights) BLD

June 7, Saturday OSLO

After a sumptuous Norwegian breakfast, we will be taken on a morning city tour, which will include the Royal Palace, the Parliament Buildings, Oslo Cathedral, the Akershus Fortress and City Hall. Highlights will include the Viking Ship Museum and the Kontiki Museum, each marking feats of great Norwegian adventurers. Enjoy a free afternoon followed by our Farewell Dinner. BD

June 8, Sunday OSLO / CANADA

All too soon, we catch our return flights to Toronto where we make connections to our homes across Canada. B