The day began a bit blustery with light rain as we approached Vega Island, the largest island in Vegaøyan (Vega Archipelago) consisting of over 6,000 islands. Since 2004, Vega Island has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its historical harvest and use of eider down, Vega Island has been occupied by humans since the Stone Age and today has a little over 2200 inhabitants. The weather improved as the morning progressed which made the several outings we had planned all the more pleasant for our guests. Activities included hiking, historical walks, and nature-based excursions, all of which ended at the relatively new World Heritage Center situated right on the water. There we took in the museum displays and experienced a traditional Norwegian waffle tea service, which was a real highlight. By mid-afternoon we set sail for our next destination.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 03 Jun 2024
Vega Island, Nordland, Norway, 6/3/2024, National Geographic Endurance
- Aboard the National Geographic Endurance
- Arctic
Doug Gualtieri, Naturalist
Doug Gualtieri has worked as a Naturalist interpretive guide for over 20 years, beginning his career in Denali National Park and Preserve at a remote wilderness lodge leading hikes and giving lectures on the ecology and wildlife of that region. Later...
Read MoreDave Katz, Expedition Leader
Dave grew up in a village in the heart of the rural Finger Lakes region of New York and at an early age fell in love with the outdoors. Dave’s mother, a high school earth science and biology teacher turned weekend hikes into informative lessons. The ...
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Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard
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6/4/2025
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National Geographic Resolution
Tromsø, Norway
After a week exploring the most remote corners of the Norwegian fjords, today we arrived in the city of Tromsø, gateway to the Arctic, and we were welcomed by full summer weather —apparently the first warm day of the year—while the surrounding mountains were still completely covered in snow. We set off early and part of the group visited a museum to learn about the history of cod (tasting included!), an important part of life in this region for many centuries. Others went to a dog kennel (because petting huskies is always a great choice) and learned firsthand about the Finnmarksløpet, the most important dog sled race in Europe. Later, we all met at the Polar Museum which holds a rich collection of items from polar expeditions that passed through this city. In those days, anyone heading to or returning from Svalbard stopped here. To make the most of this summer-like day, the galley team surprised us with homemade burgers, which we enjoyed under the sun on the outside decks while sailing through the last fjords before heading out to open sea. And as a little preview of what lies ahead, puffins and humpback whales came to greet us. Svalbard, here we come!
6/3/2025
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National Geographic Resolution
Hellmobotn, Norway
The morning began with a light drizzle at the small Sami settlement of Hellmobotn. Unperturbed, everyone went ashore for beautiful walks surrounded by beautiful waterfalls, birch and pine trees, and large black rocks of the fjord walls. With positivity in the air, the sun came out between the clouds and the day turned out to be gloriously warm in the fjords of Norway. Instead of moving locations after the lunch, the decision was made to enjoy the beautiful weather. Two rounds of kayaks went out and Zodiac cruises zipped along the fjords where everyone was continually captivated by the beauty of Norway.