Backed by its famous White Cliffs, Dover is both a busy, modern port and at the same time a quaint seaside village, filled with history, restaurants and shopping. MS Fram is waiting for you in port, check–in opens in the afternoon.

Enjoy the comfort of MS Fram while crossing the North Sea towards Norway. Onboard the expedition team gives interesting lectures about the history and biology of the areas passed.

Stavanger is commonly referred to as the Petroleum Capital of Norway. Its history stretches back to the Vikings and the city was a historical and cultural centre for the region before it became a centre for the oil industry in 1969. Since then, a period of dramatic growth has followed. Today the city is a combination of old and new – here you find modern industries and old buildings – the oldest cathedral in Norway is situated right in the centre. The ship departs Stavanger in the evening, and heads for the unforgettable Hardangerfjord.

Early morning the ship calls at Ulvik, situated in the side arm “Ulvikfjord” of the inner Hardangerfjord. The Ulvik urban settlement has 661 inhabitants. From here MS Fram heads into Eidfjord, especially known for the waterfall Vøringfossen with a free fall of 182 meters. You also find the visitors centre of the Hardangervidda National Park. Leaving Eidfjord in the afternoon, the ship sails out again through the Hardanger fjord, with its 179 km, it is the second largest fjord in Norway.

You arrive in Flåm around noon, a village with only 500 inhabitants. At the inner end of the Aurlandsfjord, this has been a popular tourist destination since the late 19th century. Most tourists come to enjoy the spectacular 20-kilometer Flåmsbana railway between Flåm and Myrdal, one of the steepest railway tracks in the world. A former rail station building in Flåm now houses a museum dedicated to the Flåmsbana railway. From Flåm you sail into the very end of Nærøyfjord to reach the village Gudvangen for an evening visit and spend the late hours sailing out Sognefjord again before turing north towards Ålesund.

Ålesund is a colourful and picturesque coastal town renowned for its charming Art Nouveau architecture. It began after a devastating fire in 1904, when the town was rebuilt in the ornate construction style that was fashionable at that time – Art Nouveau - a style distinguished by elaborate spires, towers of all shapes and highly detailed ornamentation. Enjoy some free time here before sailing in to the Geirangerfjord and visiting Geiranger during the evening.The fjord is one of Norway's most visited tourist sites and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, jointly with Nærøyfjord, since 2005. Along the fjord's sides there lies a number of now abandoned farms. The fjord is consists of several impressive waterfalls including the seven sisters and the bridal veil.

Today the ship sails into Nordfjord, the sixth longest fjord in Norway, 106 km it encompasses the rough coastline of Stadhavet as well as the glacier Jostedalsbreen, Europe's largest mainland glacier. Next we enter Utfjord and Innviksfjord to reach Olden and from here to the lovely valley which stretches south some 20 kilometres between slopes rising to more than 1700 metres to the edge of the Jostedalsbre. Olden has two churches. The one in the village was built in 1759 on the site of a stave church dating from around 1300. The new church, a short distance along the valley, was built in 1934. The day is spent in Olden, and on the way back out to sea, the ship makes a late evening cruise in the Hyenfjord.

Today we make an early morning call at Bergen. Enjoy the day in this international city with small-town charm, surrounded by seven mountains. Stroll through the picturesque streets of Bergen and enjoy the well-known and famous sites like Håkon’s Hall and Rosenkrantz Tower, St. Mary’s Church, Bergen Harbour and the famous fish market. Bergen was founded in 1070, and we recommend a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage famous houses of “Bryggen” (the wharf).

This whole day will be spent sailing around the south coast towards Oslo. Our expedition team will wrap up our on board academic programme, and you may enjoy the lectures, the view from our observations lounge or maybe just relax in one of our out-door Jacuzzis.

Today in the early morning, MS Fram sails up the last fjord of the tour – the Oslo fjord. We will arrive the capital of Norway in the morning and here we bid farewell. On Bygdøy, a short ferry ride from the city centre, you find the Fram museum, where the original explorer ship Fram is placed. We recommend you to acquaint yourself with Oslo and the first Fram before you continue your journey home.