Norway sailing vacation and charter

This truly spectacular voyage will take us way north of the Artic Circle in the wildest area of Norway surrounded by the most spectacular landscapes and marine life you will ever encounter from Sat June 9th to June 16th 2007 under the blue light of the midnight sun!

To allow for a unique travel experience and discovery of Norway, one of the most visually stunning places on the planet, we propose a fantastic itinerary, suggested by our friends of the Oslo Yacht Club. We will discover Norway by train, by ferry and by sailboat following the mythic Northern route to the spectacular Lofoten Islands, voted the second most beautiful islands in the world!

In brief, the program is about the world largest overnight race in Oslo, the intense sailors party that will follow, one of the most scenic train trip of the world through the roof of Norway and its mountains, a Coastal liner (ferryboat) overnight trip through the fjords while crossing the Artic circle, to reach the wild Lofoten Islands, under the midnight sun where we will encounter killer whales, wild flora and fauna in the natural beauty and the wilderness of one of the most scenic landscapes of the planet.

The beginning of the itinerary from Olso to Trondheim is not mandatory if you wish to arrive straight to our boating area in the Lofoten. We will depart for our sailing charter on Monday June 11th. Although we would suggest that you try to arrive prior the departure date, land in Oslo and travel with us to discover on land and at sea this amazing scenery between mountains and seas.

Norway sailing links

Lonely Planet Norway

Wikipedia Norway

Wikipedia Lofoten Islands

Guide the Lofoten Islands

Travel Guide to Norway

Local airlines

Hotels in Oslo

Thon Hotel Spectrum 3*

Hotel Scandic Sjoelyst 3 *

Thon Hotel Terminus 3 *

Norwegian Railways

Rail Map of Norway

Northern Route Cruise

Royal Norwegian Yacht Club

Faerder Race info

Itinerary.

Friday June 8. Not mandatory.

Arrival in Oslo to watch the departure of the Faerder race in the afternoon from the crowded Oslo harbor - the world's largest overnight regatta with more than 1100 boats.

If you wish to race, we have several club members involved and you might be able to get a spot. Just let us know in advance so that we can put you in touch with the organizer's at the Manhattan Sailing Club.

Friday evening restaurant and discovery of Oslo by night. Hotel overnight. We have several accommodations possibilities. Let us know if you are interested.

Saturday June 9. Not mandatory.

Discovery of Oslo

take a train to the south west of Oslo to the harbor of Horten (45 minutes) where the race finishes Sat. afternoon. Big party in the city until late. We will meet our racing team there and will party with them and our friends of the Oslo Yacht Club.

After the party, we depart at 11.05 pm by train from Oslo to the medieval Hanseatic port of Trondheim, where we will arrive in the morning. This is a unique experience on the Northern Europe's highest railway. You will cross the mountains over the roof of Norway from West to East in 7 hours.

It is a breath taking journey and you will get a sense of what Norway is about between the south and west shores. We will therefore sleep in the train and arrive in time to enjoy a typical Norwegian breakfast in the typical town of Trondheim before taking our Ferry boat.

Sunday June 10. Not mandatory.

We board a Coastal liner between 8 and 11 am and will depart at 12pm to follow the mythic Northern route for a 2 days - 1 night trip to the Lofoten Islands through the magnificent fjords of the western Atlantic and Artic shore of Norway. We will make 7 successive stops in typical picturesque harbors along the route.

Lunch dinner and sleeping on board. Party for the artic circle crossing. We will then experience a real midnight sun at sea.

Monday afternoon June 11 afternoon to Saturday morning June 16th

We arrive by ferry in Stamsund and transfer to our boat on the Lofoten Island. Night on board. Discovering of the traditional village and of its bars and welcoming locals.

We will the be discovering the Fjords of the Lofoten Islands a Unesco World site heritage and its spectacular hundreds of miles of natural wonders.

We enter a preserved and protected wilderness. Unforgettable flora and fauna; Sperm whales, puffins and sea eagles... We will try to meet them in their natural habitat.

Saturday June 16th.

Several possibilities.

Ferry back to Bodo and train or flight to Oslo.

Fly from the Lofoten Islands to Bodo and the fly to Oslo.

About flying to Oslo

Thierry has discovered a way to fly from JFK to Oslo for less than $450.00 roundtrip taxes included. Because this is a an exclusive and limited offer, this possibility will be offered only to the crew who will register for this trip.

Regular air fare are available starting at $550.00 with Icelandair if you book at least one hotel night - check out Expedia as you can select easily how many hotel nights you need.

Flight without hotel start at $850.00 from JFK to Oslo with Icelandair.

Note that some flights are available directly to Bodo from London and other European capitals. Check Attitude Travel. They have tons of solutions depending on your travel plans.

Remember as usual the earlier you book the better price you will get.

About Transportation from Oslo to the Lofotens

Note that train rates below are given without discount. You may get up to 50% if you book as a group or 5 days in advance (mini prix).

By boat.

With the "postal" cruise liner, price pp with all meals included is about $280.00 from Trondheim to the Lofotens. You need to add the cost of the train from Oslo to Trondheim which is about $130.00

By train.

Directly from Oslo to Bodo and then with a ferry to the Lofoten Island it will cost you about$180.00 for the train - a 19 hours journey - and about $40.00 - a 3 hours sail - for the ferry from Bodo to the Lofoten. You will have also to wait for the Ferry as there is only 2 departures per day.

By Air.

Flying is the most economical solution although less romantic:

You can fly from Oslo to Bodo round trip with Norwegian.no on Saturday returning the next Saturday for $170.00 including taxes. So far the best deal although prices are going to rise.

There are also local airlines flying directly to Svolvaer in the Lofoten Islands, or to Bodo such as Wideroe or SAS Braathens flying in and back for less than $200.00.

By car.

I tried to get some quote but the rates are so crazy for one way that I wonder if it even worse thinking about it.

About Accommodations

We minimize the need for accommodations.

For those arriving on Saturday June 8th, no need to book a hotel as we will travel by train in sleeping cars, and then by Ferry where we will have cabins. On the way back, depending on your travel plans you may have to book a hotel night on Saturday eve. Those who will choose to take the train from our sailing area back to Oslo will not need to be concerned about hotels as they would sleep in the train.

Let us what your travel plans and we will advise you accordingly.

For the others arriving on Friday check with Expedia as it allows you to reduce your air fare by $250.00.

We found 3 stars hotel right downtown Oslo for $120 per night in double - that is $60.00 per person if shared - such as:

The Thon Hotel Spectrum 3*

The Scandic Sjoelyst 3 *

The Thon Hotel Terminus 3 *

Courses available for this sailing trip

ASA Basic Sailing Class

ASA Coastal Cruising Class

All sailing classes are available at a special price of $300 per person (with a discount of $300.00 versus normal rates at the school in New York).
Packaged classes (2 classes) are available at a special price of $550.

Cost of the Sailing Vacation - Provisioning and menus.

The Charter Cost with one or two classes is $1,650 + classes cost if you wish to take one. You might as well just relax and enjoy the scenery during the whole trip. Note that this sailing vacation week is open to all, members and non members, sailors or not. Although we do need good crew for this trip, ref. "practical information".

Food and drinks, mooring fees are also included at the conditions describes below.

In the cost of the charter are included 7 breakfast/lunches and 4/5 dinners. It is called split provisioning which allow us to get out and discover the local lifestyle and nightlife. We do this together or not. Individual agendas are respected and encouraged as long as they respect the necessity of the board and of the itinerary. That way we can get a real sense of the local lifestyle, and nightlife, restaurants and resorts and discover traditional food and drinks.

Provisioning is organized one week before departure and you need to tell your skipper about your preferences and allergies prior to this date.

A full bar with all sorts of alcohols, and others liquids such as juices and water are also included. Although the cost doesn't include wine and bier (except for the first day) that each crew will have to pay separately.

Why? Because not everybody drinks 12 biers a day, or red wine or white... Because we don’t like to throw things away, because it’s much nicer to go to a restaurant or a bar after a long day of sailing allowing us to discover together OR independently (some of us do need a break sometimes) the areas AND the people around… Because we have done it … and it works.

Note Kevin's comments to his darling Chris on the boat few weeks earlier: "Babe why do we eat better on a boat in the middle of nowhere than in New York City?" Thanks Kev... Check out the picture below. This appetizing Shrimp mango drakar won best prize during the last BVI's flotilla cruise in January 2007. Merci Daniel!

brazil crewed sailing charter the skipper is the cook

To see an Indicative menu select the link. Remember that we adjust with fresh local products - lots of herring and cod … and that we try to accommodate everybody's preference.