Well… it's official. I can now say I've been to both Antarctica and the Arctic, so I reckon that makes me officially bi-polar!
My latest adventure began in Oslo, Norway, and what a fantastic city it is. Clean, relaxed and surrounded by nature, Oslo has a wonderful balance of vibrant city life and outdoor living. I loved learning about the fascinating history shared between Norway, Sweden and Denmark. These countries have been connected for centuries, from the Viking era through royal unions and plenty of battles along the way. Today they're all proudly unique, but you can still see their shared Scandinavian heritage everywhere you go.
One of my favourite spots was Holmenkollen, home to the world's oldest ski jumping competition dating back to 1892. Standing at the top looking out across Oslo and the fjord is well worth the visit. I also wandered through Frogner Park, home to Gustav Vigeland's fascinating sculpture collection. It's certainly one of the most unique parks I've visited.
I was lucky enough to be in Oslo while Norway was playing France in the FIFA Women's World Cup. The locals were out in force, the atmosphere was electric and it was fantastic to experience the city's sporting passion firsthand.
Welcome to the Arctic
From Oslo, I flew north to Longyearbyen in the Svalbard archipelago – one of the world's northernmost settlements and the gateway to the Arctic.
Surrounded by dramatic mountains, glaciers and endless wilderness, Longyearbyen is unlike anywhere I've ever been. It also marked the beginning of our 'Jewels of the Arctic' cruise aboard Aurora Expeditions' purpose-built expedition ship, Greg Mortimer.
Designed specifically for polar exploration, the Greg Mortimer strikes the perfect balance between rugged adventure and luxurious comfort. Carrying a maximum of just 130 expeditioners, it offers an intimate experience, spacious cabins (most with private balconies) and a fantastic team of naturalists and expedition experts who share their knowledge throughout the journey.
One of the standout features is the ship's unique Ulstein X-BOW®, designed to cut through the swell for smoother sailing. There are also four dedicated Zodiac launching platforms, allowing us to get off the ship quickly and spend more time exploring ashore. Every day was different, and that's exactly what makes expedition cruising so special.
Wildlife Encounters
Our very first Zodiac landing in Northwest Spitsbergen set the tone for the entire expedition.
The scenery was simply breathtaking. Snow-covered mountains, glaciers and pristine Arctic wilderness stretched in every direction. During our morning hike we were lucky enough to spot Arctic reindeer quietly grazing and even an elusive Arctic fox curled up for a sleep in the sunshine.
That afternoon belonged to the walruses.
If there was ever an award for the kings of relaxation, these guys would win hands down! Massive tusks, even bigger personalities and absolutely no interest in moving unless they really had to. Watching them up close was an unforgettable experience.
As if that wasn't enough, we were also treated to an enormous pod of beluga whales cruising through the icy waters. Moments like these are exactly why people travel to the Arctic.
One of the things I love most about expedition cruising is that no two voyages are ever the same.
A surprise landing on the remote volcanic island of Jan Mayen became one of the unexpected highlights of the trip. Rugged volcanic landscapes, dramatic cliffs covered in Puffins (seabirds) and that unmistakable feeling of standing on the edge of the world made it a day I'll never forget.
As we cruised along Greenland's spectacular east coast, the scenery became even more extraordinary. Vast fields of sea ice stretched to the horizon. It's one of those moments where you simply stop talking, take it all in and realise just how remarkable our planet really is.
Our first stop in Greenland was the colourful town of Tasiilaq, nestled amongst towering mountains and surrounded by ice-filled fjords. Home to the largest community on Greenland's east coast, it offers a fascinating glimpse into traditional Inuit culture while being one of the most spectacularly located towns I've ever visited.
Another unforgettable landing was at the remote settlement of Ikasagtivaq. Standing ashore surrounded by glaciers, rugged mountains and complete silence was incredibly humbling. Places like this remind you just how untouched parts of our world still are.
We also explored the breathtaking region of Sermersooq, where every turn revealed another glacier, another iceberg or another jaw-dropping Arctic panorama. Honestly, it felt like every hour brought another postcard-perfect view.
Life Onboard
When we weren't out exploring by Zodiac, there was plenty happening onboard.
The expedition team delivered fascinating presentations about Arctic wildlife, geology and history, adding so much depth to everything we were seeing. The Greg Mortimer also features incredible hydraulic viewing platforms that fold out over the water, giving you front-row seats for whale sightings and seabirds.
For anyone who enjoys photography, this destination is an absolute dream.
Before long we were enjoying our final sea day as we cruised towards Reykjavik, reflecting on what had been an unforgettable adventure. Epic wildlife encounters, breathtaking scenery, fascinating history and experiences I'll be talking about for years to come. A huge thank you to Aurora Expeditions for hosting me on such an incredible journey.
A Perfect Finish in Copenhagen
Rather than heading straight home, I finished the trip with a few days in Copenhagen, and what a brilliant city it is.
Colourful waterfronts, bikes everywhere, fantastic food and a relaxed atmosphere make it an incredibly easy city to explore.
One of my highlights was Tivoli Gardens. It's hard to believe this beautiful amusement park has been entertaining visitors for more than 180 years. The famous wooden rollercoaster has been running since 1914 and is still going strong! It's easy to see why Walt Disney used Tivoli as inspiration when creating Disneyland.
To round out the trip, I visited the Home of Carlsberg, and it's far more than just a brewery. The story of founder J.C. Jacobsen and his son Carl—who decided to build a competing brewery right next door—made for some entertaining history. Safe to say family dinners were probably interesting! Of course, there were a few beer tastings along the way… purely for research purposes, of course!
Would I Recommend this trip?
Absolutely.
If Scandinavia or the Arctic has been sitting on your bucket list, don't keep putting it off. Cruising with Aurora Expeditions is one of the most immersive ways to experience this remarkable part of the world. You get incredibly close to the wildlife, explore places very few people ever visit and still return each evening to exceptional comfort onboard.
For me, it was the perfect mix of adventure, luxury and discovery, and without doubt one of the most memorable travel experiences I've ever had.
If you'd like to know more about expedition cruising or what it's really like to travel to the Arctic, I'd be more than happy to share my experience and help you decide if it's the right adventure for you.