Well, after a couple of years of Covid madness and closed borders, it’s time to find the photography mojo again in 2023. I had planned the most amazing Lapland tour for 2021, taking in Finland, Sweden and Norway, but that has now given way now to a winter return to Norway in 2023. This trip to Norway of course includes the amazing Lofoten, but extends further north to Tromso.

Days 1-3

The trip will start with a night in Oslo, before a flight to Bodo, and another flight across to Svolvaer. On arrival in Svolvaer I will be picking up a hire car and heading to an AirBnb in the heart of Svolvaer. Three nights here provides the opportunity to explore North, certainly to Sildpolsnes, and likely if conditions allow as far as Digermulen. There is an opportunity here also to take a boat tour to the Trollfjord and photograph Sea-Eagles. Weather is of course a determining factor, but I will likely use my time here to head to Gimsoy as well, and of course to chase the Northern Lights.

Days 4-5

From Svolvaer, I head south. I will detour off the E10 to Henningsvaer, and take further opportunity to take turns off the E10 to visit places I have not particularly focussed on before. This trip is very much around exploration, and new locations and compositions. Travelling on my own gives me freedom to just follow whatever roads I want to. My destination here is for two nights near Leknes at Ure where I have a nice cabin booked right on the waterfront overlooking little orange cabins and off shore skerries.

These two days is to take in the landscapes around Leknes. This will include the round trip from Ure to Stamsund and Valberg, and also to return to Haukland and Uttakliev beaches, and possibly Unstad. I also want to explore a little around Ballstad.

Day 6

From Ure/Leknes, I head further south to the beautiful fishing village of Nusfjord and a stay at the Nusfjord Arctic Resort. This is such a stunning location with Storvatnet as the lead into the village with its towering mountains and frozen waters, and then the rustic beauty of Nusfjord itself. My cabin is positioned beautifully along the old harbour.

Days 7-12

From Nusfjord I head down to Reine/Hamnoy for 5 days, perhaps the prettiest location in all of Lofoten. A base here sets me up to go to A, Fredvang, Skagsanden, Ramberg and all the little towns in between. I am spending 2 nights right in Reine, simply to take advantage of the location for lots of wandering locally, and it is right next to a lovely cafe that serves the most beautiful sweet desserts. After 2 nights in Reine, I have 3 nights at Eliassen in Hamnoy. I hope in Reine and Hamnoy to get some exquisite light for those classical Lofoten photos.

Days 13-15

From Reine I head back towards Svolvaer with a night in Henningsvaer and an opportunity to explore this beautiful fishing village. It is then back to Svolvaerfor 1 night, before boarding the Hurtigruten for an overnight cruise up past Senja to Tromso.

Days 16-19

I spend 4 nights in central Tromso, right on the waterfront. I will take the time to explore the city. This will certainly include a trip up the Cable Car at Fjelheisen, and possibly a Northern Lights tour. Whilst later in the Tromso area, and of course prior in Lofoten, I will have been hunting the northern lights on my own, this may be an opportunity to have someone else do the driving and have a shared adventure. I may also taken in another tour here to see a little more of the region without having to do the driving myself.

Days 20-24

After 4 days in Tromso city, I’ll pick up a hire card and take a short drive West to Kaldfjord for 4 nights in a lovely AirBnB right by the fjord. From here I hope to get some magical shots of the Northern Lights, but further to explore some of the fjords to the north, and to the south west of Tromso. There will then be one more night at Ersfjordbotn for a little more exploring and Northern Lights photography.

Day 25

I begin the journey home flying from Tromso back to Oslo. A night in Oslo, and then all the way back to Melbourne.

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Norway 2023