A Norwegian Odyssey with Lorraine Kelly and Hurtigruten

Mirror-like fjords, Norse myth and legend, that famously warm Arctic hospitality and of course, the elusive Aurora Borealis. If any (or all) of this occupies a spot on your travel bucket list, you may want to keep reading. Hurtigruten are offering you a tantalising taste of it all—and you don’t even have to leave your living room. 

That’s right, broadcasting legend Lorraine Kelly is returning to our screens, this time embarking on an Arctic quest of epic proportions alongside expedition stalwart Hurtigruten. The aptly-titled ‘Lorraine Kelly’s Norwegian Odyssey’ is being broadcast as a three-part documentary on Channel 4, with the first episode airing tonight – January 15 – at 8pm.

It's a match made in heaven. On the one hand, you have TV queen Lorraine, who first fell under Norway’s spell as a little girl, dreaming of Vikings, longships and the midnight sun. On the other, you have Hurtigruten who have taken both guests and goods from Bergen to Kirkenes for over 130 years, as much a part of the landscape as the cascading waterfalls and glassy fjords. The Original Coastal Express route boasts 34 ports, navigating inlets and archipelagos simply impassable to larger vessels, bringing guests much closer to the culture and communities who are the beating heart of this icy nation. For those serious about seeing Norway in all its glory, this iconic voyage remains the most authentic way to do it. 

In this documentary, you’ll follow Lorraine’s journey as she travels from the Art Nouveau port town of Ålesund up to Tromsø, ‘the Gateway to the Arctic’.  Each stop is a revelation, offering both Lorraine and her audience an entirely new perspective on this enchanting nation, one which has been synonymous with Hurtigruten voyages since 1893. 

Highlights include:

• Gliding through Norway’s tranquil fjords aboard MS Richard With.
• Veering from one extreme to the other in Trondheim, with an adventurous kayaking excursion rounded off with a delectable fine dining experience. 
• Harvesting seaweed in Lofoten, side by side with pioneering female founders. 
• Exchanging stories by the firelight in Versterålen, plates piled high with traditional Sámi fare.
• On the trail of the Northern Lights aboard MS Kong Harald.
• Visiting the northernmost distillery in the world (and sampling the Arctic whisky, of course!)

Slowing down, travelling mindfully, grounding yourself in nature and forging connections with those who have made this land what it is today—as Lorraine ventures ever northward, she’ll discover that these are the cornerstones of exploring Norway.

This is armchair travel at its most inspiring….and who knows? Perhaps you’ll feel the call of Norway for yourself. 

You can find out more about cruising with Hurtigruten here.