AIA Tours: cruise

Highlands, Islands & Fjords

Tour Dates: June 29 - July 11, 2027 (13 days)

Tour Leader(s): Colleen Batey ,

From the Scottish Highlands to Norway’s Coastal Splendor

Aboard the 59-suite Hebridean Sky

Join us for an extraordinary 10-night voyage from Scotland to Norway aboard the intimate, 59-suite Hebridean Sky. Cruise through spectacular fjords, visit remote islands and historic coastal communities, and discover the archaeology, history, and natural beauty of the North Atlantic—all under the glow of the Midnight Sun.

Dr. Batey, archaeologist and AIA lecturer/host, will be part of a team of onboard experts who together will share knowledge and insights through a series of lectures and informal discussions. Delight in cruising for ten nights aboard the elegantly appointed Hebridean Sky, well-suited for navigating Norway’s coastal waters in comfort. The ship’s 59 exceptionally spacious suites are all outward-facing, with select accommodations offering private balconies. A highly attentive crew provides exceptional service.

This program is co-sponsored by other organizations, so I encourage you to contact AIA Tours today at aia@studytours.org or 800-748-6262 for your preferred suite.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • LINGER in Norway’s most beautiful fjords including Sognefjord, Norway’s longest; Hardangerfjord, the “Queen of Fjords”; and Lysefjord beneath Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock).
  • UNCOVER layers of ancient history with visits to Scotland’s mysterious Pictish Stones; the prehistoric and Norse settlement of Jarlshof in the Shetland Islands; Stavanger’s world-renowned Archaeological Museum; and the Hopperstad Stave Church, one of the oldest in Norway.
  • WATCH for extraordinary wildlife — puffins, gannets, and sea eagles overhead, and minke whales, porpoises, and seals in the waters of Norway’s southern fjords in summer.
  • DISCOVER Loen’s Kjenndal Valley, with sweeping glacier views, serene lake crossings, and a breathtaking ride on the Loen Skylift.
  • EXPLORE the valleys and farms of Sunnfjord, a quieter, more intimate fjord experience; and connect with local life during a day in Bygstad, a quiet inland community seldom visited on cruise itineraries.
  • CALL ON Rosendal for an opportunity to walk in beautiful Hatteberg Valley or take in the icy magic of Folgefonna Glacier. STEP ASHORE at peaceful, picturesque towns, fishing villages, and farms off the beaten track—splendid Art Nouveau Ålesund, set on a cluster of coastal islands, and charming Lillesand, for its picturesque collection of traditional, white-painted, wooden houses.

The program is co-sponsored by other organizations, so I encourage you to contact us today at (800) 748-6262 or aia@studytours.org to reserve your preferred suite or stateroom.

Hebridean Sky

Hebridean Sky
The Hebridean Sky has 59 exceptionally spacious and well-designed suites. Each suite has ocean views, and several suites have private balconies. All suites feature a sitting room, ensuite bathroom, flat screened TV, spacious wardrobes, a dressing table, and beds that can be configured as twins or a double. After a major refurbishment in 2016, and further enhancements since, the Hebridean Sky now boasts beautifully designed public spaces including a large lounge, elegant club and bar with piano, library, and two outdoor seating areas. An elevator services all passenger suite decks. Onboard chefs prepare international and regional cuisine served at a single open seating in the Restaurant or on the Lido Deck, weather permitting. A friendly crew provides exceptional service with a 1:2 crew to passenger ratio. The ship features advanced satellite navigation and communication equipment, roll stabilizers, and a fleet of Zodiacs to access remote shorelines and islands.

Suite Category Rates (per person, 11 nights)

Cat.DescriptionDoubleSingle
AStandard suite (Forward suites 250 & 252) 226 sq ft, portholes$10,990$17,590
BStandard Suite (suites 254-262) 226 sq ft, portholes$11,990$19,190
CSuperior Suite (suites 329-347) 237 sq ft, picture window$13,990$22,390
DPremium Suite (suites 416-428) 226 sq ft, picture window$15,990
ECorner Suite (suites 411 & 415) 237 sq ft, picture windows$17,490
FDeluxe Balcony Suite (suites 505-511) 225 sq ft plus 43 sq ft balcony$18,990
GOwner’s Balcony Suite (suites 601-605) 237 sq ft plus 86 sq ft balcony$20,490
HHebridean Suite (suite 602) 264 sq ft plus 101 sq ft balcony$22,490

Space is very limited, please call to inquire about suite availability.
To reserve your space using the online form, click here.
For reservations or questions, please email us at aia@studytours.org (and include your full name) or call us toll-free at (800) 748-6262 (toll: 603-756-2884).

Ålesund, Norway

Flowers in Norway

Jarlshof, Scotland

Sognefjord in Norway

Stave church in Norway

Two Atlantic puffins on the island of Runde, Norway

Itinerary


Tuesday, June 29 – Wednesday, June 30: DEPART HOME / ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND

Thursday, July 1: ABERDEEN / EMBARK HEBRIDEAN SKY

Friday, July 2: LERWICK, SHETLAND ISLANDS

Saturday, July 3: VIK, SOGNEFJORD, NORWAY

Sunday, July 4: ÅLESUND

Monday, July 5: LOEN

Tuesday, July 6: BYGSTAD

Wednesday, July 7: ROSENDAL

Thursday, July 8: HARDANGERFJORD, “QUEEN OF THE FJORDS”

Friday, July 9: LYSEFJORD & STAVANGER

Saturday, July 10: LILLESAND

Sunday, July 11: OSLO / DISEMBARK / HOME


PRE-TOUR EXTENSION: June 26–30, 2027
THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

Pre-Tour Extension Rates (Per Person)
Double Occupancy: $3,590 / Single Occupancy: $4,780

POST-TOUR EXTENSION: July 11–14, 2027: ART & ARCHAEOLOGY IN OSLO

Post-Tour Extension Rates (Per Person)
Double Occupancy: $2,990 / Single Occupancy: $3,785

View Detailed Itinerary

Tuesday, June 29 – Wednesday, June 30
DEPART HOME / ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND
Depart home on overnight flights to Aberdeen, Scotland. Arrive in Scotland’s historic “Granite City” on June 30th and transfer to the heart of the city for an overnight stay. In the evening, gather with fellow travelers for a festive welcome orientation and reception. Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel and Spa (R)

Thursday, July 1
ABERDEEN / EMBARK HEBRIDEAN SKY
Spend the morning exploring Old Aberdeen, including St. Machar’s Cathedral, or take an excursion along the Pictish Stones Trail to see intricately carved relics of Scotland’s ancient people. Enjoy a traditional Scottish lunch before embarking our ship and cruising in the evening toward the Shetland Islands. Hebridean Sky (B,L,D)

Friday, July 2
LERWICK, SHETLAND ISLANDS
Arrive this morning in Lerwick, capital of the Shetland Islands, to explore its lively harbor and Norse heritage. Visit nearby Jarlshof, an extraordinary archaeological site spanning 4,000 years from ancient dwellings to Viking longhouses. Return to sea this afternoon as the lecture series begins and gather this evening for the Captain’s welcome reception and dinner. Hebridean Sky (B,L,R,D)

Saturday, July 3
VIK, SOGNEFJORD, NORWAY
Wake this morning in Norway, cruising majestic Sognefjord, the country’s largest and deepest fjord. Come ashore in the village of Vik to visit the ornate Hopperstad Stave Church, the 12th-century Hove Stone Church, and the ancient Mohaugane burial mounds. Sample “gamalost,” a traditional Viking-era cheese, still crafted locally, before spending the afternoon on deck cruising through dramatic fjord scenery and attending enriching lectures. Hebridean Sky (B,L,D)

Sunday, July 4
ÅLESUND
Enjoy a relaxing morning at sea as the lecture series continues. Following lunch onboard, spend the afternoonin Ålesund, one of Scandinavia’s most picturesque towns,celebrated for its fairytale Art Nouveau architecture rebuiltafter the great fire of 1904. Ålesund offers three optional excursions: 1. a visit to a historic World War II bunker carved into the mountain above the city; 2. a coach tour through the scenic Giske Islands; or 3. an in-depth guided walking tour of the city, including Mt. Aksla, followed by free time to explore at leisure. Hebridean Sky (B,L,D)

Monday, July 5
LOEN
Disembark in the beautiful village of Loen for a drive through the dramatic Kjenndal Valley for a boat cruise across Loen Lake, surrounded by towering peaks and glacier arms. Enjoy homemade waffles at Kjenndalsbre Fjellstove before continuing to the Kjenndalsbre Glacier viewpoint, an arm of the mighty Jostedals Glacier. Return to Loen for a free afternoon to explore independently—perhaps riding the cable car for sweeping fjord views—before an evening cruise through Nordfjord. Hebridean Sky (B,L,D)

Tuesday, July 6
BYGSTAD
Our lecture series continues this morning while cruising to Bygstad, an inland community where ships seldom venture and home to the hidden gem of Sunnifjord. Come ashore for a guided valley walk past cascading waterfalls, emerald pastures, and idyllic farms framed by steep mountains. Visit local homesteads to learn about life in this fjord land community where traditions endure. Hebridean Sky (B,L,D)

Wednesday, July 7
ROSENDAL
Choose from a variety of excursions today: 1. visit the elegant Baroniet Rosendal, Scandinavia’s only Renaissance-era manor, where formal gardens and aristocratic history reveal Norway’s ties to continental Europe; 2. discover the power of ice at the Folgefonna Glacier & Nature Center, offering insight into Norway’s dramatic glacial landscapes; or 3. hike the scenic Hatteberg Valley, surrounded by waterfalls, forests, and soaring mountains. Hebridean Sky (B,L,D)

Thursday, July 8
HARDANGERFJORD, “QUEEN OF THE FJORDS”
Arrive this morning in Hardangerfjord, one of Norway’s most celebrated fjords, for its breathtaking combination of snow-crowned peaks, thundering waterfalls, and fertile orchards. Disembark in the traditional village of Eidfjord, with the chance to visit Hardangervidda Nature Center and the roaring Vøringsfossen Waterfall, one of Norway’s most spectacular. Hebridean Sky (B,L,D)

Friday, July 9
LYSEFJORD & STAVANGER
Awake in picturesque Lysefjord, cruising its 23-mile length beneath the towering cliffs of Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) and Kjerag Mountain. Continue to Stavanger, the coastal gem of southern Norway, to stroll the cobbled streets of the colorful old town or visit the  Archaeological Museum’s rich treasure trove of Viking-era artifacts. We cruise late tonight, allowing time for a final evening ashore in Norway. Hebridean Sky (B,L,D)

Saturday, July 10
LILLESAND
Enjoy a final lecture from our expert team before arriving in Lillesand, a quintessential Norwegian summer town. Thanks to our smaller ship, we dock in the heart of town and step directly into its charming streets for a guided walking tour. Wander among white-painted wooden houses, inviting boutiques, and cozy cafés, with the option to enjoy lunch ashore. This afternoon, cruise toward Oslo through pinefringed skerries, red boathouses, and quiet summer cottages along Norway’s southern coast. Gather this evening for the Captain’s farewell reception and dinner. Hebridean Sky (B,L,R,D)

Sunday, July 11
OSLO / DISEMBARK / HOME
After breakfast, disembark in Oslo. Travelers may transfer to the airport for flights home or join an optional post-tour extension in Oslo. (B)

PRE-TOUR EXTENSION
June 26–30, 2027
THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
Spend three nights in historic Inverness at the Kingsmills Hotel dating back to 1785. Cruise the legendary Loch Ness, explore Urquhart Castle, and tour a top malt whisky distillery. Wander through an estate hailed by David Attenborough as “one of the glories of wild Scotland,” and stroll the grounds of Balmoral Castle, home of the Royal Family since the 1800s. Adventure and history await around every corner.

Pre-Tour Extension Rates (Per Person)
Double Occupancy: $3,590 / Single Occupancy: $4,780

POST-TOUR EXTENSION
July 11–14, 2027
ART & ARCHAEOLOGY IN OSLO
After disembarking from the Hebridean Sky, explore Norway’s capital city of Oslo for three nights, staying at the elegant and historic Grand Hotel, opened in 1874, and for over 140 years the host to international guests, world leaders, celebrities, and Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Highlights include Vigeland Sculpture Park, Norsk Folkemuseum, and the Fram Museum of Polar Exploration.

Post-Tour Extension Rates (Per Person)
Double Occupancy: $2,990 / Single Occupancy: $3,785


For reservations or questions, please email us at aia@studytours.org (and include your full name) or call us toll-free at (800) 748-6262 (toll: 603-756-2884). To reserve your space using the online form, click here.

support Us

The AIA is North America's largest and oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to archaeology. The Institute advances awareness, education, fieldwork, preservation, publication, and research of archaeological sites and cultural heritage throughout the world. Your contribution makes a difference.