Signature Aviation Spring 2025

elite traveler SPRING 2025 105

SCINTILLA MARIS IN THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS RUGGED ADVENTURES The Norwegian fjords o ff er epic scenery coupled with a wonderful feeling of tranquility. Scenes that have changed little over millennia create a unique atmosphere best enjoyed from the decks of a superyacht. One such yacht cruising the Baltic this summer is the 149.6-ft Scintilla Maris , which was built on a recycled trawler hull. Her seasoned yacht owner created a custom-designed, hybrid expedition yacht witha re fi ned interior. She also boasts all the amenities required for pampered cruising, including a large beach club, multiple shaded deck areas and a large observation platform — the ideal spot to take in the dramatic fjords of southwest Norway. From mid-June to mid-July, there are endless days in the land of the midnight sun, punctuated by just a few hours of darkness, and while the climate and weather are very much in fl uenced by Atlantic weather disturbances, the recommended time for cruising is from early May until late August. Springtime sees the snow line retreat to the mountaintops, leaving meadows and forests scattered with waterfalls and streams that fl owto the fjords. Located on the southwest coast of Norway, the waterfront city of Bergen is the gateway to Norway’s famed fjords. The deep waters provide several unique itinerary options, the most popular of which starts in the colorful harbor and winds through the deep blue fjord waters of Sognefjord, passing sheer cli ff s and cascading waterfalls en route. Stretching more than 127 miles from the sea to the mountains of Jotunheimen National Park, the coastline is dotted with dozens of villages where a yacht can stop. From here it’s a leisurely cruise along Norway’s western coastline with stops at Florø, Måløy and Ålesund, before taking a detour into the Unesco World Heritage site of Geirangerfjord. Continue via Molde, Kristiansund, Torvik and Trondheim and on up to the northern part of Norway and the Lofoten Islands. Part of the Arctic Circle, the approach to the islands o ff ers views of the Lofoten Wall — a 100-ish-mile-long mountain range. The tranquil Lofoten Islands are also a welcome contrast to the buzzing energy of the Arctic capital, Tromsø, where your Norwegian journey aboard Scintilla Maris ends and you disembark. Sleeping up to 10 guests in fi ve cabins, the 149.6-ft (45.6-m) Scintilla Maris is available to charter in the Baltic throughout the summer season. From $175,000 per week plus expenses, burgessyachts.com