How We Brought One Family’s Norwegian Dream to Life (Even Before They Landed)
Some clients just feel like family. “T” is one of them.
This was his 4th trip with us, and by now, planning for his family feels like second nature. We know how they travel, what they love (sailing, nature, history), and—just as importantly—what to avoid (motion sickness on rough seas, we’ll get to that soon).
This time, Norway was calling. T had visited the Lofoten Islands as a young man, and the fjords, jagged peaks, and Arctic light left a lasting impression. Now, as a father of three girls, he wanted to pass on that sense of awe—and add some unforgettable family adventures along the way.
The Brief
- Group: Multigenerational family of 6 (3 kids, 2 adults, 2 grandparents)
- Musts:
- Overnight yacht experience with hands-on sailing
- Whale watching & local fishing
- Puffin-spotting on Røst
- Eagle Safari at Saltstraumen
- A stay at Nusfjord Arctic Resort (client pre-selected this gem!)
- Viking history immersion
- Scenic Lofoten highlights like Reine and Sakrisøy
- Flexibility for self-driving
Sounds simple? Well, it wasn’t.
But that’s what we’re here for.
The Vacation… Almost Didn't Start
Before we even get into the itinerary, here’s what most people don’t know: this trip nearly derailed before they even landed. Their flight was diverted due to bad weather—right before their overnight yacht charter.
Cue panic? Not with us on the case.
Read the full story in our rescue mission post here. Long story short: we re-coordinated transfers, held the yacht, and pulled off a seamless start for a family who had no idea how close they came to missing it all.
A Yacht to Remember
The yacht experience was the crown jewel of this trip—and the toughest to arrange.
T wanted one night onboard, just enough for a taste of sailing life (without triggering full-blown seasickness for the adults). Most Norwegian charters require multi-night bookings, but after a month of negotiation and tapping into our most trusted partners, we found the perfect match.
This bespoke sailing included:
- Hands-on sailing for the girls
- Whale watching
- Local fishing
- An option to sleep onboard or retreat to a cozy lodge
Well, the family loved the yacht so much, they chose to stay the night… until the waves rolled in. The adults spent part of the night turning green, but they still called it the highlight of the trip. Now that’s a story to tell.
Home Base: Nusfjord Arctic Resort
This was non-negotiable for T, and we delivered—and then some. Not only did we secure the beautiful Nusfjord Arctic Resort, but we booked them into the historic House of The Dahl Room—a 100-year-old treasure beautifully restored.
They fell in love with the place so deeply, they canceled planned excursions just to soak it in. That’s the kind of flexibility we build into every trip. Travel should flow with how you feel, not just what’s on paper.
A Walk Through Viking History
The Viking Museum at Lofotr wasn’t just an educational stop—it was interactive, immersive, and built for curious minds. From sailing a replica Viking ship to throwing spears like ancient warriors, the kids (and adults) got hands-on with history.
We design trips that spark learning through experience. And in this case, mission accomplished.
Scenic Lofoten: Where Every Turn is a Postcard
You don’t go to Lofoten without seeing Reine, Sakrisøy, Hamnøy, and Å. These tiny fishing villages are like paintings brought to life, framed by jagged mountains and crystal-clear fjords.
We included the Reinefjord ferry experience too—a hidden gem that connects the remote villages of Vinstad, Kjerkfjorden, Rostad, and Forsfjorden. This gave the family a window into the quiet life of the Arctic and a new way to see the fjords.
Puffins of Røst: Worth the Journey
One of the hardest requests? Seeing puffins.
Røst, the puffin capital of Lofoten, is remote and requires multiple car ferry hops. Summer routes sell out fast, and we had to work hard to secure advance vehicle tickets—missing a single ferry would have thrown the whole schedule off.
But our client? Just followed our clear step-by-step instructions.
Upon arrival, they checked into their cozy hotel before embarking on a private puffin tour that included a lighthouse stop and 4-5 hours of birdwatching magic.
Final Stop: Saltstraumen Eagle Safari
From Røst, we routed the family directly to Saltstraumen, skipping any backtracking thanks to our careful planning.
There, they joined an eagle safari in one of the most powerful tidal currents in the world. Think dramatic cliffs, Arctic seascapes, and majestic sea eagles swooping above. The experience was thrilling, peaceful, and unforgettable all at once.
Client Verdict
“My parents love the private yacht very much. We are very pleased with the crew service. Nusfjord is a spot on. The room is just simply fantastic.”~T
What We Delivered
✔ A multi-gen vacation with something for everyone
✔ A seamless rescue from a nearly disastrous flight delay
✔ A handcrafted itinerary blending comfort, learning, and wow moments
✔ Real-time crisis management and flexibility
✔ Deep logistics knowledge to navigate Lofoten’s ferry maze
Thinking of a Trip Like This?
Whether it’s chasing puffins, sailing under the midnight sun, or exploring the fjords with your kids—we make the impossible feel effortless.
With Epic Travel Designer, you get:
✅ Luxury travel support every step of the way
✅ Thoughtful design tailored to your story
✅ Flawless logistics and flow
✅ Crisis management that you never knew you needed
Let us craft your unforgettable journey.
📩 Contact us to start planning your own luxury escape today.
And if you’ve traveled with us before, we’d love for you to leave us a review—especially on how we handle the not-so-perfect moments. Because that’s when we shine. ✨