Tromso Panoramic Drive

Tromsø - the capital of the North - is delightfully situated on the forest covered island of Troms and very impressive in size, 5 times the size of Oslo, the capital. However, most of the land consists of forests and reindeer pastures. In total some 66.000 people live in the area. "The Gateway to the Arctic" - which Tromsø is also called - used to be the headquarters of seal- and walrus hunters, and the starting point for several Arctic expeditions. Our tour in this interesting old city starts from the pier. After entering the motor coaches we head towards the centre of the town, which is a charming blend of old and new. Wooden, modest houses next to very modern architecture. We pass Tromsø church, one of the largest wooden churches in the North, and continue our drive around the island until we get to the 1220 ms long Sandnessund bridge connecting the Troms Island with Kvaløya (Whale Island). Here you find today Tromsø's most modern suburb, with a backdrop of impressive mountain peaks. Back on Troms Island once more we continue our drive and soon come past the very modern University - the northernmost university in the world with a great number of students from this country and abroad. We cross the bridge over the Tromsø sound where the smaller ships pass under, however, there can be a quite strong current, up to 4 knots... Immediately on the other side lies the beautiful Tromsdalen parish-church, also called the Arctic Cathedral. Approximately half the population of Tromsø live on this side of the sound, i.e. on the mainland and we pass their homes and gardens with a great variety of colourful flowers, which you may find surprising on this latitude!