If you're aboard a cruise ship arriving at the northern Norwegian port of Tromsø, you won't fail to be moved by its spectacular setting amid imposing mountains and pretty islands.

Tromsø is the capital of Northern Norway and is an attractive, prosperous city with a lively student population (it boasts the world's most northerly university - and what is claimed as the most northerly brewery as well).

As Tromsø lies within the Arctic Circle, visitors can experience the beauty of 24-hour daylight between late May and July, and if they are very lucky, the awe-inspiring Northern Lights in winter.

Most buildings in Tromsø are built of wood, and the brightly coloured houses jostle around the city centre, where the 1960s Arctic Cathedral is an outstanding feature against the backdrop of towering mountains. There is a good range of museums, and it's well worth going into the mountains for outstanding views.

Highlights
• Tromsø Museum
• Tromsø Marine Aquarium
• Polar Museum
• Domkirke
• Storsteinen mountain cable car ride

Kirkegata 2
Tel: +47 7761 0000.
Website: www.destinasjontromso.no

Norway is not a cheap destination, but you can find some bargains in the less specialised shops, particularly for general goods such as clothing. Star buys include knitwear, pewter, ceramics and glassware and traditional, handmade reindeer skin boots.

Tax-free shopping is available, although a minimum purchase is necessary to qualify. You can claim partial VAT refunds on departure.

Tromsø is a lively city, well supplied with cafes, restaurants and bars, all of which offer snacks and light meals - seafood, fish and game, including succulent reindeer, are specialities here. For a snack pick up an open sandwich or hot pølse (sausage).

Tromsø has a moderate climate owing to the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift. Inland temperatures are more extreme with warm summers and often very cold winters (November to March). Rain is distributed throughout the year with frequent snowfalls during the winter.

Norway

GMT + 1.

Norwegian Krone (NOK) = 100 øre.

Norwegian.

Arctic Norway, northwest Europe.

65,000.

Constitutional monarchy.

Predominantly Lutheran Protestant with other minorities.

Normal courtesies should be observed. It is customary for the guest to refrain from drinking until the host toasts their health. Casual dress is normal. Lunch, generally a light open sandwich snack known as a matpakke, takes place between 1130 and 1200, and dinner usually takes place at 1700. It is customary for an invited guest to offer gifts to the host/hostess of a meal. Punctuality is expected if invited out for dinner. Smoking is prohibited in all public places.

Tipping: Waiters expect a tip of no more than 5% of the bill.