Winter Kingdom Norway isn't your typical tour. This is a six-night voyage into the heart of the Norwegian Arctic—a journey where the landscapes are so breathtaking they feel pulled straight from the pages of a fantasy novel, where the Northern Lights dance across the sky like something out of a dream, and where every port stop offers a new story waiting to be lived.
We'll travel aboard the MS Kong Harald, Hurtigruten's iconic Norwegian Coastal Express—a working voyage ship that's been navigating Norway's dramatic coastline for over a century. This isn't a massive cruise ship with endless buffets and Broadway shows. It's an intimate, authentic Arctic experience where the journey itself becomes part of the story. You'll wake up to snow-draped fjords outside your window, watch remote fishing villages appear on the horizon, and fall asleep to the rhythmic motion of the ship cutting through Arctic waters.
But here's what makes this trip different: you're not just sightseeing. You're stepping inside the story.
This journey is built around the work of author Ashley McLeo, whose epic fantasy series has transported readers to worlds of ice, adventure, and magic. Ashley will be with us throughout the voyage—not as a distant celebrity, but as a fellow traveler, a storyteller, and someone who genuinely wants to connect with the readers who've loved her books. You'll have the chance to ask her the questions you've been saving, hear the behind-the-scenes stories about how her series came to life, and be among the first to receive a copy of the fifth and final book in her series.
And because this is Lumina, we're weaving in experiences that go beyond the standard tour itinerary. You'll bedazzle books with fellow readers over laughter and glitter. You'll paint Arctic landscapes while sipping wine and swapping stories. You'll dog sled through the wilderness, stand at the edge of Europe at the North Cape, and step inside a hotel carved entirely from ice and snow.
This is literary travel at its most immersive. We're not just visiting Norway—we're living the stories that inspired it. And you're doing it alongside a group of bookish, adventurous women who get it. Who found refuge in stories. Who crave main character energy. Who want to travel with people who feel like found family, not strangers on a bus.
Winter Kingdom is for the readers, the dreamers, the introverts who came alive in books before they ever held a passport. It's for women who want epic, not self-improvement. Adventure, not a retreat. And a trip that feels less like checking off a bucket list and more like stepping into the next chapter of their own story.
January 15–21, 2027. The Norwegian Arctic. Your story is already being written.
Round-trip journey aboard MS Kong Harald, Hurtigruten's iconic Norwegian Coastal Express sailing through the Arctic coastline.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily throughout the voyage, plus tea and coffee available all day.
6-day all-inclusive package with wine, beer, spirits, and soft drinks—no bar tab to worry about.
Stay connected throughout your journey with onboard Wi-Fi access.
All port fees and taxes are included—no hidden costs or surprise fees.
Glide through one of Norway's most stunning fjords in near-silence, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and dramatic landscapes.
Experience indigenous Sami culture, traditions, and their deep connection to the Arctic wilderness.
Mush through Arctic wilderness with a team of huskies—pure adrenaline and unforgettable scenery.
Stand at the edge of Europe where dramatic cliffs meet the Arctic Ocean—a bucket-list moment.
Explore a hotel carved entirely from ice and snow—like stepping into a fantasy world.
Exclusive early access to the fifth and final book in Ashley McLeo's series before public release.
Supplies and guided session to customize your new book with glitter, gems, and bookish flair.
Create Arctic-inspired artwork while enjoying wine with fellow travelers—creative, fun, and social.
Intimate time with Ashley McLeo throughout the journey—Q&As, conversations, and behind-the-scenes stories.
Flight guidance, packing lists, itinerary details, and connection with fellow travelers before you go.
Airfare to/from Norway is not included. We provide booking guidance and recommended arrival/departure times.
We'll send recommendations for reputable providers.
Hotels or meals before January 15 or after January 21 are not included—tour dates only.
Souvenirs, spa services, additional drinks beyond the package, laundry, and other personal purchases.
Typically €10-15 per guest per day, paid directly on board at the end of the voyage.
At Lumina Literary Tours, we don’t just book trips; we design plot-driven adventures for women who spent their childhoods—and their adulthoods—finding refuge in the pages of a book. Founded by travel strategist Kate Ciullo, Lumina was born from the belief that travel should feel like stepping into the worlds that once saved us.
We specialize in immersive, story-driven group travel that balances "main character energy" with the indulgence of long dinners, coastal villages, and historic castles. Whether we are chasing the Northern Lights in a landscape straight out of a winter romantasy or sharing a private yacht through the Adriatic, our tours are crafted to feel less like a "retreat" and more like a cinematic experience shared with your found family.
