Holiday Insights for the Discerning & Nostalgic Traveller

Most travel advice tells you where to go. We help you decide what’s actually right for you.


At Suitcase Travel, our insights are built on first-hand experience, honest client feedback, and years of designing tailor-made trips. From side-by-side comparisons to the questions people really ask—like which Orient Express journey to choose or whether a river cruise is worth it—we give you the clarity to book with confidence.

Holiday Insights

Ancient stone temple ruins by a river, with a palm tree and blue sky
September 13, 2026
Compare Nile cruise styles including Dahabiyas, luxury hotel ships and Uniworld river cruises. Discover which Nile cruise is best for your Egypt holiday and get expert advice from Suitcase Travel.
By Mike Silford • September 3, 2026
Which Hurtigruten Cruise Is Right For You? You’ve decided you want to see the Norwegian coast. You’re considering Hurtigruten. And now the difficult bit starts. The Original Coastal Express, the North Cape Line, the Svalbard Line, the Arctic Line, the Arctic Circle Explorer and the Inner Fjords Explorer can all look surprisingly similar when you first start comparing them. Some travel north, some south and some both ways. Some call at dozens of ports, while others spend much longer in fewer places. Some include drinks. Some do not. And the route names do not always tell you quite as much as you might expect. You may also be wondering whether Hurtigruten is really for you. Perhaps you have never been attracted to traditional cruising. You may picture formal evenings, crowded pool decks, casinos, theatre shows and thousands of people onboard. Hurtigruten is very different from that. I’m Mike Silford, Managing Director of Suitcase Travel. I have sailed the Original Coastal Express, while my daughter Penny has travelled on the Signature North Cape Line. Between us, we have experienced both sides of Hurtigruten and helped more than 1,000 customers plan these holidays. So our advice comes not only from our own trips, but from years of hearing what customers loved, what surprised them and what they wished they had known before booking. In this guide, I’ll explain how Hurtigruten works, the difference between Original and Signature, which routes I would consider for different kinds of traveller, the best times to go, what the Northern Lights are really like, which excursions are worth paying for and what life onboard is actually like. By the end, you should have a much clearer idea of which Hurtigruten voyage is likely to suit you, and which ones you can probably rule out. What’s in this guide? This is a detailed guide, so you do not need to read it from beginning to end. Use the links below to go straight to the section that is most useful to you. Why see the Norwegian coast with Hurtigruten? Understanding Hurtigruten: Original Coastal Express or Signature? Hurtigruten routes compared The Original Coastal Express The North Cape Line The Svalbard Line The Arctic Line The Arctic Circle Explorer The Inner Fjords Explorer Which Hurtigruten route should you choose? When should you travel? What are the Northern Lights actually like? Hurtigruten excursions: which are worth booking? What is life onboard Hurtigruten actually like? Let me help you choose the right Hurtigruten voyage FAQs
By Mike Silford • February 10, 2025
Feeling overwhelmed by river cruise options? You’re not alone. Every company seems to promise the same:...
By Mike Silford • November 28, 2024
Standing beneath the towering Bukhara Minaret, I feel as though I’m stepping into the pages...
By Mike Silford • June 6, 2024
Considering your first European river cruise? Do you have absolutely no idea where to start?
By Mike Silford • May 22, 2024
The Best Cruise for Northern Lights The Norwegian Coastal Voyages operated by Hurtigruten and Havila...
By Mike Silford • November 9, 2023
The World’s Most Scenic Autumn Rail Journeys Autumn is well and truly here
By Mike Silford • May 23, 2022
There are many River Cruise Lines to choose from, so which is best? What do...
By Mike Silford • December 2, 2021
I have always felt that the travel industry has overused the words “Luxury” and “Paradise”,... The post The Seychelles – March 2020 appeared first on Suitcase Travel.
By Mike Silford • November 3, 2021
One of our most asked questions from customers travelling along the Norwegian coast with Hurtigruten... The post Norway’s Coastal Kitchen With Hurtigruten appeared first on Suitcase Travel.
By Penny Silford • October 25, 2021
I really do love all things honeymoons and finding the best places to go for... The post 6 Of The Best Hotels In Bali appeared first on Suitcase Travel.
By Mike Silford • October 15, 2021
Last week we talked all about the cute penguins that you can find in Antarctica....
By Penny Silford • October 8, 2021
When going on a trip to Antarctica, one of the many highlights is getting up...
By Mike Silford • October 7, 2021
I was 12 years of age when I saw my first Bond film. I was...
By Mike Silford • July 23, 2021
I had just finished reading both Jack London’s Call of the Wild and White Fang....
View More Posts >>>