Norwegian Fjords Cruises

With a name that means ‘little place with big mountains’, Flam’s moniker couldn’t be any more fitting. A picture-perfect hamlet with a river flowing through the centre, you’ll be surrounded by green meadows and steep, snow-capped mountains, while picturesque farms and houses can be found dotted around the village itself.

Flam’s big-things-in-small-packages rep is clear to see elsewhere too. Although it has a population of just 350 people, it’s actually the fourth largest cruise port in Norway by number of calls (at 175 ships!) with the fifth largest by number of passengers. It might be popular, but it’s also the perfect place to go for a leisurely stroll and appreciate some of Norway’s finest scenery, especially from the Flam Railway, which reaches over 2,845 feet above sea level!

Dubbed the ‘Gateway to the Glaciers’, a trip through Olden is like transporting yourself to a totally different world. Mesmerising to behold, this little town is surrounded by such a vast amount of magnificent scenery, it feels like a secret part of the world that only you, your fellow cruisers and the locals are in on. You wouldn’t know that thousands of people get the bug to go here every year.

Home to the Jostedal Glacier, the largest glacier on the European mainland, this incredible slab of ice is well worth seeing for yourself. Feeling brave enough? Get your inner adventurer on and leave footprints on its deep blue expanse.

Early risers are in for a treat too. Sailing into Olden port early in the morning is a real wake-up call, complete with unbelievable views and cool, cleansing Norwegian air. The proper way to wipe the sleep from your eyes.

Known as the ‘Cradle of the Vikings’, opportunities for plundering may be low on Stavanger’s list, but there are plenty of other treasures to treat yourself to here instead. A former European Capital of Culture, Stavanger is proud of its Nordic heritage, with Norse history at every turn.

Head to Rogaland, where its collection of museums, exhibits, and archaeological sites show there’s more to its ancestors than their reputation for ravaging marauders. The Swords in Rock monument is a real gem, one that marks the unification of Norway with three enormous swords, each one symbolizing peace, unity, and freedom.

Docking at Gamle Stavanger, the city’s old quarter, the area’s 200-year-old white wooden cottages are another highlight, boasting plenty of old-town charm. But be sure to make time for the ‘Preacher’s Pulpit’. The 600-metre climb seems scary, but the trail is well worth traipsing up, especially for the photo op at the top!

Tucked away in its own little world, a cruise along the fjord towards Geiranger is like cracking open a fairy tale of your own. Waterfalls cascade from the snowy peaks above, down their green mountainsides. Quaint coffee shops treat tourists with their wares. Serene waters slow the pace down to unreal levels of relaxation.

There’s plenty for eager explorers to explore here, too. The waterfall walk is 237 steps up (or down) of wild nature and man-made architecture, with unbelievable views of the area’s crashing waterfalls to boot. If heights aren’t an issue, then the Skywalk at the top of Mount Dalsnibba lets you take Europe’s highest view of Geiranger’s fjords. Be sure to bring your camera with you, ‘cause the views are mesmerizing!

Like your cool with a dose of culture? Neither are in short supply in Oslo. With trendy neighbourhoods, incredible green spaces, world-class museums and a top-notch cuisine scene, there’s plenty to see and do here.

Old and new sit side by side in Oslo. You could be walking your way around the 13^th-century Akershus Castle one moment, then treating yourself to a delicious nibble at a chic restaurant the next. It’s easy to see why people flock to this mini city every year.

Keep an eye out for its architecture too. From the sloping roof of Oslo Opera House to the 12 individually designed buildings that make up the Barcode, art fans are in for some real gems here too. The Munch Museum makes for a real Scream, while Frogner Park, with its collection of over 200 sculptures, is a weird and whimsical walk with plenty of green and serene trees to keep you company.

A trip through Kristiansand means experiencing bustling trade of fresh seafood, lively restaurants, and an idyllic canal-side setting complete with top-notch shopping opportunities and plenty of culture to gorge on.

Why not get to know the city’s history at Vest Adger, one of Norway’s largest open-air museums? Or take a stroll through Poesbyen, the destination’s oldest area? If art’s your thing, then be sure to visit Gallery Bi-Z, the region’s largest private art gallery. Or for some up-close animal attractions, head to Kristiansand Dyreparken and Zoo, where the likes of wolves, lynxes and moose can all be seen. There’s even an open area where monkeys swing across ropes situated above you.

Small and sleepy, Eidfjord also has some big attractions in store. Home to Harddangerfjord, the second-longest fjord in Norway, the largest mountain plateau, and Norway’s largest national park, Hardangervidda, can also be found here. Whichever you explore, both offer up peace and quiet that’s unlike anywhere else.

Want a little extra from your Eidfjord adventure? It all depends on the time of year. Around May and June, the mountains bloom with white, pink, and red flowers from top to bottom, and believe us, it’s something that’s well worth seeing for yourself! From July to October, meanwhile, the region’s fruit is harvested. And with many a cider festival to be found in its small villages, it’s all put to very good use.