Norwegian Fjords

Arrive in Fredrikstad, a historic town at the mouth of the Glomma River. Walk through one of Northern Europe’s best-preserved fortified districts, where cobblestone lanes, wooden houses, local shops, and cafés reflect centuries of history. Explore the old defensive walls and discover landmarks dating back to the 16th century. Venture beyond the town to enjoy walking trails along the Oslofjord and nearby islands, including Hankø, known for its coastal scenery and open landscapes.

Visit Arendal, a coastal town in southern Norway known for its maritime heritage and favorable climate. Discover a community shaped by its historic iron ore industry, which supplied high-quality magnetite during the 19th century. Explore the surrounding Sørlandet region and venture to nearby Raet National Park, where coastal forests, rocky shorelines, and long pebble beaches showcase the area's distinctive natural landscapes.

Like a painter’s palette, the former industrial town of Egersund unveils its colours as if to better charm its passing visitors. Its small wooden houses, among the best conserved in Norway, certainly display colourful façades that distinguish them from the other municipalities of the southern Norwegian coast, which opted for white at a time when this was a sign of wealth. Admire the façades of Strandgaten, the former main street of the town, and wander the old district of Hauen, which is now full of cafés, galleries and boutiques. Also make a detour to the Heidningeholmen Church, whose foundations date back to the 17th century, and dive into Egersund’s past.

Included Excursions:
Panoramic Egersund
Duration : 3h30
The charming little town of Egersund, protected by Eger island, dates back to early 17th century. The town used to be the largest harbour in Norway when measured in quantity of fish brought in each. Today, the main industry is situated on Eger island, shipyards and workshops of various kinds.From the pier, board your local coach and start your panoramic exploration through Egersund surroundings. Your trip takes you inland via the main road running from Oslo to Stavanger. Discover the beautiful hilly landscape dotted with lakes before turning off towards the coast at Heskestad.

Reach Hauge i Dalane where you will enjoy a stop at Sokndal church which was built in 1803. This is one of the few Louis-Seize-style churches in Norway with local rococo-ornaments that were rediscovered during its restoration in 1928. After your visit, re-board your coach for a little detour down to the idyllic Sokndalstrand, which used to be a vital port in bygone days. The dwellings are close to 200 years old and so are the picturesque warehouses along the river.
Continue in easterly direction via hairpin-bends and tunnels through the very special landscape of Dalane. Here close to the coast, the hard Labrador-rock dominates. Descend to the Joessingfjord, a name that became known all over Norway and beyond when the British battleship Cossack forced its way in the 3 km long fjord arm to free 300 British sailors who were captured onboard the German ship Altmark. Your return journey goes via Sogndal back to Egersund.

The team recommends you wear comfortable shoes and windproof clothes. This tour is a panoramic tour including a 2h45 drive and photo stops.

Egersund city walk and tasting
Duration : 3h00
The charming little town of Egersund, protected by Eger island, dates back to early 17th century. The town used to be the largest harbour in Norway when measured in quantity of fish brought in each. Today, the main industry is situated on Eger island, shipyards and workshops of various kinds. From the pier, meet your local guide and start your exploration of the town. Discover the residential area along the fjord before reaching the town center for a closer look. Luckily the old timber houses have survived through the ages. There were plans all through this century to demolish the old buildings and put up modern blocks, but due to lack of funds the plans were never put into practice.
 
Then, stroll through the streets, passing the old wooden church, before arriving "Berentsens Bryggehus", the area's local brewery dating back to 1895. Take the opportunity to discover this historic distillery, proud of the inhabitants of the region. Enjoy a guided walk of the brewery and distillery and learn more about its production. Finally, you will participate to a tasting experience of 4 different types of beer.  After the visit, get back to the ship with your guide.

This excursion involves walking approximately 1h15 on mostly flat ground. The team recommends you wear comfortable walking shoes and a windproof jacket. Order of the visits may vary.
 
Trollpikken Hike
Duration : 3h00
An emblematic rock in the region, Trollpikken stands in a mineral landscape shaped by glaciers over 10,000 years ago. On a hike, discover this natural phenomenon that attracts crowds each year due its shape, which is surprising to say the least. The history of Trollpikken goes back to time immemorial, long before the appearance of the first civilisations and even before dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Nestled in the heart of the mountains, this imposing monolith was born from molten rock thousands of years ago. Over the ages, the unrelenting forces of nature shaped and eroded the mountain, gradually revealing this astonishing rock formation.

On a guided hike, explore the geological history of the region, between lunar rock and slow glacial motion, revealing that mother nature clearly has a sense of humor.

This excursion involves walking a distance of approximately 4.6 km (2.9 miles) on uneven and sometimes steep ground. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes, wind-resistant and waterproof clothing as well as a fleece, and bringing a backpack. The excursion is not accessible for persons with reduced mobility.

You will sail into the heart of one of Norway’s most breathtaking fjords, its marvellous décor dominated by pristine nature, between vertiginous granite cliffs, crystal-clear waters and luxuriant vegetation. Very close to Stavanger, the quiet waters of Lysefjorden stretch out over around forty kilometres, beneath impressive rocks. Admire the world-famous site of Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), a majestic cliff in the shape of a pulpit that rises to more than 600 metres above the waters. A bit further on, Flørli, from the top of its 4,444 steps, is the world’s longest wooden stairway, whereas the Kjerag, with its mythical boulder wedged between two rock faces, provides an unusual and unforgettable spectacle. 

A pretty little town of around 3,000 inhabitants, Skudeneshavn stretches out around a naturally sheltered port, on the southern tip of the island of Karmøy. It owes its growth to herring fishing, the heart of its economic activity until 1870. Today, Skudeneshavn will invite you to relax and to explore its rich maritime heritage. Classed as a protected national heritage site, its old town, built on a narrow strip of land between the Havnafjellet rock and the sea, is home to period residences and boat houses, a museum and various charming restaurants and cafés, testifying to its cultural vitality.

Nordfjordeid is a small town lying south of Alesund, nestling in one of the arms of the Nordfjorden and its wild and magnificent shores. Between valleys with abundant vegetation and mountainous terrain, nature here offers a 360-degree view which was conducive to the early settlement of Viking communities, judging by the large number of tombs, among the country’s largest and richest. You may get to deepen your knowledge of the Nordic culture and traditions at Sagastad, a surprising museum with interactive exhibitions and home, among other sights, to the Myklebust, one of the world’s largest Viking ships, measuring 30 metres (98 feet) in length.

Nordfjordeid walk and Sagastad
Duration : 3h00
From the pier, meet your local guide and start your walking exploration. Walk past Malakoff, the old military camp which is now used to host an annual rock festival for the past 20 years for up to thirty thousand people. Pass several memory stones where the locals pay their respect to the soldiers who died in the different wars. Especially the statue «Sorgande Mor», by Dyre Vaa, the grieving mother, depicting the mothers` loss due to a war.

Continue and discover other sites of interest during your stroll such as the old wooden houses with green gardens in between, the church of Eid, the Opera House. While on the walk, you will be treated with a local cinnamon bun and a cup of coffee or tea. Then, reach Sagastad and the Myklebust Viking Ship, Norway’s largest viking ship that had ever been found has been reconstructed. The ship is exhibited in the Sagastad Visitor Centre where the ship was found. There is a digital and a physical exhibition about the Vikings, the findings and boat building traditions.

This excursion involves walking approximately 2 ½ hours on mostly flat ground. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and a windproof jacket.

Panoramic Nordfjordeid
Duration : 3h00
This excursion rewards you with superb views of the Nordfjord, the fifth longest fjord in Norway and Hornindal Lake, the deepest lake in Northern Europe.
From the pier, board your local coach and start your scenic drive. Head towards the viewpoints Kvalen & Nos viewpoint where you have a magnificent view from above 500 meters over sea level into the Nordfjord region.

After short photo stops, your journey continues along the fjord. Once we have almost reached the end of the Nordfjord, we turn left and inland towards Lake Hornidal. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains we enjoy that panorama along the lake back towards Nordfjordeid.

This excursion is a panoramic tour by coach including photostops. Walking distance is at guest's discretion.

A must-see stopover in Norway, located halfway between Bergen and Trondheim, Geiranger offers the stunning beauty of a natural decor, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will be able to admire the splendor of the sheer cliffs, dark rocks and crystal-clear water that make the place famous, like the majestic and mythical Seven Sisters waterfall. The sides of the fjord offer many possibilities for hiking: the Eagle’s Road takes you up to a steep stretch offering a gorgeous panoramic view. A visit to Geiranger village will immerse you in the rhythm of life in the little local community.

Included Excursion
Fjord Centre and Geiranger Vistas
Duration : 3h00
The Geirangerfjord is without doubt one of the most beautiful of the Norwegian fjords. Incredible mountain sights, summit vistas and a spectacular slideshow featuring Geiranger’s four seasons make this tour wonderfully intriguing. Geirangerfjord’s crystalline beauty is this panoramic tour’s setting.
See fairyland snow-capped mountains, sparkling streams and dizzying heights while ascending a winding hairpin mountain road. On your way, enjoy beautiful photostops such as Eagle’s Bend viewpoint and Flydal Gorge viewpoint.

At Geiranger Fjord Centre, enjoy a brilliant changing-seasons slideshow, and exhibits featuring fjord life. The centre is meant to be both an information and an experience centre. Visitors can discover exhibitions around various themes such as nature, culture and history. The centre provides an insight into life on the inaccessible farms that cling to the sheer mountainsides around the fjord.

During winter season, participants must wear warm-thermal, water- and wind-proof clothes. Landscapes can still be snow-covered in the early season. This excursion involves walking on mostly flat ground with some steps at the Geiranger Fjord Centre. This tour is a panoramic tour, including a 1h40 drive. Order of sights may vary.

Hellesylt is a small village located 20 kilometres from the Geiranger site. Here, you’ll get a taste of a traditional Norwegian village. Colourful houses, wooden walkways, rustic stalls where you can have a refreshment before heading off to discover more of the local color. The surroundings are simply magnificent with cliffs, mountains and lakes with peaceful waters. The village is crossed by a river whose charming cascade tumbles into the fjord waters.

Surrounded by a multitude of islands, fjords and majestic mountains, the town of Ålesund surprises many visitors. In fact, it is internationally renowned for its Art nouveau architecture. After the terrible fire of 1904 which reduced a large part of the town to ashes, Norwegian architects inspired by the Art nouveau style contributed to its reconstruction, with a very picturesque result. Not far from Ålesund, you will also discover Giske, the native island of Rollon, the great Viking leader who commanded the Norse expeditions to Normandy, or the beautiful island of Godoy and the village of Alnes, which offers a grandiose panorama over the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding islands.

Included Excursions
Giske and Godoy Islands
Duration : 3h00
Visit two islands in the vast municipality of Giske: Giske Island and the more westerly Godoy Island. Your excursion begins with a short panoramic drive through Ålesund’s Art Nouveau district. The city’s architectural style is the result of a major disaster: the great fire of 1904. The young architects who rebuilt the city drew inspiration from the Art Nouveau movement, giving Ålesund its unique identity. Leaving the city, you will travel through some of the world’s largest undersea tunnels, which connect the islands to the mainland. Today, the approximately 6,300 inhabitants enjoy a ferry-free connection to the rest of Norway. Reaching the islands requires crossing bridges and undersea tunnels, the longest of which stretches for about 4 km.
Giske, a fairly flat and fertile island, is known as the “Saga Island” and as the birthplace of the Viking chieftain Gange Rolv, or Rollo. In 911, he led expeditions that conquered parts of Norway before settling on the northern coast of France, a region now known as Normandy. He later became the ancestor of William the Conqueror, founder of the English royal lineage.

From Giske, you will continue to Godoy Island and the small fishing village of Alnes, facing the Atlantic Ocean. Here, you will enjoy a pleasant walk through this picturesque seaside village. After your visit to Godoy, you will reboard your coach and return to Ålesund.

This excursion involves moderate walking over mostly flat terrain, with some gravel paths. It is not recommended for guests using a wheelchair. Participants with limited mobility should assess their physical abilities. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are recommended.

City Walk and Art Nouveau Museum
Duration : 2h30
Ålesund, the largest town on the northwest coast of Norway, has a spectacular setting: stretching over three islands, near the ocean and backdropped by impressive mountain peaks. The town center was destroyed by a fire in 1904 but rebuilt shortly after in the characteristic Art Nouveau architectural style of the period. Today, Ålesund has a population of approximately 40,000, but the town center is relatively small and easy to cover on foot. From the pier, you will start on foot with a visit to the Art Nouveau museum, located in the old pharmacy building. The museum provides interesting insight into the fire of 1904 and the creative Art Nouveau period.

After your visit, you will continue your walking tour. Your guide will put particular emphasis on presenting the importance of fisheries in Norway's biggest fish export harbour and, of course, you will be shown a multitude of examples of the picturesque Art Nouveau style that has made Ålesund famous. The tour will continue uphill to the quaint little park at the foot of mount Aksla. Here, you will find exotic trees and plants as well as a memorial stone dedicated to the German emperor Wilhelm II, for whom the main street in town is named after. Furthermore, you will see the statue of the Viking "Gange-Rolf" who sailed from Ålesund to what is today Normandy (France), named after the Norwegian settlers. From the park, you could choose to continue to ascend mount Aksla, where you will be rewarded for your efforts with a spectacular view. Or you could wander about in the park or just sit and have a rest before returning to the pier and your ship.

This tour involves approximately 2 miles (3 km) of walking over even, paved and cobblestone surfaces with inclines. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the rain. This tour will operate in all weather conditions. If there is a religious service, the church will be visited from the outside.

Located at the end of Byfjord, Bergen was the capital of Norway in the 12th and 13th Centuries and has preserved some very beautiful monuments from the time when it was home to royalty. Wandering through Bergen’s streets means going back in time, in search of the hidden treasures that have been listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. A veritable openair museum, Bergen is home to a thriving artistic community of painters, potters, jewellers. The Bergen cable car offers you a splendid panorama over the port and the surrounding fjords. Do not miss the visit to the old quarter with its narrow streets, a testimony of the power of the hanseatic League that controlled trade in Northern Europe at the end of the Middle Ages.