Spotlight on the Norwegian Fjords…

Everyone should experience the Norwegian Fjords at least once – they offer such outstanding natural beauty. The best time to visit is the summer, when everything is lush and green and if you travel far enough North, you can also experience the breathtaking Midnight Sun. It can be an expensive region to visit – as the cost of living is so high – so a cruise is the perfect way to ensure you get the best value for money.

1) Geirangerfjord

Geirangerfjord really is the highlight of any Fjords sailing. This lush, UNESCO world heritage-protected site is surrounded by snowcapped mountains and beautiful waterfalls, such as the Seven Sisters and Suitors waterfalls.

The tiny town of Geiranger is very small and it doesn’t take much time to explore it at all, there really isn’t much there other than a few souvenir shops and cafes, but you can take some gorgeous coastal walks, or you can hire a kayak, where you really get to take in the sheer majestic beauty as the mountains tower above you. For a truly unforgettable experience, you can take a helicopter for another viewing vantage point.

Top Tip: The Fjord gets extremely busy in the height of the summer season, so if there is a particular excursion or trip you’d like to make, make sure you book it early.

2) Tromsø

Tromsø is actually an island connected by two bridges and is high above the Arctic Circle, making it a popular place to see the Northern Lights in winter and the Midnight Sun in the summer.

There is so much to do in Tromsø it’s hard to find the time to fit it all in. If you’re not scared of heights then the cable car up Mount Storsteinen offers fantastic views of city and during the Midnight Sun period is open past midnight. The museum Polaria features all things Arctic’ – the building is shaped like an iceberg, you can experience a snowstorm and they have a brilliant aquarium filled with marine life from the Arctic Seas.

Top Tip: If you are in port overnight then consider going to one of the midnight concerts in the Arctic Catherdral, where you can hear local folk songs as well as modern pieces by a soprano.

3) Bergen

The city of Bergen was founded on an old Viking settlement in 1070 and now is the gateway to the Fjords, as the leading cruise port in Norway.

You can experience laid-back local life around the maze of streets, with medieval wooden houses, old churches and quaint shops. There is a buzzing, vibrant cafe culture here as well – so make sure you take some time out to soak up the atmosphere. The world-heritage site of Bryggen has houses along the habour which date back to the 11th century and there is a fantastic museum with finds of the archaeological digs that took place in the area.

Top Tip: Bergen on average gets over 250 wet days a year, so make sure you pack an umbrella!

4) Oslo

Located at the end of a 60 mile Fjord, Oslo is the world’s least densely populated capital city, which combined with lots of open spaces and parks, gives it a clean and open feel.

There are lots of great museums and galleries in Oslo, head to The Nasjonalgalleriet where you can see Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’ as well as lots of other beautiful pieces by international artists, or another good place to visit is The Viking Ship museum – its small but houses the remains of three Viking ships, one of them still intact. The Norwegians also have a Royal Family and you can take a guided tour of the Royal Palace in the summer, or just watch the changing of the Guard.

Top Tip: There are so many beautiful parks to enjoy, so take a picnic and watch the world go by. 

5) Trondheim

The city of Trondheim was founded by Viking King Olav Tryggvason in AD 997 and was Norway’s first capital and new Kings still receive their ceremonial blessings here.

It’s still a popular pilgrimage destination, thanks to the Nidaros Cathedral, which was build over the remains of the King Olav, who introduced Christianity to Norway. The Catherdral is constantly being worked on, as legend has it if they ever stop building it, the Cathedral and Trondheim will fall into the Fjord. The Trondelag Folk museum is also the largest cultural museum in the country and gives a fantastic insight to the historic culture of the locals.

Top Tip: Saint Olav’s festival takes place in July and August and is the country’s biggest religious and cultural festival, with over 300 performances taking place, so be sure to check some of them out.