Day Scenic cruising Sognefjord / Flam, NorwayCruising / Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 06:00 PM Norway's Sognefjord is the longest and deepest fjord in the world. Imagine 205 majestic winding kilometers (127 miles) of beautiful
villages, centuries-old architecture including wooden stave churches, towering mountains with snow-covered peaks, cascading waterfalls
and panoramic views. It is also a region known for its traditional food, folklore, music and rich culture. Set in the southern part of
the country, centrally located at the heart of Fjord Norway (as the region is known), the fjord reaches depths of more than 1,308
meters (4,291 feet). It also soars to the sky, with rugged cliffs rising to more than 1,700 meters (5,577 feet). This is nature at its
most dramatic. In fact, one of the Sognefjord's arms, the Nærøyfjord, is on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The Urnes Stave Church,
which was build around 1130 is also included on UNESCO's World Heritage List. As the poet John Keats once wrote, âThe poetry of earth
is never dead,â and within the Sognefjord lie many sonnets of life. Be inspired by its treasures. All you have to do is sit back and
watch the spectacular wonder of this destination.
Flam, Norway
Off the Aurlandsfjord, a branch of the larger Sognefjorden in southern Norway, FlÃ¥mâand its surrounding areaâis a place to stop, gaze
and linger. There are no traffic lights; instead the village has an easy pastoral rhythm. Explore the steep-sided fjords and hike
through sweeping valleys and meadows, home to grazing sheep. See the frozen-in-time churches and architecture and visit traditional
farms where geitost or brown goat's-milk cheese is made. There are many ways to take in the majestically beautiful landscapes, some
designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and many are easily accessible. You have only to pick and choose: Embark on a wildlife-
spotting cruise through the fjords' narrow passageways or go on a kayaking or cycling excursion that passes by gushing waterfalls. The
Flåm Railway runs on a winding route on sheer slopes that reach up to 863 meters above sea level. Or see the area at true Flåm pace,
with a simple picnic on the shore.
Day Stavanger, NorwayArrives 10:00 AM Departs 07:00 PM "Before this port city on Norway's western coast earned its status as the epicenter of âblack goldâ and the extraction of North Sea oil, it was a shipbuilding and fish-canning town. Fuelled by its wealth as one of the world's top energy capitals, it's now home to top-notch fusion restaurants and a bustling nightlife that caters to a never-ending influx of expatriates.
Amidst this financial boom, though, Stavanger has managed to hold on to its heritage and soul: Archaeological museums and reconstructed settlements pay due reverence to the city's Viking past. The cobblestoned Old Town is a well-preserved core of white wooden cottages near an Anglo-Norman cathedral, the oldest in Norway. Natural beauty abounds, too, with the nearby Lysefjord and its impressive Preikestolen (âThe Pulpit Rockâ) drawing a steady stream of visitors during the summer.
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Day Kristiansand, NorwayArrives 08:00 AM Departs 05:00 PM "The capital of the southern coastal region known as the Norwegian Riviera, Kristiansand has earned the nickname âSummer City.â The Gulf Stream keeps temperatures mild and snow to a minimum, so Kristiansand is Norway's outdoor playground.
Even with just a few hours, Kristiansand's grid layout makes it simple to get around on foot to explore historic sites such as Posebyen (the old town), which dates back to 1631, and former military fortresses and installations. Within the city limits are a number of forested recreational areas, a fish market with harbor views and even a sandy beach. The coastline is dotted with islands, skerries and picturesque fishing villages and farther afield, highlights of the region include Kristiansand Zoo & Amusement Park, the quaint town of Lillesand and Setesdal Mineral Park, with glittering displays of crystals and gems.
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Day Scenic cruising Oslo Fjord / Oslo, NorwayCruising / Arrives 08:00 AM Departs 04:00 PM "Not a fjord in the geological sense, the Oslo Fjord is actually a vast expanse of water stretching south from the Norwegian capital for nearly 100 kilometers (62 miles). Almost half of Norway's population lives within an hour's drive of the fjord, so there's plenty to see along the shoreline, from islands and skerries to major towns and cities.