Norwegian Fjords Cruise aboard Iona Itinerary
Day 1 – Southampton, UK
The Southampton cruise port offers a city centre full of charm and a mix of old city walls plus a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored when in a cruise from Southampton. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.
Day 2 – At Sea
Day 3 – Stavanger, Norway
Olden is blessed with a beautiful fjordic coastline, towering mountains and the biggest glacier on mainland Europe, Jostedalsbreen. There’s easy access to both the Briksdal and Kjenndalen glaciers, plunging dramatically into the valleys below. Crystal-clear Lake Oldevatnet is set among steep mountains and roaring waterfalls. In a nutshell, it’s Norwegian nature at its finest.
Day 4 – Innvikfjorden and Nordfjord
You’ll find Innvikfjorden central to all the ‘typical’ highlights of any Norwegian Fjords holiday. This is where people come from all over the world to see the famous sights of Geiranger, Trollstigen and Vestkapp. Around the sleepy ports of Innvikfjorden, it’s hard to imagine a host of action-packed activities going on but there is a fast, exciting side to holidaying here – should you wish to experience it! Your choice of adventures could include guided kayaking, hiking tours, driving up to panoramic viewpoints and seeing the famous Briksdal and Kjenndal glaciers.
Sailing through the Norwegian fjords is one of the great maritime experiences. Formed during the Ice Age when the glaciers retreated, the deep valleys and narrow inlets were flooded with seawater creating these natural wonders. Thanks to the warmth of the Gulf Stream these natural wonders are virtually ice free and easily explored. Nordfjord, located in western Norway, is astonishingly beautiful and diverse. You’ll find peaceful valleys and well-kept farms, as well as gleaming glaciers, foaming waterfalls, and towering, snow-capped mountains.
Day 5 – Hellesylt, Geirangerfjord, Sunnylvsfjorden and Storfjorden
Nearby Geiranger might be more widely known, but the UNESCO World Heritage listed village of Hellesylt seems determined not to be overshadowed by its more famous neighbour. Surrounded by towering, snow-capped peaks and with a spectacular roaring waterfall cascading through the centre of the village and directly into the fjord, the former Viking settlement is every inch the quintessential Norwegian fjord town. The slogan of the Norwegian Tourist Board; “Powered by Nature”, could have been created with Hellesylt in mind, and the village offers ample opportunity to revel in the great outdoors.
Famed for its deep blue waters, towering mountains and cascading waterfalls, Geirangerfjord is considered one of the most beautiful fjords in the world. As you sail through this UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s easy to imagine you’re in a Norse fairytale. The mountains soar above you, up to 1,700 metres. The water drops to depth of 260 metres beneath your feet. And if you have a sense that there’s something familiar about Geirangerfjord’s scenery, it was the inspiration for Disney’s movie, Frozen.
Stunning Sunnylvsfjorden will wow you as you wind your way along its 16 miles of craggy cliffs, tall waterfalls and glassy waters, headed for the town of Hellesylt. On the way, you pass the historically important Me-kernes – a deserted Fjord farm, dating back to the 1600s and possibly as far as medieval times. Preserved for its unique siting, it’s perched 100 metres above the water, tucked under over-hanging rock to protect it from avalanches.
As you sail in from the North Sea, through the outlying islands of Norway’s west coast, you reach the beguiling, wide waterway of Storfjorden. Translating as ‘Great Fjord’,Storfjorden more than lives up to its name, with sweeping waterscapes, soaring, snow-dusted peaks and forested slopes that plunge down to the water’s edge. On a still day, the reflections of the mountains in the water are a sight to behold. This remote wilderness is a haven for wildlife. Keep a look out for dolphins and whales swimming alongside the ship and sea eagles passing overhead.
Day 6 – Haugesund, Norway
Haugesund, homeland of the Viking kings and birthplace of Norway, is a place where you can inhale the Viking spirit. Surrounded by beautiful coastline, spectacular waterfalls and majestic fjords it’s no wonder the kings called this extraordinary setting home. Populated for thousands of years, you can walk in the footsteps of the great kings at the Nordvegen History Centre and travel back over 3,500 years. St Olav’s Church, dating from 1250 AD, is a monument to the former days of glory, and next to the church stands one of Norway’s tallest pillars, Virgin Mary’s Sewing Needle. In nearby Rehaugene you can explore the ‘Pyramids of the North’ – six intriguing Bronze Age, earthen burial mounds.
Day 7 – At Sea
Day 8 – Southampton, UK
