Summertime Norwegian Fjords

The friendly capital of the Shetland Islands, Lerwick is a bustling seaport with a wonderful natural harbour, which is ideal for exploring on foot. There will be opportunities to visit nearby Sumburgh Head, where colonies of various birdlife, including guillemots, shags, and fulmars, congregate on its steep cliffsides; and during the summer months you are ideally placed to see orcas hunting seals close to the shore or a school of white-sided dolphins. Alternatively, you can spend time with local fishermen to discover the importance of Shetland’s fishing industry or wander along the foreshore to explore the Lodberries, trading booths built in the 19^th century, and learn about their maritime history.

From its picturesque location, nestled amidst fjords and mountains, to the iconic Bryggen Wharf, featuring colourful timbered houses and cobbled streets, Bergen offers a captivating blend of culture and nature. Views of the city and its surroundings can be seen from atop Mount Fløyen and Mount Ulriken, reached via funicular railway and cable car, respectively, while the vibrant fish market is ideal for sampling fresh seafood and Bergen staples such as fish soup. During summer, you will have opportunities to explore the city’s hiking trails for remarkable views of the surrounding fjords.

The beautiful village of Olden is nestled in the inner arm of Nordfjord, with sparkling green fjord waters framed by rolling meadows and towering cliff faces. Venture further afield to visit Briksdal Glacier as it glistens in the sun, offering remarkable views across the fjord on a hike to a natural viewing platform, while the village itself is delightfully compact enough to explore on foot, with paths that offer vistas of the surrounding mountains. Meanwhile, one of the steepest cable cars in the world, Loen Skylift, offers you the chance to be transported to the top of Mount Hoven in just a few exhilarating moments. For those wishing for a more tranquil experience, picturesque Lovatnet Lake is close by, whose striking mix of blue and green crystal-clear waters come from melted glaciers.

Stretching over 66 nautical miles from the westernmost point in Norway, overlooking the Sunnmøre Alps, to Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier in mainland Europe, picturesque Nordfjord has postcard-perfect icy-blue waters framed by towering peaks covered in lush greenery. As your ship navigates into Innvikfjord, a narrow branch of Nordfjord, the landscape becomes fairytale-like, with forested hillsides leading down to tranquil waters, cascading waterfalls, and remote villages and farms dotted along the fjord edge. Sailing along these fjords in August also offers chances to spot vibrant fruit orchards from the decks of your ship.

Nestled among the magnificent mountains of Romsdalsfjord, Åndalsnes is often called the 'Alp town by the fjord’ and is in one of the most picturesque regions of Norway. Reached on an invigorating hike, the mighty Romsdalseggen Ridge overlooks the surrounding fjords and offers remarkable views of steep mountain peaks and waterfalls, while the serpentine mountain road of Trollstigen, famous for its tight bends and steep inclines, is just a short drive from Åndalsnes. During your explorations, you can sample traditional dishes from this region, like fresh fish caught from the fjords or game. Meanwhile, a journey on the world-famous Rauma Railway offers picturesque views of the Romsdalen Valley, bathed in summer sunlight.

Sail into the serene beauty of Romsdalsfjorden, one of Norway’s most picturesque, longest and cleanest fjords, framed by the majestic peaks and waterfalls of the Romsdalsalpene Mountains, which tower over lush green valleys and charming waterside villages. As your ship glides through this majestic fjord, you’ll be treated to views of quaint coastal villages and dramatic mountain landscapes that seem to rise straight from the sea. Along the way, you might glimpse the famous Rauma Railway snaking through the cliffs, or the iconic Trollveggen, Europe’s tallest vertical rock face, standing proudly as a testament to nature’s grandeur.