WE CONTINUED our escapade by sailing on the Sognefjord (Norway’s longest and deepest fjord) which started at the port just across our hotel in Flam. The Norwegian fjords (UNESCO World Heritage site) are one of the world’s most spectacular natural attractions. It’s a body of water surrounded by perpendicular mountainsides, cascading waterfalls, spectacular glacial formations and small idyllic villages that blends in beautifully with the landscape.
I don’t have enough words to describe this voyage but it’s got to be one of the things you must do before you die! I was happy that the “Norway in a Nutshell” (from Oslo to Bergen) was included on this trip. It is so named because it allows you to experience the best of Norway in a short time – waterfalls, mountains, fjords, and more. We crossed the width of Norway on a series of trains, boats, and buses.
Bergen’s old town of Bryggen (1702) is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. It was fascinating walking around the beautifully restored medieval buildings facing the harbor. A few shops were open in winter, and we were able to find a couple of treasures.
From Bergen, we boarded the Norwegian Coastal Express, or Hurtigruten (meaning “Express Route”) that travels Norway’s western and northern coast between Bergen in the south and Kirkenes, deep in the arctic north. Often called “the world’s most beautiful voyage”, Hurtigruten voyages traverse approximately 1,255-km of coastline between the two destinations over a dreamland of dramatic fjords, historic cities and, at certain times of the year, the mesmerizing spectacle of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)! Places we visited...
The Town of Alesund is taken right out of a fantasy world with its multitude of towers, spires and ornamental features. We took a walk through the town streets and enjoyed the sight of the beautiful buildings that were rebuilt in absolute Art Nouveau glory after a town fire in 1904. Trondheim has an attractive center which we were able to do in the three hours that the boat was docked on port.
The Nidaros Cathedral (1070) is the northernmost medieval cathedral in the world, and was an important pilgrimage site for Christians during the Middle Ages. I loved the peculiar Old Town Bridge (1681) that leads into Bakklandet (Old Town), which is an excellent spot for taking photos of this picture-perfect city. Our expedition moved on...