Norwegian Fjords

Discover Southampton’s maritime history at the SeaCity Museum or see impressive works in the city’s art gallery. Jane Austen used to walk Southampton’s city walls and you can too, stopping at the Tudor House Museum along the way. Go all nostalgic over vintage cars at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu or see King Arthur’s fabled Round Table at nearby Winchester, the ancient capital of England.

Bruges offers the best of both worlds: a European cultural hub and, not far beyond, a seafront paradise. Often called the Venice of the North, the capital of Belgium’s West Flanders province is lined with canals, bridges and historic buildings. One of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns, Bruges’ historic town centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Belgium cruises give you access to the lively market square and you’ll see the Belfry of Bruges, a popular piece of Middle Ages architecture. Encounter the city’s other personality in Zeebrugge – or ‘Bruges on sea’. This international port and seafront resort is home to cafes, a beach and a marina..

Known as the Town of Roses, Molde is situated in the midst of some of Norway’s most beautiful fjords. Home to world-class cultural offerings, the town comes alive during its annual international literature festival and the world-renowned Moldejazz festival. Enthusiastic for the outdoors? Hit Molde’s multitude of hiking and biking trails that offer views of the 222 mountain peaks visible from here. Cruise to Norway to take one of the world’s most iconic drives: Molde’s Atlantic Road, voted the Norwegian Construction of the Century, lets you actually drive over the ocean through islands, bays and moorlands.

Fresh air and icy beauty are the hallmarks of Olden, known as the Gateway to the Glaciers. Come here to explore the Jostedal Glacier – not only can you take in views of this natural wonder, you can also head to Jostedalsbreen National Park and hike the blue ice yourself. Thanks to Olden’s location at the northern end of Oldedalen Valley, you’ll find an unexpectedly dramatic landscape dotted with valleys, waterfalls and mountains. Explore the town by foot, boat or bike, and head into a gallery to discover why Olden is an emerging centre for contemporary design. Cruise to Norway to check out the Old Olden Church for a unique look into local religious traditions.

Perched on Norway’s dramatic western coast, Stavenger is a city full of historic architecture, quaint cafes and ocean views. Check out Gamle Stavanger, the picturesque old town, where you’ll find well-preserved wooden buildings dating back to the 18th century painted in unique pastel hues. Cruise to Stavanger to learn more about the Vikings at the Museum of Archaeology, or visit 12th-century Stavanger Cathedral – thanks to a series of rebuilding efforts over the years, it features architectural elements from Romanesque to ornate Baroque. Then, take the short trip to Prekestol, the ‘Preacher’s Pulpit’, a rocky natural viewing point overlooking Lyse Fjord.

Discover Southampton’s maritime history at the SeaCity Museum or see impressive works in the city’s art gallery. Jane Austen used to walk Southampton’s city walls and you can too, stopping at the Tudor House Museum along the way. Go all nostalgic over vintage cars at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu or see King Arthur’s fabled Round Table at nearby Winchester, the ancient capital of England.