Take a cruise through the magestic Norwegian fjordlands
Breathtaking scenery, reindeer and the home of Queen Elsa from Frozen . . . this Scandinavian paradise has a lot to offer
NORWAY is not known for its prowess in the hit parade.
It would be churlish, surely, to point out it has come last in the Eurovision Song Contest more times than any other country.
So what is this song going around in my head as I queue for the funicular to take me to the top of Mount Floyen in Bergen, Norway’s second-biggest city?
“Did you know the town of Arendelle in the Disney movie Frozen was inspired by Bergen?” my guide asks.
That is it! I did know, I am Queen Elsa and I am on my way to my icy mountain palace. Let it go!
Well, not quite. It is actually a warmish summer day, the sun is peeking through the clouds and there’s not a snowflake in sight.
That suits me fine.
It would be hard to beat the beautiful scenery I’ve enjoyed on my cruise around the Norwegian fjords over the past few days.
Bergen, called the gateway to the fjords, turns out to be a cute place with colourful wooden houses along the waterfront — you will have seen something similar in Frozen.
From the top of Mount Floyen I can look down over the harbour where Magellan, my cruise ship, is docked.
The trip started four days previously in Tilbury, about 25 miles east of London, with a glass or two of fizz to celebrate as we cast off and sailed down the River Thames and into the North Sea.
Day one, spent at sea, was too chilly for a dip in the pool for me but a relaxing massage in the spa instead was just the ticket for getting into the holiday mood.
That evening, everyone got togged up in their best bib and tucker for formal night. It is a bit old-fashioned but CMV upholds cruising traditions for the Brits and they love it. Even dinner is served the traditional way, in two sittings on pre-allocated tables.
It is a lucky dip because you do not know who your tablemates will be. But if you do not hit it off, the maitre d’ will try to move you.
The following morning we cruised through Hardangerfjord, past snow-capped mountains, cascading waterfalls and tiny villages to Eidfjord, our first port of call in Norway.
CMV offers various excursions at each port. At Eidfjord, I joined a tour to Hardanger Nature Centre, where you can fly over mountains, gorges and waterfalls in a helicopter.
A relaxing massage in the spa instead was just the ticket for getting into the holiday mood
OK, it is just a film. But shown on five big screens around the cinema, it did feel very real.
The tour continued to Hardangervidda, a national park where thousands of reindeer roam. If Rudolph and
his chums tire of jingle bells, Santa knows where to come.
Then, our last stop was Fossli Hotel, to view the Voringsfoss waterfall, one of the highest in Europe.
It tumbles 597ft — almost the height of the Post Office Tower in London.
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Back on Magellan before my 8.30pm dinner, I peeped into the show lounge. The entertainment is very British and includes comedians, tribute bands and song-and-dance shows with lots of feathers.
It is popular stuff but I preferred Sinatra’s, one of several watering holes on the ship — small and with a friendly vibe.
Next day, I was signed up for a ride on the Flam railway, which rattles up the steepest line in the world — using neither cable nor rack wheels.
You go through 20 tunnels and past — you guessed it — snowy peaks and waterfalls, arriving at Myrdal, an impressive 2,200ft above sea level. Great views but not a huge amount to do, so I hopped back on the train and headed back down the mountain.
Someone had told me there was a brewery at the bottom, which sounded more my thing than, well, afternoon tea back on the boat.
The Aegir Brewery makes all sorts of IPAs, double IPAs and lagers that go perfectly with the “Viking- inspired” menu in its restaurant.
And there was me thinking Caesar salad and pulled pork came from our pals across the Atlantic.
The food was yum but, at nearly £20 for a main course and a tenner for a pint, you don’t have to be Einstein to work out why a cruise is the cheapest way to visit.
All food on Magellan is included in the price and a pint is £3.30. I sipped Aegir’s Bryggve Blonde then legged it back to Sinatra’s.
GO: FJORDS CRUISE
Cruise & Maritime Voyages have seven-night full-board Norwegian Fjords cruises sailing from Tilbury on the Magellan from £599 per person on July 27, £589 per person on August 27 and £589pp on September 24. Call 0844 998 3877 or go to cruiseandmaritime.com
