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Norwegian Fjords – Azura P&Q Cruise

Sailing from Southampton you’ll have plenty of time to explore the wonders of Britannia before arriving at your first port of call – picturesque Bergen. Built on an original Viking settlement, this World Heritage city is filled with historic gems. And the views from the top of Mount Fløien are jaw-dropping, as is the walk up, but you may prefer the funicular?

Alesund has an eclectic collection of architecture, including more than a dash of Art Nouveau. The museums are fascinating and the Atlantic Sea-Park is one of the largest aquariums in northern Europe.

Next, it’s the tiny village of Flaam, nestled in the innermost part of Sognefjord. Here you’ll find the extraordinary Flaam Railway, which rises more than 865 metres above sea level, in just 12 miles. The views are just as dramatic as the journey. Then sail through Sognefjord, the longest navigable fjord in the world. Beautiful snow-capped mountains, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests will fight for your attention.

Your final port is Stavanger, the ‘Cradle of the Vikings’. This historic town boasts a charming old town and a cathedral modelled on Winchester Cathedral. And, as the gateway to Norway’s fjordland, this is a fitting place from which to bid farewell to the spectacular fjords. But you’ll still have an entire day to enjoy Britannia, before returning to Southampton.

Main stops of your itinerary: 

Bergen - Norway 

A former ‘European City of Culture’ with a string of fascinating art galleries facing its Lille Lungedgardsvann Lake, Bergen cruise port nestles amongst the magnificent mountains strung along Norway’s western coastline and is a gateway to Fjordland.

This 13th century Hanseatic – and now World Heritage - city was built on the site of an original Viking settlement and is full of historic sites, the best known of which is Bryggen. A collection of 11th century wooden buildings along the harbourfront, this is a World Heritage Site in its own right and has its own museum to tell its fascinating story.

To enjoy the best views of this picturesque city, take the funicular railway to the top of Mount Fløyen, which overlooks both Bergen and the surrounding region.

Also the birthplace of composer Edvard Grieg, Bergen is easily walkable and has a lively fish market and an even better general market along the harbourfront as well as many attractive bars and cafes.

Alesund - Norway

Because it was completely rebuilt after being destroyed by fire in 1904, Alesund looks quite different to other Norwegian towns along the countrys west coast now better known as simply ‘Fjordland’.

Stretching across three islands at the mouth of the magnificent Geirangerfjord, Alesunds architecture is now an eclectic mixture of mock-Gothic and neo-classical with more than a dash of Art Nouveau.

Turrets and spires dot the skyline and you can trace the towns trend setting style development at the Art Nouveau Centre, one of several fascinating museums in the town.  The pick is the open-air Sunnmøre while the Atlantic Sea-Park is also worth a visit as one of the largest aquariums in northern Europe

Flaam - Norway

Sailing through Norways beautiful Sognefjord, the worlds longest and deepest fjord, is one of the most memorable cruise experiences. Overlooked by snow-capped peaks and surrounded by cascading waterfalls, this is a sensational approach to the tiny village of Flam, which nestles in the innermost part of Sognefjord.

But the fjord is not Flams only claim to fame, it also has the extraordinary Flam Railway. A masterpiece of engineering, this rises more than 2,845ft above sea level in just 12 miles and the views are just as dramatic as the journey. There are a variety of other boat and road trips which promise more fantastic scenery along with visits to farms, mines, villages and isolated mountain lodges.

Stavanger - Norway

The gateway to Norways spectacularly scenic fjordland, Stavanger is also a town with its own rich heritage as it is regarded as the ‘Cradle of the Vikings’. Your ship will dock right next to Gamle Stavanger, the old quarter, with its collection of 200-year-old white wooden houses (considered national heritage monuments in their own right), 12th century cathedral modelled on Winchester Cathedral, markets, craft stores and art galleries.

Look out, too, for the Three Swords monument in the Hafrsfjord rock recalling the Viking sea battle won by King Harald the Fairhair to create Norway as one kingdom back in the 9th century. This is on the way to a recreation of an Iron Age Farm at Jernaldergarden. The other major landmark is a short boat trip away through the delightful Stavanger archipelago to the 2,000ft high Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen).