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Cruising Areas
Norway
The fjords of Western Norway have recently been rated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and by National Geographic as one of the world's greatest destinations. Despite being carved from very ancient rocks the fjords themselves are very “young”, created by massive glaciers during a succession of forty ice ages over the last 2.5 million years. Seals and porpoises swim the fjords, while eagles and other birds soar the skies above. Fish abound in the clear water. They are known also for their lush flora and fascinating cultural landscapes. The land along the fjords has been farmed for almost 3000 years and the sheltered fjords have also stimulated transportation by boat, most notably by the Vikings. Thanks to the warming Gulf Stream, the Norwegian fjords enjoy a mild climate and remain virtually ice-free. Apples and apricots are grown at the latitude of Alaska. Summer travellers can see snow-capped mountains and glaciers from the fjords.
Virtually tide free, the fjords and islands offer unparalleled sailing opportunities and Halcyon will be able to deliver the traveller to breathtakingly beautiful locations in her classic luxurious style. We shall be able to visit the major towns of Stavanger, Haugesund and Bergen as well as the more remote communities of the fjords such as Sand with its famous Salmon river, as well as the giant cliffs along the Lysefjord at Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen), and Kjerag, a major base jumping location. Utstein Kloster is a monastery on an island once farmed by Harald Harfarge (Harald Fairhair), the first king to unify Norway and the islands of the Ryfylke Fjords offer fascinating glimpses of fishing and farming life which seems to have changed little from Viking times. |
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