Northern Lights Cruise

In 1904 a catastrophic fire swept through Ålesund leaving the town in ashes. It was rebuilt in the then fashionable art nouveau style. Buildings with turrets and towers and facades with medieval romantic ornamentation add a quirky charm to the town that is considered the most beautiful in Norway. From the park 418 steps lead to the summit of Mount Aksla, which affords wonderful views of Ålesund, built on islands stretching into the sea. In an elaborate building that was the former Swan Pharmacy, the Jugendstilsenteret celebrates the town’s unique architectural history.

Not surprisingly for a city that lies almost 220 miles north of the Arctic Circle many of Tromsø’s landmarks lay claim to the world’s ‘northernmost’ titles. The ‘Capital of the Arctic’ is home to the world’s northernmost university, cathedral, botanic garden and brewery. A cable car runs to the summit of Mount Storsteinen from where there are wonderful views of the lively and beautiful city built on two islands and the mainland, which are linked by both tunnels and bridges. The Polar Museum is just one of Tromsø’s fine museums and the striking Arctic Cathedral is undoubtedly a highlight.

Though Norwegian law states that a city in Norway must have 5,000 inhabitants, tiny Honningsvaag, a community of around 2,500, is one of the smallest cities in Norway having been granted this status in 1996. The ’city’ lies on the south-eastern side of a large island called Magerøya in the Barents Sea. It is the starting point of excursions to the dramatic North Cape where from a high plateau the monumental 307-metre high cliff plunges into the Atlantic. From here only endless ocean lies between the northernmost point of Europe and the North Pole.

The largest town in Finnmark, Alta stretches along the inner part of the Altafjord and on the banks of one of Norway’s best rivers for salmon fishing, the Alta River. Today’s town has three centres. Bossekop with its old trading and market traditions, Elvebakken to the east with the town’s airport and harbour, and the new town with its shops. Large areas of woodlands and parts of the high plateau of Finnmarksvidda surround Alta, which in summer enjoys the white nights of the midnight sun and of a winter night often has the northern lights dancing across its skies.

Åndalsnes lies at the end of the 88-kilometre long Romsdalfjord at the mouth of the River Rauma. The river, which flows through the Romsdal Valley, was one of the first rivers in Norway to attract British aristocrats and other fly fishing foreigners at the end of the 19th century. The small town is today the administrative centre of Rauma in Norway’s Møre and Romsdal district. Optional excursions feature the beautiful Romsdal Alps with the famous Troll Wall and spectacular winding Troll Path Road. Åndalsnes is also the start of the incredible Rauma Line, a vintage steam train journey through enthralling mountain scenery.

Known as the ‘Gateway to the Fjords’, Bergen is Norway’s second largest city. Yet with a population of less than a quarter of a million, it has the feel of a small town. It is beautifully sited against a backdrop of seven mountains and the funicular ride to the summit of Mount Fløien affords wonderful panoramic views of Bergen and Norway’s attractive coastline. Overlooking the harbour the colourful Bryggen wharf is the face of Bergen. The characteristic wooden gabled buildings were once the home and offices of Hanseatic merchants but today house shops selling crafts and traditional souvenirs.