Norwegian Coastal Odyssey - A Summer Voyage from Aberdeen to the Norwegian Coast

Embark the MS Hebridean Sky this afternoon. Transfers will be provided from Aberdeen Airport and Railway Station at a fixed time. Sail this evening.

After a morning at sea we arrive in the Shetland capital from where we have a choice of options. Maybe visit the remarkable archaeological site of Jarlshof which was uncovered by a violent storm in the winter of 1896/7, revealing an extraordinary settlement site embracing at least 5000 years of human history. The site contains a remarkable sequence of stone structures – late Neolithic houses, a Bronze-Age village, an Iron-Age broch and wheelhouses, several Norse longhouse, a Medieval farmstead, and the 16th century laird’s house. Alternatively join a walking tour of the historic port. Explore the narrow stone lanes before visiting the excellent Shetland Museum which features artefacts from shipwrecks and the whaling era.

Spend the morning at sea as we cross to Norway arriving into Stavanger at lunchtime. This afternoon we have the chance to stroll in the small harbour with its multi-coloured traditional wooden buildings. Old Stavanger is a cluster of 173 small white wooden houses built in the 19th century which house craft shops, galleries and museums. We sail late this evening for anyone wishing to enjoy an evening ashore.

Sail this morning into Hardangerfjord, the third largest fjord in the world. We will anchor and use our Zodiacs to land at Rosendal from where we drive along the fjord towards the small part of the Hardangerfjord called Maurangerfjord, experiencing the idyllic scenery and farms along the way and viewing the magnificent Langfoss waterfall. When we arrive at the small village of Sunndal we will walk to Bondhus Lake which is surrounded by a fascinating landscape of fjords and mountains. After lunch on board we have free time to explore the town, maybe visit the 12th century Kvinnherad Church, the Stone Park or see the gardens at Barony Rosendal.

Cruise this morning through the scenic Sognefjord towards the small village of Vikoyri. An afternoon walk will include the richly decorated Hopperstad Stave Church which was built in 1130 and is the oldest stave church in existence. We also see the 12th century Hove stone church and the nearby Moahaugane burial mounds which originate from 200-400 AD. There will also be the opportunity to try the local cheese delicacy of “gamal ost”, the recipe for which originated from the Vikings and it is still in production at the dairy in Vikoyri. Return to the MS Hebridean Sky via the picturesque homes and boathouses.

Today we leave the charming village of Loen and take a drive to the Kjenndal valley where we board a small boat to experience the lovely Loen Lake, passing through majestic mountains covered by protruding glacier arms. Upon reaching Kjenndalsbre Fjellstove we will enjoy a short break with homemade Norwegian waffles. We continue to the Kjenndalsbre glacier viewpoint, an arm of the mighty Jostedals Glacier, the largest in mainland Europe. After lunch on board enjoy some free time in Loen, maybe take a trip on the cable car which rises 1100 metres and offers wonderful views over the fjord below. Sail in the early evening to enjoy the scenery of Nordfjord.

Spend the morning in Alesund, one of the most beautiful towns in Norway. We will explore the streets with their Art Nouveau buildings and those feeling active can take a walk up Mount Aksla, climbing the 418 steps for magnificent views of the town, islands and Sunnmore Alps. In the late afternoon we will cruise by the bird cliffs at Runde, one of the largest nesting cliffs in Norway and home to half a million birds. More than 240 different species have been observed here including puffins, gannets, razorbills and northern fulmar.

Dalsfjord lies at the heart of Western Norway with its starkly contrasting fjord scenery, halfway between Bergen and Alesund. This little-known fjord arm has a gentler landscape where powerful and diverse watercourses have left their impression on the scenery and settlements. Today’s tour will take us through this beautiful environment and over to Sunnfjord with its magnificent waterfalls and mountains. We will visit Sunnfjord Museum, which provides an insight into how life was in local settlements in the mid 1800s, before taking a scenic drive to the region known as ‘waterfall country’. Here we will stop at the Huldefossen and Likholefossen waterfalls before returning via the Hestadfjord where we find the 19th century Hestad Church located in idyllic surroundings.

At breakfast we arrive in Haugesund where, a thousand years ago, King Harald Fairhair united Norway into a single kingdom, and it was from this area that the Viking Kings ruled Norway for more than 500 years. The region has laid claim to the title of Norway’s Birthplace and Homeland of the Viking Kings. This morning we will visit the 13th century St Olav’s Church before learning about the Viking Age at the Nordvegen Heritage Centre. This afternoon you can choose to explore further at your own pace or join the guided visit to the charming old town of Skudeneshavn which consists of 130 white wooden houses originating from the 1800s, when herring fishing was at its peak. We will stroll through the streets and our guide will share stories about the locals that lived here before we visit the Maelandsgarden Museum which highlights the development of the town.

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as we return to Scotland.

Disembark after breakfast. Transfers will be provided to Aberdeen Airport and Railway Station at a fixed time.

Itineraries are subject to change.