Explore ashore and immerse yourself in history, culture and natural wonder
Nature lovers will appreciate this unique landscape
WHETHER you’re a thrill-seeking traveller or someone who prefers to take things at a slower pace, P&O Cruises offers shore excursions and experiences that will immerse you in the character of every port of call.
If you’re used to independent travel and love the freedom and flexibility to discover destinations on your terms, you can choose to do that. The vast majority of Iona’s calls are a full day, so once you’ve been transported to shore, you’ll have plenty of time to do the things you want to do, or to simply be spontaneous and enjoy those surprise gems you unearth along the way.
However, if you prefer to be in the hands of experienced tour organisers and knowledgeable local guides who know the region intimately, then P&O Cruises has accrued years of expertise and will help you plan an enriching, experience-packed holiday, whatever your tastes and interests.
NORWAY’S NATURE
NATURE lovers will appreciate a wealth of ways to immerse themselves in this unique landscape, with a scenic walk to Briksdal Glacier, kayaking along serene Geirangerfjord or hiking in the surrounding emerald hills.
Visit beautiful Hardangerfjord and Steinsdalsfossen Waterfall, which arcs away from the rock beneath, allowing you to walk behind it, enjoy a three-course Nordic country picnic or forage for ingredients on a nature walk.
HISTORY AND CULTURE
THERE will be organised visits to a traditional Nordic village home, and time to discover the secrets of Bryggen, Bergen’s historic wharf area, a World Heritage site, once a key trading centre for the German merchants of the powerful Hanseatic League and now home to bijou galleries, cool cafés and charming boutiques.
At the Hanseatic Museum, you can learn about the contrasting living conditions of the merchants and migrant workers, and visit the Schøtstuene, where merchants used to gather for their meals and meetings.
History buffs will enjoy exploring the Iron Age Farm near Stavanger, not least for the stunning views it commands over Hafrsfjord, while a visit to Edvard Grieg’s summer home in Troldhaugen on Lake Nordås is full of personal mementoes, including his Steinway piano and a lakeside hut where he composed his famous works.
GO WITH THE FLOW
THOSE of a more adventurous bent might like to explore the fjords from a different perspective, perhaps with an adrenaline-pumping white-water rafting expedition down the scenic Valldal River followed by a warming bonfire and light lunch.
Book a cycle tour in Geiranger, featuring a thrilling 17km descent from Djupvasshytta mountain lodge, or why not try Norway’s fastest zipline, soaring 300m from Mt Ulriken (at a height of 643m) towards Mt Fløyen, while enjoying panoramic views of Bergen and out towards the North Sea.
Or if you really want to soar above the fjords, try flightseeing by helicopter at Stavanger, taking in the spectacular Lysefjord and the flat-topped Pulpit Rock from 2,000 feet.