Viking Homelands & Majestic Iceland

Marvel at the stunning landscape of a Norwegian fjord from a viewpoint high above the Aurlandsfjord. Take a drive along the waterway, enjoying views of this narrow fjord’s steep mountains—some reaching nearly 6,000 feet—and deep waters. Stop at a church in the original village of Flåm and learn about the local history. After taking a switchback, you will reach Stegastein Viewpoint. Set between Aurland and Laerdal, the viewpoint is a 100-foot-long laminated wood ramp that sits more than 2,000 feet above the fjord. Its design expresses a desire to lift visitors out into open space and enhance their experience. Breathe in the fresh air and admire the panoramic views of the fjord and the village of Aurland beneath you. After time for photos, descend to Aurland, a charming village nestled between the shores of the fjord and towering mountains, before returning to your ship.

Board the Flåm Railway to experience the most dramatic train ride in Europe. You can walk to the train station in the heart of this charming village. Then settle in for a 12-mile journey on a route hailed as one of the world’s greatest masterpieces of engineering. Leaving the village, the train will climb nearly 3,000 feet, passing through 20 tunnels and over numerous bridges. Your experienced conductor proceeds at a speed that allows you the best possible views of this breathtaking landscape. Along the way, stop at Kjosfossen waterfall for photos. Look carefully into the mist and you might see the legendary dancing skogsrå, a forest spirit said to seduce men. Your journey also features a stop in Vatnahalsen. Here, you can stroll to the local hotel for waffles during free time. Your gentle descent back to Flåm gives you a chance to witness the beauty all over again.

Marvel at Norway’s stunning beauty during a wide-ranging full-day experience. You will board the world-famous Flåm Railway at the cruise pier and climb nearly 3,000 feet through 20 tunnels and over numerous bridges. Stop at Kjosfossen waterfall for photos of this pristine natural wonder. You will change trains and continue to Voss, where a motor coach takes you to the Molstertunet open-air museum. Here, gain rich insight into 18th-century life in these high mountain valleys. Continue to Tvinde waterfall for a photo stop. After lunch at a local restaurant, journey through the town of Vossand, stopping at Vangsvatnet lake to admire the Voss Valley surrounded by dramatic mountains. Travel through Gudvangen—the “valley of the Gods”—enjoying views of the narrow canyon surrounded by steep walls covered in small waterfalls, en route to your ship.

See stunning fjord views and visit a picturesque Norwegian village on this breathtaking excursion. You will join your guide for a drive through two dramatic tunnels carved into the mountains around Flåm. Pass the tiny hamlet of Gudvangen at the head of the Naerøyfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before ascending the valley. You can pause for photos at the spectacular Tvindefossen, its waters cascading down from more than 360 feet above you. Continue your drive through the valley, carved out by melting glaciers over the millennia, en route to Undredal. Here, visit Norway’s smallest stave church, which dates back to at least the early 14th century, and meet one of the few remaining traditional cheese farmers, who will present you with samples of regional products to taste. Afterward, board your motor coach for the scenic return journey to your ship.

Ascend by train into the magnificent mountains surrounding Flåm on an invigorating excursion, then coast downhill. From your bicycle, admire breathtaking views all around. Leaving Flåm on its world-famous railway, you will climb for 12 miles to a height of 3,000 feet, passing through 20 tunnels and over numerous bridges. Your conductor will proceed at a pace that allows you to savor the snowcapped peaks, towering fjords and pristine wilderness. At Myrdal Station you will change trains for a partial descent by rail and then alight at Berekvam Station. After a briefing and helmet fitting with your cycling guide, begin your relaxing coast to Flåm. Over this gentle downhill into the valley, you will descend 1,131 feet over seven miles. Your route follows a twisting river whose ice-cold water is so pure that you can pause for a drink. You will stop regularly along the way to take in incredible views.

Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the fjords as you travel in a RIB, a powerful, rigid, inflatable boat. You will walk to the nearby RIB pier, where your guide will fit you with a protective waterproof suit. Your boat holds just 12 passengers, ensuring you a personal experience. As you set off with your experienced boat driver, you will whisk across the sparkling waters, perhaps leaping over the wake of a passing ferry and sidling up to vertical cliffs rising from the water. You will pause along the way to admire wildlife such as sea eagles and seals. The highlight of your ride is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Naerøyfjord with its narrow passageways and mountains that soar 1,500 feet. Afterward, return back to your ship by RIB. This excursion is inadvisable for those with back or mobility issues.

Experience the dramatic beauty of the Naerøyfjord during an exhilarating kayak excursion across its clear waters. Surrounded by looming mountains over 5,000 feet tall, this 11-mile-long fjord is both a natural wonder and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travel by motor coach to Gudvangen, a charming village at the far end of the fjord. Meet your guide, receive your life jacket and a short safety briefing, then begin your unforgettable excursion. As you paddle, immerse yourself in the striking landscape before you—steep mountains with jagged snowcapped peaks, cascading waterfalls and isolated farmhouses dotting the hillsides. At Hommlaviki, come ashore for a well-deserved rest and enjoy an energy-recharging picnic lunch. Afterward, board your kayak for the scenic return paddle through the fjord to Gudvangen. There, you will meet your coach and travel back to your awaiting ship.

Admire dramatic views of the Aurlandsfjord and visit Norway’s last remaining shoemaking factory. Take a scenic drive along the waterway while enjoying the views of this narrow fjord’s steep mountains and deep waters. At the shoemaking factory of Aurlandskoen, the last of its kind in Norway, stroll the visitor’s center and admire the exhibits illustrating the trade’s history and traditions. Depending upon the day, you may have the opportunity to tour the factory and observe the shoemakers at work; gain insight into how these craftsmen transform pieces of leather into high-quality footwear. Afterward, drive to Aurdal, an idyllic village built where the rapids meet the fjord. Discover the world’s smallest stave church still in use for religious services and stroll by the roaring river, admiring astonishing views of the mountains dramatically falling into the fjord.