The Fjords and The Top of the World: NORTH CAPE!

I usually get asked: “After having traveled the world, what is your favorite country?” My answer is always the same: Norway!

To talk about Norway, I have to talk about the Scandinavian culture. The northern European territories of Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Finland and Norway share the Scandinavian culture, which historically comes from Scandia. These countries are connected by history, culture, holidays, traditions and linguistic Germanic heritage and this is why their flags are similarly designed with the cross representing Christianity.

The most renowned characters of the Scandinavian culture is the Nisse, the Norwegian gnome, and the troll. Both creatures of the old science fiction narrative always pop-up in my mind every time I tell stories about Norway. They caught my eye during my first cruise season in Norway, in 2009. The gnome has been represented in all creative outlets and is believed to be the soul of the first farmer of the area. He is a good-luck charm, the permanent guardian of the farmstead and looks old, short, has a cute little body and wears a hat. The troll is a different deal: He is not social to humans and can be potentially dangerous. He is described as non-Christian and can turn into a rock if touched by the sun. The gnomes and trolls are represented all around Norway. You will see them both during your Norwegian trip.

Gorgeous Norway has not only the rich Scandinavian culture but also their smiley and extremely kind citizens. Norway in my opinion has it all: Nature, technology, environmental ethics, healthy social politics and recently it has surprised all as the new economic leader in Europe. I know what you are thinking and the answer is: Yes. Visiting Norway is like boarding the DeLorean and going forward 50 years to a successful future. No question, let’s all move to Norway!

My trip across Norway starts on board the Celebrity Silhouette on a 12-day cruise named: “Norwegian Fjords and North Cape”. We depart from Southampton, England on our way to visit Alesund, Tromso, Honningsvag, Molde and Geiranger. In my experience, the cruise itineraries around Norway have the most exciting sea days because the ship sails through the Norwegian fjords.

I am traveling during the first week of July so I get to experience the Norwegian midnight sun, which is 24 hours of sunlight, as we travel above the Arctic Circle. It is amazing how much we party until 3:00am with the sun kissing our faces and still feel fresh and ready for the next experiences! This is the reason why in this specific itinerary we haven’t appreciated the northern lights. To enjoy them you need the night, there is more chance to appreciate them between November and March.

The word “fjord” means “where you travel across”. At first sight, you might confuse them with rivers, but no. The fjords are a stunning landscape made of a sequence of narrow inlets with steep cliffs, created by the separation of glaciers that have moved over 2.5 million years in a process called glaciation. They are connected to the sea and this is why the water is salty, embracing a unique kind of sea species, and why your cruise can smoothly navigate in and out of them back to the Norwegian sea.

***A Norwegian fjord created through the “glaciation” process.***

The fjords passage is the main attraction of this itinerary. Guests are invited to go to the open area of the highest deck to feel surrounded by mountains with waterfalls glistening down.

My cruise has made a party of this, accompanied by champagne, appetizers, photographers snapping your pictures and a specialized narrator. It is common to see animals like white goats, reindeers, sheep, gulls, pelicans and eagles. If you are really lucky, you might see wolfs or polar bears!

Sailing the fjords is one of the most unique encounters with nature a human being can have. I close my eyes and can feel the refreshing, little drops of mist caressing my face. Breathe deeply and the air fills your lungs with pure, Norwegian air.

Our first port is “Oh! Alesund!”, a God-made artistic landscape. One of those places where it is impossible to take a bad picture because there is beauty all around. In Alesund, my tour is called “Medieval Village Sunnmore and Sightseeing” and is an excellent opportunity to appreciate the traditional cabins in the woods.

Most of the cruise tours include a visit to Mount Aksla, with a stunning view of the town and islands. A beautiful place for photographs.

One of the things that really grabs my attention is that we were super lucky to have the same tour guide in every port, Jesus Garcia. While our cruise sailed, Jesus moved quickly by car to find us in the next port of call. I had a similar experience in Alaska with our guides. In that sense, I applaud the dedication and commitment of my tour guides!

***My friend Jesus: Our dedicated tour guide!***

Our next port, Tromso, is considered the entrance to the Arctic Circle because it is right above it. Tromso is great for reindeer and whale watching. If you are sailing in late September and your cruise stays overnight or if you are visiting by land between October and March, the Aurora hunting tour is considered the best! Keep in mind that between May and July is mostly impossible to enjoy them because, as I mentioned before, towns above the Arctic Circle experience the midnight sun, due to the northern hemisphere tipped towards the sun. As you might already know, you need night hours to see the northern lights. In any case, Tromso is a tranquil and peaceful town, ideal to recharge energy for the next ports of call.

***Aurora Hunting: A great tour to try in Tromso if you are staying overnight!***

I started this article having in mind North Cape as the main highlight but, to be honest, there is so much to say about Norway that one article will never be enough. On the 6th day of our cruise, the Captain announces our arrival to Honningsvag, above the Arctic Circle. This marvelous land is surrounded by waterfalls and fjords and offers magnificent views across the sea to the Svalbard Islands and the North Pole.

***An aerial view of North Cape: The top of the world!***

Jesus picks up my group from the Honningsvag port to take us to North Cape’s biggest attraction, the Globe Monument. Once we arrive, he says: “Smile! You are at the highest latitude point that a tourist can reach on this planet.” And he is right: North Cape is the northernmost touristic and car-accessible place and also marks the end of Route E69, the northernmost public road in Europe.

***North Cape: At the edge of the world!***

The Globe Monument sculpture is located at a latitude of 71º 10’ 21”. I stand here for an eternal minute and can feel the top of the world, literally at the edge. This is it! This is the end of dry land; nothing else between the North Pole and you. It is one of those outstanding experiences to tell your friends and family and marks a fantastic end to a northern sojourn.

In this area, we find the Nordkapphallen, a tourist center with art exhibitions, St. Johannes Chapel if you have an instant inspiration of getting married to your loved one, a souvenir shop, restaurants, cafes and the world’s northernmost post office to send a postcard to grandma, highlighting your achievement.

We have two more ports on this itinerary. Nothing better to cool off such intense experiences like Molde, known as the peaceful ‘town of roses’, which lies along the Molde fjord. My two favorite places to visit are the Romsdal Museum, with its impressive display of houses and culture from the seventeenth century, and the Gothic Molde Cathedral. Do you feel more adventurous? The marble and limestone Troll church caves are for you with underground rivers and waterfalls. Get ready to walk, climb, hike and swim!

***Appreciating Molde from my cruise ship***

Our last port is Geiranger, a magnificent vantage point to enjoy the Geirangerfjord, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. This area also has excellent water and snow sport activities.

***Geiranger with a view of Geirangerfjord: Nothing more refreshing than touching the snow!***

Wishing for an exciting skywalk over a glass platform? Dalsnibba Mountain and Norwegian Fjord Center, with a new viewing platform opened in 2016, offers mesmerizing views of the town and Blåbreen glacier, as you walk 4921 ft above sea level.

I have taken you with me on one of the best itineraries I have ever experienced in my life. There is nothing like experiencing Norway for yourself. It is definitely a ‘bucket list’ country!

With GEO360™: Pack less, travel more!®

Written by Joy Kelly

January 18th, 2020

Special thanks to Celebrity Cruises.

Please find below my favorite links for more information:

Norwegian Cruises by Celebrity Cruises

Health Progress in Norway by CDC

The Fjords and The Top of the World: NORTH CAPE!

The Most Beautiful Half-Natural, Half-Man-Made Architecture I Have Ever Seen: PETRA

Designed by Joy Kelly