7 Night Norwegian Fjords Cruise

Discover Southampton’s maritime history at the SeaCity Museum or see impressive works in the city’s art gallery. Jane Austen used to walk Southampton’s city walls and you can too, stopping at the Tudor House Museum along the way. Go all nostalgic over vintage cars at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu or see King Arthur’s fabled Round Table at nearby Winchester, the ancient capital of England.

Kristiansand, named after its founding king, is the lively capital of Southern Norway. Stroll through the old town of Posebyen, known for its neat grid design with wooden white and pastel-colored houses. Explore the area around the quayside and fish market, and relax in an outdoor cafe. In summer, the Bystranda Beach is filled with cheerful Norwegians catching a spot of sunshine. Take a boat trip to visit the quaint fishing villages nearby. Cruise to Kristiansand and bring your little ones to the large Dyrepark, which includes a zoo, a fantasy village, and a water park.

Set against the backdrop of seven mountains, Bergen's natural beauty and historical charm will stop you in your tracks. Stroll through the Bryggen neighbourhood, with its medieval cobblestone alleyways and red, yellow and white painted houses. Take the cable car or a one-hour hike to the top of Mt Floyen, and soak in dramatic views of the city and the surrounding fjords with Norway cruises. Encounter trolls – don't worry, they're only statues – in the Troll Forest. Later, learn why Bergen is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy with a meal at one of the city's forward-thinking restaurants, where chefs prepare cold-water seafood and local produce with modernist techniques.

Alesund is a small but lively city with a unique, modern feel. A rebuilding effort following a major fire in 1904 gave the city its distinctive Art Nouveau – or 'Jugendstil' – architectural style, defined its ornate details, asymmetrical facades and curving forms meant to resemble plants, animals and flowers. From the city park, walk up the 418 steps to the city's peak, Aksla – you'll be rewarded with a gorgeous panoramic view on the city, the islands and the rugged Sunnmorsalpane mountain range. Alesund is the home base for Norway's largest cod fishing fleet, so you won't have to go far to try some of the delicious and fresh seafood dishes during your Norway cruise.

Soak up the enchanting natural landscapes in Skjolden, a village at the end of the emerald-green Lustrafjorden. This idyllic town lies at the edge of Sognefjorden, the largest fjord in Norway. Stroll around the tranquil village, home to about 200 people. Admire the rolling farms and the greenery. You'll see it's no surprise this was a popular destination with Norwegian artists, who came here for inspiration in the 19th century. Visit the old Urnes Stave Church, a Viking Age church dating back to 1130 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 30 kilometres to the south. The narrow road there passes through idyllic villages – its picturesque vistas earn it the name Romantic Route.

Discover Southampton’s maritime history at the SeaCity Museum or see impressive works in the city’s art gallery. Jane Austen used to walk Southampton’s city walls and you can too, stopping at the Tudor House Museum along the way. Go all nostalgic over vintage cars at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu or see King Arthur’s fabled Round Table at nearby Winchester, the ancient capital of England.