Shelden, Norway

Wooden Church in Urnäs(e)

This is the oldest surviving stave church, built approximately in 1130. Today, there is debate about how many older churches were built on its site before this time-one or two. A UNESCO World Heritage site. The church is known for carved panels that have been preserved since 1050, depicting the “urnes style,” the last flowering of a type of “animal style” that was widespread in Scandinavia at the time. The wooden church at Urnes has not been affected by time’s destructive power because the wooden frame rests on a stone foundation, and the lack of contact with the ground prevented the wood from rotting. The round arches are made from naturally curved parts of trees, points where the rootstock transitions into the trunk.

Breheimen National Park

Nature in this national park is wonderfully diverse. Here you can find any kind of landscape-from green valleys and bare mountain peaks to rushing river flows and glaciers. There are many well-marked trails for hiking, ski runs, routes for glacier ascents, and wonderful opportunities for rock climbing. In Breheimen you can see the remains of settlements that existed more than 6000 years ago. People lived in these areas back in the Stone Age. The park plays an important role in protecting some endangered bird and plant species. With careful observation and a little luck, you may be able to spot large predators and birds of prey.

Nigardsbreen Glacier

This language is only a tiny part of the gigantic Jostedalsbreen glacier, the largest in Europe. The area of this immense ice mass is 487 square kilometers, and its thickness reaches 600 meters. For the most part, it is located high in the mountains, and only a few tongues of ice descend into the valleys. At a nearby visitor center, you can sign up for one of the groups and take an ice climb. The challenging hikes last longer than 5 hours and require serious equipment and some preparation. But you can also go on the simplest “expedition” - a one-hour “Family walk” (“Family walk”) that is available even for children from 6 years old.

Cruise along the Sognefjord

The Sognefjord is called the “King of Fjords” for good reason-it's the longest fjord in the world. The Sognefjord formed more than 2 million years ago, when, as a glacier retreated, the river system, as a result of erosion, turned into a fjord. The depth of the Sognefjord is 1308 m, and its length is 204 km. On a cruise ship, you will travel along the inner part of the fjord-the Lustrafjord. You’ll see charming villages scattered across valleys and mountain slopes, and during special stops you can listen to the stories of these places and enjoy a photo session. The highlight will be a visit to the magnificent Feigumfossen waterfall, which plunges from a height of 218 meters. And with a bit of luck, you may be able to watch playful small whales-harbor porpoises-and seals frolicking near the ship.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can review them after booking your cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.