14-Day Voyage Of The Midnight Sun

Amsterdam: A good time! That’s what you’ll have in this beautiful capital of the Netherlands, which feels at once like a 17-century city and a bustling modern metropolis. Famous for its canals and extraordinary museums, Amsterdam is also an intimate city with strangely alluring streets and squares.

You can thank Olav Kyrre.

He’s the Viking king who founded Bergen in 1070. During the Middle Ages, the city became Scandinavia’s primary port, and today, against all odds, you can still see buildings and other relics of this long period. There’s the medieval fortress of Bergenhus, as well as the summer home of composer Edvard Grieg. Bergen, Norway is also a jumping off point for
excursions to some of Norway’s wonders, such as Sorfjord, Samnangerfjord, Tokagjel Gorge and Steindalsfjoss Waterfall. After you’ve visited all of these, there will be a short spelling quiz.

Little Flam is the terminus of what must be one of the most exciting railway journeys in the world. Climbing almost 900 meters in the space of only 20 km, this is the only railroad track that is actually 4 levels deep in some places. As the little train switches back and forth ever higher into the stratosphere, one breathtaking view after the next is revealed. The giant Rjoande Waterfall, tumbles into the waiting waters of the fjord, while on the cliff face, you may see mountain climbers testing their skills (and their nerve!).

This is the town where north was invented. That’s right no village in the entire world is further north than Honningsvag, Norway. How far north is it? It is so far north the sun doesn’t even think of setting from mid-May until the end of July-which seems like an awful lot of work, and that could explain its need to set and stay set from late November to late January. (This period is especially difficult if you have a night job.) Honningsvag is the gateway to the North Cape, but hey, if you want to head that direction, you’re on your own.

Molde’s long summer days produce a colorful profusion of flowers which fills the air. Explore viking history in the renowned Romsdal Museum.

Located in Western Norway, the Sognefjord or Sognefjorden stretches almost 130 miles from the ocean to a small village called Skjolden, making it the largest fjord in Norway and the second longest in the world. Many smaller fjords branch off the Sognefjord, and all exhibit the exceptional natural beauty that draws so many travelers each year.

The fourth largest and one of the oldest towns in Norway, Stavanger rests along the Byfjord, an arm of the Stavangerfjord. The city prospers from its canning and oil industries, as is evident by the factories in the city and the oil rigs out at sea. The monuments and mansions of the city reflect the great wealth of the residents of Stavanger throughout its history. Spend some time walking through the cobbled streets of the Old Town, past the shops and small, colorful houses with red roofs and lovely gardens. See the medieval Stavanger Cathedral, the second-largest church in Norway and undoubtedly one of northern Europe’s most magnificent monuments.

Located 245 miles north of Oslo, Trondheim was originally called Nidaros. Venture to Nidaros Cathedral, considered one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in Northern Europe. Visit Ringve Museum of Musical History for a lively experience, with a collection of over 2000 instuments.