Fjords and Waterfalls - 7 nights, June 2013

Lysefjord, Norway's most southern major fjord, stretches 25 miles and was formed more than 10,000 years ago during the last ice age. Experience a leisurely cruise along the scenic Lysefjord, as you pass steep mountains with their cascading waterfalls and the occasional dwelling clinging to its rocky terrain.

There will be a limited commentary providing information about the various points of interest including Preikestolen, better known as the Pulpit Rock. The 'Pulpit Rock' is a famous natural rock formation which protrudes vertically from the mountainside. On a clear day, you will be able to see the rock with its flat plateau proudly jutting out above you.

During the tour, a stop will be made for refreshments of tea or coffee and freshly-made waffles.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. Various sized boats will be used for this excursion. There are two flights of stairs between the decks on the boat. Whilst there are sufficient seats for everyone on the boat, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to sit in the area of your choice (either inside or on the open deck). A warm, windproof jacket is recommended. There are steps leading to the refreshment stop. The Pulpit Rock is situated approximately 1,968 feet above sea level and therefore appears smaller when viewed from below. Pre-reservation of this tour is highly recommended due to limited availability.

From Olden village centre your journey takes you past the two old churches of Olden, one dating back to 1759 and the other, a quaint red painted church from the 1930’s, which was a gift from an American who settled in the village. Travelling along the shore of the small Floen Lake, you will arrive in Eide, where you will transfer to a boat.

Enjoy a leisurely cruise on the long and narrow Oldevatnet Lake, one of Norway’s most beautiful. Enjoy the mountainous scenery with its numerous waterfalls which surround the lake. Admire the long, white tongue of the Melkevoll Glacier and the arms of the spectacular Jostedalsbreen Glacier, including the Myklebustbreen Glacier. Your cruise will end in Rustøen, where you will re-board your coach for the scenic drive back to Olden.


This excursion will operate by coach and boat. There are a few steps to access the boat, including those to the upper deck. Please carry a warm jacket. This tour involves tunnels. Please be advised that due to the low number of boats available, capacity on this excursions is strictly limited therefore early pre-booking is essential.

See the old medieval city, including the 13th-century King Håkon's Hall, the 16th-century Rosenkrantz Tower, and Bryggen, a major trading centre for the medieval Hanseatic League. Pass the open-air fish market at Torget and Grieg Hall, the city's concert hall. Enjoy the surrounding sights of green slopes and ragged mountains as you drive through suburbs, with well kept houses and gardens, to Troldhaugen.

Troldhaugen, beautifully situated at the Nordås Lake, was home to the late Edvard Grieg. Grieg (1843-1907) was a composer, pianist and conductor with his first piano debut being at the age of 18. Norwegian folk music, nature and the delightful scenery of Norway inspired him to create the most beautiful pieces of music.

A special piano recital in the ‘Troldsal’, a unique style concert hall with turf roof, will immerse you in the exquisite sounds of Grieg's music. After the recital, there will be a guided tour of Grieg’s house and gardens where you will see many of the original furnishings including a Steinway grand piano, which was an anniversary gift in 1892. Before departing Troldhaugen, there will be the opportunity to visit the information centre which sells books, CD’s and other Grieg memorabilia.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. There is a total of 30 minutes' walking with some steps and gravel terrain. Photography is not permitted inside the house. If the ship is berthed at Dokken or Jekteviken Pier the journey will include a tunnel.

The Geirangerfjord is without doubt one of the most beautiful of the Norwegian fjords. Impressive mountains, numerous waterfalls as well as farms clinging to the steep hillsides give the fjord its unique character. Drive uphill past the tiny octagonal Geiranger Church, and the large Hotel Union, situated 300 feet up the hill-side, to the camping site where you will begin your hike.

Follow the zigzag path up the mountainside through former summer pastures. Reach the spectacular Storsæter Waterfall, which falls nearly 100 feet in a wide curve away from the mountainside, which allows you to stand underneath the falls.

Head downhill towards Westerås Farm, perched on a ledge above Geiranger. This farm was abandoned years back because of the danger of avalanches in winter and early spring, but it is in full activity during the summer months. Enjoy refreshments of tea or coffee and local waffles before returning by coach to Geiranger.


ACTIVITY EXCURSIONS
You and all those in your party should be aware that, in undertaking activity excursions, you will be involved in a degree of physical exertion and/or activity such as hiking, biking, snorkelling, kayaking, diving etc. By booking the excursion you confirm that you and all those in your party are in good physical and mental condition, with no history of conditions such as seizures, dizziness, fainting, heart condition, respiratory problems or back/neck problems (by way of example only). You should also ensure that no one in your party is taking medicine that carries a warning about impairment of physical or mental abilities. If you are pregnant this type of excursion may not be appropriate for you. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in the activities booked and you are reminded to take care for your own safety. Because of the risks associated with activity excursions, you may be asked by the excursion provider to sign a document which may affect or limit the excursion provider’s liability. Comfortable flat walking shoes are recommended.

LIABILITY
Cunard will arrange for the excursions to be performed by the relevant excursion provider. Cunard does not provide or supply the excursion services. Cunard will exercise reasonable care and skill in the selection of the excursion provider, but will not in any circumstances have a greater liability than the excursion supplier and Cunard shall not be responsible for the negligent acts/omissions of the excursion supplier. Please note that in relation to all excursions Cunard is not responsible or liable for any loss, damage, or injury sustained by you unless such loss, damage or injury arises out of a breach of legal duty of Cunard.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Before booking any activity excursions it is essential that you ensure your travel insurance extends to cover the specified activity. It is your responsibility to obtain adequate insurance.

This excursion will operate on foot. The hike to the falls takes approximately one hour, and is at times steep and strenuous. It is mandatory to wear enclosed footwear suitable for hiking over rough, uneven and wet ground. Please carry bottled water to prevent dehydration.

A short drive out of Southampton will bring you to the New Forest. The New Forest, originally created by William the Conqueror for deer hunting, is a mixture of open grazing, woodland and heath. The Forest has remained almost untouched for 1,000 years and is famous for its tiny villages with traditional thatched cottages and wild ponies which roam free on the land. Today it is managed by the Forestry Commission and in 2004 was designated a National Park.

Your scenic drive will take you through the heart of the New Forest, with its famous New Forest ponies, past a variety of beautiful landscapes to three of its prettiest villages; Hythe, Beaulieu and Lyndhurst.

The historic marina village of Hythe is located alongside Southampton Water and on a clear day you can see across to where your cruise ship is berthed. The village also boasts the world’s oldest operating pier train.

The picturesque village of Beaulieu dates back to the 13th century and is renowned for its Abbey, Motor Museum and Palace Manor House. Admire the lovely views across Beaulieu River as you pass through this quaint village.

The New Forest capital, Lyndhurst is a bustling village containing tea rooms, pubs, souvenir shops, local stores and ice cream vendors. You will have the chance to visit the New Forest Visitor Centre to view its exhibits, browse the local shops or relax in one of the tea rooms.


Guests who are embarking or disembarking the ship in Southampton should not book a shore excursion for this port.  Southampton excursions are available for guests visiting Southampton as a port call.

This excursion will operate by coach. The sightseeing is conducted from the comfort of your coach with a photograph stop at Hythe and Beaulieu. There will be approximately 45 minutes free time in Lyndhurst.

Step aboard your boat for a scenic cruise, lasting approximately 1½ hours, along the beautiful fjords. Beginning on the Byford, you’ll travel between the surrounding archipelago of the Bjorøyna, Lerøyna and Tyssøyna islands, under the Askøybridge and along the Lysefjord. After relaxing and soaking up the scenery on board, a coach awaits to take you on a drive through the suburbs and city centre to Bryggen.

Bryggen is a living illustration of the city’s history, with 61 protected Hanseatic buildings. Enjoy a guided walk through the alleyways and colourful, picturesque warehouses lining the street and waterfront. These once housed German merchants belonging to the Hanseatic League who settled in Bergen around 1350.

As you stroll through the narrow passages and along the dark covered balconies, you’ll be transported back through the centuries. Bryggen is not a museum, it is living cultural heritage. Today these buildings, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, house shops, restaurants, cafés and artists’ workshops.


This excursion will operate by boat and on foot. The guided walk is approximately 30 minutes over level cobbled terrain. There are a few steps and a steep gradient to board the boat.

Travel by coach through the beautiful Olden Valley with its majestic mountains, glacier tongues, waterfalls and the green Olden Lake. On arrival at the Briksdal Inn, you will board your troll cars which will take you part of the way to the Briksdal Glacier.

Briksdal Glacier, located in Jostedalsbreen National Park, is part of the Jostedal Glacier Icefield, which is the largest Glacier on the European mainland. This massive Glacier flows 4,000 feet down the mountainside into the Briksdal Valley. The troll cars will drop you off at the entrance to the National Park. It is not possible to see the Glacier from this point, however, there is a good view of it on the way up and a walk of approximately 550 yards will provide a closer look.

There will be time to admire the Glacier and photograph its many shades of blue and turquoise before walking back to the troll cars for the return journey to the Briksdal Inn where refreshments of coffee, tea and cakes will be served. There will be time to browse the souvenir shop before boarding the coach back to Olden.


This excursion will operate by by coach, troll car and on foot. The walk to the glacier from the troll cars will take approximately 15 minutes over some steep, uneven terrain. Please wear comfortable, enclosed walking shoes and carry a bottle of water and a warm jacket. Please heed the warning signs erected near the glacier and do not venture beyond the safety barriers. The glacier is not visible from the refreshment venue. This tour involves tunnels.

Leaving the port your drive will take you past the medieval King Håkon's Hall and Rosenkrantz Tower. The route then continues along Bryggen, the hanseatic quarter of Bergen, with its old, picturesque wooden buildings to the funicular station of Fløibanen.

The funicular will take you on a short journey to the top of Mount Fløien, one of the seven hills that surround Bergen and stands at a height of around 1,050 feet. There will be around 15 minutes at the summit to purchase souvenirs or to just sit and enjoy the bird’s eye view of Bergen and the fjord, before taking the funicular back to the bottom.

Back on board your coach, you will head past the famous fish market and on towards the peninsula of Nordnes, with its typical 19th century, white-painted wooden houses and splendid views on both sides of the port.



This excursion will operate by coach and funicular. The walk from the coach to the funicular is approximately 100 yards up a slight incline. Long queues may be experienced at the funicular station, due to the popularity of this attraction. The views from Mount Fløien may be affected by adverse weather conditions. If the ship is berthed at Dokken or Jekteviken Pier, the route will include a tunnel.

Head towards the villages of Loen and then through Stryn, following the river up to the beautiful Stryn Lake with its turquoise-coloured water originating from the glaciers covering the mountains nearby. Climb via hairpin bends to Videseter, from where you will experience the Stryn Road, which passes through three long tunnels and the spectacular Djupvatn Lake.

Then, take the three mile toll road leading to the summit of Mount Dalsnibba. Reaching 4,500 feet above sea level you should have a fabulous view (weather dependent) down towards the valley of Geiranger, the fjord and the majestic mountains. A photograph stop will be made at Flydal Gorge, before stopping off for a Norwegian buffet luncheon. One of the tour's highlights is a hour long ferry ride on the Geirangerfjord, passing several spectacular waterfalls, including The Seven Sisters, The Suitor and The Bridal Veil.

From the village of Hellesylt, you drive to the Hornindal Lake, the deepest lake in northern Europe. Travel alongside the lake, across wooded hills, to Nordfjord, for a short photograph stop before returning to Olden.

A stop will be made en route for refreshments of coffee and tea.


This excursion will operate by coach and on ferry. There are steps and a flight of stairs to negotiate on board the ferry. This tour involves tunnels and is not recommended for guests who suffer from vertigo.

Travel along the fjord, before following the winding road up the mountainside along 11 hairpin bends. At the uppermost bend, called the Eagles Bend, stop to enjoy the fantastic panoramic views.

In the distance lie old farms, stubbornly clinging onto narrow shelves high above the fjord. For generations families were able to make a living up there, and today great efforts are being made to restore these relics of the past.

Return via the same road, passing several farms where some of the buildings are more than 200 years old. Drive through the village of Geiranger, passing the little octagonal church, before ascending to the viewpoint of Flydal Gorge. From here there are lovely views of the picture-postcard village of Geiranger, the fjord and your ship. The return to Geiranger is via the same route.


This excursion will operate by coach. All sightseeing is conducted from the comfort of your coach. This tour involves mountain roads, therefore it may not be suitable for those who suffer from a fear of heights or vertigo.

From the port, a short drive will bring you to Ullandshaug Viewpoint for magnificent views of Hafrsfjord and the surrounding area. Hafrsfjord is where the Kingdom of Norway was founded in 872 after the Viking King, Harald Hårfagre, defeated the last of the regional princes and united the 29 small kingdoms under one crown. Nearby at Møllebukta, you’ll stop to see the Three Giant Swords monument which commemorate this battle and symbolise the fight is over.

As Stavanger is considered to be the most important ‘oil city’ in Norway, no visit would be complete without visiting the entertaining state-of-the-art Norwegian Oil Museum. Its unusual architecture has already made it a main landmark in Stavanger. The museum cleverly manages to tell the story of oil and how it is created, discovered and produced, in a very interesting and informative way using audio-visual aids, models, interactive exhibits and an amusing 3D dinosaur movie. Discover how oil is used in our everyday life for more than just fuel and learn the challenges facing the North Sea Divers.

On the return journey, a stop will be made at the quaint old town of Gamle Stavanger (Old Stavanger). You’ll have the option to take a short guided walk along the picturesque narrow cobbled lanes and past the well preserved wooden houses as you listen to tales of the bygone ages.


This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. The Norwegian Oil Museum is wheelchair accessible. Guests who do not wish to participate in the guided walk of Gamle Stavanger can remain on the coach.

The Roman City of Bath and the beautiful countryside which surrounds it, has been described as one of England's most beautiful places to visit. Bath is situated within the south west of England and is a 2,000 year old fabulous spa town, built around Britain's only hot mineral springs.

Bath offers a multitude of fantastic places to visit and is very easy to navigate on foot. Designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, the city has some of the finest architectural sites in Europe and boasts a unique and diverse range of historic features, which attract people the world over.

Your visit will begin with a panoramic tour of Bath, with your guide bringing the city to life as you pass the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, the Circus and the parks, including Royal Victoria Park. There will be approximately three hours’ free time to explore this historic city at your own leisure. Watch the many street performers, visit the Roman Baths Museum, discover Jane Austen’s connection to the city at the Jane Austen Centre, wander around the fabulous shops or simply sit back and enjoy the bustling atmosphere.


Guests who are embarking or disembarking the ship in Southampton should not book a shore excursion for this port.  Southampton excursions are available for guests visiting Southampton as a port call.

This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. The transfer time to Bath is approximately 1¾ hours. Luncheon is not included to allow maximum flexibility. Please remember to carry local currency (pounds sterling). Any walking is at guests’ own discretion. Bath is relatively flat but some streets are cobbled.

Stavanger and the surrounding areas have for centuries played a leading part in Norway's development. As you approach Hafrsfjord you’ll hear how King Harald Haarfagre defeated the regional princes here in 872, thus founding the Kingdom of Norway. Nearby at Møllebukta you’ll pass the monument of three giant swords which commemorate this battle and symbolise the fight is over.

Your leisurely drive will continue along the coast of south west Norway, where you will pass the attractive 12th century Church of Sola, as it sits on the hill overlooking Sola Bay. Hear about life in Stavanger as you pass the long sandy coastal stretches of Jæren and travel by fertile farmland. As you approach Eiganes, you will travel down the narrow road with its pretty villas and past Ledaal Manor, once the home of the writer Alexander Kielland and today the King’s residence when he visits Stavanger.

Back in Stavanger, you will see the impressive medieval Cathedral, and the characteristic, colourful facades which overlook the harbour. Across the bridges towards Engøy and Buøy, situated in the fjord, there is a fascinating array of architecture – nearly all the houses are built in wood and painted in vivid colours. En route back to the ship, you will pass ‘Old Stavanger’, for a glimpse of its charming, picturesque, wooden houses which date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. This area is considered unique and the city's most important rehabilitation project.


This excursion will operate by coach. All sightseeing is conducted from the comfort of the coach. The itinerary may operate in reverse. The tour will involve some long tunnels.

Following the Dirdal River and valley, you will reach Byrkjedalstunet. The re-constructed cheese factory in Byrkjedalstunet dates back to 1920 and now houses a restaurant and a candle-maker's workshop. Enjoy a tea or coffee and some traditional 'lapper' (thick pancakes) with jam and sour cream. Take some time to visit the colourful candle workshop, to see the wide variety of candles produced here, before browsing the gift shop with its array of Norwegian handicrafts, woollens, souvenirs and candles.

Venture onwards to see the Gloppedalsuren Boulder Field, Norway's largest field of boulders, with some as big as houses. Continue via the flat, fertile farming area of Jaeren and the beaches at Sola before some city sightseeing in Stavanger.


This excursion will operate by coach. There is approximately 15 minutes' total walking involved on this tour, most of which is optional. The lighting at the refreshment venue is quite dim to add to the atmosphere, therefore care should be taken. This tour involves several tunnels.

The charming village of Olden sits in lovely surroundings, by one of the innermost fjord arms of the mighty Nordfjord, stretching 62 miles inwards from the sea. Travel along the shores of the fjord to the pretty holiday village of Loen, which is surrounded by the fjord, Lovatnet Lake, glaciers, high mountains and lush vegetation.

On arrival in the Kjenndalen Valley, a ten minute walk will take you to a viewpoint to see the Kjenndalen Glacier.

Enjoy refreshments of coffee or tea and a waffle at the Mountain Lodge before taking a boat trip down the 12½ mile long Lovatnet Lake to Sande. Sit back and relax on the leisurely cruise as you pass lovely scenery including the ill-reputed Ravnefjellet (Ravens’ Mountain), whose rockslides have caused tidal waves destroying many of the residences along the lake. At Sande, you’ll rejoin your coach for the return journey along the fjord to Olden.


This excursion will operate by coach and boat. There are a few steps to access the boat, including those to the upper deck. Please wear flat, enclosed footwear and carry a warm jacket. There is limited seating on the top deck of the boat. This tour involves tunnels. Please be advised that due to the low number of boats available, capacity on this excursions is strictly limited therefore early pre-booking is essential.