One trip, four destinations

Known as the ‘Cradle of the Vikings’, this charming small city offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and buzzing culture. A real must is walking around Old Stavanger – a protected area of 173 white wooden buildings dotted across cobbled streets. Keep your eyes peeled for local handicrafts and Nordic art as you explore. Hungry? Norway is famous for its fresh seafood, and a great place to try some is Fisketorget Fish Market, located on the harbour. When you’re ready to get closer to the water, we recommend booking a P&O Cruises shore experience. There are plenty to choose from in each destination catering to all levels of physical activity. A stand-out option is paddle-boarding on the Frafjord. Here, you’ll admire the scenery as you’re driven to the picturesque nearby village of Frafjord, then start gliding through the calm waters of this mountainous area. At the end, you’ll warm up by a bonfire and sip hot drinks. Alternatively, to really get your heart pumping, you can use Stavanger as your base to hike to Pulpit Rock: a famous mountain hike towering 604 metres above the Lysefjord. 

Olden is a peaceful village where colourful houses sit on mirror-still waters, flanked by lush green mountainsides. Enjoy breakfast on board overlooking the fjords, then gear up for a day of awe-inspiring natural sights. Thrill seekers shouldn’t miss the P&O Cruises shore experience at the Loen Skylift: one of the world’s steepest cable cars that will take you up Mount Hoven. Ascend 3,000+ feet, and take in incredible panoramic views of the fjords below. Once at the top, relax with a bite to eat at the mountaintop restaurant. Then, you could continue your hike, discovering even more breathtaking views of the fjords as you go up. Another excellent shore experience is the Briksdal Glacier by Troll Car, where you’ll ride in a little vehicle through an enchanting national park past thundering waterfalls and gleaming glacier tongues, then you can walk the rest of the trail to marvel at the ancient glacier and lake, glowing white and blue.

Not many towns can claim to have a beautiful roaring waterfall meandering through its centre. But this UNESCO World Heritage-listed village does! Admire the Hellesyltfossen Waterfall, then explore some of Hellesylt’s gems. Stroll up steep paths through the village until you get to the nineteenth-century Sunnylven Church, which offers great views of the fjord. Get even closer to Mother Nature by booking the P&O Cruises shore experience, Geirangerfjord by RIB: a high-speed boat ride departing from Hellesylt. Here, you’ll zip through the fjord on the still water and spot cute mountain farms. Plus, you’ll get close to the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil waterfalls. Don’t forget to photograph these spectacular sights, otherwise it may all feel like an impossible dream. And if you simply can’t resist going for a dip into these glimmering waters, there’s a diving platform near the edge of the fjord. Just make sure you’re prepared for those chilly temperatures, and be careful!

You can get to know the fascinating Vikings on the P&O Cruises shore experience, Historic Avaldsnes and Viking Village. You’ll visit the homeland of Viking kings, starting with a drive to the verdant Karmøy island and moving along to the Nordvegen History Centre, where you’ll learn about the kings who ruled the region for more than three millennia. Then, you’ll meet a ‘Viking’ at a nearby Viking farm, and explore the reconstructed houses to get an insight into their lives and customs. Want to delve further into Norway’s history? Get a taste of local culture at the Karmsund Folk Museum. If your favourite way to get to know a place is by its cuisine, then you’re in luck: Naustet Restaurant is a fantastic place to try traditional dishes like fresh Atlantic cod and pinnekjøtt (salted dried lamb ribs). 

Okay, so putting aside the fact that there is simply no other way to see all these destinations in one week – it’s the journey on the ship that makes the holiday even more special. Being on a P&O Cruises holiday elevates your Norwegian fjords experience. Allow yourself to go to sleep in one destination and wake in another, enjoying breakfast while taking in the views. In the evening, you could savour fine dining, Norwegian style, in the Epicurean restaurant, then watch live entertainment in the SkyDome. You could relax after an invigorating mountain hike in the spa on board, then step out onto the deck to watch waterfalls go by. Seven-night holidays are more affordable than you might expect; inside cabins start from approximately £749 per person**.