CRUISING TO NORWAY- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Norway boasts over twelve thousand miles of rugged, indented coastline in all. The sum total is a scenic smorgasbord so jaw droppingly gorgeous that it is perhaps unequalled anywhere else on the planet. And, while most cruises visit this pristine natural playground during the spring, all of the seasons come gifted with a special sense of beauty- and, in the case of winter, a sense of solitude- that makes it a uiquely appealing destination for legions of cruise and travel fans alike.

Two things dominate most people's perceptions of going to Norway, namely the weather and the prices on shore. Let's deal with these one at a time. 

Even in summer, the Norwegian weather can be misty and overcast one minute, and then gloriously hot and sunny the next. You are just as likely to get suntanned on a Norwegian beach (and yes, they do exist) as it is on Miami Beach. And, even through a veil of mist and the odd, scatterd rain shower, the sheer beauty of the fjords is so magnificent and awe inspiring that you often forget the elements.

There's truth to the saying that, if you aren't happy with the weather, just give it five minutes and it will change. But the long, languid days of summer reveal a play of light on water perhaps unmatched anywhere else. And seeing this same scenery dusted by a coat of harsh, gleaming winter frost is purely magical.

Price wise, Norway is eye wateringly expensive, but don't forget that most of your normal holiday costs are covered in the on board price of your chosen cruise. And, should you decide to splash out (as it were) ashore, then the quality of everything from beer to reindeer pelts is second to none. And if your idea of good value amounts to simply hiking through splendid scenery, then Norway is somewhere that will give you outstanding value.

You can go kayaking, hiking, or take indepdendent tours on such world famous routes as the fabulous Flam Railway, a must do if you're only ever going to Norway just the once. But, truth be told, this spellbinding country has such a glut of magnificent scenery and wealth of sightseeing that once is almost certainly never going to be enough.

One thing that is for sure; the sights, sounds and sheer vitality of this wondrous, far off land will stay with you long after you actually leave it far behind. Enjoy.