First, visit attractive Alesund, built on three islands with the spectacular Sunnmore Alps in the background. Pass by Borgund Fjord, with its charming suburbs and well-kept gardens and continue to the municipality of Stordal, well known for its furniture factories, an important export item.

As you reach the fertile valley of Valldal, you’ll ascend up the valley to Trollstigen, reaching approximately 2,800 feet/850 meters above sea level, then start the descent down the Trolls' Path with its daring hairpin bends. Once back down in valley, make a photo stop to take in the lovely Stigfossen Waterfall cascading down the mountainside.

Next, detour up to Trollveggen where you’ll find the Troll Wall with the highest perpendicular rock face in Europe. Climbers from all parts of the world come to visit this over 3,000 foot/1,000 meter tall wall to try out the various routes to the top. Then, pass by Romsdals Fjord with its many small villages known for its ship and boat building. Before returning to your ship, cross over the Orskog Mountain Plateau, a popular skiing area.

Stunning scenery and the highlights of Alesund are yours to discover in this tour that takes you to the top of Mount Stranda by bus, ferry and cable car. A buffet style lunch at the top allows you to enjoy the views as you dine.

Enjoy a short city sightseeing of some of the highlights of Alesund before heading for the fjords. Cross the fjord by ferry, and then drive up the mountain, with great views along the way.

Arriving at Mount Stranda’s cable car station, a gondola takes you to the top, 3418 feet above sea level. Here goats graze during summer, and there is even snow in some areas. The panoramic view from Mt. Stranda reaches far and wide. From this privileged view point, you can see Geiranger Fjord, UNESCCO World Heritage site, and Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Continental Europe. As order of sites may vary, lunch will be enjoyed either before or after the gondola ride. After crossing the fjord by ferry, the tour will take a different route back to the pier, making a short photo stop (time permitting) at Mt. Aksla, for an unrivaled view of Alesund from this vantage point.

Start your tour with a drive along the Borgund Fjord, through the modern suburbs to the old trading center of Borgund. Here, you’ll visit the Sunnmore Open-Air Museum where you’ll see various types of farmhouses, boathouses and a number of different boats. Shipbuilding was known to be the most reliable along the coast.

You’ll find replicas of the so called Kvalsund and Fjortoft boats from the year 700 A.D. Alongside lies the fishing vessel Heland known as the Shetland bus, as it was used to carry Norwegian partisans across the North Sea during World War II. Then make a detour up to Mount Aksla to enjoy the magnificent view over the town and surroundings, before returning to your ship.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Alesund, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie expert guide will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Plus, selfie sticks and selfie photo frames are available. Your pictures will be ideal for posting on social media and sharing in other ways.

As you walk and ride through Alesund, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Hellebroa Bridge, which spans two islands.
• øvenvold Kino Nordisk Film, a century-old theater.
• Kongensgate, a shopping street lined with Art Nouveau architecture.
• Mount Aksla

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Alesund.
• Follow tips from your selfie expert guide to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Enjoy free time at Kongensgate, a cobblestoned street lined with shops.
• Enjoy the view of Alesund from Mount Aksla.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

Enjoy a scenic and relaxing cruise on Hjorundfjord, regarded by many as one of the most beautiful fjords in the world and the Queen of Norway’s favorite.

The Hjorundfjord is a 20 mile long arm of the Storfjord, located in the Sunnmore Alps heartland with pointed mountain peaks that encircle the bay on both sides. The north end of the fjord is over 1.5 miles wide, and the deepest point is over 1446 feet.

Your sightseeing boat takes you on an approximately 3-4 hour cruise along the striking scenery that Kaiser Wilhelm valued so highly more than 100 years ago. The views of nature's mountains and fjords from this perspective are simply spectacular.

Alesund, the largest town on the northwest coast, has a beautiful setting, built on several islands stretching out into the ocean. You'll drive to the Atlantic Ocean Park, a unique aquarium in Norway. Here, the tanks are built to resemble the coastal environment and its largest tank contains 1 million gallons/4 million liters of seawater. You can even view marine life through an acryl panel. The park also features an outdoor pool with penguins. Here you can look straight out towards Breisundet – the wide sound surrounded by islands and far out into the open ocean.

You’ll see seals coming regularly to be fed. On the way back, you'll have the opportunity to study some of the fine details of the Art Nouveau architecture before you head up to Mount Aksla. Here, a stop will be made for the spectacular view towards the ocean and the many islands. After a short drive through the streets of Alesund, you're back at the pier.

The community of Giske consists of several islands of which you’ll visit two - Giske and Godoy Islands. Today, the inhabitants have ferry-free connection with the town of Alesund and the mainland. Giske is known as the Saga Island because the Viking Chieftain Rollo was born here. You’ll travel via bridges and undersea-tunnels to reach this fairly flat and fertile island. Then, visit the Giske Church dating back to 1150, it was originally a chapel that belonged to the powerful Giske family.

Continue to Godoy Island and the small fishing village of Alnes facing the open sea. Here, you’ll have the option to visit the lighthouse, if you feel able to climb the stairs to the top. On clear days, the view of the ocean and the many islands is fantastic, a great memory to take back home.

Visit the Art Nouveau Centre, located in the old pharmacy building, right in the heart of Alesund. The museum provides an interesting insight into the history of the fire in 1904 and the creative Art Noveau period. The town center was rebuilt shortly after the fire in the characteristic architecture of that period. You’ll see various examples of the style that has made Alesund one of the three last Art Nouveau cities in Europe.

Continue through the town of Alesund and uphill to the little attractive park at the foot of Mount Aksla. Here, you’ll find exotic trees and plants, as well as a memorial stone dedicated to the emperor Wilhelm II, the main street in town is also named after him. You may walk up towards Mount Aksla for a spectacular view or just sit in the park and rest before heading back to your ship.

Your tour adventure takes place on a Rigid Inflatable Boat - RIB. After being briefed on safety procedures, you’ll be suited up with a Personal Floatation Device before you head out of the harbor. Your boat will cruise the coastal waters around Alesund. Go as far as Runde Birdrock or into the sheltered waters of the inside of Alesund, depending on the weather. Your guide will look out for interesting wildlife, birds or even eagles. You can also get closer to a rock where seals are basking. Finally, after approximately 90 minutes of adventure, you’ll return to your ship.