Cruise into Norwegian Fjords 2007

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Travelers: Tano and Catherine

Destination: Norwegian Fjords from 15 July to 22 July 2007

Before starting research into Internet
Bookings: Through the travel agent we booked a cabin with balcony on the Costa Magica


15 July 2007
The flight Milan Malpensa - Copenhagen and boarding the ship Costa Magica. The ship is huge and treated in detail. The cabin is booked, the number 8392 with a balcony in order to safely enjoy the beauty of the fjords. In the evening after dinner we shot (at the risk of losing) the ship.

16 July 2007
The day shipping for which we have dedicated to exploring the ship, relax and use the gym. The temperatures did not allow to use the large outdoor pool for which all the other attractions of the ship (sauna, turkish bath, etc..) Requiring long waits. While browsing the shops remain open. Whereas, as often happens, travel agents recommend places that they know only from the catalog we were unprepared for the temperature. We bought the sweatshirts and jackets pagandole dearly. The day goes by eating all the time (poor belly).

17 July 2007
Come to Flam (pronounced Flom), first stage. The ship travels at night around the fjord, and when we wake, opening curtains, we are in the mountains. Flam is a tiny village of 450 inhabitants. The fog, the smell of moss and the sound of waterfalls make the green landscape full of even more distinctive. The pier is covered with green. We decide to make an excursion organized by Costa (about € 110,00 per person). Thinking that he had paid a disproportionate amount and have not even included in the price hike has made us a little 'irritating (after the water is not included with meals and services of Hotel paid € 6.00 per person per day). We choose the tour that includes the return train with the characteristic flamsbana. The places visited are very characteristic and lunch included nell'escursione us tasting the typical products of their salmon cooked in about 5 different ways and quality (river, fjord and cattle), reindeer salami and excellent Norwegian strawberries. Sin for the rain that there has never abandoned. Spectacular was the exit of the vessel by the fjord with all people of Flam who gather to admire the event of the week. In the evening after dinner and the show we see that the animation of the target vessel excludes 25-35. Dances with tango, waltz, etc.. lead us to the usual casino (where regular after losing the figure established there fun to watch players inveterate lose).

18 July 2007
Alarm at 6.30 breakfast in the cabin and at 8 we embark on boats to go down to Hellesylt. The ship will continue the path to Geiranger at the end of the fjord perhaps the most beautiful of all Norway. This time the guide is prepared and very nice and during the journey by coach speaks of Norway and the places that we go to visit. We see the deepest lake in Europe, the village of Stryn, wonderful waterfalls (Sicilian for us all this water like a mirage). Stop for lunch in a restaurant in the afternoon and then climb up the mountain Dalsnibba (1500 meters) where we can not see anything because of dense fog (there are about 5 ° C). The hairpin bends that lead to Geiranger are nothing short of fear. We see the reindeer. Coming down we stop at a vantage point that allows you to admire the small ship compared to the size of the fjord. Souvenir photos as catalog. Before getting into the boat we visit the shops of Geiranger where we notice the bad color of Norwegian sweaters and used to troll.

19 July 2007
After the usual breakfast in your room go to Bergen, the second city of Norway in the past and also the capital. This time we prefer not to take the excursion organized (for the city run it alone). Visit the district with colorful wooden houses one of the main attractions of the tour. Do not miss the cable car that takes on a lace to admire the view. Later we visited the fish market where, after having tasted it plenty, buy wild salmon. We note that the market there are many Italian merchants. Market also buy fresh strawberries and cherries (good!) And the crab tasted. In turn has given us freedom to hear the masters of our time without the pressure we had on how many minutes for the various stops. Ship returned to eat in quantity.

20 July 2007
In the morning we arrive in Kristiansand. Fortunately we do not take the organized tour (many are quite angry back) so we turn the town aimlessly. This stage there appeared to be attractive with a few useful and perhaps just to get close to Oslo.

21 July 2007
This time, under pressure from other tourists take the trip Super Oslo (about € 110,00 per person) that allows you to see some 'all. The excursion begins with a tour of about 30 min to town (a little 'bit to be able to see the beauty of the place and take some pictures). Another stop at the Viking Ship Museum where you can admire the three ships in perfect condition. Do not do as a tourist you are allowed to touch them in danger of truncheons. After lunch we stopped about 30 min to a springboard game winter (which was a stop unnecessary because there is snow, there was little to see) and about 40 min to the Vigeland park for a walk. The little time available to complete the route has allowed us to enjoy the park for a while 'relaxing. Inside the park there are lots of statues representing the stages of life. Unexplained visit to the museum of the polar ship Fram (not included in our trip and then pay) for 1 hour. Pity if the visits were removed unnecessary as the launching pad and a visit to the museum could be retrieved about 1h and 30 'dedicated to the center of Oslo and the park.

22 July 2007
During the cruise ship is not in circulation and all money is paid with the card for which Costa often you lose the light of reason and prior to Copenhagen will return to the sad reality.

Conclusions: The cruise to the Norwegian fjords can visit the beautiful and unspoiled places. I believe that if ever we come back in a car Norway in Oslo and in turn spend much less freedom and coming into contact with the local customs and practices.
Tano & Caterina
tanocognata@libero.it

Cost of trip:
Flight A / R, cabin with balcony € 5600.00
Excursions € 680.00
Services Hotel € 84.00
Expenditure card costs (small shops, coffee, water, etc..) € 380.00
Souvenir € 80.00
Total € 6824.00