After the success of last year’s voyages through the Norwegian fjords, the Santa Maria Manuela returns to give more guests the chance to experience this extraordinary coastline aboard a historic tall ship.
Our voyage begins in Ålesund, where Art Nouveau buildings line the waterfront and mountains rise beyond the town. From here, we head into the fjords, watching the landscape draw closer as open coastal waters give way to steep mountainsides, waterfalls and small settlements along the shore.
With a small group aboard, you’ll soon get to know both the crew and your fellow travellers. Between stops, take a turn at the helm with the crew, share stories over a meal or find a quiet spot on deck. There’s time to enjoy the company as well as the landscape, making the days aboard as much a part of the holiday as the places we visit.
In Geiranger, take in the sheer scale of the cliffs from the deck before stepping ashore to explore. Olden offers a different perspective, with green valleys and mountain scenery stretching inland. Further south, our route leads to Flåm, tucked at the head of the Aurlandsfjord, where you can spend your time ashore walking by the water or exploring further independently.
Between stops, take a turn at the helm with the crew, get to know your fellow travelers or find a quiet spot on deck to watch the scenery pass. Some of the most memorable moments need no planning: a waterfall coming into view, a tiny farmhouse beneath a towering cliff or the evening light lingering on the mountains.
We finish in Bergen, where the colorful wooden buildings of Bryggen welcome us to a city shaped by centuries of seafaring. Stay a little longer to explore its streets and harbor, or head into the surrounding hills for one last view of Norway’s coast.
