Alesund, Norway
Luckily we have family who have a large house overlooking the Fjord, so we stayed with them, but there are several hotel possibilities in the centre of Alesund and others further a field.
We stood on the balcony looking at the snow-capped mountains and watching cruise ships sail past only 200 metres away every day which was really nice. Alesund is regularly voted the most beautiful place in Norway and this is partly due to the scenery but also because there are lots of islands all joined together by tunnels and bridges so it looks like the Fjord meanders through all of the buildings in various parts of Alesund.
Also, Alesund suffered a massive fire about 100 years ago which destroyed nearly all of the houses so builders and architects flooded in to Alesund to help rebuild the town and created a splendid variety of Art Nouveau style buildings in lots of colours.
There is a wonderful observation point high up overlooking Alesund with a cafeteria and telescopes so you can really get a good view and you have the choice of climbing the 418 steps or driving. After climbing a mountain a few days earlier we decided to take the car. Interestingly, facing out to sea you can also see here the remains of very strong World War Two German bunkers and look-out posts which would have been used to watch for our Royal Navy.
Another day we visited the excellent Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium which also offers a range of activities for children as well as the chance to see feeding time for the Penguins and Seals.
We also went to the Sunnmore Museum which is opposite Alesund and includes cultural history exhibitions, various boats including a Viking Ship from around 650AD and Medieval Age Museum. It is worth noting that on Wednesdays during the summer holidays there are lots of activities for the young and old including cooking Viking food, which did actually taste good.
There are several car hire companies represented in Alesund for those confident driving on the 'wrong' side of the road. I collected a vehicle in town, but it is also possible to pick-up at the airport.
Probably the highlight of our holiday was the visit to Geiranger Fjord, The drive took probably a couple of hours, often through mountain tunnels and on roads that wind up and down the mountain but the view from the top of the mountain as you approach Geiranger Fjord is breath-taking and it is a popular stop for the cruise ships.
Once in Geiranger Fjord you can rent boats of various sizes, which is what we did. We then sailed (motored) around the Fjord and got close-up to several of the waterfalls including Dei Sju Systre or The Seven Sisters. It is nice to see the Fjord from a small boat as it gives you a different perspective.
There are lots of hotels and guesthouses at Geiranger Fjord and it also popular for those camping or driving motor homes. There are also a number of eating establishments as well as a supermarket and tourist shops.
In the old days Norwegians lived in some mostly inaccessible areas around Geiranger Fjord in order to avoid the taxman and used rope ladders and very thin paths up the side of the mountain. Some of these paths are used now by adventurous types and there is the 'comfort' of having a rope that you can cling on to!
Around here you can't fail to notice that on doors entering shops and other establishments they have signs indicating 'No Trolls Allowed'! Maybe they had a problem with Trolls before.
After leaving Geiranger Fjord we then headed for the aptly named Trollstigen (The Trolls Ladder) which is an impressive road which snakes its way around 11 hairpin bends along steep mountainsides flanked by snow and cascading waterfalls. There are various viewpoints along the way.
It is very high and if driving, low gears are a Must! It takes some concentration as buses also try and squeeze their way around these bends, but the views are spectacular.
I would love to go back in the winter for the full snow effect and also to see The Northern Lights.