Queen Victoria - August 6, 2023

Southampton is the gateway to the immensely civilized city of London. There are museums to visit, pubs to try, and shops to browse, ranging from Harrods to open-air markets. There are more parks and green belts here than in any other city in the world. There are also caches of stately squares and noble monuments, holdovers from a time when the island ruled a significant portion of the globe.

Stavanger, the southern gateway to the Fjordlands, is also the home port of much of the fleet that serves the North Sea oil fields. Visit for historical investigation or to soak up the majesty of the natural terrain. View its medieval Cathedral and other highlights of the town or travel out to Pulpit Rock, a breathtaking vista high above the fjords.

Sognefjorden is the longest fjord in Norway, located in the midst of rugged and magnificent scenery. Mountains here rise to a height of more than 5,000 feet. In parts, the water is more than 4,291 feet deep. Numerous falls spill down the ravines, and some of the cataracts are even harnessed for electric power.

Situated along the innermost arm of the Nordfjord, this picturesque village of western Norway is surrounded by some of Scandinavia's most captivating scenery. Here lies the largest glacier in all of Europe, the Jostedal, towering nearly 6,200 feet over a deep valley. The green fields, serene lakes, and cascading falls of this region are simply breathtaking.

Haugesund and its vicinity present attractions both ancient and modern. History buffs can take a trip back to the 9th century and explore numerous Viking monuments, including the grave of Harold I. It is also home of a 928-foot drydock, which, at its completion in 1979, was the largest in Scandinavia. For those more interested in contemporary Nordic achievment, the port boasts both fish and aluminum processing industries.

Southampton is the gateway to the immensely civilized city of London. There are museums to visit, pubs to try, and shops to browse, ranging from Harrods to open-air markets. There are more parks and green belts here than in any other city in the world. There are also caches of stately squares and noble monuments, holdovers from a time when the island ruled a significant portion of the globe.