In April 2023, we took a P&O cruise down the Norwegian fjords on the Iona.

We stopped at Stavanger, Alesund, Olden, and Haugesund.

It was a bit grey and wet in Stavanger, our first stop, but also a public holiday. Most places were closed apart from Starbucks, gift shops, and one pub. The ship docked really close to the town centre, and walking around was easy. The pub was busy that day!

Sverd i fjell is a monument to commemorate the battle in Hafrsfjord. The monument is on a tiny mountain in the area where perhaps the battle took place. The fjord is widest here, and the Vikings placed their boats side by side when they were fighting. You can reach here by public bus from Stavanger or use an Uber for around £13 one way. We shared an Uber there and back with another couple.

The next port of call was Olden. Again, we were able to walk off the ship and start exploring. Took a walk into the town in the afternoon after a snowy trip in the morning up the Loen Skylift.

It was a cloudy day on the ground, but once you reached the top of the skylift, it was snowing heavily. Luckily dressed for the snow.

The weather changed when we docked in Alesund, and it was perfect for exploring the town – sunny, blue skies and a bit chilly.

Beautiful skies and reflections in the water.

Grover, our travel mate, loved his travels in Norway.

Our final stop was Haugesund and again a beautiful sunny day. It was definitely a bit of a walk from the ship into town and then out of town to explore everything.

This is the view from the bridge as you walk into town.

This year, we are continuing our affair with Norway by firstly visiting Bergen in May and then on another P&O cruise to see the Northern Lights in Alta and Tromso, later in the year.