To the fjords aboard Costa Luminosa

After 12 months, here we are in Norway again, but in the south and with a decidedly different formula, the more exclusive one of the cruise. The first stop was Oslo and, next, Stavanger, Bergen, Andalsnes, Hellesylt and Geiranger. For us who have been to the north, the landscapes of the south left us slightly disappointed, and even the most spectacular ones, those of the Geiranger and Andalsnes fjords, reminded us too much of our Alpine landscapes to amaze us. For our children, on the other hand, who were coming to Norway for the first time, what they saw was unique and spectacular. For us, what was spectacular from the ship were the many islands, the numerous lighthouses, the woods that came within half a metre of the sea and the light, the light that never stopped, even though we were far from the Arctic Circle.

Beautiful the Trollstiggen, on a trip from Andalsnes, and, from Geiranger, the snow-capped summit of the Dalsnibba. A bit disappointing Bergen, with its “famous” fish market..completely made of plastic. Unexpectedly pretty Stavanger, with its oil museum and 2 house-museums furnished with antique furniture, dating back to the 1700s.

Oslo offers a few interesting museums and the Vigeland Park, but it sprawls over a large area; we got around with the Hop on Hop off buses, but as we noticed last year in the north, in my opinion these people of the Nordic countries have little desire—or perhaps little need—to work (and they talk about southern Europe!): they cost a lot, run rarely and if there are no seats available, they won't let you board! So perhaps the expensive Costa excursions in these countries are still worth it...even if they don't deserve it, because on board, rather than giving you honest information, they make things up and give you 10 different versions. Absolutely counterproductive marketing!