Nature at its most awe-inspiring

Cruise holidays offer many experiences that are unique and often life-affirming – sailing past the Statue of Liberty in New York as dawn breaks or watching dolphins surfing the bow wave are just two. Sailing into a Norwegian fjord on glassy water, with mountains and ancient glaciers in the distance has to be another one of those experiences. Fjord cruises are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s easy to see why. The view from the water is unparalleled – you simply can’t fathom their sheer magnitude and scale from land, and you can often access places that would take hours to reach by land. By cruising, you’re also able to see natural wonders from a different angle – what other form of travel allows you to sail past a glacier whilst sipping champagne, or witness a waterfall tumble into the water below from the comfort of your balcony? Wherever you go in Fjordland, you’re likely to see stunning scenery, but there are a couple of spots that are guaranteed to leave you awestruck. First is the mighty Sognefjord – the world’s longest navigable fjord. At its head, you’ll find Skjolden with its UNESCO World Heritage Urnes Stave Church and of course its stunning views. Nearby, you’ll also find Jostedal Glacier, the largest glacier in mainland Europe. Visitors can walk the glacier, kayak in its meltwater and even partake in a spot of white-water rafting if that takes your fancy. As for Sognefjord itself, this spectacular stretch of water boasts towering cliffs, tumbling waterfalls and a simply stunning shoreline. Further north, you’ll find the island of Spitsbergen and the town of Ny-Ålesund – one of the most northerly settlements in the world. Just 1,000km (600 miles) from the North Pole, this rugged wilderness is visited by P&O Cruises twice in 2012. Both cruises sail in the summer – giving passengers the opportunity to experience the natural phenomenon of near 24-hour daylight. The area is famed for its glaciers; in fact two thirds of Spitsbergen’s area is covered by them – giving visitors the chance to get up close to them and the wildlife that lives on and around them. One of the most famous sightseeing spots in the fjords is the gigantic Pulpit Rock, which can be seen when you visit Stavanger. Your jaw will hit the deck of your tour boat as you sail up Lysefjord and the huge rock face comes into view. Towering nearly 600m (2,000ft) above the water like a stone skyscraper, this cliff face is like nothing you’ll have ever experienced before. For the more active, you can hike to the top of the rock for possibly one of the most beautiful views in the world as you tower over the fjord and surrounding countryside. P&O Cruises offers an excursion to the base of pulpit rock. For more information visit their site. Whilst a cruise north to Norway’s beautiful fjords may not guarantee you the sun of a Caribbean or Mediterranean cruise (although it can be hot and sunny in the fjords too – I managed a slight tan when visiting in June last year), you’ll likely discover a holiday that offers much more. You’ll see sights that leave you in awe of nature’s power and beauty, as well as ancient fishing villages. For more information on P&O Cruises northern holidays and some of the amazing sights that you can experience, head over to www.pocruises.com.