Dramatically located at the head of the Aurlandsfjord, the picturesque little village of Flåm is a popular base for excursions into Norway’s great outdoors. Strike out into the surrounding countryside and you’ll find steep mountains, cascading waterfalls and bucolic farms, with some spectacular walking and cycling trails.

The old Viking village of Gudvangen lies at the end of the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, a branch of the famous Sognefjord. You can explore the fjord by kayak, enjoy spectacular mountain hiking, visit the nearby Magic White Caves, or learn more about the region’s history at Njardarheimr Viking village.

When Ålesund was destroyed by fire in 1904, the German Kaiser Wilhelm II agreed to foot the bill to rebuild it. The result was the stunning Art Nouveau architecture that you see today, which blends elements of the German 'Jugendstil' with Viking flourishes.

The little village of Hellesylt lies at the head of the Sunnylvsfjord, considerably quieter than the nearby Geirangerfjord, albeit not quite so spectacular. The most impressive sight here is the waterfall in the centre of the village, but most visitors will choose to take an excursion to Geiranger instead.

The Geirangerfjord is arguably the most spectacular fjord in all of Norway, a sinuous ten mile stretch of sheer mountain walls and tumbling waterfalls. The village of Geiranger itself sits at one end of the fjord, and in summer the population swells with an influx of visitors to this beautiful region.

Leknes is the gateway to the Lofoten islands, home to some of the most stunning scenery in all of Norway, and sailing through the archipelago is a wonderful experience. Fishing is still the main source of income for most of the picturesque wooden villages that are dotted along the nearby coast.

Tromsø’s location well within the Arctic Circle means the summer months are lit by the Midnight Sun, a compensation for long dark winters. Explore the streets with their multi-coloured wooden houses, see the amazing architecture of the Arctic cathedral, or take the cable car up to Mount Storsteinen for a fantastic view.

The Svalbard archipelago is a true wilderness, a land of snowy peaks, frozen tundra and glassy seas. You’ll likely have no fixed itinerary here, due to the unpredictable nature of an Arctic expedition; be prepared to drop everything and rush up to the top deck for the chance of a polar bear sighting!

Longyearbyen is the largest settlement in Svalbard, remotely located in the high Norwegian Arctic, and originally built as a mining town. The locals continue to make the best of this hostile environment, and brightly painted wooden buildings line the main street. The surrounding area is breathtakingly beautiful.