Norway's Hurtigruten

I'm always enamored by anything Norwegian ever since first visiting the country shortly after college graduation.  I can't claim the Norwegian stock of fellow Gadling writer Erik, but I do feel a special kinship anytime I visit this fine place.

It was therefore with great joy that I ran across a piece in yesterday's LA Times spotlighting a coastal cruise of Norway's famous fjords. 

While I'm not a big fan of cruises, I did hop on board the Hurtigruten on my second visit to Norway.  The Hurtigruten is actually a handful of boats which ply Norway's coastal waters delivering mail and cargo.  The boats also take on passengers.  But, keep in mind; this is not a proper cruise with pools, discos, rock climbing walls and a club for the kids.  This "cruise" is Spartan and simple and is all about the eye-candy off the bow: the phenomenal Norwegian coastline.

While it's possible to jump on for just a few hours until the next stop, Times staff writer Beverly Beyette rode the entire 1,438 mile journey from Bergen to Kirkenes.  Take a moment to read her account of the voyage and the towns in which she stopped.  This is truly one of the greatest ocean journeys on our dear little planet.  And believe me, you'll be very happy it's not your typical cruise ship once you board and start chugging northward toward the Arctic Circle.

Filed under: Norway