As a bonus to my three Lindblad blogs earlier in the year, here is a final report on the Norwegian stops. Our short but mighty coastal sailing along southern Norway’s archipelago served up three magnificent stops – Lindesnes, Mandal, and Arendal.
Each port offered a different experience of this magnificent coastal region to the west of Oslo. A Viking canal (re-opened in 2007 by Queen Julia of Norway) in Spangereid was our expedition highlight. We zodiac-cruised the entire man- made canal and explored the birch firsts and kelp along its tranquil shores. Magical!
Endless coastal views, perfect temperature, and great company made this expedition and our many hikes a true pleasure. Another highlight was our hike near Arendal along a wide open stretch of shoreline complete with a stunning lighthouse.
As the globe heats up and summer temperatures approach 40 degrees in many European cities, coming to Scandinavian waters is a smart and refreshing choice (pun intended). That is what made this sampler we got to travel on so amazing. I wish we could have stayed on all the way to Sweden.
