Shore excursions program for below cruises

A short, 4-km coach drive through the beautiful Art Nouveau city of Ålesund will see you reach the island of Heissa, from where you will begin your 1-hour hike along a narrow nature-trail up Mount Sukkertoppen – or Sugartop Mountain. While your hike will begin at a mere 50 metres above sea level, you will then climb 250 metres up to 304 metres for splendid views of the city, the Borgund Fjord and, further inland, the Sunnmore Alps. Prepare to enjoy breathtaking landscape and spectacular views during your nature ramble.

Dutch traditions are the theme of this excursion which takes you from the port by coach for a guided tour of the windmill village of Zaanse Schans. The name derives from the defending wall “Schans”, which was erected at the end of XVI century for the war against the Spanish. Although the wall has since disappeared, the name was revived in 1950 when houses and small businesses from several neighbouring villages from the XVII and XVIII centuries were relocated here. Most of the houses are made of wood and sport the pretty green painted façades typical of the Zaan area. The village is home to traditional Dutch craft production, including a wooden shoe factory where you can see how the Dutch clogs are made. From Zaanse Schans we will continue through the countryside to a local cheese farm to learn about the age-old process of cheese making.