Norway

Other worldly, Tolkienesque, gouged out by glaciation, an impossibly steep land inhabited for thousands of years, nurturing a reliance on water transport and overseas raids in equal measures. Feel closer to the real Norway of Viking sagas and seamanship on Halcyon.

The man behind Halcyon’s restoration and proud owner Andrew Armour has worked for many years in Norway, so the Fjords are a second home for him. If you are lucky enough to be joined by Andrew on board he has a deep love of this land of the Vikings and a gift for story telling that will enhance your voyage through this spellbinding mountain landscape.

National Geographic magazine rate the fjords of Norway as one of the worlds greatest destinations. Photos of still waters reflecting and snow capped mountains, and waterfalls dissolving silently into the black depths are the typical image, but sailors in search of a breeze will not be disappointed. Vast areas of flat water open sailing can be enjoyed in the sounds and wide gaps between the flatter coastal islands around Stavanger and Bergen and strong blasts funnel off the mountains in places for a sudden thrill.

Despite the huge depths and vertical rock walls of the inner fjords there are surprising number of shallow anchorages accessible to large yachts like Halcyon without resorting to a rope and a tree.

Villages with wooden wharves, fishermen’s houses on stilts and farms perched precariously on the rare bits of flat land – all illustrate why the only way to travel in Western Norway is by boat.

Visit the remote community of Sand with its famous salmon river, or sail close enough to almost touch the precipitous giant cliffs under Pulpit Rock in Lysefjord. The climate is mild enough for apples and apricots to grow at the same latitude as Alaska so there is no excuse for refusing a pre breakfast swim! Sunrises and sunsets are intensified by the brooding mountains.