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00:00Hello and welcome to Troublesmart.
00:03Today we're headed to Norway
00:05to explore some of the country's most breathtaking natural scenery,
00:08the awe-inspiring fjords.
00:25Have you ever been to Norway?
00:26I have not, no.
00:27Yes, but only when I was 10.
00:29Is it on the list?
00:30I would love to go to Norway.
00:31Yeah, no, I would. It looks cool.
00:33No, I haven't, no.
00:34Our friends went at Christmas,
00:36so there are great things about Norway.
00:37No, but I've got friends living there,
00:39so I'm planning to go ASAP.
00:41I have not. I'd love to go to Norway, though.
00:43It looks gorgeous.
00:50Among its many highlights,
00:52for me, it's the fjords that come to mind
00:54when I think of my dream Norwegian holiday.
00:57The towering cliffs and deep blue waters
00:59cutting through lush landscapes.
01:01It's a real testament to nature's power and beauty.
01:07Norway's fjords are among the most impressive
01:09to be found anywhere in the world.
01:11These massive glacial valleys,
01:13carved out over millions of years,
01:15are dotted with charming villages,
01:17hidden waterfalls and lush greenery.
01:20The most famous of them all is the Gorangerfjord.
01:23The UNESCO World Heritage Site
01:25is renowned for its crystal-clear inlets,
01:27high cliffs and beautiful waterfalls,
01:30like the Seven Sisters Waterfall.
01:32I'd recommend hopping on a boat tour
01:34to get up close to the cascading water
01:36and tall green slopes,
01:38with the mountains all around you.
01:42There are over 1,000 fjords in Norway,
01:44of all shapes and sizes.
01:46Ben, can you let me know some of the others
01:48we should be looking out for?
01:49Well, Gorangerfjord is the most well-known,
01:52but the largest and most visited fjord
01:55is Sonjefjord,
01:56majestically known as King of the Fjords.
02:02Sonjefjord is the longest
02:04and deepest fjord in the country,
02:06stretching over 200km inland
02:08from the coast north of Bergen.
02:11For an active experience
02:12that brings you closer to this natural wonder,
02:14explore one of its prettiest and wildest branches,
02:17Narøyfjord, by kayak.
02:19Or you can head up one of the nearby trails
02:21on foot for some incredible views.
02:24For something off the usual tourist trail,
02:26consider Salienfjord.
02:28Located in the far north of Norway,
02:30it's a little more remote and less accessible,
02:33but offers a wonderful, unspoiled experience
02:36with opportunities to spot wildlife.
02:40Reindeer, seabirds and even whales
02:43can be spotted in this isolated area,
02:45and there are remarkable hikes
02:47through the Salan National Park
02:49and nearby mountains.
02:51A similarly peaceful spot
02:53is Alvafjord near Bergen.
02:55It's known for its rich marine life
02:57and is popular for fishing.
02:59It's a fjord where locals go for its quiet beauty,
03:02and it offers an intimate experience
03:04of the surrounding culture and nature.
03:07Trollfjord is a small fjord
03:09located near the Lofoten Islands,
03:11but it still packs a punch.
03:13It's known for its narrow entrance and steep cliffs,
03:16and is somewhat of a hidden gem.
03:18It's a great area for spotting sea eagles,
03:21and during the summer months,
03:23the midnight sun illuminates
03:25the 1,000-metre-high cliffs.
03:28There's no better way to experience
03:30Norway's fjords than by taking a cruise.
03:32From the ship, you'll find unparalleled views
03:35and an intimate connection with the landscape
03:37as you slowly glide through the narrow waterways,
03:40often from the comfort of your own balcony.
03:42Wonderful Lisefjord, in the southwest of Norway,
03:45is famous for the iconic Preikastollen,
03:48or Pulpit Rock,
03:50a massive, flat-topped cliff
03:52that rises above the fjord.
03:54Visiting by cruise ship makes it even more special.
03:57As you sail beneath it,
03:59you get a perfect perspective of the natural wonder.
04:02Remote locations aren't a problem
04:04when you're travelling by ship,
04:06with vessels able to unlock access to areas
04:08that are often unreachable,
04:10or incredibly difficult to reach by land.
04:12Experiencing Norway's fjords on the water
04:14doesn't mean staying on your ship.
04:16For something active, swap your cabin for a kayak
04:19and get up close and personal with the landscape.
04:22For something on land,
04:24the region is filled with hiking trails
04:26that reward walkers with sublime views,
04:28ranging from easy strolls to multi-day treks
04:30for the more seasoned adventurer.
04:32The shores of Norway's fjords
04:34are full of vibrant communities
04:36and authentic Norwegian culture.
04:38In Ålesund, a port town
04:40at the entrance of Geirangerfjord,
04:42visitors can walk the streets
04:44to take in its brilliant Art Nouveau architecture,
04:46or get to know their marine life
04:48at the Atlantic Sea Park Aquarium.
04:50In Fløm, in the south-west of the country,
04:52you can take a ride on its famous railway,
04:54one of the steepest standard-gauge railways
04:56in the world.
04:58On your journey,
05:00you'll chug past the fjord
05:02as well as waterfalls and glaciers.
05:04The village itself sits at the end
05:06of Øresundfjord,
05:08a branch of the Sonjefjord.
05:10For a social media post of the fjords
05:12that's sure to get the likes,
05:14take a snap of the Stagerstein viewpoint,
05:16which juts out 30 metres from the mountainside.
05:18If you find yourself in Gudavangen,
05:20which serves as a gateway to the Narøyfjord,
05:22dive into history at the Viking Village,
05:24where you'll find fascinating insights
05:26into the Viking Age
05:28with lively enactments and tours.
05:32That's it for this episode of Travel Smart.
05:34We'll be back again soon
05:36visiting another amazing destination,
05:38which you can watch online,
05:40on the Independence mobile app,
05:42or on your smart TV.
05:44For all the latest travel news, reviews and advice,
05:46head to our website.
05:48And be sure to check out Simon Calder's podcast.
05:50Bye for now!
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