Alta, Norway

Our port stop in Alta welcomed us with crystal-clear skies and sunshine that lit up the rugged Arctic landscape. After a quick shuttle into town, we hopped on a local bus to the Alta Museum, home to one of Northern Europe’s most significant collections of prehistoric rock art.

Walking the trails along the fjord, we viewed vivid red-outlined carvings of animals, hunters, boats, and life as it might have been 7,000 years ago. The setting was serene—smooth rock surfaces sloping toward the sea, backed by forest and mountains.

Just beyond the museum, trail we stumbled upon a Nordic-style campfire circle by the water’s edge. With reindeer hides draped over rustic benches, an iron kettle warming over the open fire, and a half-buried boat as a backdrop, it felt like stepping into a storybook. We paused here, soaking in the view, sipping on the atmosphere, and simply enjoying the stillness.Read more