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We’re reminded here of our proximity in northernmost Scotland to Norway’s gems… so God tur to Bergen.

That despite its remoteness in the Norwegian fjords it is still the nearest train station or airfield to the Shetland Islands.

Which the Scots took from Norway in a medieval royal dowry which the Viking islanders will never let you forget to this day.

Bergen and the fjords are, of course, best negotiated, as they traditionally always were, by ship.

But with the time pressures of the modern traveller that isn’t always possible.

The Wilderoe North

Just as well then that Wilderoe, the largest airline operating in the Nordic countries, is at hand.

And flies from Aberdeen and London to Bergen.

For us, coming from Dublin as we were in our 13 years there, then it was a bit more circuitous, but deliberately so.

As we flew in to Hamburg, then up to Kiel before hopping on an MSC cruise up via Copenhagen to the fjords.

We know though that you might be strapped for time.

And/or you want to explore further afield in Norway… and that’s where Wilderoe’s extended timetable comes in.

Embraer force

For Irish Nordic lovers or Vikings returning home, Wideroe have been filling that gap.

Operating the Dublin to Bergen route since April.

And for this winter, flights will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays using the compact Embraer E190 Jet aircraft.

At the convenient departure time of 12.15 from Dublin and return time of 11.05.

And now I know about this bird having flown on her wings down from Dublin to Waterford on a memorable morning back in my days on my other island.

Flight time from Dublin is just 1hour 45minutes offering an ideal break to the beautiful coastal city of Bergen.

Convenient onward connections operate to many Norwegian cities, including Tromso, known as the Paris of the North.

Troll through the fjords

Now we’ve shared here with you the charms of Bergen, its lively Fish Market.

Its Grieg, Munch and Dahl art at the Kode and its walks, shape-shifting trolls and goats.

While, of course our friends at ASM-Ireland remind us that it is perfectly situated between the two biggest fjords in Norway, the Hardangerfjord and the Sognefjord.

And that Bergen is an ideal starting point for fjord excursions.

Norway in a nutshell

While they helpfully point us in the direction of the legendary Norway in a Nutshell tour.

Which will take you through Norway’s UNESCO-protected fjord and mountain scenery.

So God Tur to Bergen. And what does that mean?

Well, look closer, it’s written there on your headrest.

And I’m indebted to my pal Travel doyen and ITNN group editor Fionn Davenport for steering me on this one, as I revisit an old favourite, here’s Flyday Friday’s beautiful beasts of the sky.

The Airbus Beluga XL flew into Shannon Airport this week for some high wind testing.

And got us all dreaming of riding the beautiful beasts of the skies again and reflecting on their eye-catching liveries.

So you say whale Fionn, well, I raise you a shark.

Oh, the Shark, babe has such teeth, dear

Embraer: This beauty has some bite, it’s the Embraer E190-E2 and it swallowed me whole in Ireland.

Sharks in Ireland? Well there are plenty in its parliament, the Dáil, but otherwise this is the closest to the Jaws of the sea that you’ll ever see there.

Of all the strange and wonderful mornings I spent in 13 years in Ireland the hours I spent flying from A-B, or Dublin to Waterford, on a shark is an experience I clearly never imagined having.

The beauty of the Embraer is not just on the outside with the interior spanking and with the best feature no middle seats.

Tiger, Tiger burning bright

Aeroflot Siberian Tiger: The Russians, of course, are consistently in the world’s crosshairs.

So credit where credit’s due with Rossiya Airlines dressing its plane up as a tiger to draw attention to the plight of the Siberian Tiger.

In 2015 research showed there were only 500 left in the wild.

Panda air

British Airways: Now all of us here around Edinburgh where we have two beauts in the Zoo love a panda.

And so do British Airways who celebrated their route to Chengdu, home of the Giant Panda, marked the occasion with this livery.

Of course, Brits have a lot in common with pandas… sitting around all day doing nothing but graze and scratching our asses with sleepy black eyes.

Oh Mickey you’re so fine

Now every mouse has a tail, obvs.

Mickey is always guaranteed to put a smile on your face and this is clearly what WestJet had in their mind with their ‘Magic Plane’ which features Our Mouse in his role of Sorcerer Mickey.

Or for big fans of Mickey you might say a Flight of Fantasia.

Tintin can

And we are, of course, suckers for our hero, the adventurous young journalist Tintin.

Brussels Airlines are bigging up the famous Belgian boy on the back of the film Red Rackham’s Treasure and theres’ a submarine theme running through it.

We’d only hope Bianca Castefiore didn’t board. Her singing would shatter any window.

Stars of the skies

Star Wars: And, of course, you would expect Star Wars to be all over the skies.

And the never-ending franchise has plenty of images from which to pick, of course.

We’ll go with a favourite. Airline, that is, and United Airlines and its The Rise of Skywalker livery.

Of Star Wars we know little but were there for its arrival at Disneyland in Anaheim and got to enjoy the galaxy far, far away.

Now everyone’s got a place in our choir, so whichever is your favourite, let’s get back on these beautiful beasts of the skies.