For a country that influenced the setting of Disney’s biggest animated film, Norway is remarkably unspoilt.

Its picturesque landscapes provided inspiration for the fictional kingdom of Arendelle from the smash-hit, Frozen.

You might therefore expect to see tacky movie merchandise at every turn, but there is really no need - this place sells itself.

We sailed to Norway from London Tilbury for the eight-night Fjordland Splendour cruise aboard the Marco Polo.

It’s a cliché, but the scenery has to be seen to be believed. No words or photographs will ever paint a vivid enough picture of just how spectacular it is.

After a day and night at sea, it’s quite an experience to step out on deck for the first time to see the monotonous ocean view has been replaced with imposing, snow-capped mountains punctuated with waterfalls cascading into expansive fjords.

The towering mountains - as high as the fjords are deep – are mirrored in the serene, glassy waters that range from deep midnight blues to cloudy turquoise and jewel-like jades.

Our first stop was Eidfjord, home to the largest mountain plateau in Europe and the breathtaking Voringfoss Waterfall, where torrents plummet more than 600ft into the valley below.

We see the mountains from inside and out as our coach winds along narrow lanes and through tunnels hand-carved inside them.

We also visit Flam, a town beside the largest Norwegian fjord called Sognefjord. We pass farms and pretty villages while riding the famous railway.

While there, we stop at the Aegir brewery and bar. What looks like a gothic church from the outside is actually a charming and rustic pub. Try the wasabi-flavoured beer (trust me, it works).

Next, we stop off at Fjaerland, where the water is so still, there is a perfect mirror-image of the mountains reflected in the fjords.

We learn about the threat of global warming through interactive exhibits at the glacier museum, before visiting one for real.

The Jostedal Glacier measures 60 miles wide beyond our view on the mountain tops.

We only see what is literally the tip of the iceberg of Europe’s largest glacier. The crystal blue ice appears to be creeping down the mountain, but it is frozen in time.

Later, we venture to nearby Balestrand and meet a fascinating British painter called Arthur Adamson.

He gives us a tour from a “foreigner’s perspective”, telling us all the gory details the natives would have glossed over.

He shows us a photograph taken in 1937 of Adolf Hitler visiting the fjord. It is a jarring juxtaposition – the embodiment of evil at one of the most peaceful places in the world.

As an artist, the stunning fjord his house overlooks provides ample inspiration. He describes watching as light bounces off the mountains and collects in the centre of the valley as a ball of energy.

The resulting paintings he produces are unsurprisingly psychedelic. If you visit Balestrand, stop off at the gallery, admire his work and enjoy a pricey beer and a bowl of reindeer stew.

Next, we visit Olden. We trundle up the mountainside in giant golf buggies called troll cars and get soaked with spray as we pass a foaming waterfall.

Later, we visit the nearby Varanger Sami Museum where we learn about the culture of the native Sami people.

We sit on reindeer skins in an authentic teepee and drink honey beer from a horn while one of the guides sings us a traditional Norwegian folk song. It is a wonderful window into the past.

The last stop is bustling Bergen. Norway’s second largest city is compact and cosmopolitan.

It does have the obligatory Starbucks and McDonald’s but other than that, remains relatively uncommercial.

We visit the fish market for fresh seafood caught just metres away in the fjords and ride the funicular to the top of the mountain for breathtaking, panoramic views.

As for the July weather, it was surprisingly warm. A week before our arrival, the mercury reached an unprecedented 35c.

It is strange to admire chilly glaciers in blistering sunshine. But it won’t be long before the winter comes, plunging the country into minus 20 temperatures. This is certainly a land of contrasts.

On the whole, the locals are very friendly and welcoming. We’re told most Norwegians are a patriotic bunch and they do seem very proud ambassadors for their country.

That being said, we did encounter some local hostility to the country’s burgeoning tourism industry in the form of a sign at a farm reading NO CRUISE SHIPS.

We’re told it was just one disgruntled farmer, but it did make me wonder how much we tourists actually contribute.

Maybe we’ll buy a troll figurine or a novelty Viking hat from a souvenir shop, but most hop back onto their cruise ship to eat for free rather than bankrupt themselves giving custom to local restaurants.

Thanks to the discovery of vast reserves of oil, many Norwegians are so rich, they can afford to charge as much as £12 (yes, £12!) for a pint.

But perhaps that is the reason they shun the Disney machine - they simply do not need to cash-in.

As for less well-off Brits like myself, experiencing Norway on a cruise really is ideal.

They do have a reputation for being geared towards older people, and with activities like bingo and bridge and a big band for the evening entertainment, the Marco Polo very much caters for more mature clientele.

But to be shipped off, fed and watered for a week - avoiding the hassle of airports and transfers - is absolute bliss.

The seven-night Majestic Fjordland cruise aboard the Marco Polo departs from London Tilbury on Thursday, September 11, costing from £499 per person.

For more information or to book, call 0845 430 0274 or visit www.cruiseandmaritime.com.