Land of the Fjords

Arrival in Bergen according to your own schedule and transfer on you own to your hotel. Bergen is Norway’s 2. largest city, known as the capital of the west and gateway to the fjords. It is a UNESCO World Heritage city with Bryggen wharf, Mount Fløien and the fish market as central attractions. A stroll through Bryggen takes you back to the Middle Ages as a lot of the architecture is preserved. Your tour escort will meet you at 19.50 hrs (before dinner) in the hotel lobby, where you’ll also meet your fellow travellers. Dinner and accommodation at Clarion Hotel Admiral, newly renovated and located in charming old warehouse buildings that date back to 1904, right in the heart of Bergen near the harbour.

After breakfast, meet your driver and private coach, which will be with you the following days of your tour. Drive via Voss to Flåm where you’ll board the train for an excursion on the spectacular Flåm Railway, one of the most beautiful and steepest standard-gauge railway lines in the world. Departure on board an eco-friendly ship for a fjord cruise on the narrow and spectacular Nærøyfjord from Flåm to Gudvangen. Surrounded by steep valley sides and snowcovered peaks, thundering waterfalls and picturesque villages, this area has been judged one of the most beautiful fjord landscapes in the world and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Continue by coach through the amazing Stalheim Canyon and Nærøy Valley, across the Vika Mountains to Vangsnes, for the short ferry crossing to the beautiful resort of Balestrand. Dinner and accommodation at Kvikne’s Hotel, superbly located on the banks of the fjord and surrounded by mountains.

Day free in Balestrand, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the outstanding beauty and nature of the fjords. The day starts with a traditional Norwegian buffet breakfast in the hotel’s elegant dining room. You may want to spend the morning relaxing on the hotel terrace, breathing in the fresh mountain air and enjoying the spectacular views. We can also recommend a visit to the local aquarium and art gallery, or you may prefer to rent a bike or rowing boat from the hotel, or even go on foot up to the nearest mountains. A walking tour of the village of Balestrand, with its historic buildings and other interesting sites can also be arranged. Dinner and accommodation at Kvikne’s Hotel.

After breakfast departure from your hotel by ferry from Dragsvik to Hella, followed by a scenic tour along the northern side of the Sogn Fjord to Sogndal. The tour continues by road to Fjærland, passing under the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Europe, to the village of Skei at the northern end of beautiful Lake Jølster. Descend to the beautiful Nord Fjord, making a detour at Olden to visit the world-famous Briksdal Glacier. The journey up to the glacier will be made in open cars – “Troll cars” – to give you the best views. After lunch at a local restaurant, the journey up to the glacier will be made in open cars – “Troll cars” – and takes you to the stand about 700 m away from the glacier. You will have a nice walk to the glacier, before returning by Troll cars. Continue by coach to Hellesylt. Enjoy a cruise on the Geirangerfjord, one of the narrowest fjords in Norway, from Hellesylt to Geiranger. The Geirangerfjord is one of the most famous fjords in the world and has been a part of the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2005. Surrounded by deep blue water and green valleys, you will also experience magnificent waterfalls such as the “Seven Sisters” and the “Bridal Veil”. Dinner and accommodation at the excellent Union Hotel Geiranger, overlooking the Geirangerfjord.

After breakfast discover the roads that twist and turn through one hairpin bend after another to Geiranger Skywalk – Mt. Dalsnibba – to experience a panoramic view of one of the most scenically outstanding fjord area on the planet (weather permitting). Your journey continues across the rugged Grotli Mountains to Lom, well known for its 14th century stave church. Continue via Lake Vågå, before descending the magnificent Gudbrands Valley to the popular tourist town of Lillehammer. Drive alongside Lake Mjøsa, Norway’s largest lake, and arrive in Oslo, the capital, situated at the head of the Oslo Fjord. Dinner and accommodation at Clarion Hotel The Hub, centrally located close to the Karl Johan shopping boulevard.