NORWAY TOURS: NORWEGIAN FJORDS & COUNTRYSIDE

Telemark, Hardanger, Bergen, Voss, Flam Railway, Balestrand, Geiranger fjord, Lillehammer

TOUNNFJCT - 9 days / 8 nights
Departure Day: SET DATES
2004: May 21, June 18, July 9, 23, 30 - August 6 - September 3 

A great tour of the Norwegian countryside in a circular itinerary from Oslo covering much of the Central and Western regions of the country. After a visit of the capital city continue via Telemark, cradle of skiing, to Bergen, Norway’s second largest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Then on to Balestrad and tha famous Flam Train journey through majestic fjord-land. Return to Oslo via Geiranger.

FLÅM RAILWAY - The world's steepest standard gauge railway running 20 km between Flåm (at 2 metres above sea level) to Myrdal at 866 metres. Unique feat of engineering running through magnificent countryside and open all year. Safe, modern rolling stock re-built in 2001. Environment-friendly electric locomotives. Free information booklet in 17 languages. Internet cafe at the station. The last section of Rallarveien (formally the service road used by the railway builders) runs parallel with the Flåm railway from Myrdal to Flåm and is ideal for cycle tours and walking. 

The Fjords - Carved by glacial ice in river valleys, the fjords are different in character, changing as they snake their way in from the coast and end somewhere deeper inland, where they are usually much narrower. While there are long lush fields stretching down to the edge of the water in some places, in others the surrounding mountains plunge straight into the fjord. Among the fjords, Geirangerfjorden, Sognefjorden, Hardangderfjorden and Lysefjorden are absolutely the most spectacular. Each has its own qualities and attractions. Geirangerfjorden has many superb waterfalls. Sognefjorden is the world's longest fjord. Broad and mighty with lush, green farm areas on both sides of the outer portion, the inner portion is often narrower and has steeper mountainsides that plunge straight into the water. Hardangerfjorden is equally varied along its course, but it is the exquisite flowering of the fruit orchards that make it extra special. In Lysefjorden you will find the majestic mountain formation called Pulpit Rock, where only the most daring among us venture out to the edge. The farms of the fjord district are small and not easily operated. There are, however, handsome manor estates and beautiful wooden hotels in Swiss or dragon style that were built in the very early days of tourism.

Daily Itinerary & Program

Day 1 - OSLO - ARRIVAL
Individual arrivals and check-in at the Grand Hotel. The hotel has a prime location on the Karl Johan Street, next to the Parliament, the Royal Palace and the shopping district. The remainder of the day is at leisure, giving you a possibility to acclimatize. In the evening there will be a possibility to meet with your Tour Manager before starting on the actual tour the following day.

Day 2 - OSLO
Scandinavian breakfast buffet at the hotel and at 09: 00 AM meet your fellow travelers, Tour Manager and local English Speaking city guide and depart on a 4 hour sightseeing tour of Oslo. You will see the Frogner Park with the controversial sculptures by Gustav Vigeland and visit the National Gallery to see the collection of the national painter Edvard Munch. We will also see the Royal Palace, City Hall and medieval Akershus fortress. We continue the tour to Bygdoy to visit the Viking Ship museum housing the world's two best preserved wooden Viking ships built in the 9"' century. We will end the tour by going to Holmenkollen to see the famous ski jump and the fantastic view of the city and the Oslo fjord. This evening enjoy our welcome dinner at the Grand Hotel. (B,D)

Day 3 - OSLO - TELEMARK - LOFTHUS
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. This morning we set out on a journey crossing the Telemark district (the cradle of Norwegian skiing). Our trip there will take us via Drammen and Kongsberg. In Rjukan, a visit to the German heavy water plant which was blasted by Norwegian saboteurs during the 2°d world war. A light lunch will be served en-route. The route continues through the rolling landscapes of Telemark to the mountains and eternal snow of Haukelifjell before descending on serpentine roads to the fjordside hamlets of Hardanger. In the late afternoon, we will arrive to the Ullensvang Hotel with a prime location and rooms with fjord view guaranteed. In the garden of the hotel, you will find Edvard Grieg's composer cabin. One can easily imagine how he found inspiration and peace here to compose some of his masterpieces. Enjoy the dinner and relax in this very romantic setting of mountains and fjords. (B,D)

Day 4 - LOFTHUS - ROSENDAL - BERGEN
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Departure via Odda. and through the tunnel under the Folgefonna glacier, a perfect place for summer skiing, we will arrive to Rosendal one of the most romantic places in the Hardanger. We will visit the Barony, a renaissance castle from the 1600's surrounded by a rose garden. Ferry across the Hardanger fjord to Gjermundshamn and continue to Strandebarm for a snack lunch. We then continue to Norheimsund and the Steindalsfoss waterfall, which you are able to walk behind. Then we head for Bergen through the recreational area of the Kvam forest. Arrival in Bergen and check into your waterfront hotel, the Clarion Admiral Hotel. Dinner at the hotel. (B,A)

Day 5 - BERGEN 
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Morning sightseeing tour of Bergen We will see the colorful fish market, the Hanseatic quarters, Maria church and we will take the funicular up to Mount Floien for a panoramic view of this city. Afternoon free to explore this beautiful city. At 5.30 pm departure for Troldhaugen, the home of the composer Edvard Grieg for a special treat. The museum is normally closed at this time but will be opened especially for us. After a guided tour of his home we will enjoy a 30 minute piano recital in the living room of the villa. (B)

Day 6 - BERGEN- BALESTRAND
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. This morning depart by coach from Bergen to the town of Voss where you will set out on an amazing rail journey. Experience some of the most dramatic contrasts between fjord and mountain. Between the high-mountain station at Myrdal on the Bergen Line down to Fl'am Station, innermost in the Aurland fjord. You will see snow-clad peaks, the river cutting through deep gorges, waterfalls cascading off steep mountain sides and mountain farms clinging to precipitous slopes. A light lunch will be served in Flam. From Gudvangen we will take a 2-hour cruise on the Sognefjord (the longest and deepest fjord in the world) to Kaupanger. Visit the Kaupanger stave church (on some departures the stave church in Lom will be visited instead). Continue to Hella and a ferry crossing will take us to one of the most beautiful fjord locations in Norway. Dinner and overnight at the historical Kvikne's Hotel in Balestrand in rooms with guaranteed fjord view, (B,D)

Day 7 - BALESTRAND - GEIRANGER
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. This morning departure by boat along the Fjaerland fjord. Enjoy the peace and serenity of the landscape. In Fjaerland we will visit the glacier museum and an arm of the mighty Jostedal glacier. Continue the journey across the mountains through Olden and Stryn to Horningdal for a light lunch with a fantastic view, and then continue to Hellesylt. From here another cruise, now on the Geiranger fjord with the famous Seven Sisters and the Brides-veil waterfall, will take you to the village of Geiranger. Dinner and overnight at Union Hotel in rooms with guaranteed fjord view. (B,D)

Day 8 - GEIRANGER - OSLO 
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. This morning we will make a stop for the last panoramic view of the fjord. Continue to Lom for a short stop, where you will see another of Norways magnificent Stave Churches. Then proceed to Vinstra where we will have lunch at restaurant located by the river. Our continued journey takes us through the fertile Gudbrands Valley to Lillehammer. We will take the chair lift up to the ski jump in the Olympic Park, enjoy the great view of Lillehammer. We will have time for a stroll down the main street before heading for Oslo. Check-in at the Grand Hotel and dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

9 - OSLO - DEPARTURE 
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning. (B) 

INCLUDED:

Not Included:

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