Best of Norway

Arrive Oslo and transfer from the airport to the centrally located hotel on your own. Public transit and taxis are available or ask us to add in a private transfer (additional cost). Oslo is the Viking city, the culture city, the winter capital, the city of rolling green hills and spectacular fjords and the capital city of Norway. Since 1814, then called Kristiania, when Norway was declared independent of Denmark, Oslo has been the capital. The city is situated at the northernmost point of the 100 kms long Oslo Fjord. This evening you meet your guide and travel companions for a welcome dinner. Meals: D

Today gives you an introduction to Oslo, the country’s hub of trade and industry. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the National Theater, considered the home for Ibsen’s plays; the unique Storting building, seat of Parliament; and the Royal Palace, residence of Norwegian monarchs since 1849. Stroll through magnificent Frogner Park with Gustav Vigeland’s extraordinary sculptures; and visit the Oslo City Hall, where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held each year. Afterwards, an optional excursion is available to see relics of Norway’s glorious seafaring past—including 1,000-year-old Viking ships! Meals: B

Optional add-ons:
Treasures of Norway: admire relics from Norway’s seafaring past.
Panoramic Oslo & Dinner: enjoy a scenic drive to Oslo’s historic Holmenkollen ski resort. Enjoy breathtaking views of the city and its fjord before savouring a delicous dinner at an area restaurant.

Depart the city of Oslo and drive northwest through Hallingdal, a large valley with rich traditions in iron production, cattle trade, and typical folk art, music, and dance. Visit the Borgund Stave Church, a well-preserved wooden building dating back to 1180. Then, travel through the world’s longest road tunnel (15 miles) to Aurland, and arrive in the picturesque village of Flåm, situated at the head of Aurlandsfjord. You may wish to join an exciting optional cruise on the famous Nærøyfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meals: B, D

Optional add-on:
Naeroyfjord Cruise – take the cruise of a lifetime on this breathtaking journey across the UNESCO World Heritage designated Naeroyfjord, the world’s narrowest fjord.

This morning, experience a breathtaking ride on the Flåm Railway, which passes through 20 tunnels and climbs to an elevation of 2,833 feet. Along the way, stop for pictures at Kjosfossen waterfall. At Myrdal mountain station, change trains and continue on the scenic Bergen Railway to Voss. Here we’ll board our coach and head south, crossing the Hardanger Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. Continue along the shore and arrive at the historic Ullensvang Hotel in its idyllic setting between the mountains and the Hardangerfjord. It was here that composer Edvard Grieg wrote his most famous pieces—and his cabin still stands in the hotel gardens. Meals: B, D

Nature’s splendor is on full display today, as you travel south around Sørfjord and then north to the peaceful village of Utne. Cross the fjord by ferry, and continue your journey on the Hardanger National Tourist Road to Norheimsund. Stop at the majestic Steinsdalsfossen waterfall, where a trail leads you behind the cascading falls without getting wet. Later, arrive in lovely Bergen, the “City of Seven Mountains,” founded in 1070. Tonight, why not sample regional dishes at one of the many fine,  traditional restaurants? Meals: B

Optional add-ons:
Dinner in Bergen – savour the specialties of Norway as you dig into a wonderful dinner at a typical Bergen restaurant.
Edvard Grieg’s House – nobody has described fjord scenery more beautifully than composer Edvard Grieg did through his music. Visit his unique home and experience a remarkable journey through his life and music.

A guided sightseeing tour of Bergen features an orientation drive to see the main sights like Bergenhus Fortress with its medieval Håkon’s Hall and Rosenkrantz Tower, the charming Hanseatic Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the harbor, and the famous Fish Market. Then, step back in time and explore Bryggen on foot along narrow, cobblestone alleyways past colorful wooden houses. Also see the 12th-century St. Mary’s Church, where Hanseatic merchants attended religious services until the 1870s. Tonight, celebrate your unforgettable trip with a farewell dinner at the hotel. Meals: B, D

Your tour ends following breakfast this morning. Meals: B

Why not add on a Norwegian coastal cruise or continue on to another destination in Scandinavia or Europe. We can help plan any further travel you may want to arrange.