Norwegian Fjords Tour

A wonderful two week tour of the Norwegian fjords and mountains. Visit Bergen and Alesund and discover the stunning scenery of southern Norway. This tour takes you on an amazing journey through historical, cultural and scenic delights. Highlights include visiting the spectacular fjords, exploring the exquisite towns of Stavanger, Bergen and Alesund, driving some of the world's most thrilling mountain passes, past breath-taking scenery, and discovering one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

The tour will start and finish in Oslo in a beautiful hotel before heading to Telemark to stay overnight in a gorgeous wooden hotel by the water. Drive north to Bergen for a couple of nights, and night at Balestrand, and then onto Alesund for two more nights. Leave the coast and turn inland to the fjords and stay at the end of most famed, Geirangerfjord, where we shall stay for two nights.

Climb over the mountains and pass through valleys to Lom and then onto Sogndal. Take a ferry cruise across Sogndalfjord and then stay on the shores of the Hardangerfjord, famed for its orchards. Then return to Olso for two final nights in Norway.

Itinerary

Day 1 : 9 June 2018

Fly/transport: Fly to Oslo and transfer to the first hotel where your car will be waiting for you.
Drive: Take the ferry from Copenhagen, Denmark to Oslo, Norway and drive to the first hotel.

There will be a welcome dinner for all participants.

Day 2 : 10 June 2018 132 miles

Enjoy the drive, past lakes and over the mountains into Telemark, to Dalen and stay in a fabulous, wooden Gothic hotel at the top of a fjord. The interior and exterior of this hotel are exquisite. Dinner is included.

Day 3 : 11 June 2018 193 miles

Drive north to Bergen through the most beautiful scenery. There is a lovely little stave church to visit shortly after leaving the hotel. Drive over the mountains and along valleys, past the famous twin waterfalls of Latefossen to Bergen and stay for two nights. Once in Bergen the tour will spend two nights in a fabulous hotel on the waters edge, just seconds along the quay from the World Heritage-listed, and very picturesque, Bryggen. Light evening meals are included at the hotel, but if you want something more substantial there are many good restaurants to sample in Bergen.

Day 4 : 12 June 2018

The day is yours to explore the many delights of Bergen. The old town is a fascinating area to explore, with little wooden houses jostled in the smallest of spaces on the hillside overlooking the harbour. Maybe include an Grieg concert at the composer's home, Troldhaugen. Or climb up Floibanen and enjoy the view from the top, looking over the city and the sea.

Day 5 : 13 June 2018 118 miles

Leave Bergen and drive to Voss and then north for a wonderful drive to Vagsnes, passing Vik, with its medieval wooden stave church. It is then a short ferry trip, across Sognefjord, Norway's longest and deepest fjord, to Balestrand, where you will stay in a beautiful wooden hotel right on the fjord edge.

Day 6 : 14 June 2018 189 miles

Wind your way around the fjords and over the mountains to Stryn. Continue onto Alesund, a picturesque art deco town, entirely rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1904, and stay for two nights in another converted warehouse hotel, alongside the water. Alesund & Sunnmore is the perfect place to explore some of Norway's most famous natural and cultural attractions. Alesund's beautiful Art Nouveau architecture is known far and wide. The myriad of turrets, spires and beautiful ornamentation that give the town its distinctive character are like something from a fairytale. Sunnmore's has a wonderful profusion of fjords, small fishing communities, island gems and majestic mountains to discover.

Day 7 : 15 June 2018

Spend time exploring the picturesque town of Alesund, which has a lovely centre, based around the harbour. It is also possible to climb the steps (or take the train) to the top of the mountain overlooking the town.

Day 8 : 16 June 2018 127 miles

Leave Alesund and drive along the coast to Andalsnes, a quaint little town on a lake. Drive up the famous Trollstigen - an awesome road with hairpin bends, a 1:12 gradient and practically one lane all the way. Continue onto Geiranger and down the Eagle's Highway into the valley. The hotel overlooks the Geirangerfjord, one of the most beautiful and photographed parts of Norway. There is also a vintage car museum and the acclaimed Norwegian Fjord Centre to visit. Stay for two nights in a beautiful wooden hotel above the town and overlooking the area.

Day 9 : 17 June 2018

Spend the day relaxing. There are some fabulous walks in the area, or take a boat trip down Geirangerfjord to Hellesylt to see the fjords from a different angle. The fjord is reputed for its magnificent waterfalls, such as Friaren, Desyvsostre and Brudesloret. The area is also famous for the many mountain farms, clinging to the mountain hills along the fjord. This beautiful place also offers some of the world's most famous viewpoints; Ornesvingene, Flydalsjuvet and Dalssnibba.

Day 10 : 18 June 2018 145 miles

The ascent south from Geiranger is a fabulous road of 37 hairpin bends. Today's drive includes some sensational mountain passes and breathtaking scenery. Take the old road up to the summer skiing area (there will be a chance to indulge if you wish) at Strynefjell and then over the mountains on some stunning roads to Lom.

Visit Roisheim, in the heart of the beautiful valley of Boverdalen, which consists of 12 perfectly preserved buildings from the 18th century. The chalets have been lovingly restored with utmost care. This is a great stop for lunch (not included) and its excellent cuisine and wine cellar are only some of the reasons to visit this place, situated close to some of Norway's tallest mountains. Continue over the mountains and descend to Lustrafjord, an arm of the Sogndalfjord. Visit the stunning stave church at Urnes and then stay overnight at Solvorn, on the edge of the fjord, at Norway's oldest family-run hotel, a beautiful wooden building in lovely gardens.

Mileage: 145

Day 11 : 19 June 2018 89 miles

To avoid some of Europe's longest road tunnels, take a 2 1/2 hour ferry cruise along Sogndalfjord from Kaupanger to Gudvangen. Head south to Voss and then onto the orchard-growing area of Hardangerfjord. Visit the fabulous Voringsfossen. Stay overnight on the edge of the fjord at Lofthus in a lovely hotel.

Day 12 : 20 June 2018 174 miles

Drive along the edge of the fjord to Odda and then over the mountains, heading south. The scenery is beautiful and the driving fun. Arrive back in Oslo two nights.

Day 13 : 21 June 2018

Enjoy a day exploring Norway's capital, Oslo. There will be a farewell dinner this evening.

Day 14 : 22 June 2018

For those flying home the cars will be collected this morning. Tour participants will then be taken to the airport.

For those tour participants driving take the ferry from Oslo to Copenhagen and then depart for home.