Norway's Dramatic Fjords - Itinerary
Begin in Norway’s capital city, Oslo, filled with beautiful green parks and inlet islands. Tour the Viking Ship Museum and view its thousand-year-old Viking ships. See the Royal Palace, City Hall, and the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, and discover the unique collection of statues and sculptures at Vigeland Park. Travel among gorgeous landscapes on your way to Bergen, the “Gateway to the Fjords.” German Hanseatic Merchants dominated Bergen for 400 years, and the influence from their era of thriving activity is still felt today.
Board the renowned Flam Railway and marvel at wild waterfalls, towering mountains, and amazing valleys as you descend 3,000 feet. Take a memorable two-hour fjord cruise on the Naeroy Fjords, the most narrow and spectacular branch of the Sognefjord. Journey to Alesund, a picturesque art nouveau town stretching across several islands out into the sea. Drive through Norway’s Gudbrandsdal Valley to Lillehammer where you may view the site of the 1994 Winter Olympics and admire beautiful Lake Mjosa, the country’s largest lake.
The sequence of touring and days may be altered to adjust to religious holidays, special closings of sites, air schedule changes, etc. Hotels listed subject to availability. Meal inclusions may vary by departure.
Day 1: Overnight Flight
Day 2: Oslo, Norway - Tour Begins
Your tour begins today in Oslo. Enjoy some leisure time to explore Norway’s capital city. Oslo is filled with beautiful green parks, interesting architecture, and inlet islands. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers. (D)
Day 3: Oslo
A guided tour of Oslo features the Viking Ship Museum’s thousand-year-old Viking ships. Continue the tour along Karl Johan Street and view the Royal Palace and City Hall in quaint downtown Oslo. Next, visit the Holmenkollen Ski Jump and the Vigeland Park, home to a unique collection of statues and sculptures. Later this afternoon enjoy leisure time to relax or explore independently. (B)
Day 4: Oslo - Bergen
Behold the picturesque landscape as you travel west to Bergen, the “Gateway to the Fjords”. Bergen was founded in 1070 and is known today for its old-world charm and scenic landscape. (B, D)
Day 5: Bergen
Today independently explore this beautiful town. Spend time walking along the harborfront, known as the Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bergen is widely known for the thriving activity from the German Hanseatic merchants that dominated it for 400 years, and their influence is still felt in the city today. You may choose an optional tour to Troldhaugen, which was the home of Norway’s most famous composer, Edvard Grieg. (B)
Day 6: Bergen - “Norway in a Nutshell” - Stalheim
This morning journey along the renowned Flam Railway, witnessing some of the world’s most scenic wilderness as you descend 3,000 feet - passing mighty waterfalls, towering mountains, and amazing valleys. Next, embark on a memorable two-hour fjord cruise on the Næroy Fjords, the most narrow and spectacular branch of the Sognefjord. Cap off this amazing day in beautiful Stalheim. (B, D)
Day 7: Stalheim - Geiranger
Spend the day enchanted by the dramatic landscape of the fjord region of Norway. Journey north and cross the mighty Songnefjord, the largest and deepest of Norway’s fjords. Later traverse the Geirangerfjord, one of Norway’s most majestic fjords. Spend two nights at the historic Union Hotel, located on the Geirangerfjord, which has captivated travelers with its magnificent views for more than a century. (B, D)
Day 8: Geiranger - Ålesund - Geiranger
Today, journey to Ålesund, a picturesque art nouveau town by the sea. Ålesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the sea. Enjoy a panoramic tour of Ålesund and view its distinctive architectural style. The myriad of turrets, spires and medieval ornaments dating from the 20th century will amaze you. Visit the Giske Church. Constructed of marble around the middle of the 12th century, it served as a private chapel for a powerful aristocratic family. (B, D)
Day 9: Geiranger - Lillehammer/Gardermoen
Today’s drive leaves behind the dramatic fjord lands and takes you through Norway’s Gudbrandsdal Valley to Lillehammer. During a panoramic tour, view the 1994 Winter Olympic site and picturesque Lake Mjosa, the county’s largest lake. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 10: Lillehamer/Gardermoen - Tour Ends
Your tour ends at the Oslo Airport. (B)
