Land of the Fjords - escorted tour

Price includes return flights, 5 nights accommodation incl. daily 3-course or buffet dinner and Scandinavian buffet breakfast, in first class hotels, all rooms with private facilities, 2 lunches on days 4 & 5, Ride on the Flam Railway Flam-Myrdal-Flam, Approx. 2 hours cruise on the Aurlands and Naroy Fjords, and 1 hours cruise on the Geiranger Fjord, Excursion in open car to the Briksdal Glacier, All visits as described in itinerary, Luggage assistance at all hotels, tour escort throughout, Transportation by modern de luxe coach with reclining seats, Transfers airport or quay/hotel on first and last days.

Guaranteed departures on Thursdays in summer 2011:

June 16, 23, 30
July 07, 14, 21, 28
August 04, 11, 18

Day 1: ARRIVE BERGEN
Fly with SAS to Bergen. Transfer from Bergen Flesland Airport to hotel. Dinner and accommodation at Radisson SAS Hotel Norge, a first class hotel ideally located in the city centre within walking distance of the famous Bryggen Harbour. Your tour escort will meet you at 19.50 hrs in the hotel lobby.

Day 2: BERGEN – FLAM - BALESTRAND

After breakfast departure from Bergen and drive via Dale to the town of Voss.

Descend the Naroy Valley, passing the amazing Stalheim Canyon, to the fjordside village of Flam. Board your train for an exhilarating ride on the amazing Flam Scenic Railway to Myrdal, a masterpiece of engineering ascending 2.838 feet in less than one hour. The descent from Myrdal to Flam offers opportunities for photo shots of some exciting waterfalls and mountain scenery. After short rest in Flam, approx. 2 hours cruise by boat along the narrow Aurlands and Naroy Fjords, both branches of the Sogn Fjord, the longest and deepest fjord in the world. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of cascading waterfalls, sheer mountain cliffs, snow-clad peaks, and a variety of wildlife. After disembarking in Gudvangen at the head of the Naroy Fjord, continue by coach 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 3: BALESTRAND – A DAY IN THE FJORDS

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.

Day 4: BALESTRAND - GEIRANGER
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 Fjarland, passing under the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Europe, to the village of Skei at the northern end of beautiful Lake Jolster. Descend to the 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 to give you the best possible views. Lunch will be served in a nearby mountain restaurant facing the glacier. After lunch the tour continues around the Nord Fjord via Loen and Stryn, to the picturesque village of Hellesylt. From here you go on board the ferry for the one hour’s cruise along the spectacular Geiranger Fjord, possibly the most impressive of all the Norwegian fjords. During the cruise you will pass close by some magnificent waterfalls, such as the Bridal Veil and the Seven Sisters. Dinner and accommodation at the excellent Union Hotel, overlooking the Geiranger Fjord.

Day 5: GEIRANGER – OSLO

From the top of the famous Serpentine Road, you have the opportunity to digest some amazing views of the fjord, before crossing the rugged Grotli Mountains to Lom, well known for its 14th century stave church. The tour continues via Lake Vågå, before descending the magnificent Gudbrands Valley to the popular tourist town of Lillehammer. Stop for lunch in Lillehammer. After lunch the journey continues alongside Lake Mjøsa, Norway’s largest lake, back to Oslo and Dinner and accommodation at Thon Hotel Opera, centrally located close to the Oslo Fjord and the new Opera House.

Day 6: OSLO DEPARTURE

Buffet breakfast at your hotel, followed by transfer to Oslo Gardermoen Airport and scheduled SAS flight home.