Best of Norway

Welcome to Oslo

Prepare for a spellbinding encounter with nature – an untamed landscape of fjords, lakes and dense forests that begins in the understated capital of Oslo, set within beautiful natural surrounds. On arrival, transfer to your hotel with its unique personality and steps from some of Oslo's main sights. Spend the day exploring the city's interesting architecture and exquisite open spaces, before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers at 17:30 for a light supper to kick-start your journey.

Thon Hotel Cecil

• Oslo

Journey to Scenic Geilo and Hardangerfjord

We journey along the shores of the Tyrifjord to the ski resort of Geilo with its scenic location at the foot of Hallingskarvet, before continuing across the Hardanger Plateau to Voringfoss, a cascade of water that plunges impressively into the Måbødalen Canyon below. We continue to Hardangerfjord – its title as the 'Queen of the Fjords' is well deserved and you'll have an opportunity to admire its deep blue waters as you travel along part of its shoreline to your hotel in Norheimsund where you will dine tonight.

Thon Sandven

• Oslo
• Geilo
• Hardangerfjord

Onwards to Beautiful Bergen Connect with Locals

A scenic drive along lakes and fjords will bring us to the 'Capital of Fjords', Bergen. We’ll learn about the city's Hanseatic heritage, enjoying an orientation tour past the 13th-century Haakon's Hall and bustling fish market. Enjoy some free time to explore this colourful city. This evening, Connect With Locals as the Øvre-Eide family welcome us on their farm for dinner and a very special Be My Guest experience.

Thon Orion

• Hardangerfjord
• Bergen

Off to Voss and Stunning Sognefjord

Delving straight back into Norway's inspiring natural landscapes, we continue to the 'King of Fjords', travelling via Voss, the country’s adventure capital. There’s some free time to embark on an Optional Experience on the Flåm Railway, one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world.

Quality Sogndal, Leikanger

• Bergen
• Voss Municipality
• Sognefjord

Continue to Geirangerfjord

Journey from Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, to Geiranger. See the impressive Bøyabreen glacier, part of Jostedalsbreen, continental Europe's largest glacier. Your day is filled with pinch-me moments as you skirt past three different fjords. Tonight, we stay on the shores of the fjord at Hotel Havila Geiranger.

Havila

• Sognefjord
• Geiranger

A Day at the Breathtaking Geirangerfjord

The Geirangerfjord takes centre stage today, and you’ll get to explore it your way. You’ll certainly want to take a scenic cruise past its tumbling waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. Enjoy soaking up your epic surrounds, or venture further afield by joining an Optional Experience to drive Norway’s most famous road, Trollstigen, with its eleven hairpin bends and jaw-dropping mountain scenery.

Havila

• Geiranger

Venture to Historic Lom and Lillehammer Dive Into Culture

We enjoy a scenic drive to Lom, the gateway to the Jotunheimen Mountains. Here, we will Dive Into Culture and visit a 12th-century stave church, adorned with runic inscriptions, paintings and carved dragon figures that are said to protect it against evil. We continue through the Gudbrandsdal Valley before arriving in Lillehammer, the proud host of the 1994 Winter Olympics.

Scandic Victoria

• Geiranger
• Lom
• Lillehammer

Return to Oslo

We return to Oslo where we spend the day exploring several of the city's highlights with a Local Specialist, including views of the medieval fortress of Akershus, overlooking Oslo's beautiful harbour, the Opera and the 19th-century Royal Palace. We finish our tour with a visit to the fascinating Vigeland Sculpture Park, proudly displaying the life's work of Gustav Vigeland. After a magnificent encounter with Norway’s epic natural landscapes, we enjoy our last evening together at a Farewell Dinner, toasting to a memorable trip.

Thon Hotel Cecil

• Lillehammer
• Oslo

Farewell Norway

Our journey through the fjords, falls and forests of Norway has come to an end. We bid our newfound friends a fond farewell and prepare to return home.

• Oslo