DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN OSLO
Arrive in Oslo, the capital of Norway. Oslo is situated at the end of the Oslo fjord and is the largest city in Norway with closeness to the nature few other capitals can provide. Afternoon at your own disposal. We recommend a walk through Karl Johans gate, leading to the Royal Palace and a walk through Aker Brygge, the beautiful harbour area with lots of shops and restaurants, and a visit to the National Art Gallery (free entrance). Accommodation at Scandic Byporten or similar.
DAY 02: OSLO
Breakfast at the hotel.Day at your own disposal for personal discovery and shopping in the capital of Norway. We recommend a tour on your own including a visit to the famous and amazing Vigeland Sculpture Park, the Royal Castle, the City Hall, the Parliament Building (Stortinget) and a trip to Bygdøy to see some of the famous museums, such as the Fram, Kon-Tiki and the Viking Ship museums (no entrances included). We also recommend a trip to the Holmenkollen ski jump arena which offers a scenic view of the city and surrounding area. Other sights of interest are the Akershus Fortress, or some of the museums in the city, like the National Art Gallery (free entrance) or the Munch museum (no entrances included). Also possibility for several guided tours by bus with an English speaking guide. (Service not included).
Accommodation at Scandic Byporten or similar.
DAY 03: OSLO - LILLEHAMMER
Breakfast at the hotel.Approx. 09:37: Departure by train to Lillehammer, the Olympic City of 1994. We recommend a visit at the Olympic Museum and the Olympic Arena (Lysgårdsbakken) with a beautiful view of the city and lake Mjøsa or a visit at the Maihaugen Open Air Museum, containing more than 100 old houses and workshops illustrating the development of rural life in Norway from Viking times Until the 19th century. (entrances not included). Accommodation at Rica Victoria Hotel Lillehammer or similar.
DAY 04: LILLEHAMMER - TRONDHEIM
Breakfast at the hotel. Approx. 10.15: Departure by train to Trondheim. Drive through the magnificent Gudbrandsdal Valley, with its fast flowing river and waterfalls. Here the train continues through the Dovrefjell National Park and cross the snow-peaked Dovre Mountains, before arriving in Trondheim. Trondheim is the third largest city and former capital of Norway. We recommend a visit to the Nidaros Cathedral where King Olav Haraldsson was buried by Nidelven, the river Nid, after he was killed in the battle of Stiklestad in 1030. Tradition has it that the high Altar of the Cathedral now stands on the exact spot of this burial site. One year and five days after he died the King was declared a saint, and pilgrims began to flock to Nidaros and the King's grave. Other sights of interest are the Royal Residence of Stiftsgården and the Bishop's Palace (entrances not included).
Accommodation at Rica Nidelven Hotel or similar.
DAY 05: TRONDHEIM - BERGEN (Coastal Voyage)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer on your own to the quay from your hotel.
Approx 08:00: Embarkation starts on the Norwegian Coastal Voyage.
Approx 10:00: Coastal Voyage departs for sailing to Bergen.
Accommodation on board in 2-berth outside cabin (A2).
DAY 06: MOLDE - ÅLESUND - FLORØ - BERGEN
Breakfast on board. A beautiful journey that takes you along the spectacular and rugged Norwegian coastline. Along the journey you will pass Kristiansund, Molde, Ålesund and Florø. Approx 14:30: Arrival Bergen Transfer on your own to the hotel. Bergen is called the gateway to the fjords and it is the second largest city in Norway. This is the only city in the world surrounded by 7 mountains and 7 fjords. We recommend taking a tour on your own including a visit of the famous Bryggen harbour with its gabled pack houses, the Hanseatic quarter and in the old Bergen. Also recommendable is a visit to the Rosenkrantz tower and the Håkons hall, both very impressive buildings from the royal residency when Bergen was the political centre of Norway. We recommend a ride on the funicular to Mount Fløien where you by clear weather will have a spectacular view of the town and the fjords below. One can also visit the old Church of Maria - Mariakirken. Another possibility is a visit to the Bergen Aquarium, which exhibits one of the finest and most extensive collections of marine fauna in Europe, including outdoor pools with seals and penguins. Other sights of interest in the area are the Fantoft stave church, or the lovely Lysøen island with the villa of the Norwegian violin-virtuoso Ole Bull (no services included). Also possibibility for a guided city sightseeing tour including a visit to Fantoft Stave Church which was originally built in 1150 but reconstructed after a fire in 1992, Troldhaugen, Edward Griegs home for 22 years and a visit to Nattlandsfjellet - one of Bergen best panoramic viewpoints. (Service not included).
Accommodation at Hotel Hordaheimen or similar.
DAY 07: BERGEN - VIK (by ferry)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Approx. 08:00 hrs: Departure from Bergen to Vik with a boat from the Fylkesbaatane i Sogn og Fjordane company.
Approx. 13:30 hrs: Arrival in Vik.
Accommodation at Hopstock Hotel or similar.
DAY 08: VIK - FLÅM RAILWAY - GEILO (train & boat)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Approx. 11:30 hrs: Departure from Vik to Flåm with a boat from the Fjord 1 company. Approx. 16:05 hrs: Departure from Flåm to Myrdal with the Flåm Railway. Approx. 17:52 hrs: Departure by train from Myrdal to Geilo. Approx. 18:54 hrs: Arrival in Geilo. Accommodation at Highland Hotel or similar.
DAY 09: GEILO
Breakfast at the hotel.
Approx: 10:58 hrs: Departure by train from Geilo to Oslo Gardermoen. Homebound journey after your own schedule.
