Majestic Fjords with Scandinavian Highlights

Oslo - Ulvik - Bergen - Flåm - Balestrand - Geiranger - Oslo - Stockholm

Day 1: ARRIVE OSLO
Transfer from Oslo Gardermoen Airport to hotel in connection with your flight arrival. Dinner and accommodation at Thon Hotel Opera, ideally situated close to the Oslo Harbour and facing the new Opera House. Your tour escort will meet you at 19.50 hrs in the hotel lobby.

Day 2: OSLO - ULVIK
After breakfast departure from Oslo, driving via Hønefoss along the charming Halling Valley to the tourist resort town of Geilo. Buffet lunch at Bardøla Mountain Hotel. After lunch cross the wild Hardanger Mountain Plateau to Fossli, stopping to view the thundering Vøringsfoss Waterfall with a vertical drop of 180 m. Descend the amazing Måbødal Canyon to the idyllic Hardanger Fjord. Short ferry crossing, followed by drive along the Ulvik Fjord, a branch of the Hardanger Fjord, to the picturesque village of Ulvik. Dinner and accommodation at Brakanes Hotel, ideally located on the banks of the fjord.

Day 3: ULVIK - BERGEN
After buffet breakfast, start of scenic tour along the beautiful Hardanger Fjord, famous for its many fruit orchards, via the towns of Øystese and Norheimsund, arriving in Bergen around midday.Afternoon 2 hours tour of Bergen, including a visit to the popular Fish and Flower Market, the famous Bryggen Harbour with its gabled packhouses, and the old Hanseatic Quarter. You will also ride on the funicular to Mt. Fløien, for the best views of the city and fjords way below. Dinner and accommodation at Radisson Blu Hotel Norge, centrally located on Ole Bull’s Square, close to the pedestrian shopping streets and within walking distance of the old Bryggen harbour.

Day 4: BERGEN - FLÅM - BALESTRAND
After breakfast departure from Bergen and drive via Dale to the town of Voss. Descend the Nærøy Valley, passing the amazing Stalheim Canyon, to the fjordside village of Flåm. Board your train for an exhilarating ride on the amazing Flåm Railway to Myrdal, a masterpiece of engineering ascending 2.838 feet in less than one hour. The descent from Myrdal to Flåm offers opportunities for photo shots of exciting waterfalls and mountain scenery. After a short rest in Flåm, start of approx. 2 hours cruise by boat along the narrow Aurlands and Nærøy 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 Nærøy 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 5: 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 noteworthy sites can also be arranged. Dinner and accommodation at Kvikne’s Hotel.

Day 6: 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 Fjærland, passing under the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Europe, to the village of Skei at the northern end of beautiful Lake Jølster. Descend to the Nord Fjord, making a detour at Olden to visit the worldfamous Briksdal Glacier. The journey up to the glacier will be made in open cars to give you the best 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 7: 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. Dinner and accommodation at Thon Hotel Opera, ideally situated close to the Oslo Harbour and facing the new Opera House.

Day 8: OSLO - STOCKHOLM
After breakfast continue by coach towards the Swedish border, crossing into the attractive province of Värmland to arrive in the city of Karlstad on Lake Vänern, the largest in Sweden. Lunch in Karlstad. After lunch the tour continues through a landscape of forests and sparkling lakes to reach the Swedish capital in the late afternoon. Dinner and accommodation at the Clarion Hotel Sign, a new first class hotel centrally located.

Day 9: STOCKHOLM
The day starts with a 4 hours guided tour of the city. Famous sights include the Royal Palace, Parliament Buildings, Cathedral, Royal Theatre, etc. You will also visit the enchanting Old Town (Gamla Stan) with its narrow cobbled streets and numerous antique shops. Highlight of the tour is a visit to City Hall with its famous Blue and Golden Halls, where the Nobel Prize banquet is held each year. Afternoon free in Stockholm, with possibility to visit the famous Wasa Museum or take one of the popular canal tours. Accommodation at the Clarion Hotel Sign. Please note that dinner today is not included, because our experience shows that in Stockholm guests prefer to eat out at a restaurant of their choice. Your tour escort will gladly assist you with table reservations.

Day 10: STOCKHOLM
This tour ends after breakfast, with transfers to Stockholm Arlanda Airport to connect with individual flight departures.