Legends of the Norwegian Fjords

This morning, meet your local guide for a 3-hour tour of Norway’s capital, Oslo. Highlights include the Royal Palace, the National Theater, the Parliament, and the striking Opera House by the waterfront. You'll also visit the medieval Akershus Fortress and enjoy a scenic walk through Frogner Park (Vigeland Park), home to Gustav Vigeland’s thought-provoking and iconic sculptures.

In the afternoon, explore Oslo at your own pace. Stroll along the lively Karl Johans gate, lined with boutiques, cafés, and grand architecture. If open, step inside Oslo City Hall—the venue of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony—to admire its impressive murals and architectural design. For a relaxing close to the day, head to Aker Brygge, the vibrant waterfront promenade, perfect for people-watching, enjoying a coffee, or catching the sunset over the Oslofjord.

• Breakfast
• Radisson Blu Scandinavia or similar

After breakfast, we depart from Oslo and drive along Norway’s scenic southern coast. Our first stop is at Vrangfoss Lock, the most impressive lock on the historic Telemark Canal, where your guide will introduce you to this unique piece of Norwegian heritage.

We continue to Skien, the official starting point of the Telemark Canal and the birthplace of Henrik Ibsen, one of the world’s most influential playwrights.

On our way south, we stop in Lillesand, a charming seaside town known for its white wooden houses and peaceful harbor—a popular summer retreat for Norwegians.

Upon arrival in Kristiansand, we enjoy a panoramic city tour. Highlights include the 17th-century Christiansholm Fortress, the striking Kunstsilo art building, the lively Fiskebrygga fish market, and a walk through Posebyen, Kristiansand’s Old Town, home to Europe’s largest collection of preserved wooden houses.

• Breakfast
• Thon Parken or similar

After breakfast, we depart Kristiansand and head west toward Stavanger, with a scenic stop in the idyllic fishing village of Flekkefjord, known for its charming harbor and quaint wooden houses.

Upon arrival in Stavanger, enjoy a 3-hour fjord cruise on the Lysefjord, where you’ll sail past dramatic cliffs and natural scenery, including the iconic Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen), one of Norway’s most famous viewpoints.

• Breakfast
• Scandic Stavanger City Hotel or similar

After breakfast, embark on a 3-hour guided tour of Gamle Stavanger (Old Stavanger), a beautifully preserved area of white wooden houses dating back to the 18th century. The tour also includes a visit to Sverd i Fjell (Sword in Rock), a striking monument commemorating the Viking battle of Hafrsfjord, where Norway was united into one kingdom.

After the tour, we continue our journey north to Bergen, often called the “Capital of the Fjords”, known for its stunning coastal setting and historic charm.

• Breakfast
• Grand Terminus or similar

After breakfast, set out on a 2-hour guided city tour of Bergen, Norway’s gateway to the fjords. Highlights include King Haakon’s Hall, the historic Rosenkrantz Tower, and Bryggen – the iconic row of Hanseatic timbered houses with pointed gables facing the harbor. You'll also visit the lively Fish and Flower Market, the charming city park, and Grieg Hall, Bergen’s striking concert venue named after composer Edvard Grieg.

After the tour, enjoy a scenic funicular ride up and down Mt. Fløien, offering panoramic views over the city and surrounding fjords. Rest of the day at leisure – the perfect opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of this charming coastal town.

• Breakfast
• Grand Terminus or similar

After breakfast, depart Bergen and head inland for two of Norway’s most unforgettable experiences: the Sognefjord cruise and the Flåm Railway.

Travel by coach to Gudvangen, where you’ll board a 2-hour cruise through the spectacular Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord, both branches of the majestic Sognefjord and listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Disembark in Flåm, a picturesque village nestled between steep mountains and deep fjords. Here, you’ll board the world-famous Flåm Railway—one of the steepest standard-gauge railway lines in the world. With breathtaking views at every turn, the train will take you to Myrdal, where you’ll connect to the mainline train toward Geilo.

Arrive in the Geilo area for your overnight stay.

• Breakfast / Dinner
• Ustedalen Hotel or similar

After breakfast, depart the Geilo area and head toward Oslo, with a stop along the way at the Torpo Stave Church (outside visit). This beautifully preserved structure is one of the oldest stave churches in Norway and the only one in Hallingdal still standing on its original site—a remarkable example of traditional Norwegian wooden architecture.

Afterward, continue your drive to Oslo. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon to soak up the capital one last time, explore at your own pace, or pick up some last-minute souvenirs before the journey ends.

• Breakfast
• Radisson Blu Scandinavia or similar

• Breakfast