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The Fjords of Norway - with Stockholm extension
(Escorted Coach Tour)
Departure dates 2008: June: 3, 10, 17, 24
July: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
August: 5, 12
Package includes:
• 9 nights’ accommodation sharing twin room
• Arrival and departure transfers from / to Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport.
• Transportation in modern de luxe coach
• Services of English speaking tour escort throughout
• All sightseeing and entrance fees as mentioned in itinerary
• Funicular railway ride to Mt. Fløyen in Bergen
• Flåm – Myrdal – Flåm Railway
• 2-hr minicruise on Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord
• 1-hr minicruise on Fjærland fjord
• 1-hr minicruise on Geiranger fjord
• Excursion in open car to Briksdal Glacier
• All ferry crossings
• Luggage assistance at all hotels
• Meals as shown (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Package excludes:
• All airfares and airport taxes.
• Transfers
• Any optional sightseeing tours.
• Extras at hotels and meals not mentioned.
• Immediate check-in on arrival, late check-out on departure (if this is required, please ask us for a re-quote).
• Travel insurance, visa cost and tips
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Itinerary:
DAY 1: ARRIVE OSLO
Transfer from Oslo Gardermoen Airport to hotel, balance of day at leisure. Your hotel is centrally located close to Karl Johan Boulevard and the Royal Palace.
Dinner and overnight: Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel, Oslo. (D)
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., the highest in Norway. Descend the amazing Måbødal Canyon to the idyllic Hardanger Fjord. Short ferry crossing, followed by a drive around the Ulvik Fjord, a branch of the Hardanger Fjord, to the picturesque village of Ulvik and your hotel located on the banks of the fjord.
Dinner and overnight: Rica Brakanes Hotel, Ulvik. (BLD)
DAY 3: ULVIK - BERGEN
After buffet breakfast, start a 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. In the afternoon, a 2-hour 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. Your hotel is centrally located on Ole Bull’s Square, close to the pedestrian shopping streets and within walking distance of the old Bryggen harbour.
Dinner and overnight: Radisson SAS Hotel Norge, Bergen. (BD)
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 some exciting waterfalls and mountain scenery. After a short rest in Flåm, board a sightseeing boat for an approx. 2 hours cruise along the narrow Aurlands and Nærøy Fjords, both branches of the Sogn Fjord, the longest and deepest fjord in the world. From the sun deck or the comfortable lounge, you can 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 and your hotel located on the banks of the fjord and surrounded by mountains.
Dinner and overnight: Kvikne’s Hotel, Balestrand. (BD)
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 interesting sites can also be arranged.
Dinner and overnight: Kvikne’s Hotel, Balestrand. (BD)
DAY 6: BALESTRAND - GEIRANGER
After breakfast, departure from your hotel by ferry, for a one hour’s cruise along the fjord to Fjærland. Continue by coach along the scenic route, passing under the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Europe, to the village of Skei. Descend to the beautiful 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 of views. Afterwards a typical Norwegian lunch will be served in sight of the glacier. During the afternoon the tour continues 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. You’re your hotel you will have amazing views of the Geiranger Fjord.
Dinner and overnight: Union Hotel, Geiranger. (BLD)
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 and Holmenkollen, home of the world-famous ski jump, offering unforgettable views of the city and Oslo fjord way below.
Dinner and overnight: Holmenkollen Park Hotel, Oslo. (BLD)
DAY 8: OSLO – STOCKHOLM
Breakfast in your hotel, 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: Sheraton Stockholm Hotel, Stockholm (BLD).
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. Lunch at hotel (instead of evening dinner). Afternoon free in Stockholm, with possibility to visit the famous Wasa Museum or take one of the popular canal tours.
Accommodation: Sheraton Stockholm Hotel, Stockholm (BL).
Day 10: STOCKHOLM
Buffet breakfast at hotel, followed by transfer to s to Stockholm Arlanda Airport to connect with individual flight departures. (B)
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