Itinerary:
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN OSLO
Arrival in Oslo, the capital of Norway. Oslo is situated at the end of the Oslo fjord and is the largest city in Norway. We recommend a walk through Karl Johans Gate, leading to the Royal Palace. Aker Brygge, the beautiful harbour area with lots of shops and restaurants and a visit to the National Art Gallery are other possibilities.
Overnight: Thon Hotel Opera, Oslo.
DAY 2: OSLO
Day at leisure. We recommend visiting 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. 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 or the Munch museum.
Overnight: Thon Hotel Opera, Oslo. (B)
DAY 3: OSLO – FLÅM RAILWAY - VIK
Morning departure by train from Oslo. After you have crossed the rugged Hardangervidda Mountain Plateau, change train and board the famous Flåm Railway. This railway has been ranked one of the top 20 train rides in the world, and is the world’s steepest railway line on normal gauge. Arrival in Flåm, beautifully situated at the end of the Aurlandsfjord. The Norwegian fjord landscape is considered to be one of the most spectacular sceneries in the world. At Flåm, catch a ferry on the spectacular Sognefjord, the world’s longest and deepest fjord, to the small hamlet of Vik.
Overnight: Hopstock Hotel & Motel, Vik. (B)
DAY 4: VIK - BERGEN
At leisure in Vik, till departure by boat for Bergen. Arrival in Bergen.
Overnight: Strand Hotel, Bergen. (B)
DAY 5: HURTIGRUTEN COASTAL VOYAGE:
Day at leisure. Bergen is called the gateway to the fjords and is the second largest city in Norway, the only city in the world surrounded by 7 mountains and 7 fjords. We recommend taking a tour on your own to see the famous Bryggen harbour with its gabled pack houses and the Hanseatic quarter. Also recommended is a visit to the Rosenkrantz tower and the Håkons hall, both very impressive buildings. You can also book an optional a guided city sightseeing tour which includes a visit to Fantoft Stave Church which was originally built in 1150. Own transfer to the port, your Hurtigruten vessel sails in the evening.
Overnight: Hurtigruten, in 2-berth inside cabin (B)
DAY 6: HURTIGRUTEN : GEIRANGER – ÅLESUND – MOLDE
A beautiful coastal voyage that takes you along the spectacular and rugged Norwegian coastline. Some ports of call during this cruise are Ålesund, Geiranger and Molde. The Geiranger Fjord is known as the most beautiful fjord in Norway (Geiranger and Geiranger Fjord only visited 15/4 – 14/9). Possibility for several optional excursions, for instance from Geiranger to Ålesund or from Geiranger to Molde.
Overnight: Hurtigruten, in 2-berth inside cabin (B)
DAY 7: TRONDHEIM
Morning arrival in Trondheim, the third largest city and former capital of Norway. We suggest a visit to the Nidaros Cathedral where King Olav Haraldsson was buried 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.
Overnight: Rica Nidelven Hotel, Trondheim (B)
DAY 8: TRONDHEIM - LILLEHAMMER
Morning departure by train, travel through the Dovrefjell National Park and cross the snow-peaked Dovre Mountains, before arriving in Dombås. The train continues through the magnificent Gudbrandsdal Valley, with its fast flowing river and waterfalls, to Lillehammer, Winter Olympic City of 1994. We recommend an optional visit to the Olympic Museum and the Olympic Arena. Another option is a visit to the Maihaugen Open Air Museum.
Overnight: Rica Viktoria Hotel, Lillehammer. (B)
DAY 9: LILLEHAMMER – OSLO AIRPORT
Train from Lillehammer to Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport for departure. (B)
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