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Day 1
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Fly to Oslo
Your journey begins with a flight to Oslo, Norway’s dynamic and cosmopolitan capital city. On arrival, make your way from the airport to your city centre hotel and enjoy the rest of the day exploring at leisure. A good place to start is the waterfront of the Bjørvika neighbourhood, where you’ll find the Oslo Opera House – perhaps the city’s most striking piece of modernist architecture, a sharp-edged masterpiece of glass, granite and marble. Not far from here is the excellent Munch Museum, a brutalist tower of steel and concrete dedicated to the life and works of the renowned Norwegian artist, Edvard Munch. If it’s warm enough outside, a refreshing dip in the Oslofjord might also be on the cards, or you might pay a visit to the nearby floating sauna.
Elsewhere, you may fancy exploring the vibrant Aker Brygge district, a former shipyard converted into a flourishing complex of waterfront restaurants, bars, shops and housing. Or, you could take the tram or the metro out to Vigeland Sculpture Park, which hosts more than 200 life-size human sculptures by Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland, amid the delightful urban oasis that is Frogner Park.
Stay: Thon Hotel Opera
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Day 2
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Oslo to Flåm
After breakfast, head to Oslo Central Station where you’ll embark on a spectacular journey following the Bergen Railway, which traverses a landscape of forested valleys, rugged mountains and pristine lakes en route to the remote mountain station of Myrdal. Here, you’ll switch to the world-renowned Flåm Railway, offering magnificent views of deep gorges, soaring peaks, cascading waterfalls and rushing rivers en route to the village of Flåm, nestled at the innermost point of the stunning Aurlandsfjord – a smaller branch of Sognefjord, Norway’s longest fjord – where you’ll spend the night in a cosy, timber-clad hotel.
Stay:
Hotel Flamsbrygga
Meals: Breakfast
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Day 3
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Flåm to Bergen
This morning, you’ll witness the spellbinding beauty of two of Norway’s most alluring fjords, as you take an electric boat ride from Flåm to Gudvangen. First, you’ll cruise along the Aurlandsfjord, before entering the neighbouring Nærøyfjord, which forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s framed by steep-sided mountains that rise over 1,500 metres above sea level, while a series of waterfalls tumble down sheer cliff faces into the calm, mirror-like waters of the narrow fjord. In Gudvangen, you might be interested in visiting Njardarheimr, an authentic Viking village that showcases how the Vikings lived here around 1,000 years ago.
From Gudvangen, you’ll continue your journey by bus, making a brief photo stop in Stalheim to marvel at the terrific view of the Nærøydalen Valley. Then, it’s another gloriously scenic stretch down to Voss, dubbed Norway’s ‘adrenaline capital’, where you’ll hop back on the train which takes you all the way to Bergen.
Stay:
Thon Orion, Bergen
Meals: Breakfast
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Day 4
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Bergen
You have a whole day free to explore Bergen at your own pace. It’s undoubtedly one of Norway’s most attractive cities, boasting a wealth of cultural attractions, superb restaurants and easy access to areas of breathtaking natural beauty, such is its location surrounded by seven mountains and a vast network of fjords. An ideal place to start is Bryggen, the UNESCO-listed wharf that offers a fascinating insight into Bergen’s past as a crucial trading hub of the Hanseatic League from the 14th to the mid-16th-century. Today, this complex of colourful wooden buildings houses an eclectic variety of restaurants, cafes, shops and art galleries. Other worthwhile attractions to explore include the Fish Market, Bergenhus Fortress and Bergen Aquarium.
We have also included a return journey on the Fløibanen funicular, which takes you from the town centre to the top of Mount Fløyen, where you’ll be met by wonderful views overlooking Bergen and out towards the surrounding mountains and fjords. There’s a restaurant and a cafe at the top, as well as numerous hiking trails that meander among the tranquil forests and lakes.
Stay:
Thon Orion, Bergen
Meals: Breakfast
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Day 5
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Hardangerfjord
It’s an early start today as you take a scenic bus journey from Bergen to Norheimsund, a charming little town on the banks of Hardangerfjord (Norway’s second-longest fjord), making a stop along the way to marvel at the impressive Steinsdalsfossen waterfall, which you can actually walk behind. You’ll then take to the water on a boat cruise on Hardangerfjord, which is nicknamed ‘the Orchard of Norway’ due to the abundance of apple, plum, pear and cherry orchards along its shoreline, blossoming spectacularly each spring. This is a fabulous way to appreciate the beauty of one of Norway’s most fabled fjords, which stretches a total of 179 kilometres.
Disembark at Lofthus, where you’ll check into the historic Hotel Ullensvang right by the waterfront, which offers both indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a restaurant serving traditional Norwegian cuisine. Here, you can rent rowing boats on the fjord, follow the nearby hiking trails, visit the delightful nearby Fløy Bakery or simply unwind and enjoy the serenity of this idyllic spot. Depending on timings, you may also be able to take a short ferry from Kinsarvik to Utne to check out the Hardanger Folk Museum, where you can stroll among beautifully preserved streets lined by traditional wooden houses. Return to the hotel in time for dinner, which is included in your stay.
Stay:
Hotel Ullensvang, Hardanger
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 6
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Hardangerfjord to Oslo
Set off on another awe-inspiring boat journey this morning as you travel from Lofthus to Eidfjord, a picturesque village at the innermost point of Hardangerfjord, framed by towering mountains. From here, a short drive will bring you up to Vøringfossen, one of Norway’s highest single drop waterfalls, tumbling 145 metres into a ravine. It’s a majestic sight, with plenty of walkways and bridges providing ample photo opportunities. Afterwards, enjoy included entry to the Norwegian Nature Centre, which offers a richly informative explanation of the area’s geology, cultural history and future in the context of climate change. You might also be keen to visit the cafe and souvenir store while you’re here.
You’ll then continue by bus to Geilo, a popular skiing and hiking destination, from which you’ll take the train back to Oslo for the final night of your trip.
Stay: Thon Hotel Opera
Meals: Breakfast
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Day 7
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Return to UK
Depending on your departure time, you may have some more time to explore Oslo today before heading back to the airport to catch your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
