DAY 1 - DEPART THE U.S.
This evening depart from the U.S. on your trans-atlantic flight on SAS.
DAY 2 - ARRIVE IN OSLO - D
Morning arrival at Oslo Airport, where you are met by your tour
director, who will accompany you throughout your visit in Norway.
Transfer by private motorcoach to your hotel. The rest of the day is
free to relax or explore Oslo on your own. Welcome Drink and a short
orientation before your "Welcome to Norway" Dinner.
DAY 3 - OSLO - B
Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Morning departure from your hotel by
private coach and local English-speaking city guide for a sightseeing
tour of Oslo. The tour will include a stop at beautiful Vigeland Park
with its renowned sculptures; the famous Holmenkollen Ski Jump, and
the impressive Viking Ships Museum. Drive by the medieval Akershus
Fortress, the Royal Palace, and the busy port with the Town Hall. The
afternoon is free in Oslo.
DAY 4 - OSLO/FLAM - B,L,D
Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Morning transfer to the train station
to begin your rail trip aboard the Bergen Railway. Discover why this
train was chosen as one of the Top 20 Rail Experiences in the World.
The scenery on this trip through the Hallingdal Valley and across the
Hardanger Plateau, the largest unspoiled area in Europe, is
breathtaking. Arrive in Myrdal and then change to the Flam
narrow-gauge railway that descends through the Flam valley, an
awe-inspiring experience with a constantly changing panorama of
sky-high snow-covered mountains, thundering waterfalls, and green
pastures at the bottom of the valley. Arrival in Flam in the late
afternoon. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
DAY 5 - SOGNEFJORD/HARDANGERFJORD/EMBARKATION
- B,D
Buffet breakfast at your hotel. This morning, depart from Flam by a
modern fjord ferry for a two-hour cruise on the impressive Sognefjord.
Sail past cascading waterfalls, isolated hamlets, and steep
mountainsides, a photographer's dream. Arrive in Gudvangen, where you
will board your private motorcoach and drive through the Naeroydal
Valley with rainbow-dancing waterfalls and sugarloaf mountains before
ascending the hairpin curves of Stalheim Canyon Road and drive past
Tvindefossen Waterfall to Voss.
Leave
in the early afternoon and drive past the Skjervefossen Waterfall and
the villages of Granvin and Kvanndal. Proceed past charming fjord
villages and farther along the shores of Hardangerfjord and experience
the awesome beauty of the steep mountains, waterfalls cascading into
the crystal-clear fjord, and colorful green hillsides dotted with lush
fruit orchards. This afternoon, make a stop to visit Steinstoe Farm,
one of the largest fruit farms in the Hardangerfjord area. After this
visit, drive across the Fyksesund Bridge, spanning the 755-foot gap of
the imposing Fyksefjord, offshoot of the Hardangerfjord. Continue
farther past the fjord villages of Oystese and Norheimsund and farther
through the Steinsdal Valley to Steinsdalfoss, a beautiful waterfall
on the Fosselva River. Drive across the magnificent wild gorge of
Tokagjelet Ravine with its tunnels, roaring rivers, and waterfalls.
Continue across the Kvamskogen Mountain Plateau and along the
Soerfjord before you arrive in the old Hanseatic town of Bergen. Your
tour will end at the pier where you will board your modern Coastal
ship for a 12-day sailing. Your tour director will accompany you on
your voyage.
DAYS 6-15 - NORWEGIAN COASTAL
VOYAGE - B,L,D
On a roundtrip Norwegian Coastal Voyage, you'll see it all, including
architecturally rich Alesund, the majestic Geirangerfjord (April
1-September 30), the alluring Lofoten Islands, the spectacular
Trollfjord, the lively university town of Tromso, and the
1,000-year-old city of Trondheim.
DAY 16 -
DISEMBARKATION/BERGEN - B,L,D
Disembark in Bergen early afternoon. Transfer from the pier to your
hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 17 - BEGREN - B,D
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Meet your local English-speaking guide
at the hotel and make a visit the colorful Fish and Flower Market.
Then start your guided walking tour of the Bryggen Wharf area. Visit
the Hanseatic Museum, giving you an intimate picture of merchant life
during the Hanseatic Period. Board your motorcoach for an in-depth
sightseeing tour of Bergen and surroundings, including Grieg's home
and studio. The rest of the day is free in Bergen. Evening walk from
the center of Bergen for a trip on the funicular "Floybanen" to Mt.
Floyen, a unique lookout point 1,050 feet above the sea. Enjoy a
Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. Return ride to your hotel.
DAY 18 - DEPART BERGEN/ARRIVE IN THE U.S.
- B
After breakfast, transfer from your hotel to Bergen Airport. Bid your
tour director good-bye. Return flight back to the U.S. on SAS.
