Fjords, Glaciers, Lakes & Mountains, Norway

Day 1

Cross by ferry to France, through Belgium and into the Netherlands making suitable comfort stops on route and arrive at our first hotel, the Postillion Hotel Deventer.

Day 2

Through northern Germany to Hamburg and into Denmark to our second hotel, Scandic Kolding, late afternoon.

Day 3

After an early breakfast we proceed north through Jutland to Hirtshals for the fast craft ferry to Norway (approx. 4 hrs). Relax on board, sample some refreshments and enjoy the ships facilities. We arrive in Larvik and travel inland to enjoy a first taste of the pristine scenery for which Norway is so rightly famed. Travel via Porsgrunn and Helgia and then through wonderful Lakeland scenery, passing Bo and Kasin Canal to arrive at Vrádal for our 2 night stay at the Straand Hotel.

Day 4

Enjoy a morning at leisure. Opportunity to use the hotel leisure facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, large terrace, lounge and a wonderful garden that sweeps down from the hotel to the lake shore and beach. This afternoon we enjoy a 2 hour boat cruise on Lake Nisser on the veteran boat MS Fram, the scenic cruise includes narrow straits, a journey between the small islands and through an old lock.

Day 5

Travel to Brunkenberg before crossing the Haukelifjell Mountain Road we descend to the Sörfjord, a branch of the Hardangerfjord, at Odda, a short refreshment stop, before continuing along the western shore of the Hardangerfjord, overlooked by the Folgefonn Glacier with fruit trees on one side of the road and the deep fjord on the other. In Utne we take the short ferry journey across the Hardangerfjord to Kvanndal, north past Voss and towards Gudvangen, climbing up into the Vik Mountains where snow can often be seen, then descending towards Vik with exciting views across the mighty Sognefjord. A ferry across the fjord to arrive in the beautiful village of Balestrand and the Kviknes Hotel for the next 3 nights.

Day 6

Enjoy our idyllic location on the shore of the longest and deepest fjord in the world, Sognefjord. Balestrand has a tranquil, picturesque location on the south facing shore. Late morning we
take a short ferry and drive along the fjord with waterfalls and spectacular rock walls. We stop for lunch in Sogndal with small relaxing cafes that serve delicious local food. This afternoon we
visit the Sogn Folk Museum in Kaupanger, with indoor and outdoor exhibits including a range of farm dwellings transported here and reconstructed.

Day 7

A full day ‘Glacier Route’ excursion, we ascend the Gaularfjell High Mountain road, one of Norway’s National Tourist routes, the road twists and turns through no less than nine dramatic hairpin bends. Skei, a small town with a picturesque location at the top of Lake Jolstravatnet where we stop for refreshments, we continue to Fjaerland stopping at Boyabreen with excellent views of the glacier. This afternoon the Norwegian Glacier Museum, with a video presentation of the Jostedal Glacier and a range of‘hands on exhibits’including some genuine glacier ice! Time to purchase a cup of tea before returning back to our hotel.

Day 8

Today we depart Balestrand and taking a scenic journey including 2 short fjord ferry crossings, spectacular fjords, river valleys and Norway’s southern coastline before joining the old Oslo/Bergen post route through the Laerdal Valley with a short photo stop at the Borgund Stave Church. The drive is along one of Norway’s most famous salmon fishing rivers. Continue through Hemsedal, one of Norway’s most famous downhill skiing areas, and then south, through Noresund and Kroderen to Horten.

Day 9

After an early breakfast we depart our hotel and join the fast ferry crossing from Norway to Denmark (approx. 4 hrs) and arrive in Hirtshals. We continue to Hamburg for our overnight hotel, the Leonardo Hamburg Stillhorn.

Day 10

A free morning in Hamburg before departing for our overnight hotel making suitable comfort stops.

Day 11

After breakfast we head for Antwerp for free time and lunch to be obtained before our return ferry crossing.

B=Breakfast Included, D=Dinner Included