Scenic Norway

2012 Season
Departs From: Oslo

From 1,453EUR

Length:  9 days from Oslo to Oslo, or 10 days incl. travel

Overview

Immerse yourself in the land of thundering waterfalls, gleaming glaciers, and charming stave churches. A full circle from Oslo to Oslo, starting with two nights in this amazing city, shows you this breathtaking country in a most scenic way. Highlights include the 1994 Winter Olympic city of Lillehammer; cruises on the Geirangerfjord and Sognefjord; the excellent Norwegian Glacier Museum; Lâtefoss, the star among waterfalls; Vemork, scene of the daring sabotage action celebrated in The Heroes of Telemark; and Oslo’s Frogner Park and City Hall. Overnight stays in Bergen, the most picturesque of all Scandinavian towns, and rustic, unspoiled Telemark are included, as well as a farewell dinner in Oslo.

Duration:  9 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
02 June, 2012	10 June, 2012
16 June, 2012	24 June, 2012
23 June, 2012	01 July, 2012
30 June, 2012	08 July, 2012
14 July, 2012	22 July, 2012
21 July, 2012	29 July, 2012
28 July, 2012	05 August, 2012
04 August, 2012	12 August, 2012
11 August, 2012	19 August, 2012
18 August, 2012	26 August, 2012
25 August, 2012	02 September, 2012
01 September, 2012	09 September, 2012
08 September, 2012	16 September, 2012

City Highlights

Oslo
Welcome drink; guided sightseeing, walk through Frogner Park and visit the City Hall; farewell dinner

Lillehammer
Guided walking tour of the Maihaugen Open-Air Museum (from end-May onwards)

Geirangerfjord
Boat cruise

Jostedal Glacier

Fjaerland
Visit the Norwegian Glacier Museum and watch a five-screen film

Sognefjord
Boat cruise

Bergen
Orientation

Hardangerfjord
Ferry crossing

Låtefoss Waterfall

Telemark
Guided visits of Vemork and the Heddal Stave Church

Headsets throughout the tour

Note:

Certain mountain roads normally used for this vacation might be blocked by snow early and late in the season. If so, your Tour Director and driver will select a different route.

Day 1   Arrive in Oslo, Norway. Welcome to the land of fjords, lakes, mountains, thundering waterfalls, and gleaming glaciers. Time to rest or start exploring lively Oslo. At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink hosted by your Tour Director.

Day 2   Oslo–Lillehammer. After a picture stop at Eidsvoll, where the country’s democratic constitution was signed in 1814, proceed along lovely Lake Mjøsa to Lillehammer, proud host of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Time here for lunch and in the afternoon, enjoy a guided walking tour of the unique MAIHAUGEN OPEN-AIR MUSEUM (from end-May onwards). (B,D)

Day 3   Lillehammer–Loen. Drive through the wide Gudbrandsdal Valley, the lush dairy and timber land of Ibsen’s drama Peer Gynt. Take pictures of the lonely stave church of Lom, then climb above the tree line to 5,000 feet for a breathtaking panoramic view from the Dalsnibba lookout above Geirangerfjord. In the afternoon, enjoy a one-hour CRUISE past the famous “Seven Sisters” cascade. Dock at Hellesylt and head south via Lake Hornindal to peaceful Loen. (B,D)

Day 4   Loen–Stalheim. Follow the shoreline of the innermost branch of Nordfjord, then cross the mountains to the serene Våtedalen Valley and pristine Lake Jølster. The mountain scenery gets more rugged as you approach the tunnel underneath Jostedalsbreen, Europe’s largest glacier. Stop to see one of the mighty tongues that radiate from the Jostedal Glacier into the surrounding valleys. Next, visit Fjaerland’s excellent NORWEGIAN GLACIER MUSEUM and watch a thrilling five-screen film. In the afternoon, enjoy a two-hour CRUISE on spectacular Sognefjord. Land at Gudvangen and continue to Stalheim, high above the majestic Nærøydal Valley. An exciting optional Flam train ride is available. (B,D)

Day 5   Stalheim–Bergen. This morning, see the popular lakeside resort of Voss before arriving in pretty Bergen. During your orientation tour, hear about its 11th-century origins and its association with the Hanseatic League. Afternoon at leisure. Stroll through the colorful fish market and the narrow lanes of ancient Bryggen, and ride the funicular up to Mount Fløyen. (B)

Day 6   Bergen–Telemark. Cross Hardangerfjord by FERRY and drive through the orchards along Sørfjord, whose tranquil splendor inspired Grieg’s Morning Mood. More scenic delights: thundering Låtefoss and the wild Hardangervidda mountain plateau, where Fridtjof Nansen prepared for his polar expeditions. Next is rustic, unspoiled Telemark. (B,D)

Day 7   Telemark–Oslo. Focus on VEMORK, scene of the daring sabotage action celebrated in The Heroes of Telemark. Learn all about the dramatic events of 1943 from your Local Guide, and also gain an insight into the technology of hydroelectric power generation, one of the pillars of Norway’s economy. Leave the narrow Rjukan Valley via Lake Tinnsjø, where saboteurs sank a ferry loaded with heavy water, dashing Nazi hopes of winning the race for the atomic bomb. Before returning to Oslo in the afternoon, admire HEDDAL STAVE CHURCH, the largest of the country’s remaining medieval wooden churches. (B)

Day 8   Oslo. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the National Theater, Parliament, and the Royal Palace. Stroll through magnificent FROGNER PARK with Gustav Vigeland’s over 200 extraordinary bronze and granite sculptures and visit the modern CITY HALL. In the afternoon, an optional excursion to see relics of Norway’s glorious seafaring past is available. Tonight, celebrate the success of your journey with a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,D)

Day 9   Oslo. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Meals:  Full Scandinavian breakfast daily (B); 5 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome drink and a farewell dinner in Oslo

Hotel Information:  OSLO Clarion Royal Christiania (F), LILLEHAMMER Radisson Blu (F), LOEN Alexandra (F), STALHEIM Stalheim (F), BERGEN First Marin (F), TELEMARK Rauland Høgfjellshotell (F) at Rauland


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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