Doorway to Norway: May 2011

Introduction

This amazing holiday takes you from the active capital city of Oslo to the pure landscapes of Norway’s breathtaking coastline with many of extraordinary scenery, historical landmarks, and cultural experiences. This is your chance to excavate Norway by land and sea and journey through the country’s most famous attractions and have a view of the impressive fjords. Your package includes: Oslo, Trondheim, Bergen, coastal cruise, fjord boat tour, train adventures on renowned railways, UNESCO World Heritage sites, charming seaside villages, and much more!

Itinerary

Arrival Point: Oslo (Gardermoen Airport)

Day1-Depart from Montreal

Day2-OSLO

Arriving at Gardermoen Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive early, we suggest you buying an Oslo Pass, which gives you unlimited travel on all public transport, free admission to over 25 museums, and discounts on many attractions, restaurants, and shops. We recommend a visit to the Viking Ship Museum, Vigeland Sculpture Park, the Royal Palace, Akershus Fortress, or the Fram Museum of historic Arctic expeditions. You can also take a walk in the cosmopolitan glow of Bogstadveien, Oslo’s busy shopping street. Spend the night in Oslo.

Day 3-OSLO.

Head to Oslo to take the time to discover the sights of this Medievel city, including Bakklandet, an idyllic neighborhood full of history and culture.You will then visit the Akershus Fortress, located in the city centre by the Oslo Fjord, this is a great place to discover Oslo's history and a beautiful place to enjoy a summer day. After discovering what this city is all about you will then visit Henie-Onstad Art Centre has

Norway

's largest collection of international modern art, situated in beautiful surroundings by the Oslo Fjord, and only 15 minutes from the centre of Oslo.After the Art Center you will visit the Vigelandsparken which is one of Norway's most visited attractions with more than 1 million visitors every year, with more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and cast iron. Spend the night in Oslo and leave in the morning to catch the Oslo-Trondheim train (6hrs)

Day 4-TRONDHEIM

Coastal cruise (departure 10:00): includes overnight stay on board. Enjoy a Scandinavian breakfast in Trondheim before boarding.You will pass through Trondheim Fjord and past Hitra Island, and will view the coastal towns of Kristiansund and Molde. The final stop of the day is Ålesund, a city which has one of Europe’s most distinctive concentrations of Art Nouveau buildings. Spend the night in a cabin on the cruise ship and arrive in Bergen during the night

Day 5-BERGEN

Disembark in the afternoon and will have leisure time Arrival in Bergen (14:30) During the night, the ship calls at Torvik, Maløy.When arriving in Bergen, here you will disembark early in the afternoon to enjoy some leisure time.

We recommend a ride on the "Bergens Expressen" mini-train tour which lasts approx. 50 minutes., which offers amazing views of the city center. Spend the night at a hotel in central Bergen.

DAY 6-BERGEN-VOSS
Bergen, the “capital of the fjords”, is

Norway

’s second largest city. From your centrally-located hotel, you have easy access to the cultural and historical sites. Visit Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which dates back 900 years as a major Hanseatic trading centre.

You can also catch a glimpse of local culture at the lively Fish Market or ride the Floybanen Funicular to Mount Floyen to enjoy the panoramic view of the city. Spend the night in Bergen.

DAY 7-VOSS

Train from Bergen to Voss (1hr) From Bergen, the early Bergensbanen train carries you to Voss, where you will then board a bus bound for Gudvangen. Before driving down Stalheimskleiva, Northern Europe’s steepest stretch of road, the bus stops at the Stalheim Hotel, which offers an incredible panorama over the fjords.

Upon reaching Gudvangen, you will embark on a short, scenic fjord cruise to Flåm, including a trip through Nærøyfjord, is included on UNESCO's World Heritage List, breath in the fresh air and drink the pure water straight from one of many waterfalls and rivers ending into the fjord. Listen to the silence, to the nature, to the sounds from the waterfalls. Listen to the sound from the fjord.

Finally, the boat sails up Aurlandsfjord to Flåm, a charming village where you will enjoy dinner at the local restaurant. (Included in the price.) Spend the night in Flåm.

Day 8-FLAM

Flåm – Oslo (17:00 – 22:32): includes Myrdal station transfer.Spend the early part of your day exploring the village of Flåm, including the Flåm Railway Documentation Centre by the Flåm Station, where you can learn about the construction of the world’s steepest railway track. Admission is free.

Later in the afternoon, you’ll get to experience the famous Flåm Railway The train journey provides some of Norway's wildest and most magnificent scenery. Here you will switch to the Bergensbanen train that carries you over the mountainous rooftop of Norway on your way to Oslo. This ride, voted one of the 20 best railways in the world, will take you through the charming villages of Geilo and Gol before concluding in Oslo, where you will spend your last night in Oslo.

Day 9-MYDRAL-OSLO

Transfer by express train to Gardermoen International Airport (5hrs)Transfer by express train to Gardermoen International Airport in time for your departure flight. Travellers departing in the afternoon have extra time to visit more of Oslo’s many attractions, do some last-minute shopping, or just relax at a café after this enjoyable holiday.