I have travelled through many countries of the world, as I am sure you will appreciate my job demands, and I still hold Norway as my favourite. This twin centre tour has been arranged to show you the best of the beautiful scenery; snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes and raging waterfalls. We also explore the history of this amazing country with visits to the Heavy Water Plant in Telemark, Norway’s largest stave church, and Stalheim Hotel’s own open air museum. For your added comfort we have booked outside cabins with two lower berths on our two overnight sea crossings, and reserved airline-style seating in Voyager Class on the Color Line fast crossings. I do hope that you will join me for what I promise you will be a wonderful experience.

ITINERARY

Day 1 A leisurely start to the day. After being picked up by taxi we make our way over the Dartford crossing to Harwich making suitable stops on the way, to catch the DFDS luxury ferry to Esbjerg. Dinner is taken onboard.

Day 2 Another leisurely start and we cruise in to Esbjerg at around midday and drive across the Danish countryside to Århus on the east coast of Jutland for dinner and our overnight hotel.

Day 3 Depart Århus and travel north to the port of Hirtshals to catch Color Line’s fast ferry to Kristiansand, southern Norway, arriving mid afternoon. We make our way inland via Åmli to Vrådal in Telemark for a 3 night stay.

Day 4 We set off today to explore the Hardangervidda Plateau with its wild scenery and beautiful lakes. We visit the Vemork Hydro-electric Power Station which is the site of the World War II heavy water plant. The coach journey continues through Rjukan and along the shores of Lake Tinnsjø. Before returning to the hotel we will see Heddal Stave Church, built in 1100, the largest example in Norway.

Day 5 A day to relax and enjoy Vrådal. In the morning we have arranged a 2 hour cruise on the veteran ship MS Fram on Lake Nisser. In the evening we can join the celebrations for the Summer Solstace, with entertainment provided at our hotel.

Day 6 We depart Vrådal and travel across the Haukelifjell Mountain Road with its stunning scenery and many waterfalls. The journey continues via Odda and the shores of the Sørfjord, one of the small branches of the mighty Hardangerfjord. We cross by ferry and travel via Ulvik and Voss to our hotel at Stalheim staying for 3 nights.

Day 7 Today’s journey takes us over the Vikafjell to the small town of Vik and by ferry across the Sognefjord to Hella. We continue along the north shore of the fjord and will stop at Sogndal for lunch. We then travel via Laerdal and over the mountain snow road to Aurland and return to our hotel after experiencing a day of breathtaking scenery.

Day 8 Is a free day for you to relax. However, you may wish to explore the famous ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ excursion which includes a cruise along the Aurlandsfjord and Naeroyfjord, and a trip on the famous Flåm Railway. This is one of the steepest railway lines in the world, and is a remarkable feat of engineering as it criss-crosses the valleys through tunnels and past breathtaking views. (Excursion extra – approx £60).

Day 9 Another day of magnificent scenery travelling via Geilo and Kongsberg during which time we will stop for photographs and refreshments. Our overnight hotel is in the port of Larvik on the Skagerrak Strait.

Day 10 An early breakfast is required in order to catch the fast ferry from Larvik to Hirtshals arriving around midday. We then drive south through Denmark to Esbjerg and catch the evening sailing. Dinner will be taken on board.

Day 11 Arriving at Harwich around midday we make our way south across the Dartford crossing back to the south coast.