Best of Norway

BEST OF NORWAY

Tour A: June 19 – 29, 2023
Tour B: July 8 – 18, 2023  (Guaranteed Departure)
Tour C: July 22 – Aug 1, 2023  (Guaranteed Departure)

HIGHLIGHTS
City sightseeing in Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger • Lunch at a family farm • Excursion to Briksdal Glacier by Troll Cart • Flåm Railway • Aurlandfjord and Nærøyfjord Cruise • Nordvegen History Centre in Avaldnes

ITINERARY INCLUDES

• Roundtrip airfare from Mpls / St. Paul, including taxes, fees & fuel surcharge
• 9 nights accommodations, double occupancy, with private facilities
• Daily breakfast [B], 1 lunch [L] and 5 dinners [D]
• 1st-class touring coach, train & ferries per itinerary
• City sightseeing in Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger
• Excursion to Briksdal Glacier
• Entrance fees to all sites including: Norwegian Folk Museum, Fossheim Steinsenter, and Nordvegen History Centre
• Luggage handling at hotels for 1 suitcase (subject to availability)
• Tour Director for Days 2 – 11

 

ITINERARY – 11 DAYS

DAY 1                JUNE 19 / JULY 8 / JULY 22

Mpls/St. Paul―Oslo: Depart on your transatlantic flight. To request alternate dates or for estimated airfare supplements from other US cities, please note on application.

DAY 2                JUNE 20 / JULY 9 / JULY 23                                 [D]

Oslo: Arrive at Oslo Gardermoen Airport. Transfer to hotel. Balance of day free to relax and adjust to time change. Welcome dinner and overnight at the Grand Hotel.

DAY 3                 JUNE 21 / JULY 10 / JULY 24                               [B]

Oslo: Morning sightseeing tour of Oslo includes a visit to Vigeland Sculpture Park and the Norwegian Folk Museum featuring the Gol Stave Church. Balance of day free. Dinner on own. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 4               JUNE 22 / JULY 11 / JULY 25                               [B,L]

Oslo―Lillehammer: Depart Oslo for Lillehammer via Jevnaker. Opportunity to purchase Norwegian glass/crystal at reduced prices at Hadeland Glassworks. Proceed to a local farm where we meet a Norwegian family and savor a traditional Norwegian “middag.” Continue to Lillehammer. View the sites of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Overnight at Scandic Victoria Lillehammer Hotel.

DAY 5                JUNE 23 / JULY 12 / JULY  26                              [B,D]

Lillehammer―Geiranger―Loen:  Travel through the Gudbrandsdal and Otta Valleys to Lom.  Visit the Fossheim Steinsenter in Lom for a chance to explore the Stone Museum and shop in the jewelry gallery.  Continue across the Grotli Mountains to the fabulous fjord country.  Weather permitting, drive to Dalsnibba Observation Point for a spectacular view of the Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.  Continue to Loen for dinner and overnight at Loenfjord Hotel (Tours A & C) / Alexandra Hotel (Tour B).

DAY 6                JUNE 24 / JULY 13 / JULY 27                               [B,D]

Loen―Flåm: Morning excursion to the sparkling Briksdal Glacier. Travel to Skei. Opportunity to purchase quality crafts and woven products at Audhild Viken’s Weaving Workshop. Drive to Mannheller. Ferry across the Sognefjord to Fodnes. Drive the world’s 2nd longest tunnel (15.2 miles) from Lærdal to Aurland. Continue to Flåm for dinner and overnight at Fretheim Hotel.

DAY 7                JUNE 25 / JULY 14 / JULY 28                               [B,D]

Flåm―Norway in a Nutshell Excursion―Bergen: Morning cruise on the dramatic Aurlandfjord and Nærøyfjord (placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2005) from Flåm to Gudvangen. Return to Flåm by bus. Board the Flåm Railway, deemed by some as the most fantastic train ride in Europe. Ascend the Flåm Valley, climbing 2800 feet within 13 miles to Myrdal. Switch to the Oslo/Bergen Railway and continue to Voss. Meet the motorcoach and drive to Bergen, Norway’s second largest city. Dinner. Overnight at the Clarion Admiral Hotel.

DAY 8                JUNE 26 / JULY 15 / JULY 29                               [B]

Bergen: Morning sightseeing tour of Bergen includes a guided walk through the historic Hanseatic Wharf.  Balance of afternoon and evening free.  Dinner on own. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 9                JUNE 27 / JULY 16 / JULY 30                               [B]

Bergen―Stavanger: Travel the coastal route to Stavanger via Stord. Ferry from Halhjem to Sandvikvåg. Visit the Nordvegen History Centre in Avaldnes, home to the first kings of Norway and the legendary figures who appear so often in sagas and songs. Drive the underwater tunnels from Rennesøy to Randaberg. Continue to Stavanger. Dinner on own. Overnight at the Clarion Stavanger Hotel.

DAY 10              JUNE 28 / JULY 17 / JULY 31                               [B,D]

Stavanger: Sightseeing tour of Stavanger. This modern Norwegian city, a hub of the North Sea oil exploration and development operations, is a charming mixture of old and new, retaining much of its 18th century charm. Afternoon free. Farewell dinner and overnight at hotel.

DAY 11              JUNE 29 / JULY 18 / AUGUST 1                          [B]

Stavanger―Depart: Tour ends following breakfast. Transfer to Stavanger Sola Airport for return flight. Longer stays may be requested upon registration for a minimum charge of $250.