Sogn / Voss / Valdres Heritage Tour

SOGN / VOSS / VALDRES HERITAGE TOUR

July 29 – August 8, 2023

HIGHLIGHTS
Travel with a genealogist • Receive genealogical assistance before and during the tour • Opportunities to visit family heritage sites and farms • Visits to various folk museums • Hopperstad Stave Church • Flåm Railway • Fjord cruise

ITINERARY INCLUDES

• Roundtrip airfare from Mpls / St. Paul, including taxes, fees & fuel surcharge
• 9 nights accommodations, double occupancy, with private facilities
• Daily breakfast [B] and 8 dinners [D]
• 1st-class touring coach, train & ferries per itinerary
• City sightseeing in Bergen and Oslo
• Entrance fees to all sites including:  Voss Folk Museum, Hopperstad Stave Church, Stegastein Viewpoint and Valdres Folk Museum
• Genealogical assistance
• Luggage handling at hotels for 1 suitcase (subject to availability)
• Tour Director for Days 2 – 11

ITINERARY – 11 DAYS

 

DAY 1                SATURDAY, JULY 29

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

 

DAY 2               SUNDAY, JULY 30                                                  [D]

Bergen:  Arrive at Bergen Flesland Airport.  Transfer to hotel.  Balance of day free to adjust to time change.  Welcome dinner and overnight at the Clarion Admiral Hotel.

 

DAY 3               MONDAY, JULY 31                                                 [B,D]

Bergen – Voss:  Morning sightseeing tour includes a walk through the historic Hanseatic Wharf.  Drive to Voss.  Dinner and overnight at Fleischer’s Hotel.

 

DAY 4               TUESDAY, AUGUST 1                                            [B,D]

Voss:  Tour the Voss Folk Museum (Mølstertunet), a farmstead with buildings from the 16th century and a rich collection of folk art.  Visit to Voss Church (pending availability).  Afternoon free for independent exploration or opportunity for individual farm visits. (Individual arrangements may involve extra charges.)  Dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

DAY 5               WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2                                     [B,D]

Voss – Vik – Sogndal:  Morning drive to Vik.  Visit the 12th century Hopperstad Stave Church, a replica of which is found in Moorhead, Minnesota.  Ferry across the mighty Sognefjord.  Proceed to Sogndal for dinner and overnight at the Quality Hotel Sogndal.

 

DAY 6               THURSDAY, AUGUST 3                                         [B,D]

Sogndal – Flåm:  Ferry from Mannheller to Fodnes. Cross the high mountain road to Stegastein Viewpoint for a spectacular view of Norway’s fjord country.  Cruise the Aurlandfjord and Nærøyfjord from Flåm to Gudvangen.  Continue to Undredal for a walking tour of this small community with 80 people and nearly 500 goats.  It is also home to the smallest church in Scandinavia, built as a stave church in 1147.  Visit Eldhuset for an introduction to the tradition of farming in the mountains, as well as the making of goat cheese.  Dinner.  Return to Flåm.  Overnight at Fretheim Hotel.

 

DAY 7               FRIDAY, AUGUST 4                                              [B,D]

Flåm – Fagernes:   Board the famous Flåm Railway, ranked as one of the top 20 train rides in the world.  Enjoy a roundtrip ride past thundering waterfalls and through tunnels.  Upon return Flåm, meet the motorcoach and continue to Fagernes.  Dinner and overnight at Beitostølen Mountain Resort.

DAY 8               SATURDAY, AUGUST 5                                        [B,D]

Excursion in area:  Tour the Valdres Folk Museum. Afternoon free for independent exploration or opportunity for individual farm visits. (Individual arrangements may involve extra charges.)  Dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

DAY 9               SUNDAY, AUGUST 6                                             [B]

Fagernes – Oslo:  Proceed to Oslo via Jevnaker.  Opportunity to purchase Norwegian glass/crystal at reduced prices at Hadeland Glassworks.  Upon arrival in Oslo, enjoy a sightseeing tour featuring Vigeland Sculpture Park, the largest sculpture park in the world by a single artist, boasting over 200 pieces by Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland.    Overnight at the Thon Hotel Bristol.

 

DAY 10             MONDAY, AUGUST 7                                           [B,D]

Oslo:  Day free in Oslo for sightseeing or family heritage site visits.  Farewell dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

DAY 11             TUESDAY, AUGUST 8                                           [B]

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