Splendor of Norway

SPLENDOR OF NORWAY

July 29 – August 6, 2023  (Guaranteed Departure)

HIGHLIGHTS
City sightseeing in Bergen and Oslo • Flåm Railway • Fjord Cruise from Flåm to Balestrand • Overnight along the beautiful Hardangerfjord • Hardangervidda National Park Center • Norwegian Industrial Museum • Hopperstad Stave Church

ITINERARY INCLUDES

• Roundtrip airfare from Mpls / St. Paul, including taxes, fees & fuel surcharge
• 7 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 Bergen and Oslo
• Entrance fees to all sites including: Hopperstad Stave Church, Hardangervidda National Park Center, Norwegian Industrial Museum and Holmenkollen Ski Jump
• Luggage handling at hotels for 1 suitcase (subject to availability)
• Tour Director for Days 2 – 9

 

ITINERARY – 9 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 Hotel Norge by Scandic (Tour A) /  Clarion Admiral Hotel (Tour B).

 

DAY 3                MONDAY, JULY 31                                                  [B]

Bergen:  Morning sightseeing tour of Norway’s second largest city includes a walk through the historic Hanseatic Wharf (UNESCO World Heritage Site).  Afternoon and evening free to visit the famous Fish Market or ride the funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen for a magnificent view of Bergen.  Dinner on own.  Overnight at hotel.

 

DAY 4                TUESDAY, AUGUST 1                                             [B,D]

Bergen – Voss – Balestrand:  Morning drive to Voss.  Transfer to the Oslo/Bergen Railway and continue to Myrdal and board the famous Flåm Railway, ranked as one of the top 20 train rides in the world.  Enjoy breathtaking views and the thundering sound of waterfalls as we descend 2800 feet within 13 miles from Myrdal to Flåm.  Cruise the mighty Sognefjord to Balestrand.  Dinner and overnight at the historic Kvikne’s Hotel.

 

DAY 5                WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2                                       [B,D]

Balestrand – Vik – Lofthus:  Ferry from Vangsnes to Hella. In Vik, visit the 12th century Hopperstad Stave Church.  Proceed over the Vik Mountains to Voss.  Lunch on own.  Drive to Hardanger, the heart of Norway’s cherry, apple and pear orchards.  Dinner and overnight at the exquisite Ullensvang Hotel with a spectacular view of the Sørfjord (fjord-view rooms).

 

DAY 6                THURSDAY, AUGUST 3                                          [B,L,D]

Lofthus – Rjukan:  Drive to Telemark, an area rich in cultural traditions.  Lunch at the Hardangervidda National Park Center.  Learn about the thousands of wild reindeer roaming the Hardangervidda plateau through a variety of interactive exhibits.  Afterward, proceed to Gaustablikk Høyfjellshotell for dinner and overnight.

 

DAY 7                FRIDAY, AUGUST 4                                                [B]

Rjukan – Oslo:  Morning visit to Vemork, the hydroelectric power plant, where the Nazis produced “heavy water” for their atomic bomb experiments.  Learn about the German occupation of Norway during World War II.  Lunch on own in Rjukan with opportunity to visit a local silversmith.  En route to Oslo, photostop at Heddal Stave Church, the largest of the remaining 28 stave churches in Norway.  Overnight at the Thon Hotel Bristol in Oslo.  Dinner on own.

 

DAY 8                SATURDAY, AUGUST 5                                         [B,D]

Oslo:  Morning sightseeing tour of Oslo includes a visit to Vigeland Sculpture Park and Holmenkollen Ski Jump. Afternoon free for shopping and independent explorations. Farewell dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

DAY 9                SUNDAY, AUGUST 6                                             [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.