DAY 1
D included
After meeting at Bergen airport, a short private transfer takes us to the waterfront of Old Bryggen and our 4 star hotel, a converted 15th century Hanseatic merchant’s house. Time permitting, we have an introductory walk around the historic wooden harbour district of Norway’s second city, founded by King Olav the Peaceful in 1070. Dinner tonight is in a famous local fish restaurant.
DAY 2
B, L, D included
In the 19th century, Bergen was Europe’s largest wooden city, with busy, steep and densely built-up streets, squares and alleyways giving it a unique character. Visiting Old Bergen, a reconstructed town of around 50 wooden houses, gives us an evocative reminder of Bergen at that time. We continue to Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s home and now museum, Troldhaugen. We visit the villa, the museum and the small hut where Grieg retreated to compose. After an early dinner, we attend a concert of the Bergen International Festival (programme to be confirmed) in the beautiful setting of the 13th century Håkonshallen, built for the wedding and coronation of King Magnus Lagabøte in 1261.
DAY 3
B, L, D included
Strolling along wharves backed by picturesque old timber and stone buildings, we reach the Hanseatic Meeting House. This well-preserved, early 18th century wooden house tells the fascinating tale of how German merchants lived and worked for more than two centuries, trading in stockfish and grain. We visit Bergen’s oldest church, the 12th century Romanesque-Gothic Mariakirken. The centuries old, yet still bustling, fish market provides the perfect setting for a delicious picnic. After lunch, the historic Floibanen Funicular carries us 300 metres above the city, revealing spectacular views of the fjords and city below. From here, a gentle 2 hour hike takes us past several small lakes and through stands of Arctic birch with vistas of the water below.
DAY 4
B, L, D included
A 90-minute drive through the mountains takes us to Norheimsund on the famous Hardanger Fjord. Our home for the next two nights is a wooden 4-star hotel featuring elegant 19th century décor and a waterfront garden. We walk a 3-km trail along the Movatnet Lake shore from the spectacular Steinsdalsfossen Waterfall, enjoying views of the Folgefonna glacier on the far side of the Fjord. In the Hardanger Maritime Centre, we have the opportunity to see or even try our hand at rope-making or building a wooden boat in one of the active workshops. Dinner tonight is in the hotel’s grand dining room.
DAY 5
B, L, D included
We catch the post boat and sail for an hour and a half deeper into the Fjord, disembarking at the former Viking settlement of Kinsarvik. We walk beside the impressive river before lunch, then take a short ferry ride to the hamlet of Utne. We set off on a walk with wonderful views over the Sørfjord. Passing through apple orchards, for which the region is famous, our stroll ends at the Hardanger Folk Museum, complete with old farm buildings, displays of folk costumes and fine examples of the traditional Hardanger fiddle, the instrument so loved by Edvard Grieg. Crossing the unforgettable Hardanger fjord once more, we return to Norheimsund.
DAY 6
B, L, D included
Private transport takes us on a scenic drive by the fjords to board the famous Flåm railway line, which, in fifty-five awe-inspiring minutes, winds its way past waterfalls, over bridges and across gorges: one of the world’s most spectacular rail journeys. From Myrdal, at over 2,800 feet, we travel ‘Across the Roof of Norway’ on the Bergens Banen train to Oslo, arriving in the early evening. A private transfer brings us to our 4 star historic hotel, ideally situated in the centre.
DAY 7
B, L, D included
The day begins with a ferry ride across Oslo harbour to visit the special museums dedicated to Thor Heyerdahl’s raft, Kon Tiki, and to Roald Amundsen’s ship Fram, which took him to the South Pole in 1912. After lunch, we explore the fine new National Museum of Norway. Dinner is in the strikingly designed new Opera House, with wonderful harbour views, and is followed by a concert performance of Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Candide’.
DAY 8
B included
The morning is free for exploring Oslo, perhaps visiting the 17th century Cathedral, the Nobel Peace Prize Centre, the new Edvard Munch Museum or taking a ferry to visit the Norwegian Folk Museum. Our visit to Norway concludes with a transfer to Oslo airport.