Day 1. Thu. En Route USA / Oslo.

Today  go to the airport and take your flight to Oslo.

Overnight: En route.

Day 2. Fri. Arrival Oslo, Norway / Bergen. 

Today you arrive to Oslo, Norway. Here you connect your flight to Bergen. Upon arrival, clear immigration and customs and proceed towards exit.  Here you will be met and transferred to your hotel which is about a 40 minute drive to the hotel.

Overnight: Solstrand Fjord Hotel. (B)

Day 3. Sat. Bergen / Balestrand (Cruise – 8:00am departure)

Since the 1800s, when the aristocracy and the wealthy sailed their yachts each summer, the Sogne Fjord has been one of the “musts” for the world traveler to see.  It’s the longest (204 km or 126 miles) and deepest (1308 meters or 4200 feet) fjord in the world – – it’s called the “King of Fjords”.

You will see the fjord at its widest as well as explore narrow side fjords and bays. The scenery will vary from wild and rugged mountain masses that come right up out of the fjord, to verdant farmland with storybook villages.

 After breakfast, you will be transferred to the pier to board the boat. Begin your Fjord Adventure.  Embark on the Catamaran Express Boat departing Bergen  at 8:00 am.

 Sail north towards the Sogne Fjord, exploring the dramatic Finnabotn Bay. Continue on to visit Finden Farm with insights into new and old traditions. Late morning arrive to Balestrand.

The Kvikne Hotel is family owned and operated since they took it over in 1877. Since then the establishment has undergone constant development which continues to this day. New building, remodeling and expansion projects have been carried out losing the distinctive architecture and charm of the Swiss chalet-style complex.

Today, the hotel is a highly modern facility resounding with tradition and culture, in addition to being one of Norway’s largest fine hotels catering to visitors. The prominent guest list has grown exceedingly long. Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany was a frequent guest in Balestrand. A number of emperors, kings, presidents, prime ministers, film stars and artists from many countries are also on the list.

The property has a large private lawn area that extends down to the seaside. For the hardy tourist wishing to literally experience one of Norway’s most beautiful fjords, the temperature during the summer months is suitable for swimming.

There is a row boat for guest use, fishing gear and free use of bicycles. An impressive collection of art and historical pieces is a central feature of the hotel’s interior.

Afternoon at leisure in Balestrand.

Overnight:  Kvikne Hotel, Balestrand (B, D)

Day 4. Sun:   Balestrand / Flam

Breakfast at the hotel.  Around noon, board the Express Catamaran and cruise the rest of the Sognefjord and the Aurlandsfjord, until you arrive to Flåm.

At the very head of the fjord – – only a glass facade separates the old and the new. The interior is modern, light, open and inviting. Beautiful and dramatic nature, peace and harmony – – beautiful Flåm is situated in the innermost part of the Sognefjord surrounded by high mountains, in the heart of Fjord Norway.

There are mighty fjord-arms cutting through the landscape.  The Port of Flåm is a hectic harbor today, with sightseeing boats and a lively street life.

You will check into the historic Fretheim Hotel.  It dates back to 1890. The distinctive architecture offers 120 comfortable rooms, panorama restaurant and bar.  “The eco-conscious cuisine” is their culinary philosophy.  The food is taken from the landscape around them.

All vegetables are organically grown – – offering only the genuine and natural, mostly home-made traditional dishes. The hospitality and fine cuisine will not be forgotten. This is a great place to relax and enjoy the good things in life.  Breathtaking nature surrounds you at the Fretheim Hotel. Here, you will experience some of the most spectacular scenery in Fjord Norway.

Afternoon at leisure.   Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

 Overnight: Fretheim Hotel, Flam (B, D)

Day 5. Mon:    Flam / Myrdal / Oslo. (Train)

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll be ready to experience the Flåm Railway – one of the world’s most spectacular and fantastic railway lines providing panorama views to the dramatic Norwegian mountain landscape.

Board the train today (2^nd class seating) and begin your travels up the Flåm Valley with views you’ll never forget !

The Flåmbanen Railway ~  A masterpiece set in wild and wonderful scenery. The world famous Flam Railway is a marvel of engineering. A train ride on the Flåmbana provides you with the experience of a stretch of railway that is quite without precedence in Europe – – 20 km long and involving a climb of 865 meters (about 2,900 ft).

In order to manage such a great degree of elevation on such a short stretch, the railway has been placed in spiral tunnels that go in and out of the mountains.

Travel through 20 tunnels and make a photo stop at the mighty Kjoss waterfall. There will be incredible scenery shifts looking from one side to the other. The views shift from the wild, barren inhospitable Hardanger Plateau at the top to the green and fertile Flam Valley that meanders down to the fjord.

 Perhaps you will see the “Hulder” – a fairytale woman who lived in the waterfall.  With her songs, she would lure men to come to her. . Continue farther up the valley until you reach Myrdal.

CHANGE TRAINS AT MYRDAL,  CONTINUE TO OSLO by the Bergen-Oslo Line. Scheduled arrival to Oslo in mid-afternoon.

 Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred by our local representative to your hotel.

Overnight: The Hotel Continental. (B)

Day 6. Tue:     Oslo / Tromso (Morning Flight).

Following breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Tromso. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Afternoon we proceed on a tour of Tromso.

This evening your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and proceed for a 4 hour midnight sun/white night round tour, including a meal with local cuisine. Your guide will show you the most beautiful Arctic scenery; the fjords, the islands and the Barents Sea. You will see hundreds of species of seabirds and maybe the white tailed sea eagle and some reindeers. He will also tell you about the local history and the Arctic way of living.

Following the tour you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight: Radisson SAS Hotel. (B, D)

Day 7. Wed. : Tromso / Oslo (Morning flight)

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Oslo. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Afternoon we meet our guide at the hotel lobby and proceed on a tour of Oslo.

Our first stop of the day will be the Royal Palace.  Norway is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is King Harald. Located at the upper end of the Karl Johan Street, with a statue of Karl Johan situated in front of the Palace (king of Sweden and Norway from 1818 to 1844).  Next we visit the city hall. At the edge of Oslo’s colorful harbor is this modern twin-towered landmark building. It was opened in 1950 to celebrate the city’s 900th anniversary. Its interior is marvelous – with colorful frescos and murals depicting daily life, viking gods and Norwegian cultural figures. Many leading Norwegian painters and sculptors contributed to the decorations.

We continue our tour and visit the Akershus Fortress. This is Norway’s most important medieval monument – built around 1300. Overlooking the harbor the fortress is used today for state occasions. The Akershus Castle contains dungeons, plush upper floors with banquet halls and staterooms, and the chapel used for royal events. The chapel holds the crypts of King Haakon VII and King Olav V. See also the Defense Museum and the Resistance Museum displaying the resistance movement during World War 2.

Our last stop of the day will be the Oslo Cathedral . 17th century cathedral that was completed in 1699. Study the original bronze doors and stained glass. The interior is a delightful surprise.

Following the tour you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight: The Hotel Continental. (B)

Day 8. Thu. Oslo / USA

This morning after breakfast you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight back to USA arriving same day.