Norwegian Fjord Highlights
Norwegian Fjord Highlights
from £1,019 excluding flights
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Highlights
Marvel at spectacular fjord scenery
Explore the beautiful city of Bergen
Chance to ride the incredibly scenic Flamsbana railway
Walk on the Folgefonna glacier
Why this trip...
Tailor made
This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe
Well-researched route
We've put our years of experience into creating this well-paced itinerary that includes the places we know you'll enjoy
Explore at leisure
With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore
Overview
Norwegian fjords have an undisputed 'wow' factor and must surely top the must-see list of most summer visitors. These winding, deep blue stretches of water with precipitous flanks are magnificent, and this week long, gently paced self drive holiday explores two of the most spectacular, and a lot more besides.
Exceptionally comfortable accommodation and the general lack of traffic, makes this fly drive holiday a dream; taking in two of the most spectacular and dramatic fjords, Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord.
Hardanger is known as the 'orchard' because of its abundance of cherry, plum and apple orchards - visit in May for the beautiful blossoms or August for the delicious fruit - cherries from a roadside vendor never tasted so good!
In Flam, a ride on the impossibly scenic Flamsbana 'corkscrew' railway is not to be missed. Choose a return journey by rail, or come back on foot or by bike as the 20km journey is pretty much all downhill!
Bergen is delightful, especially its old quarter, Bryggen, with its colourful wooden buildings. Admire the views over the city from the top of Mount Floyen.
Itinerary
The itinerary shown is an example of this self-drive holiday. We have many other hotels and route recommendations which can be tailored to your requirements. Please discuss with our Travel Specialists who can put together a bespoke itinerary for you.
Day 1 Oslo - Lofthus
Fly to Bergen and collect your rental vehicle from the airport and set off to the first destination Lofthus. Your accommodation for the first two nights is at Hotel Ullensvang
Fly to Bergen and collect your rental vehicle from the airport and set off to the first destination Lofthus. Your accommodation for the first two nights is at Hotel Ullensvang
Day 2 around Lofthus
Spend the day at leisure enjoying the fantastic variety of facilities at Hotel Ullensvang. Try the indoor swimming pool or brave a dip in the fjord; play tennis; spend time in the fitness suite; go kayaking; hiking or rent a bicycle and explore. The hotel has incredible vistas across the water to Folgefonna glacier and the view of the towering mountains behind the hotel is equally impressive. Perhaps explore Lofthus - the interesting older part has narrow lanes, traditional timber buildings and the old stone church which dates from 1250.
Spend the day at leisure enjoying the fantastic variety of facilities at Hotel Ullensvang. Try the indoor swimming pool or brave a dip in the fjord; play tennis; spend time in the fitness suite; go kayaking; hiking or rent a bicycle and explore. The hotel has incredible vistas across the water to Folgefonna glacier and the view of the towering mountains behind the hotel is equally impressive. Perhaps explore Lofthus - the interesting older part has narrow lanes, traditional timber buildings and the old stone church which dates from 1250.
Day 3 Lofthus - Flam
Depart Lofthus and trace the coastline north. Continue through Brimnes to Eidfjord and perhaps visit the Nature Centre where you can learn about the area's nature and geology. Turn back and take the Hardangerbridge across the fjord, then travelling north to Voss with its attractive lakeside setting. The striking church is well worth a visit with the interior as unusual as its exterior. From Lake Vangsvatnet continue to Flam. Flanked by orchards and meadows, Flam sits on the edge of Aurlandfjord, a narrow offshoot of Sognefjord.
Flam is the terminus for the Flamsbana - the famous 'corkscrew railway' said to be one of the steepest and most scenic rail journeys in the world - alas a trip from start to finish takes just an hour, but it is highly recommended! The 29km branch line, dating from the 1920's, climbs 900m through twists, turns and tunnels including a couple of 180° bends, hugging sheer mountains, travelling over breathtaking drops, past elegant waterfalls and other incredible features to the junction at Myrdal. Overnight stay at the Flamsbrygga Hotel, a striking red-timbered property.
(approx 2 hours / 122km)
Depart Lofthus and trace the coastline north. Continue through Brimnes to Eidfjord and perhaps visit the Nature Centre where you can learn about the area's nature and geology. Turn back and take the Hardangerbridge across the fjord, then travelling north to Voss with its attractive lakeside setting. The striking church is well worth a visit with the interior as unusual as its exterior. From Lake Vangsvatnet continue to Flam. Flanked by orchards and meadows, Flam sits on the edge of Aurlandfjord, a narrow offshoot of Sognefjord.
Flam is the terminus for the Flamsbana - the famous 'corkscrew railway' said to be one of the steepest and most scenic rail journeys in the world - alas a trip from start to finish takes just an hour, but it is highly recommended! The 29km branch line, dating from the 1920's, climbs 900m through twists, turns and tunnels including a couple of 180° bends, hugging sheer mountains, travelling over breathtaking drops, past elegant waterfalls and other incredible features to the junction at Myrdal. Overnight stay at the Flamsbrygga Hotel, a striking red-timbered property.
(approx 2 hours / 122km)
Day 4 Flam - Balestrand
If not experiencing the railway today, set off from the Flamsbrygga and drive through beautiful countryside to Vangsnes, where a 12m hilltop statue of a legendary Viking chief looks down over the jetty. From here take the ferry across to Dragsvik (payable locally), drive to Balestrand on the shores of Sognefjord, a delightful area that has been attracting visitors for over a century. Check in at Hotel Kviknes, home for the next two nights on half board.
(approx 2.5 hours / 118km)
If not experiencing the railway today, set off from the Flamsbrygga and drive through beautiful countryside to Vangsnes, where a 12m hilltop statue of a legendary Viking chief looks down over the jetty. From here take the ferry across to Dragsvik (payable locally), drive to Balestrand on the shores of Sognefjord, a delightful area that has been attracting visitors for over a century. Check in at Hotel Kviknes, home for the next two nights on half board.
(approx 2.5 hours / 118km)
Day 5 around Balestrand
A day at leisure to explore Balestrand on foot or by bicycle, make use of the facilities at your hotel, go hiking in the mountains, take a boat trip or perhaps rent fishing equipment or a rowing boat and head down to the water.
A day at leisure to explore Balestrand on foot or by bicycle, make use of the facilities at your hotel, go hiking in the mountains, take a boat trip or perhaps rent fishing equipment or a rowing boat and head down to the water.
Excursions
Enhance your holiday by pre-booking a selection of excursions and activities. View or download the pdf and then talk to our Travel Specialists about how best to fit these into your holiday.
Open Excursions PDFPrices and Departures
Price from £1,019 excluding flights
Airfares are quoted separately to the holiday price and start from around £280 per person (with higher fares during peak times). When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
What's Included
- Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
- All breakfasts
- Car rental throughout with unlimited mileage
- 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
- No surcharge guarantee
- Full financial protection
Prices from per person
Based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom, including car hire. Prices may vary depending on departure date. Please contact us for a detailed quote based on your preferred travel dates, vehicle category and style of accommodation, or to tailor this itinerary.
| Departure | Duration | Car category* | Twin Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 7 nights | C - VW Golf | £1,019 |
| Jun - Aug | 7 nights | C - VW Golf | £1,076 |
| Sep | 7 nights | C - VW Golf | £1,027 |
* Choice of Vehicles
We would always recommend a 4WD for winter travel, but many clients also prefer the greater security and comfort that a larger vehicle provides year round – upgrade your vehicle from as little as £10 per person per day.- We can offer a wide range of rental vehicles for this holiday – our team will be happy to talk you through the options and provide a quote for the most suitable category based on your individual requirements.
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