Best of Norway

Arrive Oslo and make your own way to your central hotel in the heart of Oslo. The Norwegian capital has a great deal to offer the discerning traveller. If you arrive early, we can recommend a walk around the centre of town to view the Parliament, the Castle & the Harbour area. Close to the hotel, climb the new Opera House for a chance to orient yourself to this small capital. Within 20 metres of the hotel reception is the super helpful Oslo tourist information booth with maps and information for your exploration.

If you have a few hours, we suggest heading to close by beautiful peninsula of Bygdøy by ferry to visit the Cultural Museum and Fram Museum this afternoon. Your escort will meet you this evening in the hotel lobby and then you will travel by tram to The Ekebergrestaurant to enjoy a welcome dinner at, a special modernist, 1920s hillside restaurant, with your group. Stay: Oslo The Hub or similar (D)

After breakfast, board your train at the Oslo Central Station and head towards Lillehammer, the small town that rose to international fame when it hosted the Winter Olympics in 1994. Check into your central hotel. Spend the day at your leisure: visit the Norwegian Olympic Museum (ski jump), and do not miss the impressive Garmo Stave Church. Stay: Aksjemøllen Hotel or similar (B)

After breakfast, take a private minibus to Lom, a 3-hour scenic drive from Lillehammer. This bus trip takes you through some of Norway's most beautiful highlands and lush valleys. Experience the valley of Gudbrandsdalen surrounded by the national parks, an abundance of locally produced food, old architecture, and good hiking. Lom is a small town encapsulating the very essence of the Norwegian countryside. Situated in the famous Jotunheimen National Park, Lom is surrounded by majestic nature. Check into your charming historic hotel. Dinner is included this evening. Stay: Fossheim Hotel or similar (B/D)

Day tour to Geiranger, which is 1.5 hours' drive away from Lom.

On arrival, join a fjord rib boat safari and experience the Geirangerfjord UNESCO World Heritage site. The scenery here is absolutely breathtaking. Take a closer look at the “Seven Sisters”, “Bridal Veil” and “Suitor” waterfalls, the majestic fjord cliffs and abandoned mountain farms. Perhaps you'll be lucky enough to see porpoises playing in the fjord. Travelling back from Geiranger, the minibus can stop at the famous Lom Stave Church, constructed in Norman-style in 1170. It still operates as the local church today. Please note that the Geirangerfjord visit is subject to change due to weather and snow conditions.

The mountain road from Lom to Geiranger normally opens from end of May. Alternatively, enjoy the day in Lom, visiting Brimi Bue, a popular Lom hot-spot for fresh local produce and traditional Nordic flavours, owned by renowned chef Arne Brimi. Indulge yourselves in the historic atmosphere of Lom open-air museum and its houses dating from the early 1600s and experience the old farmer culture. The Norwegian Mountain Centre is also worth a visit. Stay: Fossheim Hotel or similar (B/D)

Depart Lom for another scenic journey through the spectacular mountain and fjord country of Breheimen and Jostedalsheimen. Stop at Sognefjellshytta (approx. 1 hr drive) for a coffee/tea break, then sit back and enjoy the scenery until your next stop at the cubist stone at Mefjellet. The final stop before descending down the mountain is at Nedre Oscarshaug – another fantastic spot for photos and great views.

After a local lunch, continue along the fjord and over Aurlandsfjellet. Lastly, enjoy a stop at Stegastein before arriving to the peaceful village of Aurland. Stay: Aurlandsfjord or similar (B/L/D)

After breakfast, spend your day relaxing, hiking and taking in the views in the peaceful little town of Aurland. Enjoy the harbour area with unspoilt views of the fjord and surrounding gardens. Stay: Aurlandsfjord or similar (B/D)

After breakfast it will be a short transfer from Aurland to Flåm and embark the fjord cruise. Enjoy its journey sailing through the idyllic Aurlandsfjord, which is also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Furthermore, the boat continues through the narrow Nærøyfjord before arriving Gudvangen, innermost in the Nærøyfjord. On the return to Flåm, step aboard the world famous Flåm Railway to Myrdal Station with several stunning lookout points along the way.

Thanks to its steep incline (from sea level to almost 900 meters above sea level in a short hour), the train-ride is rated as one of Europe's best rail journeys and has become a real highlight for visitors in Norway. The journey continues by train from Myrdal to Bergen where you will check-in to your lovely hotel. Head out with the group for a wander, an optional dinner or a celebratory drink to enjoy the long summer night! Stay: Bergen Børs or similar (B)

After breakfast, depart Bergen or extend your stay. Bergen is the perfect strolling town so enjoy any extra time you have before your departure to explore the historical centre of Bergen, being transported back to a time when Bergen was the centre of political power and trade for the entire North Atlantic. It was the Capital of the Kingdom of Norway for a short period, before the capital was moved to Oslo in 1299, and the town grew to become the largest in Scandinavia.

The Hanseatic League established itself here in 1350 and had a trade monopoly that lasted 200 years. While in Bergen you might wish to visit the UNESCO heritage listed historical area around the harbour known as the Bryggen district, and the home of Edvard Grieg, Troldhaugen, Norway's internationally famous composer. Enjoy lunch at the new Bergen Fish Market - a fantastic modern architectural designed building with a great outdoor and indoor dining area. (B)