Scenic Fjords of Norway

Arrive and self transfer to your hotel. Before meeting your group, discover some of Bergen's many attractions and sights, many of them within walking distance. Recommended sights of interests are the Hanseatic harbour Bryggen, Fløibanen Funicular, Troldhaugen, the Fish and Flower market, Bergen Aquarium and Gamle Bergen (Old Bergen Open Air Museum). Meet your escort and group this evening for a welcome dinner. Stay: Bergen Børs or similar (D)

Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing around Bergen before you head to the ferry port for the 4:30pm ferry to Kalvåg. With a small cafe on board, you can relax while you take in the stunning Norwegian coastline. The ferry stops along the way to drop off and pick up locals before arriving at Kalvåg at 8.20pm. You will get a short transfer up to the hotel and check in. Kalvåg has one of the best preserved fishing village milieus in Vestlandet. The little houses stand closely together around the small bay to create a charming setting. Stay: Knutholmen, Kalvåg (B/D)

This morning, meet our minivan and driver around 10am - be sure to enjoy the port before he arrives. Follow along the magnificent Nordfjord today. On your journey to Loen, you will first stop at the Sagastad Viking Exhibition, which includes the entrance. Arrive at Loen in the middle of the afternoon and check in at Hotel Alexandra. Loen has a lovely little wooden church to visit late in the afternoon, or you can relax by the pool and day spa. This evening, dinner at the hotel is included. Stay: Hotel Alexandra (B/D)

After breakfast, meet your driver and head out to walk up the Kjenndalen valley to the Kjenndalen Glacier, Jostedal Glacier's lowest glacier arm. Afterwards, at the end of Lovatn Lake, you'll find Kjenndalsstova, a cafe which is open from May to September and you can stop for lunch here. Next is a visit to the Loen Sky Lift, a cable car that climbs 1,011 metres to the top of Mount Hoven, above the Nordfjord. There is a cafe at the top with a spectacular viewing platform at the roof. You can have a walk around the top and marvel at the view. Return to the hotel for dinner. Stay: Hotel Alexandra (B/D)

Today you will travel from Loen via Hjørundfjord to Ålesund - your final leg of the journey by mini-coach. First stop today is the small town of Stryn. The driver stops along the way on request as you spend the day travelling through this beautiful section of road. Highlights include Horndøla Bru (Bridge), built between 1810 and 1813 and Norangsdalen, one of the narrowest valleys in Norway.

This route follows the 'Queens' Route', rich in both spectacular sceneries as well as cultural memories. Pass by Hellesyltfossen, one of the most well-known waterfalls of the Sunnfjord region, an area which encompasses dozens upon dozens of waterfalls. This lake was formed when an avalanche dammed up the river more than 100 years ago. Drive along the Hjørundfjord and catch the ferry across from Leknes to Sæbø before enjoying a 2 course lunch at Sagafjord Hotel. Then it is time to make your way to Ålesund, a drive past lakes, Norwegian farms and ocean view. (B/L)

Enjoy a 3 hours morning city walk of the picturesque city center of Ålesund. In the afternoon, at your leisure, you have the day to explore more of the city. Ålesund is known for its art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904. Optional activities are available such as kayaking trips around the historic waterfront buildings, wildlife sea safari or climbing Mt. Aksla for lunch (418 steps). (B)

After breakfast, be sure to have your cameras charged as you travel to Åndalsnes, with stops along the Trollstigen National Scenic Road. Trollstigen is Norway's most visited tourist road, and this masterpiece in engineering in the midst of majestic natural landscapes is a true joy ride (particularly when you are in the safe hands of our Norwegian driver). The eleven magnificent hairpin turns along Trollstigen offer fantastic scenery along the mountain road. Each bend has its own name, often named after the person who supervised the construction work on that particular section.

At some locations, you will discover that the road is carved into the mountain itself, and in other places it is built in stone instead. Historically, Trollstigen used to be an important transport passage between the villages Valldal in Indre Sunnmøre and Åndalsnes in Romsdalen. When the road opened in 1939, it wasn't long before Trollstigen became a tourist attraction. The Trollstigen is surrounded by mighty mountains that reach an altitude of over 1600 meters. To the west of the road lie the mountains of Bispen (1450m), Kongen (1614m) and Dronninga (1701m), and to the east of the road lie the Stigbottshornet (1583m) and the Storgrovfjellet (1629m).

Your minivan will stop along the way today for photos, rest stops and a stop at the Strawberry Cafe to sample the famous strawberry cakes on offer. You will also stop at the thundering ravine, Gudbrandsjuvet, near the Juvet Hotel. Gudbrandsjuvet is a 5 metre narrow and 20–25 metre high ravine through which the Valldøla River forces itself. The waters have formed a complex of deep potholes and intricate formations. The depth down from the surface of the water is about equal to the depth of ravine down to the river. (B/D)

Today we have included a guided activity in the region of Åndalsnes. Get to know the old history and wildlife of the Romsdalen area. You will get the feel of the wilderness among the waterfalls, high mountains and boulders in the forest. This evening, sit back and admire the view during your three course dinner. (B/D)

After breakfast, spend your final day with your driver, travelling to Trondheim via the Atlantic Road. Along the way, visit an ancient Stave Church. The Atlantic Road takes you from lush coastal landscapes and heaths to bare rocks along the exposed Hustadvika, where you can see the sun sink into the horizon. This National Tourist Route has been called the world's most beautiful drive and has been voted the “Norwegian construction of the century”.

On arrival into Kristiansund, catch the late afternoon express boat (3 hours) to Trondheim. Enjoy your final night in Norway and bid farewell to your escort and fellow travellers. Stay: Britannia Hotel or similar (B/D)

After breakfast, make your own way to the airport. (B)