Vacation Overview
Immerse yourself in the land of thundering waterfalls, gleaming glaciers, and charming stave churches. Begin with an overnight and welcome drink in the amazing city of Oslo, then head north through Eidsvoll and past Lake Mjøsa to Lillehammer, home of the '94 Winter Olympics. Stop for photos of the stave church in Lorn, cruise on Geirangerfjord and Sognefjord, and visit the outstanding Norwegian Glacier Museum. Pass Tvindefoss Waterfall and pause in the lakeside resort of Voss before arriving in picturesque Bergen for an orientation tour. Cross Hardangerfjord by ferry and marvel at Låtefoss, the star among waterfalls. In rustic Telemark, see the site of the daring sabotage action celebrated in The Heroes of Telemark and the Heddal Stave Church. Return to Oslo for a farewell dinner, guided sightseeing that includes Frogner Park, and the conclusion of this exceptional vacation.
Vacation Highlights
INCLUDED FEATURES
Oslo: Welcome drink
Lillehammer: Orientation; guided walking tour of the Maihaugen Open-Air Museum (from mid-May onwards) Geirangerfjord: Boat cruise Jostedal Glacier
Fjaerland: Visit the Norwegian Glacier Museum and watch a five-screen film
Sognefjord: Boat cruise
Bergen: Orientation
Hardangerfjord: Ferry crossingLåtefoss Waterfall
Telemark: Guided visits of Vemork and the Heddal Stave Church
Oslo: Guided sightseeing, walk through Frogner Park and visit the City Hall; farewell dinner
Note: Certain mountain roads normally used for this vacation might be blocked by snow early and late in the season. If so, your Tour Director and driver will select a different route.
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
Itinerary
DAY 1 (Fri.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
DAY 2 Arrive in Oslo, Norway
(Sat.) Welcome to the land of fjords, lakes, mountains, thundering waterfalls, and gleaming glaciers. Time to rest or start exploring lively Oslo. At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink hosted by your Tour Director.
DAY 3 Oslo–Lillehammer
(Sun.) After a picture stop at Eidsvoll, where the country's democratic constitution was signed in 1814, proceed along lovely Lake Mjøsa to Lillehammer, proud host of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Time here for lunch and in the afternoon, enjoy a guided walking tour of the unique MAIHAUGEN OPEN-AIR MUSEUM. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 4 Lillehammer–Loen
(Mon.) Drive through the wide Gudbrandsdal Valley, the lush dairy and timber land of Ibsen's drama Peer Gynt. Take pictures of the lonely stave church of Lom, then climb above the tree line to 5,000 feet for a breathtaking panoramic view from the Dalsnibba lookout above Geirangerfjord. In the afternoon, enjoy a one-hour CRUISE past the famous "Seven Sisters" cascade. Dock at Hellesylt and head south via Lake Hornindal to peaceful Loen. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 5 Loen–Stalheim
(Tue.) Follow the shoreline of the innermost branch of Nordfjord, then cross the mountains to the serene Våtedalen Valley and pristine Lake Jølster. The mountain scenery gets more rugged as you approach the tunnel underneath Jostedalsbreen, Europe's largest glacier. Stop to see one of the mighty tongues which radiate from the Jostedal Glacier into the surrounding valleys. Next, visit Fjaerland's excellent NORWEGIAN GLACIER MUSEUM and watch a thrilling five-screen film. In the afternoon, enjoy a two-hour CRUISE on spectacular Sognefjord. Land at Gudvangen and continue to Stalheim, high above the majestic Nærøydal Valley. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 6 Stalheim–Bergen
(Wed.) This morning, pass Tvindefoss Waterfall and see the popular lakeside resort of Voss before arriving in pretty Bergen. During your orientation tour, hear about its 11th-century origins and its association with the Hanseatic League. Afternoon at leisure. Stroll through the colorful fish market and the narrow lanes of ancient Bryggen, and ride the funicular up to Mount Fløyen. (Breakfast)
DAY 7 Bergen–Telemark
(Thu.) Cross Hardangerfjord by FERRY and drive through the orchards along Sørfjord, whose tranquil splendor inspired Grieg's Morning Mood. More scenic delights: thundering Låtefoss and the wild Hardangervidda mountain plateau, where Fridtjof Nansen prepared for his polar expeditions. Next is rustic, unspoiled Telemark. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 8 Telemark–Oslo
(Fri.) Focus on VEMORK, scene of the daring sabotage action celebrated in The Heroes of Telemark. Learn all about the dramatic events of 1943 from your Local Guide, and also gain an insight into the technology of hydroelectric power generation, one of the pillars of Norway's economy. Leave the narrow Rjukan Valley via Lake Tinnsjø, where saboteurs sank a ferry loaded with heavy water, dashing Nazi hopes of winning the race for the atomic bomb. Before returning to Oslo in the afternoon, admire HEDDAL STAVE CHURCH, the largest of the country's remaining medieval wooden churches. (Breakfast)
DAY 9 Oslo
(Sat.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the National Theater, Parliament, and the Royal Palace. Stroll through magnificent FROGNER PARK with Gustav Vigeland's 193 extraordinary bronze and granite sculptures and visit the modern CITY HALL. In the afternoon, an optional excursion to see relics of Norway's glorious seafaring past is available. Tonight, celebrate the success of your journey with a farewell dinner at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 10 (Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (Breakfast)
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
Oslo: Clarion Royal Christiania (F)
Lillehammer: Radisson Blu (SF)
Loen: Alexandra (F)
Stalheim: Stalheim (F)
Bergen: First Marin (F)
Telemark: Rauland Høgfjellshotell (F) at Rauland
SCENIC NORWAY - 10 DAYS - (Globus)
Dates and Prices
Prices below do not include airfare. We will be glad to help you find the least
expensive airfare,
or you can use mileage if desired. When you Book Online,
please enter your departure city
on the "SPECIAL REQUESTS" field and we
will get back to you immediately with an air quote.
If you book your air with us, airport transfers at destination will be included.
Otherwise we can provide them for you at a fee of $50 per person roundtrip,
as long as you let us know your flights in advance. Thank you.
| Departure Date |
Vacation Start date |
Return Date |
Price Without Air |
|
| 8/19/11 |
8/20/11 |
8/28/11 |
$1,869.00 |
|
| 8/26/11 |
8/27/11 |
9/4/11 |
$1,869.00 |
|
| 9/2/11 |
9/3/11 |
9/11/11 |
$1,869.00 |
|
| 9/9/11 |
9/10/11 |
9/18/11 |
$1,849.00 |
|
| 4/27/12 |
4/28/12 |
5/6/12 |
$2,219.00 |
|
| 5/4/12 |
5/5/12 |
5/13/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 5/11/12 |
5/12/12 |
5/20/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 5/18/12 |
5/19/12 |
5/27/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 5/25/12 |
5/26/12 |
6/3/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 6/1/12 |
6/2/12 |
6/10/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 6/8/12 |
6/9/12 |
6/17/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 6/15/12 |
6/16/12 |
6/24/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 6/22/12 |
6/23/12 |
7/1/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 6/29/12 |
6/30/12 |
7/8/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 7/6/12 |
7/7/12 |
7/15/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 7/13/12 |
7/14/12 |
7/22/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 7/20/12 |
7/21/12 |
7/29/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 7/27/12 |
7/28/12 |
8/5/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 8/3/12 |
8/4/12 |
8/12/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 8/10/12 |
8/11/12 |
8/19/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 8/17/12 |
8/18/12 |
8/26/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 8/24/12 |
8/25/12 |
9/2/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 8/31/12 |
9/1/12 |
9/9/12 |
$2,243.00 |
|
| 9/7/12 |
9/8/12 |
9/16/12 |
$2,219.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Single room supplement: $339
Triple room reduction: $56
Extra nights per person in Oslo:in single room $142, in twin room $95, in triple room $84 |
