Essential Norway

Fly to Norway

Your Norwegian adventure begins as you fly to Oslo, Norway's fascinating capital. On arrival, you will transfer into the city centre by rail and walk to your hotel, the modern 4* Thon Opera. Tonight enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant.

A Tour of Oslo

You begin your stay in Oslo with a guided walking tour to introduce you to the main sights. The new state Opera House is situated close to your hotel and is an impressive, award-winning example of modern architecture. You will also see Norway's magnificent 19th-century Royal Palace before an afternoon at leisure.

Oslo offers a good choice of museums, including the Viking Ship and Maritime Museum, the Folk Museum, and the Edvard Munch Museum. The Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art is a fantastic example of modernity in itself, and its beguiling architectural design is certainly worth visiting. Alternatively, you could make a stop at the apartment of Norway's most famous literary son, Henrik Ibsen. The apartment, now a museum, is said to be laid out with furniture as an exact replica as the famous playwright had it during his lifetime You could also visit Oslo's world famous Art Gallery and view Munch's most famous piece, the expressionist painting, 'The Scream'.

A walk up Karl Johans Gate reveals the Royal Palace as well as a multitude of shops and restaurants. At Akershus Castle and Fortress, you'll find the location of King Christian IV's old defences. Otherwise, you could take a scenic cruise on Oslofjord. Visiting the islands of Oslo's archipelago means you will be able to view the imposing Oscarborg Fortress. Now a museum, the mighty castle was an important bastion during World War II, and the museum offers a variety of exhibitions. Cruises on the Oslofjord are available to join just a short walk from the hotel.

The Bergen Railway

Travel on Northern Europe's highest railway today, the Bergen Railway. Passing through some of the wildest nature accessible by train, this is widely regarded as one of the greatest railway journeys on the planet. The harsh climate experienced in this part of the world has produced a landscape which is simply breathtaking, and you can soak up the phenomenal views from the comfort of your carriage.

Beginning in southern Norway, the train starts its ascent into the rugged mountains, travelling alongside deep fjords and passing through numerous tunnels hewn out of the solid rock, to the stations at Arna and Dale. After the Trollkona tunnel - the longest on the line at 5.5 miles - you reach Bergen, situated on the edge of Norway's fjord country. Here, you will stay at the Hotel Oleana.

The Flåm Railway

Embark on a full day excursion that encapsulates Norway in a nutshell today, beginning with a journey on the iconic Flåm Railway, traveling along one of the steepest lines in existence. A branch line of the Bergen Railway, the scenic Flåm Railway takes passengers on a wonderful 12.5-mile journey past waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and remote, mountain-side farms. Following some free time to discover Flåm, take to the waters on a spellbinding cruise along 2 of Norway's tranquil fjords, Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord.

Exploring Bergen

Today you discover beautiful Bergen on a guided sightseeing tour, visiting the Bryggen Waterfront, the UNESCO listed location of the old Hanseatic trading wharf. Afterwards, a traditionally Scandinavian seafood lunch is served up near the town's iconic fish market before the rest of your day is at leisure. Visit the harbour, which is called Vågen, where you can still see parts of Bryggen. The wooden buildings here have been damaged by fire several times.

At leisure in Bergen

Enjoy a day at leisure in Bergen today. The city is surrounded by 7 mountains and is based around its harbour. In the Bergenhus district, there are well-preserved medieval buildings. On the other side of the harbour is the Klosteret area, home to 18th-century wooden houses and charming alleys. From here you can take a stroll out to the Nordnes peninsula. The city centre extends from the main square (Torget) to the Nygård area, where most of the shops and restaurants can be found.

In the Middle Ages, Bergen was the largest city in Scandinavia and it wasn't until the 1830s that it was overtaken by Oslo. Bergen retains its status as an important port city, and was involved in trade with countries all over Europe being awarded its city charter as long ago as 1070 by King Olav Kyrre. Contacts with the Hanseatic League allowed Bergen to export fish and import crucial supplies of grain.

Bergen and Home

Today, you bid farewell to Norway, transferring to Bergen airport for the flight back home.