Highlights of Norway’s Fjords and Cities

We depart London Heathrow aboard our flight to Oslo. Situated beside a fjord and surrounded by forest-covered mountains, this beautiful city is known as the green capital thanks to its lush parks and stunning scenery. Oslo is also a cultural hub with many museums, galleries and theatres - and our hotel is close to the Oslo Opera House.

Travelling along the full length of Northern Europe's highest railway line, the Bergen Railway, we admire the natural landscapes of forests, fjords and snowy mountainsides as we journey towards Bergen, a harbour-based city surrounded by seven scenic mountains. Other highlights on our journey include the Trollkona tunnel, the longest on the line at 5.5 miles, the pretty Hallingdal Valley and the Hallingdalselva River, which flows to Lake Krøderen, and Norefjell mountain.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We set out on a guided city tour, visiting the delightful Bryggen waterfront, the city's old Hanseatic trading wharf and a UNESCO World Heritage site. This historic quarter, with its charming timber houses, is the oldest part of Bergen, with some buildings dating back to the 15th century. Afterwards, we make our way to the city's time-honoured fish market. The rest of your day is free to visit one of the city's many galleries and museums. Bergen's Art Gallery exhibits a vast collection of works by local Norwegian artists, including many pieces by Edvard Munch, best known for his famous expressionist painting 'The Scream'. Meanwhile, the city's Science Muse-um provides a fascinating insight into industry and research in the area.

• Breakfast

We cross Norway's incredible fjordland region today, travelling through some of the country's most breathtaking landscapes by boat. Our cruise takes us to the shores of Aurlandsfjord, where the village of Flåm is nestled. Here, we join the Flåm Railway, taking us 12 miles to the mountain station of Myrdal, via a multitude of twists and turns. Trundling past crystal-clear waterfalls and through leafy canyons, we witness some of the finest Norwegian landscapes on offer. Running along several mountains, the Flåm Railway is an impressive feat of engineering and one of the steepest railway lines in the world, adding to the lofty views we enjoy. We cross the mighty Kjossfossen Waterfall, which plummets over 700 feet, before changing trains for the service to Voss, a beautiful town nestled between Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord.

Please Note - For departure 21/06/2024 in Voss you will stay at the Park Hotel Vossevangen.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We make the short walk to the boarding point for the Voss Gondola, a cable car which takes us on a scenic ascent into the mountains to the summit station at Hangurstoppen. During the journey, we look out over the snow-capped peaks, evergreen forests and sparking waters of the fjords spread out before us. At the top, you can visit the restaurant, head out on one of the signposted walking trails or just sit and admire the views. The rest of your day is free in one of the Norway's most popular destinations for getting back to nature. Encircled by high mountains, wooded valleys, cascading waterfalls and meandering rivers, you could relax in these picturesque surroundings or take a bus to one of the nearby towns for some shopping, or a drink and snack at a local café.

• Breakfast

Retracing our tracks after breakfast, we return to Oslo by rail - enjoying the exquisite scenery and charming towns along the Bergen Railway. After checking back into our Oslo hotel, you're at leisure before dinner this evening to explore the capital of Norway.

This cultural city has many fascinating museums and galleries, including the Munch Museum or the National Museum, which contains Edvard Munch's world-famous The Scream. The neighbouring Nobel Peace Centre documents the history of the prestigious award, while the shining Aker Brygge boardwalk boasts various eateries to relax over lunch. Alternatively, strolling through historic Christiana reveals charming early 18th-century architecture, while you can find the grand Parliament building near Karl Johans Gate - Oslo's bustling main thoroughfare.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we stroll to the pier for a two-hour cruise around Oslofjord. Sailing past rural scenes and great cityscape views - it is a perfect blend of the natural and manmade worlds. Reflecting the capital's innovation, the angled surfaces of the modern Opera House give the impression it is rising out of the water. We also view the charming, wooden Dyna Lighthouse and Hovedøya. This strategic island has been occupied for centuries and was the location of a Cistercian monastery in the 12th century.

Gliding through narrow inlets and idyllic bays dotted with forested islands is a fitting and stirring way to bring our exploration of beautiful Norway to a conclusion. This afternoon, we leave our hotel for the airport and our flight back to London Heathrow. Arriving this evening, we say farewell to our fellow travellers and Tour Manager with memories of Norway's natural beauty and rich history, from sensational rail journeys on the Bergen and Flåm railways to astonishing fjord cruises and explorations of Bergen and Oslo.

• Breakfast