Grand Tour of Norway

Your Nordic holiday begins at London Heathrow where we meet the Tour Manager before our morning flight to Oslo, Norway's capital. We then travel on Oslo's modern and efficient rail system to our central hotel in the city. These spacious and sleek modern trains provide an immediate glimpse of the country's effective railway system as we travel straight to the heart of the Norwegian capital.

Our four-star hotel is directly outside the station and only a short distance from Oslo's famous 17th-century cathedral. Used for state occasions, it is encircled on three sides by the beautiful Romanesque Revival bazaars - a charming, curved arcade built in the mid-1800s to house butcher stalls, they now contain independent stores and cosy restaurants.

This afternoon you are free to relax or familiarise yourself with the neighbourhood, before dinner together at a local restaurant.

• Dinner

Today, we explore the Norwegian capital with a local guide by coach, visiting some of its most renowned sights. We start at Oslo's opera house with its unique angled exterior of marble and white granite, which visitors are encouraged to walk on the roof for great views across Oslofjord, if the weather is suitable. We also see the City Hall and the neoclassical Royal Palace, then continue to Vigeland Sculpture Park to walk among the extraordinary art of Gustav Vigeland. Our tour ends at lunchtime and you are at leisure for the rest of the day.

You could visit the Aker Brygge district known for its pier and interesting eateries. Oslo offers many world-class museums including the Munch Museum and the National Museum, containing works by the expressionist painter Edvard Munch, renowned for 'The Scream'. Another option is to take a gentle cruise around idyllic Oslofjord, possibly stopping at the Fram Museum to view a 19th-century ship used for polar exploration or visiting the Norsk Folk Museum. Dining independently this evening, you could try new Nordic, international cuisine or fresh seafood in Aker Brygge.

• Breakfast

This morning we take a short walk to the station for a rail journey from Oslo to Bergen. Travelling on the world-famous Bergen Railway, the highest in northern Europe, we enjoy views of the wild Norwegian countryside, passing breathtaking glaciers, mountains and spectacular fjords.

Our route enters deep forest where you can look out for wild reindeer and arctic foxes as we cross the Hardanger Plateau. Approaching the summit of the route, Finse, it feels as if we are completely alone in nature. Set 4,000 feet above sea level, this has been a popular training ground for arctic explorers including Scott and Shackleton.

Arriving at Bergen later this afternoon, we transfer by coach to our hotel, which is just steps away from the waterfront and Bergen's main square. Before dinner, there's time to settle in and explore our surroundings in this fascinating harbour city.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We discover Bergen on a guided sightseeing tour by coach today. After visiting the Bryggen Waterfront, a World Heritage site, the city's narrow streets and bustling fish market give us a sense of life here for merchants in the 13th century.

The rest of the day is free to continue exploring on your own. You could visit the Bryggen Museum to view the world's largest collection of runic inscriptions. Alternatively, the Fløibanen funicular provides spectacular views across countless scenic islands, showcasing why Bergen is called the 'capital of the fjords'. As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Bergen has some excellent restaurants for you to dine independently this evening. Popular local dishes are all based on fresh seafood - Bergen fish soup, fish cakes and traditional steamed cod.

• Breakfast

Two scenic rail journeys await today, beginning with the Bergen Railway. Leaving Bergen, the train climbs into the craggy mountains, travelling alongside deep fjords and through tunnels hewn out of solid rock, before arriving in remote Myrdal - 2,840 feet above sea level.

In Myrdal, we board the famous Flåm Railway for an unforgettable ride along one of the steepest lines in the world. As we descend to the fjord-side village of Flåm for the night, tucked away in the innermost corner of Aurlandsfjord, our train negotiates horseshoe curves, twists, turns and 20 tunnels. Along this dramatic route, you can look out at rushing rivers, tumbling waterfalls and snow-capped mountains passing by our window.

After a photo stop at the cascading Kjosfossen waterfall, the train arrives at Flåm this afternoon. Our hotel is a short distance from the train station, where we have dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we travel by coach to Loen, an idyllic village located in the innermost area of the Nordfjord region. On the way, we stop at the Fjaerland Glacier Museum where you are free to look around. Housed in a building designed by the architect Sverre Fehn, the museum's external design reflects the surrounding landscape of jagged mountains and angular glaciers. Inside, award-winning exhibits tell the story of Norway's glacial landscapes and history of glaciology.

We continue our scenic coach journey and then take a short trip on the Mannheller-Fodnes ferry to Fodnes. Here, we transfer to our hotel in Loen for two nights, set between magnificent fjords. Arriving this afternoon, there's time to refresh and enjoy the stunning scenery before dinner. Loen is a tiny spot on the surrounding landscape contrasting with the green-blue fjord, the mighty Jostedalsbreen Glacier and looming snow-dusted mountains.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast in the beautiful surroundings of Loen, we travel by coach to the 'jewel in the crown' of Norway's fjords - Geirangerfjord. On the journey, we pass the Dalsnibba viewpoint, Europe's highest fjord view at a staggering 4,500 feet. Arriving in Geiranger, we see beautiful Geirangerfjord in the best way possible, on a cruise boat across the serene waters of this spectacular UNESCO-listed site.

Acclaimed for its unique landscape, this nine-mile-long branch of Storfjord (meaning 'Great Fjord') has distinctive towering cliff walls and impressive waterfalls. As we cruise, the scenery envelops us in a world of stunning colour and beauty - the lush green of the trees contrasting with the blue water and brilliant white of the snow-capped distant peaks. When it rains, waterfalls appear seemingly from nowhere, cascading majestically into the water below.

Disembarking at Hellesylt, we take a scenic drive back to Loen where the afternoon is free to relax. You could enjoy the facilities and mountain views at our hotel before dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We set off by coach this morning on a journey to Åndalsnes on Romsdalfjord, travelling along the serpentine Trollstigen Mountain Road* and admiring cinematic views across deep green valleys and cascading waterfalls. We cross the fjord at Eidsdal to Linge by ferry. On arrival in Åndalsnes, we board the Rauma Railway - a 71-mile-long journey filled with scenic views of magnificent and contrasting landscapes. We enter the jaw-dropping Romsdal Valley, pause to admire the rushing Verma waterfall and cross the famous Kylling Bridge.

Following the course of the emerald green River Rauma, our train glides around the surrounding hillsides as we pass the insurmountable 'Troll Wall' and the banks of the Romsdal Fjord, finally reaching the picturesque hamlets and villages of Dombås. Here, we change trains and continue our journey to the historic city of Trondheim for two nights. We walk the short distance from the station to Trondheim's fjordside harbour to check in to our hotel and have a late dinner.

*Please note: the opening date of Trollstigen Road varies due to road and snow conditions. Early departures before mid-June may travel on an alternative route.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Awaking in the atmospheric harbourside of Trondheim this morning, we discover the city's history on a guided tour. Once a major trading centre, Trondheim is now a hub of technology and innovation. We walk through the city's Old Quarter, pass the colourful waterfront houses of Bakklandet, and admire the elegant Gothic architecture of Nidaros Cathedral. We also visit the Royal Residence - the largest wooden building in Northern Europe with around 140 different rooms.

The afternoon is free to continue sightseeing at your own pace. Among the city's broad avenues, old warehouses and pretty timber dwellings, there are many attractions. The Ringve Music Museum is situated on a hill and surrounded by the city's botanical gardens, and the Archbishop's Palace Museum is a treasure trove of local archaeological finds. The old town has bookstore cafés and bakeries with a reputation for relaxed lunches and great coffee. You dine independently this evening and will find Trondheim's food culture is first class.

• Breakfast

After an early breakfast, we depart Trondheim for a journey north on the sensational Nordland Railway, a 452-mile journey to Bodø. Affectionately known as the Polar Express due to the picture-book scenes enroute, we travel through some of Norway's most amazing landscapes. Mountain vistas, tranquil fjords and glimmering lakes roll past the windows of our comfortable carriage.

The Nordland takes us through the beautiful and varied landscapes of northern Norway, and we cross the Arctic Circle at 66 degrees north shortly before reaching the town of Lonsdal, the highest point on the route. There is a chance we might see reindeer in the mountains or the elusive sea eagle soaring over the picturesque coast. In the height of summer, the sun may illuminate our entire journey, giving us the spectacular experience of nearly 24-hour daytime.

The train reaches Fauske before turning west for the final approach to Bodø, our scenic base for the night. We transfer by coach to our hotel where we have dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we transfer to Bodø pier where we board a ferry to the picturesque port of Moskenes. Arriving in the early afternoon, we take a scenic drive through idyllic fishing villages to Svolvær for a two-night stay in the tiny capital of the Lofoten Isles.

Described as Europe's most dramatic and spectacular islands, the Lofoten archipelago is connected to mainland Norway by a series of bridges and ferries. These remote Arctic Circle islands are defined by jagged mountains with vivid green slopes extending to the aquamarine sea, white sandy beaches and traditional red fishing huts.

After dinner at our harbourside hotel, it is time for a Midnight Sun excursion*. We travel by coach to Gimsoy Beach, a beautiful white sandy beach with a range of spectacular mountains - a popular place to experience this natural phenomenon.

*Please note: the midnight sun excursion will only run on departures from 27th May 2026 to 26th June 2026.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We continue exploring the Lofoten archipelago with a full morning of sightseeing on various islands. We begin by making a photo stop at the fishing village of Henningsvaer, then continue to the rugged yet beautiful Vestvågøy island and its town of Leknes. Set between green meadows and dramatic mountains, there's free time to find lunch here. Our return journey includes a detour through the remote and scenic village of Kvalnes.

Back in Svolvær this afternoon, we take a safari cruise into sea eagle territory. On board, we enjoy refreshments including fish soup, coffee, tea and snacks. Our cruise boat offers warm thermal suits and comfortable places to sit out on deck or inside the salon. While we look out for the majestic, endangered sea eagle, other wildlife - such as heron, seals, dolphins and even whales - may also make an appearance. After our cruise, we transfer back to our hotel where you are at leisure for the rest of the day and free to dine independently this evening in Svolvær.

• Breakfast, Lunch

We have an early start this morning, so our hotel provides us with a picnic breakfast as we transfer to Evenes airport for our flight to Oslo. There's some time in Oslo airport before we board our flight back to London Heathrow, landing this afternoon. After saying your goodbyes, you can make your way home. Your holiday may be over, but memories of Norway's spellbinding Arctic landscapes, remote islands and fascinating cities are sure to linger.

• Breakfast