Day 1 UK/Bergen
Meet your travelling companions at the airport and depart on your scheduled flight to Bergen. On arrival transfer to your hotel in Bergen for a two night stay. In the evening enjoy a welcome drink and dinner.
Day 2 Bergen
This morning we include a tour of Bergen. The afternoon is free to explore further, perhaps you can pay a visit to the historic, harbour-side Bryggen district to see the brightly coloured former warehouses that now house workshops, craft stores and friendly cafés. Alternatively, you can take the funicular ride to Mount Fløyen for fabulous coastal views This morning we include a tour of the charming city of Bergen, which was once the capital of Norway. It really is steeped in history. The afternoon is free to explore further, perhaps you can pay a visit to the historic, harbour-side Bryggen district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will see the brightly coloured former warehouses that now house workshops, craft stores and friendly cafés. Alternatively, you can take the funicular ride to Mount Fløyen for fabulous coastal views.
Day 3 Balestrand
We leave Bergen on the ‘express boat’, threading quickly through the islands, along the coast and finally into the Sognefjord. The boat takes you directly to the jetty at Balestrand, right beside the famous Kvikne’s Hotel, where you will stay for five nights.
Days 4 to 7 Balestrand
Balestrand is still very much a traditional farming community, enjoying a beautiful setting on the shores of the Sognefjord. You are free to relax in the comfortable surroundings of Kvikne’s. This hotel, which has been owned by the Kvikne family since 1877 and expanded several times over the years, is a real landmark in the town and the blueprint for many other fjord-side hotels across Norway.
Whilst in Balestrand, why not take the opportunity to enjoy the range of optional excursions we offer:
Norway in a Nutshell - This famous and stunning scenic excursion combines boat, train and coach. We cruise the impossibly narrow Naerøyfjord and the scenic Aurlandsfjord, before boarding our train for what is surely the highlight of the day. Linking Flåm and Myrdal, this fabulous trip takes you through 20 tunnels and past marvellous views. It is rated as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world.
Gauler & the Glacier - We drive north over the spectacular Gauler Pass, through forest, mountain and lakeside scenery to Skei. Enjoy a coffee break and souvenir shopping at the log cabin store. We then pause for photographs at the edge of the Jostedalsbreen Glacier en route to the fascinating Norwegian Glacier Museum. You will have time in lovely Fjaerland, before cruising along the glorious Fjaerlandsfjord directly back to the hotel jetty.
Norwegian Heritage - A fascinating day by coach, hopping across the fjords on local ferries. We go first to Sogndal and the Sogn Folk Museum showing the culture of western Norway. We also see the traditional Stave Church at Kaupanger.
On the final evening there will be a farewell get-together.
Day 8 Bergen/UK
Depart Balestrand for Bergen by road over the spectacular Vikafjell Pass via Voss and continue to the airport for your return flight to the UK.