Magic Of The Fjords & Stockholm 9 Days
9 Days: Bergen, Sognefjord, Oslo & Stockholm
Tour overview:
Experience the best of what Norway & Sweden have to offer: fjords, waterfalls, coastal and city culture, the unique Viking History, a glacier, mountains & majestic forests, and idyllic islands are among what you will find. This type of tour is unique, we classify it as semi-independent. You will travel the region using railway, panoramic train route and ferries. There are no coaches included except for the sightseeing in Oslo, we therefore recommend you travel light and find your inner adventurer. The tour only includes guiding in Oslo, Bergen & Stockholm. The rest of the time is at leisure to explore the region at your own pace. There will be an escort following the route of the tour from Bergen through Oslo until Stockholm, so do not worry about having vouchers for hotels or trains, these will be taken care of. You can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!
Day 1 - ARRIVE IN NORWAY
Welcome to The Kingdom of Norway – a country with the most beautiful fjords on Earth. Arrive in Bergen and get transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Bergen, Zander K, Scandic Ornen or similar.
Day 2 - BERGEN
Discover Bergen – the world heritage city. Bergen is the Gateway to the Fjords of Norway. As a UNESCO World Heritage City and a European City of Culture, the Bergen region has the ideal combination of nature, culture, and exciting urban life all year around. At 10:00, meet your local guide at the reception of your hotel and enjoy a walking tour of the city of Bergen. Pass through the most emblematic places such as the Hanseatic Bryggen, with the church of Mary, the Hakon fortress and the famous fish market. To get a real taste of Norway and beautiful view on Bergen panorama we recommend choosing our optional activity: - Floibanen funicular return Ticket + Bergen Food Tour. (B)
Optional activities:
Bergen Food Tour (15:00, approx. 3 hrs.)
Fjordcruise to Mostraumen (14:00, approx. 3 hrs)
Overnight in Bergen, Zander K, Scandic Ornen or similar.
Day 3 - BERGEN - SOGNEFJORD
Depending on your hotel location we will provide a transfer to Bergen port or morning walk where you will embark a cruise to Balestrand. Enjoy the views of Sognefjord, the King of Fjords. Departure from Bergen: 08:00 am (schedule subject to change). Arrival in Balestrand: 11:55 am. If you prefer to travel light, you can opt for our optional luggage service. With this service, your luggage will be transported from Bergen to Oslo and delivered to you on day 5. The journey between Bergen and Oslo involves two different trains and a ferry, which can be challenging with large luggage. If you choose this option, we recommend packing a smaller bag with your essentials for the two-night stay in Balestrand. Luggage must be dropped off at the hotel reception before 6:30. Upon arrival in Balestrand – short walk from port to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner time will be advised by your Tour Leader. (B)
Overnight & dinner in Balestrand. Kviknes Hotel, Dragsvik Hotel, Balestrand Hotel or similar.
Day 4 - SOGNEFJORD
Day at leisure to explore the region on your own OR you can opt for a HALF DAY EXCURSION TO FJÆRLAND: Round-trip Balestrand-Fjærland, including Bøyabreen, Supphellebreen and a visit to the Norwegian Glacier Museum. We sail through the beautiful Fjærland fjord with amazing views of the steep mountains, the green fjord itself and vibrant landscape. We arrive at Fjærland, where the glacier meets the fjord. Here we wait for a shuttle bus which takes us to the Norwegian Glacier Museum. Enjoy Ivo Caprino's panoramic film about Jostedalen Glacier and the fascinating exhibition. The trip continues by coach to the two glaciers –Supphellebreen and Bøyabreen – before the coach takes us back to Fjærland. The fullday excursion concludes with a boat trip back to Hella/Balestrand. Coach to the glaciers and museum entrance are included in the round-trip fare. We recommend that you book this excursion when you book the tour, as we cannot guarantee availability if booked upon arrival in Norway. (B)
Overnight & dinner in Balestrand.
Kviknes Hotel, Dragsvik Hotel, Balestrand Hotel, or similar.
Day 5 - BALESTRAND TO OSLO
The continuation of your journey on the Sognefjord today stars with a cruise. Sognefjord - the King of Norway and the longest fjord in Norway. The initial part of the fjord, called Aurlandsfjord, is a 17- kilometer arm of the world’s second longest fjord, the Sognefjord (204 km). It is one of the most picturesque fjords in the world. Arrive in Flåm, where you will have some free time to discover this beautiful village. Departure to Myrdal by train. Myrdal station is a mountain railway station and junction, located about 13 km from the village Flåm. Board the famous Flåmsbana - one of the steepest trainlines in the world. The train journey runs through fantastic nature, past the Rallar road, steep mountains, breath-taking waterfalls and no less than 20 tunnels. It offers so many viewpoints that many feel like travelling multiple times between the mountain and the fjord. (B)
Schedule (*subject to change)
11:55 Cruise Balestrand - Flåm – arrival in Flåm at 13:25.
16:05 Panoramic train from Flåm – arrival in Myrdal at 17:02.
17:53 Bergen Railway train from Myrdal – arrival in Oslo at 22:27 or
23:00.
Overnight in Oslo.
Clarion the Hub, Thon Opera, Thon Spectrum or similar.
Day 6 - OSLO
Meet your local guide at the reception of the hotel and depart for 3 hrs city sightseeing of this vibrant capital city starting at
11:00am. Guided tour of the city including the Frogner Park, with all sculptural Vigeland, the Royal Palace, City Hall, and Akershus Fortress. (B)
Overnight in Oslo.
Clarion the Hub, Thon Opera, Thon Spectrum or similar.
Day 7 - OSLO TO STOCKHOLM
Walk with Tour leader to the train station. Departure to Stockholm (on your own) by high-speed train. Arrival in Stockholm, a city surrounded by almost 25.000 small islands. Walk to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure - walk along the streets and explore the city of the royal family, and the main Drottninggatan - Queen Street, with many shops, bars, and cafes. (B)
Overnight in Stockholm.
Clarion Sign or similar.
Day 8 - STOCKHOLM
Taxi driver will wait for you at reception to bring you to small port. You will start Royal Canal Cruise where you can learn about City and his long history. Stockholm is generally referred to as Beauty on Water, or Venice of the North, which is understandable, as the city is built upon 14 islands. It is surrounded by Lake Mälaren, and by the Baltic Sea. The City's grand public buildings, palaces, rich cultural history and museums reveal its 700 year-old history beautifully. After the Royal Canal cruise enjoy the City. No return transfer to the hotel after cruise. (B)
Overnight in Stockholm.
Clarion Sign or similar.
Day 9 - DEPART STOCKHOLM
Our tour ends after breakfast. Depending on your flight details, you can still enjoy some last-minute shopping at Swedish design-ware shops, walk along the streets, admire gothic churches, and explore the city with many shops, bars, and cafes. Transfers from hotel to the airport have been included. (B)
End of our services.
See you soon in Scandinavia, Iceland & The Baltics.