Norwegian Fjords, Glaciers, Lakes & Mountains

Day 1

After an early start, we head south to Dover for a ferry into Northern France. Continuing our journey through Belgium with comfort stops along the way, we arrive at Postillion Hotel Deventer this evening for an overnight stay.

Day 2

After a leisurely start this morning, we continue our journey over the border into Germany, then Denmark, where we will stay at our next overnight hotel, the Scandic Kolding Hotel.

Day 3

Start your day with an early breakfast before we travel north along the Jutland Peninsula to the port of Hirtshals. Here, we board the fast ferry for a three-hour crossing to Larvik. As we enter Norway, be enchanted by the picturesque countryside and lakeland scenery. Keep your eyes open for the renowned Telemark Canal, considered one of the world's most beautiful waterways, before arriving at our historic Vrådal hotel, the Straand Hotel, for three nights.

Day 4

Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore the hotel's fabulous facilities, beautiful lakeshore scenery and glorious gardens on the water's edge. This afternoon, we embark on a scenic cruise on Lake Nisser aboard the historic vessel MS Fram, which dates back to 1909. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and fairytale forests, the narrow straits and small islands make for impressive views.

Day 5

Today's excursion starts with a scenic drive through the magnificent Hardangervidda, Europe's largest high mountain plateau and Scandinavia's largest national park, home to the world's largest herds of wild reindeer. We later arrive at Norway's Industrial Workers Museum. Housed in a former hydroelectric power station used by the Nazis to produce heavy water in World War II, enjoy a guided tour learning about the country's industrial heritage and the incredible true story behind Operation Gunnerside, which was immortalised in the feature film, The Heroes of Telemark. Our return journey includes a photo stop at the Heddal Stave Church, a wooden cathedral initially built in the thirteenth century and a national cultural treasure of medieval Norway.

Day 6

After breakfast this morning, we depart Vrådal and the Telemark region, continuing our journey deeper into Norway. Surrounded by spectacular scenery, we cross the high Haukelifjell mountains before descending into Odda, a small town beautifully situated at the southern tip of Sørfjord. After a short stop here, we continue along the western shores of Hardangerfjord, the third-longest fjord in the world. It is one of Norway's most breathtaking fjords, overlooked by the Folgefonn Glaciers. Our journey takes us through the Vik mountains with views across the mighty Sognefjord to beautiful Balestrand and the Kviknes Hotel for three nights.

Day 7

We start the day with some free time to explore Balestrand, an idyllic location on the sunny shores of the Sognefjord: the longest and deepest in the world, flanked by waterfalls and spectacular rock walls. Later, we board a short ferry across the fjord, visiting the village of Sogndal before continuing to visit the Sogn Folk Museum in Kaupanger. Uncover one of Norway's largest open-air museums, featuring over forty historic farmhouses, smithies, barns and mills populated by local livestock breeds. Live demonstrations, exhibitions, and beautiful nature areas making this is the perfect way to gather insight into fjordland life through the ages.

Day 8

Today sees us take the 'glacier route', ascending the mighty Gaulerfjell, twisting and turning up through dramatic hairpin bends. We stop at the Utsikten Viewpoint here, providing dramatic sights and photo opportunities, so remember your camera! Our journey continues, eventually arriving for a short stop in Skei, a small town with a picturesque location at the top of Lake Jolstravatnet. This afternoon, we visit the award-winning Norwegian Glacier Museum. Home to interactive exhibits, panoramic films and hands-on experiments with century-old ice, you'll learn about Norway's famous fjords, glaciers and mountains.
Our return journey will see us enjoy beautiful views along the Fjaerlandsfjord before arriving back at our hotel.

Day 9

After checking out of our hotel, we head south through Laerdal Valley. We make a short photo stop at the iconic Borgund Stave Church, one of the biggest and most spectacular wooden churches of its kind. We later arrive at the Thon Hotel, our overnight hotel, in Horten on Norway's southern coastline.

Day 10

With an early breakfast today, we return to Denmark, taking the fast ferry from Larvik back to Hirtshals. We continue back down the Jutland Peninsula, crossing the border into Germany to our overnight hotel, the BW Hotel Schmoecker-Hof, near Hamburg.

Day 11

Our journey continues through northern Germany and Holland, stopping at our final overnight hotel, the Holiday Inn Gent Expo in Belgium.

Day 12

We start today with some free time in gorgeous Gent, a medieval masterpiece affectionately known as the flower Capital of Belgium. Be sure to admire the imposing Bavo Cathedral and Gravensteen Castle or try the city's pralines and chocolates, which are famous worldwide. Why not visit a specialist chocolatier and pick up a treat to take home? This afternoon, we cross the English Channel by ferry and return home.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner