The Mighty Fjords, Telemark & Norway in a Nutshell

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 near Kolding.

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. Following dinner this evening, we enjoy a showing of the classic Hollywood blockbuster 'The Heroes of Telemark' at our hotel ahead of tomorrow's excursion.

Day 5

Today's excursion invites us to explore the real-life story and region behind 'The Heroes of Telemark'; our day 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, immortalised in the classic feature film. 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, 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, which is overlooked by the Folgefonn Glacier. Our journey continues with a ferry across the fjord and past Voss as we ascend towards the historic Stalheim Hotel, where we are based for the next three nights.

Day 7

Experience fjords, waterfalls and high mountain passes on today's excursion as we cross the Sognefjord, the longest and deepest in the world, and the Vik Mountains for a visit to 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 unforgettable stops and views at the Boyabreen glacier beauty spot, the Fjaerlandsfjord viewpint and the iconic Borgund Stave Church, one of the biggest and most spectacular wooden churches of its kind. We return through Lærdalstunnelen, the longest road tunnel in the world, and via the pretty port of Flåm.

Day 8

Enjoy the highlight of our holiday as we present 'Norway in a Nutshell'; this world-famous trip sees us travel to Gudvangen, where we board a cruise along beautiful Naeroyfjord and Aurlandsfjord. After a journey basking in the stunning green hills, mountains and waterfalls, we will arrive in Flåm and enjoy free time to enjoy this popular cruise port. Here, you'll board the famed Flåm railway; dubbed the world's most beautiful train journey, and enjoy wild Norway's stunning scenery on this return journey to and from Myrdal. In the late afternoon, we return to Stalheim with a guided visit to the nearby Folk Museum.

Day 9

After checking out of our hotel, we head south through stunning scenery via Noresund and Krøderen, arriving in Skien for this evening's overnight stay.

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 near Hamburg.

Day 11

Our journey continues through northern Germany and Holland, stopping at our final overnight hotel 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