A wonderful two week tour of the Norwegian fjords and mountains. Visit Bergen and Alesund and discover the stunning scenery of southern Norway. This tour takes you on an amazing journey through historical, cultural and scenic delights. Highlights include visiting the spectacular fjords, exploring the exquisite towns of Stavanger, Bergen and Alesund, driving some of the world’s most thrilling mountain passes, past breath-taking scenery, and discovering one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Classic Travelling has driven the route to ensure it is scenic and interesting as well as visited each hotel to make certain we have the most pleasant accommodation in the area and they have appropriate standards of comfort and charm, along with suitable parking. Cross from the UK to Denmark and spend a night in Jutland. Then cross to Kristiansand in southern Norway and stay overnight in Telemark. Drive north to Bergen for a couple of nights, and night at Balestrand, and then onto Alesund for two more nights. Leave the coast and turn inland to the fjords and stay at the end of most famed, Geirangerfjord, where we shall stay for two nights. Climb over the mountains and pass through valleys to Lom and then onto Sogndal. Take a ferry cruise across Sogndalfjord and then stay on the shores of the Hardangerfjord, famed for its orchards. Then return to Kristiansand for a final night in Norway, before a morning ferry crossing back to Denmark and then to the UK.
As of September 2008 there are no direct sailings from the Newcastle to Norway, hence the route now via Denmark.
Route
Accommodation
Stay in some delightful hotels, including wonderful wooden Gothic hotels, mountain log cabins, converted wharf-side warehouses, and stylish city hotels. All the accommodation is individual and unique and of a high standard. Due to the nature and age of these hotels, rooms vary from charmingly comfortable to the utmost luxury.
We have hand-picked each hotel for its unique atmosphere and style. All accommodation includes breakfast and most include dinner. Suitable parking is, of course, a feature of each hotel, but it is rarely under cover. In the cities we shall be using small, public parking houses that are locked at night, adjacent to the hotels.
Itinerary
May be subject to change
Day One
Leave Harwich, England at 17.45 (check in at 17.00) and take the overnight crossing to Esbjerg, Denmark. Two-berth, sea-view cabins will be booked for your overnight comfort. There are two restaurants on board, a cinema and a cafe.
Day Two
Arrive in Esbjerg, Denmark at 13.00. Drive north, along the coast, to north Jutland. The scenery is graceful and dotted with pretty farms and log cabins. Stay overnight in a lovely old manor house near Hirtshals, in northern Denmark.
Mileage to Hirtshals: 175
Day Three
Take the ferry from Hirtshals, Denmark to Kristiansand, Norway, which is a 2 1/2 hour crossing. Enjoy the drive north, past lakes and over the mountains into Telemark, to Dalen and stay in a fabulous, wooden Gothic hotel at the top of a fjord. The interior and exterior of this hotel are exquisite.
Mileage from Kristiansand to Dalen: 132
Day Four
Drive north to Bergen through the most beautiful scenery. There is a lovely little stave church to visit shortly after leaving the hotel. Drive over the mountains and along valleys, past the famous twin waterfalls of Latefossen to Bergen and stay for two nights. Once in Bergen the tour will spend two nights in a fabulous hotel on the waters edge, just seconds along the quay from the World Heritage-listed, and very picturesque, Bryggen. Light evening meals are included at the hotel, but if you want something more substantial there are many good restaurants to sample in Bergen.
Mileage: 193
Day Five
The day is yours to explore the many delights of Bergen. The old town is a fascinating area to explore, with little wooden houses jostled in the smallest of spaces on the hillside overlooking the harbour. Maybe include an Grieg concert at the composer’s home, Troldhaugen. Or climb up Floibanen and enjoy the view from the top, looking over the city and the sea.
Mileage: 0
Day Six
Leave Bergen and drive to Voss and then north for a wonderful drive to Vagsnes, passing Vik, with its medieval wooden stave church. It is then a short ferry trip, across Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, to Balestrand, where you will stay in a beautiful wooden hotel right on the fjord edge.
Mileage: 118
Day Seven
Wind your way around the fjords and over the mountains to Stryn. Continue onto Alesund, a picturesque art deco town, entirely rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1904, and stay for two nights in another converted warehouse hotel, alongside the water. Alesund & Sunnmore is the perfect place to explore some of Norway’s most famous natural and cultural attractions. Alesund’s beautiful Art Nouveau architecture is known far and wide. The myriad of turrets, spires and beautiful ornamentation that give the town its distinctive character are like something from a fairytale. Sunnmore’s has a wonderful profusion of fjords, small fishing communities, island gems and majestic mountains to discover.
Mileage: 189
Day Eight
Spend time exploring the picturesque town of Alesund. In the evening there is a cruise one of the most beautiful fjords in the world, Hjorundfjorden. Surrounded by majestic mountains, cruise along the fjord enjoying some of Norway’s most wonderful scenery. Disembark in Saebo and walk up to an historic period farm. After learning about the history have dinner in the beautiful original barn. Then return to Alesund late evening.
Mileage: 0
Day Nine
Leave Alesund and drive along the coast to Andalsnes, a quaint little town on a lake. Drive up the famous Trollstigen – an awesome road with hairpin bends, a 1:12 gradient and practically one lane all the way. Continue onto Geiranger and down the Eagle’s Highway into the valley. The hotel overlooks the Geirangerfjord, one of the most beautiful and photographed parts of Norway. There is also a vintage car museum and the acclaimed Norwegian Fjord Centre to visit. Stay for two nights in a beautiful wooden hotel above the town and overlooking the area.
Mileage: 127
Day Ten
Spend the day relaxing. There are some fabulous walks in the area, or take a boat trip down Geirangerfjord to Hellesylt to see the fjords from a different angle. The fjord is reputed for its magnificent waterfalls, such as Friaren, Desyvsostre and Brudesloret. The area is also famous for the many mountain farms, clinging to the mountain hills along the fjord. This beautiful place also offers some of the world’s most famous viewpoints; Ornesvingene, Flydalsjuvet and Dalssnibba.
Mileage: 0
Day Eleven
The ascent south from Geiranger is a fabulous road of 37 hairpin bends. Today’s drive includes some sensational mountain passes and breathtaking scenery. Take the old road up to the summer skiing area (there will be a chance to indulge if you wish) at Strynefjell and then over the mountains on some stunning roads to Lom. Visit Roisheim, in the heart of the beautiful valley of Boverdalen, which consists of 12 perfectly preserved buildings from the 18th century. The chalets have been lovingly restored with utmost care. This is a great stop for lunch (not included) and its excellent cuisine and wine cellar are only some of the reasons to visit this place, situated close to some of Norway’s tallest mountains. Continue over the mountains and descend to Lustrafjord, an arm of the Sogndalfjord. Visit the stunning stave church at Urnes and then stay overnight at Solvorn, on the edge of the fjord, at Norway’s oldest family-run hotel, a beautiful wooden building in lovely gardens.
Mileage: 145
Day Twelve
To avoid some of Europe’s longest road tunnels, take a 2 1/2 hour ferry cruise along Sogndalfjord from Kaupanger to Gudvangen. Head south to Voss and then onto the orchard-growing area of Hardangerfjord. Visit the fabulous Voringsfossen. Stay overnight on the edge of the fjord at Lofthus in a lovely hotel.
Mileage: 89
Day Thirteen
Drive along the edge of the fjord to Odda and then over the mountains, heading south. The scenery is beautiful and the driving fun. Arrive back in Kristiansand and stay overnight at the best hotel in town.
Mileage: 174
Day Fourteen
Take the early ferry to Hirtshals and drive south, through Denmark’s gentle countryside to Esbjerg. The ferry departs at 18.45
Mileage: 175
Day Fifteen
Arrive in Harwich, UK at 11.30 and depart for home
Total Mileage: about 1,480 miles
Details
Duration: 15 days, including travel
Price:
£140 for the tour book (pdf copy emailed to you)
Requirements
- All passports must be valid for six months after the end of the tour. You will also need your vehicle registration documents, driving licence (a photo-card licence or international permit is best), and an international insurance green card.
- Please check with your travel and motor insurers that you are covered for travel in the required countries.
- You are also required to carry a warning triangle, first-aid kit, two fluorescent jackets, set of replacement bulbs and a national identification sticker.
- However, the most important requirement is that you take pleasure in motoring through fabulous scenery, relish individual, character hotels and enjoy the company of like-minded travellers.
Each person must have a passport (and any necessary visas for non-EU passport holders) valid for Norway and Denmark..
Classic Travelling was established in 2003 and offers motoring holidays for classic, vintage and sports cars. The founder of the business, Sarah Dowding, has extensive experience of touring and motoring, having driven well in excess of 250,000 miles over the finest roads in Europe, North America, and southern Africa.