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10 days 9 nights Fjord tour

 

Day 1

Alesund
Arrival at the airport and transfer to hotel.

 

Day 2

Ålesund
Ålesund has perhaps the most coherent concentration of Art Nouveau architecture in the world. The reason is the fire that devastated the town on a winter night in 1904, leaving ten thousand people homeless and 800 buildings in ashes. Architects and builders came quickly from all over Norway to help rebuild Ålesund. Although there was no time for detailed city planning, the guidelines laid down, and the spirit of the times, lent Ålesund a new face, Art Nouveau with a distinctly Norwegian character. Visitors who wish historical and artistic insight are urged to join a guided city walk, and should in addition experience the “Time Machine” at the Art Nouveau Centre. Later climb the stairs of Aksla, the 130 metre high mountain in the centre of town. Overnight.

 

Day 3

Ålesund – Geiranger(110km/1ferry/2h30min)
Drive to Sjøholt. Take the ferry to Eidsdal, and then follow the road enjoying the famous region of Geiranger. From the spectacular viewpoint along Ørnevegen (the eagle’s road), you can appreciate why the Geiranger fjord is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A few years ago it topped National Geographic traveller magazine’s poll of experts, along with the Nærøyfjord, as the best-preserved UNESCO attraction of them all. Another fine view is at Flydalsjuvet, a rock outcrop above the village of Geiranger. You can visit Geiranger Fjord Centre to lean more about the history and culture of the people who live along the fjord. You have the opportunity to have mountain walks on the well-marked trails, or perhaps a kayak excursion on the fjord. Ever since the first foreign travellers came here in the middle of the 19th century, the Geiranger fjord has attracted kings and queens, emperors and millionaires, and ordinary people who recognise natural beauty when they see it. Overnight at Geiranger.

 

Day 4

Geiranger – Stryn(100km/2h30h)
Today continue to Stryn. Make a stop at Dalsnibba for a view and enjoy one of the most magnificent panoramas in all of Norway! As you emerge from a series of tunnels, there is another great viewpoint at Videseter. It is easy to understand why the natural beauty of the Stryn and Loen area, with its majestic mountains, many lakes and waterfalls, attracts so many visitors. The road continues along the southern shore of Strynsvatnet lake. Consider a stop at Jostedalsbreen National Park Centre, before reaching Stryn. Arrival and overnight.

 

Day 5

Stryn – Sogndal (140km/2h)
From Stryn your unhurried, scenic road journey continues along tunnels under the glacier! All of Norway’s fjords were carved out by ice during a series of 40 or more ice ages. Have a visit to Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier on mainland Europe and its beautiful glacier arm Briksdalsbreen. Make a little detour to visit the Norwegian Glacier Museum in Fjærland and its fascinating exhibits on the inner life in the glacier. Carry on to the town of Sogndal, tucked deep into one of the fjord arms of the Sognefjord. Overnight.

 

Day 6

Sogndal – Urnes – Kaupanger(55km/1ferry/2h)
There are many attractions along the Sognefjord and its many fjord arms. The main fjord reaches halfway to the Swedish border. From Sogndal drive to Solvorn. Cross by ferry from Solvorn to Urnes, and later return the same way. Just a short walk away, on a small headland with a beautiful view of the Lustra fjord, stands the oldest stave church in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage attraction. Urnes was built around 1150, one of an estimated 2000 stave churches raised by specialised builders. The building has elements of pre-Christian traditions. Particularly striking are the dragon-style carvings of intertwined animal figures on the north and west facing portals. In the Sogne fjord area there are four other stave churches. Kaupanger is very close, and here there is a fine folk museum, and a boat museum. After returning on the Urnes–Solvorn ferry, head back to Sogndal and then continue to Kaupanger. Overnight.

 

Day 7

Kaupanger – Gudvangen(ferry cruise)
You sail west on the Sogne fjord before entering the beautiful Aurlands fjord, and then into the Nærøy fjord. This is the narrowest fjord in the world, at one point only 250 m wide – and yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site. It winds its way past cascading waterfalls and steep mountainsides to the village of Gudvangen.This is a truly breathtaking fjord cruise! Overnight in Gudvangen.

 

Day 8

Gudvangen – Bergen (150km/3h)
From Gudvangen continue to Voss, an inland town where the music of the Hardanger fiddle is cultivated by masters, and cultural traditions are exceptionally strong.Take a pause from your travels at Voss Folk Museum. Voss is also famous for its annual Extreme Sport Festival. Continue your trip to Bergen and enjoy varied landscape on the way until your arrival in the city.

 

Day 9

Bergen and Bryggen
Here in Bergen the finest attraction in addition to the town itself is Bryggen - a living treasure that figures prominently on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Start the day with a walk along the cobblestone streets and narrow alleys, exploring charming neighbourhoods of old wooden houses in Sandviken or Nordnes.  Bryggen or the Hanseatic Wharf seems to draw you into its wooden walkways and its mediaeval past. Later take the Fløibanen funicular up the mountainside – then slowly walk the trails down to town. The mountains themselves are a favourite recreation area. Another way to experience Bergen is by sea, taking an extended fjord cruise, or the shuttle boat to Nordnes promontory. Bergen has blessed art lovers by concentrating virtually all its art museums and public galleries near the central lake. Have some free time to explore the town on your own. Overnight.

 

Day 10

Bergen 
Transfer to the airport for a final departure.