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Exploring Southern Norway
offered by supplier M16005 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 13
day(s)
Group Size: 15
- 25
people
Destination(s):
Norway
Specialty Categories:
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
Season: July
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 2905 Euro (EUR)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2905 Euro (EUR)
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Tour Dates: 11 - 23 July 2008.
Tour Overview: From the Norwegian Capital of Oslo we travel to the locks of the Telemark Canal, to the beautiful landscape of Setesdal Valley, to Kristiansand – Norway’s Floral Town, to the southernmost tip of Norway – Lindesnes Peninsula, to the open landscape of Jæren, to Stavanger – European Capital of Culture 2008, to Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock, to the birthplace of Norway – Avaldsnes, to the fruitful Hardanger, to Bergen – Gateway to the Fjords, to the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Naroyfjord, to the Flam Valley, and to the winter resort town of Geilo. An unforgettable journey highlighting some of the best places in Southern Norway!
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1, Jul 11, Fri: Arrival Oslo. Your tour begins upon check-in at your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax. Early evening orientation meeting with your Tour Director as well as a chance to meet the rest of your traveling companions. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious Welcome Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Overnight at Rica Grand Hotel. Includes: (D).
Day 2, Jul 12, Sat: In Oslo. Meet your English speaking local guide at the hotel for a 4hour sightseeing tour of Oslo. Your tour includes a walk at Vigeland Sculpture Park and visits to Holmenkollen Ski Jump and Ski Museum and the Viking Ship Museum. Afternoon and evening free to explore on your own. Overnight at Rica Grand Hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 3, Jul 13, Sun: Oslo – Skien. After breakfast depart Oslo by touring coach and head southwest towards the town of Notodden known for its Blues Festival. Visit the largest stave church in Norway, Heddal Stave Church and see the rose painting from the 1600s, “The Bishop’s Chair”, and the richly carved portals from the Middle Ages. We continue to Skien for our overnight.
We will also visit Venstop, childhood home of Norway’s and Scandinavian most famous author in the world of literature, Henrik Ibsen. At the Henrik Ibsen Museum, we will see a multimedia exhibition of his life and works. Dinner will be served at the hotel. Overnight at Clarion Hotel Bryggeparken. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 4, Jul 14, Mon: Skien - Vradal. A wonderful journey awaits us today. We sail on The Telemark Canal, one of Norway’s most fascinating attractions. Built in 1892, it stretches 105 km from the beautiful Telemark coastline to the foot of the Hardanger plateau. By means of 18 lock gates divided between 8 lock chambers the boats are lifted 72 meter above sea level.
We sail from Skien to Kviteseid across beautiful lakes, up through lock chambers with their stonewalls, past small houses with typical canal architecture. We will continue by coach to the town of Vradal for our overnight. Overnight at Quality Straand Hotel and Resort. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 5, Jul 15, Tue: Vradal - Kristiansand. We leave Vradal after breakfast and head to the heart of Setesdal valley where landscape varies from flat countryside to wild and beautiful mountains. We pass towns like Valle which is in the cultural center of Setesdal valley and Evje known for its unusual mineral deposits. After Evje, we continue further south to Kristiansand, Norway’s Floral Town, where we will be overnighting. Overnight at Hotel Norge. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 6, Jul 16, Wed: Kristiansand - Stavanger. This morning we travel to Norway’s southernmost point, Lindesnes. We visit Lindesnes Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in Norway, and is situated on the tip of the Lindesnes peninsula. We leave behind the gentle coast of southern Norway and enter Fjord Norway proper.
We pass the busy fishing port of Egersund and continue to Jæren, offering some of the most open landscape in Norway. At Hafrsfjord, we see “Swords in Rock”, where Harald the fair-haired united Norway into one country. Our journey ends in Stavanger, the timber town. Overnight at Clarion Hotel Stavanger. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 7, Jul 17, Thu: In Stavanger. This morning our Tour Director will take us on a stroll through Gamle Stavanger, consisting of more than 170 wooden houses built at the end of the 18th and 19th century. We end our stroll at Skagenkaien where we will board an express boat for a 3,5hrs round-trip cruise to Pulpit Rock. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at Clarion Hotel Stavanger. Includes: (B).
Day 8, Jul 18, Fri: Stavanger – Haugesund. We leave the lively town of Stavanger and head to historic Haugalandet. We take a ferry from Mekjarvik to the charming town of Skudeneshavn on the island of Karmøy. A short stop in Skudeneshavn before continuing to Avaldsnes – the Birthplace of Norway. In Avaldsnes we see St. Olavs Church and the Virgin Mary Needle.
Next to the church we visit the Nordvegen Historic Center and look at Norwegian history from the Stone Age up to the present. We continue to Haugesund known for its film and jazz festivals. Overnight at Rica Maritim Hotel. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 9, Jul 19, Sat: Haugesund – Voss. This morning we visit Haraldshaugen, the only national monument in Norway. Haraldshaugen was erected in 1872 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of Norway’s unification by Harald Harfagre. We take the scenic route along Akrafjord to Odda in Hardanger, stopping at the famous Latefossen falls.
We continue to the village of Aga and visit Agatunet, a hamlet dating back to the Middle Ages. Continuing north, we take a ferry from Utne to Kvanndal and head to Voss in the heart of Fjord Norway. Overnight at Fleischer’s Hotel. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 10, Jul 20, Sun: In Voss – Excursion to Bergen. Today we visit Bergen, beautifully situated between seven mountains. Our sightseeing tour in Bergen will include a walk along the Hanseatic Wharf Bryggen (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Fish Market and a visit to Troldhaugen, Edvard Grieg Museum. A free time in the afternoon to explore Bergen on our own. We return to Voss late in the afternoon for our overnight. Overnight at Fleischer’s Hotel. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 11, Jul 21, Mon: Voss – Geilo. Experience some of the most beautiful fjord scenery today! First, we travel on the steepest road in Northern Europe, Stalheimkleiva. After arriving in the village of Gudvangen, we board a ferry for a 2-hour fjord cruise on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Naroyfjord, known as the narrowest, wildest and the most dramatic fjord in Europe, and into the Aurlandsfjord.
We disembark in beautiful Flam, where we will board the Flam Railway, one of the steepest and most beautiful railway lines in Europe. In the mountain station of Myrdal, we board a national train to the mountain resort town of Geilo. Check-in at our hotel upon arrival. Overnight at Dr. Holms Hotel. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 12: Jul 22 Tue: Geilo – Oslo. From Geilo, we journey back to Oslo passing mountain villages, lakes and farms scattered on the hillsides. In Jevnaker, we visit Hadeland Glassworks and have a tour of the Glass Blowing Hut. We arrive in Oslo in the afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure. Our farewell dinner will be served at our hotel restaurant. Overnight at Rica Grand Hotel. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 13: Jul 23 Wed: Departure Oslo. Our tour ends after breakfast. Latest check-out at 11:00 hrs. End of our services. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 12 nights accommodation in twin-bedded rooms at centrally located hotels.
- Scandinavian breakfast buffet daily and 10 buffet or 3-course dinners as per program.
- 4-hours guided tour of Oslo.
- All entrance.
- Boat journey on The Telemark Canal.
- Guided tour of Agatunet.
- 4-hours guided tour of Bergen.
- Train journeys.
- Luggage assistance.
- English-speaking Tour Director throughout.
- Transportation by modern de luxe coach.
Price Excludes:
- Airfare to and from Oslo.
- Tips to Tour Director, drivers and local guides.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Norway
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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