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Grand Norwegian Explorer

Cities, fjords & islands

Home
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Norway
Grand Norwegian Explorer

There’s no shortage of impressive scenery on this self-guided adventure by train and boat. Experience memorable journeys on the Flåm, Dovre and Nordland railways, combined with stays in Bergen, Oslo, Trondheim, the fjords and the magical Lofoten Islands (with car hire included).

Grand Norwegian Explorer. 14 nights

+44 (0)1653 617001

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Grand Norwegian Explorer. 14 nights

+44 (0)1653 617001

Call now

Jump to...
Overview
Gallery
Itinerary
Where you stay
Extend your stay
Prices & travel
Reviews
FAQs

Holiday information

- Holiday type
  
  Journey
- Included extras
  
  24hr City Cards, plus street plans and detailed notes for self-guided city walking tours for Bergen and Oslo
- Nights
  
  14
- Accommodation
  
  Six high-quality hotels; one fisherman's cottage
- Meals
  
  Breakfast every day, 6 dinners
- Price (excluding flights)
  
  From £2845pp
- Travel options
  
  Car hire on the Lofotens is included. We can also arrange flights – see ‘Prices & Travel’. Alternatively, please contact us about travelling by train from London.
- Start
  
  Any day
- When you can travel
  - J
  - F
  - M
  - A
  - M
  - J
  - J
  - A
  - S
  - O
  - N
  - D
  The season for this holiday is:
  16 May 2021 - 30 September 2021

A touring holiday in Norway

It stands to reason that a country which is endowed with such awe-inspiring scenery as Norway is should also boast some of Europe’s most spectacular railways, and it is these which form a central part of this memorable holiday. Not only do they provide a very relaxing way of travelling, but – complemented by short yet thrilling journeys on express boats and the famous Hurtigruten – reveal the great variety and majestic scale of Norway’s scenery.

Starting in Bergen, you travel by express boat into the fjords, with time to explore the romantic scenery up close. Then follows the first of three iconic train rides: the impressively engineered Flåm Railway, which climbs more than 850 metres over a distance of just 20 kilometres. After a stay in Oslo, you head north to Trondheim, Norway's historic first capital, travelling on the 553-kilometre Dovre Line across rugged moorland and through high green valleys. Linking Trondheim to Bodø is an even more epic railway, the Nordland Line, whose 739 kilometres of track encompasses almost 300 bridges, not to mention some truly magnificent views. From Bodø it's just a short hop on the Hurtigruten to your final base on the Lofoten Islands, whose wild and untamed beauty will stay with you for years to come.

Book now for summer 2021

Our flexible booking arrangements, commitment to safety and financial protection mean that you can book with confidence. We are also keeping our prices the same next year, so you can book for summer 2021 at 2020 prices.

What we’re doing so you can book and travel with confidence >

This holiday is not available in 2020.

Gallery

Bryggen, Bergen

Explore the fjords (C)sverrehjornevik.com-Flåm AS

The Flåm railway

Travel past gushing waterfalls (C)sverrenhjornevik.com-Flåm AS

Oslo

Nusfjord, Lofoten Islands

Enjoy the beauty of the Lofoten Islands

Tasty fish dishes

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.

Arrival

Arrival in Bergen

Arrival in Bergen

Night 1: at Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret (the first of two nights here).
As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of exploration.
Day 1

Explore Bergen

Explore Bergen

Today is free to explore Bergen on foot using our self-guided tour and included 24-hour City Card, which entitles you to reduced entry at many of the main attractions. Norway's second-largest city has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and is overlooked by forested mountain slopes. There’s a real sense of history here, and the famous Bryggen – the UNESCO-listed, Hanseatic harbour district – has long been a melting-pot for traders from all over the world. Wander amid its brightly painted shops and warehouses, and peek into the large, glass-sided Fisk Torget (fish market) – a riot of sound and colour, especially when the catch comes in. It’s also worth taking the funicular up the mountain behind the city for views over the fjords.

Visit the Fish Market

Explore Bergen
Day 2

Bergen to Balestrand

Bergen to Balestrand

Leaving Bergen, you travel by express boat along the coast and into majestic Sognefjord. From water level, the mountains framing it seem even grander, and all you can see ahead is headland after headland plunging into the sapphire waters. Your destination is Balestrand, for two nights in Kvikne’s Hotel, offering sumptuous fjord-side views. (Journey time: 4hrs)
Day 3

Explore Balestrand

Explore Balestrand

There are plenty of ways to spend your day: enjoy a bike ride, or stroll along Balestrand’s heritage trail to learn about the artists who have visited the village. You could also pay a visit to the local aquarium, or seek out the fjord-side Cider House, a distillery and restaurant run by a Norwegian-Turkish couple amid over 100 varieties of fruit trees. Other options are to walk up the slopes behind the hotel to gain a different perspective on the splendid scenery, or to visit one or more of the area’s remarkable ‘stave churches’ – elaborate, 12th-century wooden structures, often topped with dragons’ heads, much like the prows of Viking longships.

Stroll along Balestrand's heritage trail

Visit Vik Stave church across the fjord
Day 4

Balestrand to Flåm

Balestrand to Flåm

You leave Balestrand as you arrived: by express boat. This time you head further inland, along steep-sided Aurlandsfjord to Flåm, where you spend two nights at the historic Fretheim Hotel. (Journey time: 1.5hrs)
Day 5

Explore Flåm

Explore Flåm

Take an exhilarating bike ride down the old 'Navvies' Road from Myrdal, enjoy the more sedentary sipping of award-winning ales in surroundings (including a nine-metre-high fireplace) inspired by Norse mythology at the Ægir Brewery, or take a boat trip along beautiful Nærøyfjord, where waterfalls plunge 1,200 metres from the clifftops.

Ride from Flåm on the 'Navvies Road'

Take a trip on the Future of the Fjords along Naerøyfjord (C)sverrehjornevik.com-Flåm AS
Day 6

Flåm to Oslo

Flåm to Oslo

Take your seat on the Flåmsbana, one of the world’s great train journeys. From the fjord, you ascend ever higher into the mountains, past lush woodland and thundering waterfalls. At the top, you change trains and over the next couple of hours descend gradually to Oslo, where you have two nights at the Hotel Bristol. (Journey time: 6hrs)
Day 7

Explore Oslo

Explore Oslo

Spend the day exploring Norway’s flourishing capital, using our self-guided walking tour to take in some of its many sights. Stroll around the bustling harbour, see the fortress on the headland overlooking Oslofjord or take advantage of the discounted entrance fees offered by your included 24-hour City Card to visit attractions such as the sculpture park, and fascinating museums such as that devoted to Viking ships. You could also admire the ship that took Amundsen all the way to the South Pole in 1911; visit the Nobel Peace Centre; or explore Aker Brygge, the waterfront district which typifies the Norwegian capital’s bold sense of style. Here, you can ascend the 90-metre Tjuvtitten Tower (the ‘Sneak Peak’) for sensational views over the city.
Day 8

Oslo to Trondheim

Oslo to Trondheim

You can choose an early morning or early afternoon departure for today's scenic train ride north from Oslo to Trondheim. This 553-kilometre journey takes you past Mjøsa, Norway's largest lake, to Lillehammer, which hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics; through the verdant scenery of Gudbrandsdalen, the valley associated with Ibsen's Peer Gynt; alongside the Lågen, one of the largest rivers in Norway; over the highest point on the line, Hjerkinn, at 1,017 metres above sea level; and beneath the towering peaks of the Dovrefjell National Park. In Trondheim, you spend two nights at the Hotel Bakeriet. (Journey time: 6.5hrs)
Day 9

Explore Trondheim

Explore Trondheim

Trondheim may be Norway's third city, but it has a relaxed, easy-going feel. At the centre of the Old Town is Torvet, a large square where a statue-cum-sundial of the city's founder takes pride of place. From here, broad avenues lead north to the fish market; east to the old bridge of Gamle Bybro, on the other side of which is the pretty district of Bakklandet, complete with old warehouses and timber buildings; and south to Nidaros Cathedral, Scandinavia's largest medieval building and the traditional venue for coronations and royal burials. Our half-day, self-guided walking tour helps you to make the most of your time in the city, with ample time to visit, if you wish, one or two of Trondheim's museums, which include the National Museum of Decorative Arts, the Maritime Museum, the Ringve Music Museum with its collection of instruments from around the globe, and the City Art Gallery.

Nidaros Cathedral

Trondheim waterfront
Day 10

Trondheim to Bodø

Trondheim to Bodø

An early start is required for today's epic journey. The Nordland Railway is the longest – and one of the most spectacular – in Norway, and weaves through great forests, past narrow fjords and alongside rivers famous for their salmon. About four-fifths of the way through the journey, you cross the Arctic Circle and continue through the majestic Saltfjellet mountains. After 739km of spectacular scenery, not to mention 293 bridges and 154 tunnels, you reach the coast at Bodø, where you stay overnight at the Thon Nordlys Hotel. (Journey time: 10hrs)
Day 11

Bodø to Svolvær

Bodø to Svolvær

Our self-guided walking tour serves as a good introduction to Bodø’s main sights – including its 20th-century cathedral – as well as giving you an insight into its history. After lunch, you make your way to the port, ready for the mid-afternoon departure of the Hurtigruten. You’ll probably want to spend the majority of this six-hour sailing out on deck, admiring the craggy, fjord-indented coastline and the many small islands. On arrival in Svolvær, you collect your included hire car and drive the short distance to the Svinoya Rorbuer, situated on an island connected to the centre of Svolvær by a bridge, where you spend your last three nights in a converted fisherman's cottage. (Journey time: 6hrs)

Explore Bodø

Hop on the Hurtigruten to the Lofoten Islands
Days 12-13

Explore the Lofoten Islands

Explore the Lofoten Islands

The wild beauty of the Lofoten Islands is humbling. Rugged granite spires frame silver beaches and an impossibly blue sea, while rocky headlands are dotted with small communities of wooden houses and distinctive, red-and-white rorbuer (fishermen’s huts). We suggest a combination of walking and driving for your time here, and include route notes for a couple of walks. Visit one or two of the islands’ museums, such as the Viking Museum with its impressive reconstruction of the chieftain’s longhouse that was found here; take a boat trip to the incomparable, sheer-sided Trollfjord, the two-kilometre-long stretch of water separating the Lofotens from the Vesteralen archipelago; stroll through the UNESCO designated fishing village of Nusfjord; or enjoy the near-deserted walk from Brenna.

Take a boat trip to the Trollfjord

Visit the Viking Museum

Accommodation

You stay in a series of well-located, high-quality hotels, before finishing with a stay in a converted fisherman's cottage on the Lofoten Islands.

Extra nights recommended

Add an extra night in Bergen for the chance to explore more of the city.

Nights 1-2
Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret
Bergen
This elegant hotel is housed in a 1920s Neo-Classical building in the historic Bryggen area of the city. All the modern rooms include views over Vågen Bay or across the hotel garden. Guests can relax in the library-lounge, enjoy views over the harbour from the rooftop terrace, or indulge in the sauna and gym. The hotel also provides complimentary tea and coffee, afternoon pancakes or waffles, and a light evening meal.

Meal arrangements: breakfast only
Extra nights recommended

With its wonderful fjordside setting, the Kvikne's Hotel makes an excellent base for an extra night.

Nights 3-4
Kvikne’s Hotel
Balestrand
This large hotel first opened its doors in the 18th century and has been run by the present owners’ family since 1877. Surrounded by pleasant gardens and framed by wooded slopes, it sits right on the shores of the fjord. The atmospheric lounges (one of which is furnished with finely carved ‘dragon-style’ furniture) and high-ceilinged restaurant make the most of the impressive views. You can also enjoy the vista from your bedroom; we include fjord-view rooms with a balcony in the modern building. For extra atmosphere, you can upgrade to a fjord-view room (without a balcony) in the historic part of the hotel.

Meal arrangements: dinner & breakfast
Nights 5-6
Fretheim Hotel
Flåm
Retaining many of the original features of the early 20th-century building, this elegant hotel overlooks the water. There is a restaurant, wine-cellar and bar, and also an exercise room and several places where you can relax, not least a panoramic lounge in the hotel’s modern, glass-fronted wing.

Meal arrangements: dinner & breakfast
Extra nights recommended

There is plenty to see and do in Oslo to warrant an extra night.

Nights 7-8
Hotel Bristol
Oslo
This elegant hotel exudes an air of calm opulence, and there is a feeling of Edwardian gentility about the reception and lounge areas. The well-equipped bedrooms are furnished in a classical style, with solid wood furniture, while the extensive breakfasts – the highlight of your stay – set you up well for a day’s exploration. The main sights are all within easy walking distance.

Meal arrangements: breakfast only
Nights 9-10
Hotel Bakeriet
Trondheim
Located right in the centre of Trondheim, this hotel was originally one of the city's largest bakeries, dating from 1863, and its history is still evident today in the public areas and simply furnished bedrooms (with shower). Tea and coffee is available all day free of charge, and a light complimentary supper of soup and salads is available every evening, though if you want a more substantial meal you should dine out in one of the city’s many restaurants.

Meal arrangements: breakfast only
Night 11
Thon Nordlys Hotel
Bodø
The Thon Nordlys is located right by the harbour, commanding views across the water. The bedrooms are modern in style, with light wooden furniture. Many have a 'feature' wall with a floor-to-ceiling picture of the Northern Lights. There is free wifi throughout the hotel, and a Nespresso machine in the lobby where you can help yourself to complimentary coffee. The hotel has its own restaurant in the adjacent building, but you are also within easy walking distance of a range of other eateries.

Meal arrangements: breakfast only
Nights 12-14
Svinøya Rorbuer
Svolvær
Dotted around the small island of Svinøya, but within easy walking distance of the centre of Svolvaer, these rorbu (fishermen’s cottages) have either been renovated, or built from new, using local materials and craftsmanship to maintain the simple seaside atmosphere of a traditional rorbu. All of the cabins have a twin bedroom, a compact but well-equipped kitchen-cum-lounge, a modern shower room and views over the water – some are even built on stilts out over rocks and water. On specified evenings a three-course dinner featuring delicious fish dishes is included in the waterfront restaurant, Børsen Spiseri, housed in an historic building close to the rorbu that dates back to the 1820s.

Meal arrangements: breakfast, plus dinner on 2 nights

Extend your stay

Journey

Grand Norwegian Explorer with Fjærland

Cities, fjords & islands

16 nights, from £3240pp

Iconic rail journeys reveal breathtaking mountain and fjord scenery. NOT AVAILABLE IN 2020; BOOK NOW FOR 2021

View details

Summer 2021

We are keeping our prices the same, so you can book for summer 2021 at 2020 prices.

Prices & travel options

All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.

Currency converter

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Prices (£ per person based on 2 sharing)

Journey price

14 nights: 16 May 2021 - 30 September 2021

Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

Starting	Price	Single room
16 May - 14 Jun 2021	£2895	£620
15 Jun - 22 Aug 2021	£2995	£645
23 Aug - 16 Sep 2021	£2845	£605
3rd & 4th person discount	-£355 to -£425
Single traveller supplement	£355 to £425

Includes accommodation, meals, travel between hotels and any other services integral to the holiday as described, plus a detailed information pack, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

Included travel: Boat Bergen – Balestrand – Flåm. Rail Flåm – Oslo – Trondheim – Bodø. Coastal steamer Bodø – Stamsund. 3 days' category B car hire (eg Toyota Yaris or similar with manual transmission) on the Lofotens.

Driving time from final hotel: Solvær airport 0h10

Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

Room upgrades & extra nights

Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

Kvikne’s Hotel, Balestrand
'Demi-suite' in the historic building: 16 May - 30 Sep 2021	£36
Fjord view in the historic building: 16 May - 30 Sep 2021	£12

Fretheim Hotel, Flåm
'Historic': 16 May - 30 Sep 2021	£0

Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret, Bergen (B&B)	Double room	Single room
16 May - 15 Sep 2021	£134	£194
16 Sep - 30 Sep 2021 #	£98	£156

# Add £35pp/n (£35pn in a single room) if staying in Bergen Mon-Wed 16-30 Sep 2021

Upgrade your City Card in Bergen: add £10pp for a 48hr Card or £16pp for a 72hr Card.

Kvikne’s Hotel, Balestrand (with dinner)	Double room	Single room
16 May - 30 Sep 2021	£140	£175

Hotel Bristol, Oslo (B&B)	Double room	Single room
16 May - 28 Sep 2021 #	£88	£136

# ADD £10pp/n if staying in Oslo Mon-Thu 16 May-28 Jun & 7 Aug-30 Sep 2021.

Upgrade your City Card in Oslo: add £24pp for a 48hr Card or £40pp for a 72hr Card.

Flight options

RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
Bergen for the outward flight; Svolvær for the homeward flight
There are multiple inter-island flights each day between Svolvær and Bodø, from where you can fly via Oslo to a choice of UK airports.

As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

Travelling from the UK

Travelling from outside the UK

If you are flying from outside Europe, we recommend flying via Oslo. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

Outward route	Airline
Aberdeen - Bergen	SAS, Wideroe
Aberdeen - Bergen (via Stavanger)	SAS

Return route	Airline
Bodø - Aberdeen (via Oslo (Gardermoen) & Bergen)	SAS
Bodø - Aberdeen (via Oslo (Gardermoen) & Stavanger)	SAS
Bodø - Aberdeen (via Oslo (Gardermoen) )	SAS
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Aberdeen	Loganair, SAS
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Aberdeen, via Amsterdam	KLM
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Aberdeen, via Bergen	SAS
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Aberdeen, via Copenhagen	SAS
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Aberdeen, via Stavanger	SAS

Outward route	Airline
Birmingham - Bergen (via Amsterdam Schiphol)	KLM
Birmingham - Bergen (via Copenhagen)	SAS

Return route	Airline
Bodø - Birmingham (via Oslo (Gardermoen) & Copenhagen)	SAS
Oslo - Birmingham (via Copenhagen)	SAS
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Birmingham (via Frankfurt)	Lufthansa

Outward route	Airline
Bristol - Bergen (via Amsterdam Schiphol)	KLM

Return route	Airline
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Bristol (via Amsterdam Schiphol)	KLM

Outward route	Airline
Edinburgh - Bergen	Loganair
Edinburgh - Bergen (via Amsterdam Schiphol)	KLM

Return route	Airline
Bodø - Edinburgh (via Oslo (Gardermoen) & Stockholm)	SAS
Bodø - Edinburgh (via Oslo (Gardermoen) )	SAS
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Edinburgh	SAS
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Edinburgh (via Amsterdam Schiphol)	KLM

Outward route	Airline
Glasgow - Bergen	Loganair

Outward route	Airline
Heathrow - Bergen, via Copenhagen	SAS
Heathrow - Bergen, via Oslo (Gardermoen)	SAS
Heathrow - Bergen, via Stavanger	SAS

Return route	Airline
Bodø - Heathrow (via Oslo (Gardermoen) )	SAS
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Heathrow	British Airways, SAS

Outward route	Airline
Luton - Bergen	Wizz Air

Return route	Airline
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Luton	Wizz Air

Outward route	Airline
Manchester - Bergen	SAS
Manchester - Bergen (via Amsterdam Schiphol)	KLM
Manchester - Bergen (via Oslo (Gardermoen)	SAS
Manchester - Bergen (with touchdown in Inverness)	Loganair
Manchester - Bergen, via Copenhagen	SAS

Return route	Airline
Bodø - Manchester (via Oslo (Gardermoen) & Copenhagen)	SAS
Bodø - Manchester (via Oslo (Gardermoen) & Heathrow)	SAS
Bodø - Manchester (via Oslo (Gardermoen) )	SAS
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Manchester	SAS
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Manchester (via Amsterdam Schiphol)	KLM
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Manchester (via Bergen)	SAS
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Manchester (via Brussels)	Brussels Airlines
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Manchester (via Frankfurt)	Lufthansa
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Manchester, via Copenhagen	SAS
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Manchester, via Heathrow	SAS
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Manchester, via Stockholm	SAS

Outward route	Airline
Newcastle - Bergen	Loganair
Newcastle - Bergen (via Amsterdam Schiphol)	KLM

Return route	Airline
Oslo (Gardermoen) - Newcastle (via Amsterdam Schiphol)	KLM

Travelling from outside the UK

If you are flying from outside Europe, we recommend flying via Oslo. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service (£60 for India and Nepal). Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

Connecting travel

Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together.

Connecting travel options - flying to Bergen & back from Bodø

Outward route	Price per person	Latest flight arrival time
arrange own travel from the airport to the hotel	pay locally	flexible

Homeward route	Price per person	Earliest flight departure time
drive to Svolvær airport (0h10), domestic flight Svolvær to Bodø (0h25)	contact us	flexible

Connecting travel options - flying to Bergen & back from Svolvær

Outward route	Price per person	Latest flight arrival time
arrange own travel from the airport to the hotel	pay locally	flexible

Homeward route	Price per person	Earliest flight departure time
drive to Svolvær airport (0h10)	included	flexible

Connecting travel options - flying to Bergen & back from Oslo Gardemoen

Outward route	Price per person	Latest flight arrival time
arrange own travel from the airport to the hotel	pay locally	flexible

Homeward route	Price per person	Earliest flight departure time
drive to Svolvær airport (0h10), domestic flight Svolvær to Oslo (2h20)	contact us	flexible

What is included

14 nights
6 dinners
14 breakfasts
notes for city walking tours for Bergen & Oslo
detailed cultural information
24hr city cards in Bergen & Oslo
boat/rail travel Bergen-Balestrand-Flåm-Oslo-Trondheim-Bodø
coastal steamer Bodø-Svolvær
3 days’ category B car hire on Lofotens

Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

Mrs P Simpson

Esher

20 September 2019

The holiday was one big highlight from beginning to end. The information we received was faultless and considerably enhanced the holiday. The service and support from Inntravel was some of the best we have ever experienced.
Mr G Honeybone

Grange-over-sands

17 August 2019

The Grand Norwegian Explorer and Journey to Å were both excellent trips.

A few comments. Price of RIB trip from Svolvaer to Trollfjord was 895 not 750. Finishes end of August. Quite a few things close at end of August eg Nusfjord Heritage village. Notice on Rorbeur walls to strip beds when leave. Could miss this and incur 350 charge. New Lofoten Seafood Centre at Mortsund Rorbu is excellent and well worth a visit. Suggest anyone who wants decaff coffee or tea (as we do) take their own bags.

Inntravel
response

The Nusfjord Heritage Village is open all year; there is simply a charge for driving in to the village in the summer season. The charge for not stripping beds in the Rorbuer only applies to guests who have booked on a self-catering basis - we include bed linen and cleaning services in our holiday.
Mr K Redman

Wimborne

06 July 2019

Great trip, an action packed 16 days which we thoroughly enjoyed. All the travel arrangements worked like clockwork, the city walk guides were a great help and enabled us to plan our days more effectively, even with a number of visits and stops all the walks were just about achievable in a day. We loved Norway, its scenery and its people and would highly recommend this trip with the one caveat, the costs of meals, drinks and normal holiday activities are very expensive and could spoil the trip if you were not prepared.

FAQs

Will Covid-19 impact my holiday experience?

We sincerely hope that your holiday experience will be as enjoyable as it would have been before the pandemic – we’re not operating holidays if the key highlights can no longer be delivered – but, naturally, there will be some changes to ensure your and other people’s safety.
Your holiday experience: what to expect >
Safety measures being taken by hoteliers & others >
What’s in the information pack?

The information that we send to you 2-3 weeks before your holiday includes practical information about each stage of your journey so that you can travel confidently from one hotel to another, recommendations for places to visit and eat out in each place, plus cultural information about the area. Where applicable, we also provide notes for a self-guided walking tour of most cities, and some large towns. Sample travel pack >
Can I book my flights through Inntravel, and what’s the advantage of doing this?

We can book a wide range of airlines and routes from the UK. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. For Europe and Morocco, there’s a £35 booking fee per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). For India and Nepal, the booking fee is £60 per person. More information on flights >
Can you book travel arrangements for customers from outside the UK?

We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
How do I make a booking?

Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

More information about the booking process >
Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
Booking conditions >
Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

You don’t have to buy our travel insurance policy (if you live outside Europe you’ll definitely need to make your own arrangements, as the policy is only for UK and EU residents), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

We'll ask you for the details of your alternative policy (insurer, policy number and medical emergency phone number) so that we can help out if the worst happens while you are on holiday. It's up to you, though, to check that your policy covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs; we don't check alternative policies.
Do I need a visa or anything health-related for Norway?

It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport with at least three months' validity to travel to Norway, but not a visa. If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). UK citizens should also obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) by applying at a Post Office or at www.ehic.org.uk. The EHIC allows reciprocal health care but should not be seen as a substitute for travel insurance.
What else do I need to know about travelling to Norway?

The most widely spoken language is Norwegian. The currency is the Kroner. Norwegian time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
How does Brexit affect travel to Europe?

At Inntravel we work in close partnership with our hoteliers, taxi drivers and other local suppliers to provide our self-guided holidays directly to you. We are entirely confident that you will continue to receive the usual warm welcome from them, regardless of what is happening in the European political sphere.

When the UK withdrew from the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020, it entered an 11-month transition period that will last until the end of December 2020. During this transition period there will be absolutely no changes to current arrangements for UK citizens travelling to an EU destination, so you can book your 2020 holiday certain that there will be no disruptions or complications caused by Brexit.
Where can I find general travel advice?

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.
If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.