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Norwegian Highlights with Fjærland

Islands, fjords & great cities
 
Discover the Norwegian fjords, plus Oslo and Bergen, on this self-guided journey by boat and train that features a 3-night journey on the Hurtigruten steamer, the Lofoten Islands (with car hire included), idyllic Fjaerland and the renowned Flåm Railway.
Norwegian Highlights with Fjærland. 16 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
Norwegian Highlights with Fjærland. 16 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

An epic touring holiday in Norway

There is so much to see on this epic boat and rail journey through Norway. You’d be forgiven for thinking at times that the scenery can’t get any better, but this is Norway, and such is the drama of its landscapes that the views never cease to amaze.
Not for nothing do we call this holiday ‘Norwegian Highlights’. Starting on the magical Lofoten Islands with their landscape of granite mountains contrasting with a sapphire sea, you then experience ‘the world’s most beautiful voyage’ along the dramatic, fissured coastline to the friendly city of Bergen. Next discover serene fjords, including one of Sognefjord’s most picturesque spurs, which is dominated by the mighty Jostedal Glacier, and ride on the remarkable Flåm Railway before finishing in Oslo.
 

Summer 2021

We are keeping our prices the same for 2021, so you can now book for next year at this year’s prices.
 
Gallery
 

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 in Svolvær
    Night 1: at Svinøya Rorbuer (the first of three nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of exploration.
  • 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). Given your included hire car and self-guided route notes, we suggest a combination of walking and driving. 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.
    Enjoy a peaceful walk from Brenna
    Visit pretty Henningsvaer
  • Svolvær to Bergen
    You have one last day to admire the special beauty of these islands before boarding the evening Hurtigruten sailing, bound for Bergen. The Norwegians proudly describe this journey as ‘the world’s most beautiful voyage’. Established in the late-19th century to connect the relatively prosperous south with the country’s northern wilderness, Hurtigruten’s red-and-white fleet still carries cargo and calls in at ports both large and small, but these days the emphasis is firmly on comfort, good food, and – of course – the spellbinding scenery.
    The special beauty of the Lofoten Islands
  • On board the Hurtigruten
    With three nights on board, you can marvel at the magnificent, ever-changing scenery, keep a look out for the many bird species which can be spotted along this coastline, and enjoy the Hurtigruten’s fine hospitality. There are several on-shore excursions to choose from, including a visit to Trondheim, Norway’s original capital.
    Take a shore excursion in Trondheim
    Journey on the Hurtigruten
  • Arrival in Bergen
    You arrive in the middle of the afternoon in Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city, which has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and is overlooked by forested mountain slopes. The centrally located Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret is your base for two nights.
    Arrive into 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. 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.
    Views over the city from the funicular
    The Fish Market (C)Bergen Tourism Terje Rakke Nordic Life
  • 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)
    Journey by express boat to Balestrand
  • Explore Balestrand
    There are plenty of ways to spend day here: 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.
    Balestrand Cider House
    St Olaf's church, Balestrand
  • Balestrand to Fjærland
    You catch a boat from Balestrand along one of Sognefjord’s most picturesque spurs. Your destination is Fjærland and the Fjærland Fjordstue, where you spend two nights. (Journey time: 1.5hrs)
  • Explore Fjærland
    Fjærland is a mere stone’s throw from Jostedalsbreen, Europe’s largest glacier, so it’s no surprise to find the impressive Norwegian Glacier Museum here. What you might not be expecting, however, is a wealth of second-hand bookshops – 14, at the last count – that makes this farming village as appealing to bibliophiles as to lovers of the great outdoors. If you fall into the latter category, you might find time to hire a bike and cycle along the shores of the fjord, or to simply take to the water in a rowing boat.
    Fjaerland, the book town
    Peaceful Fjaerland
  • Fjærland to Flåm
    Return by boat to Balestrand, where you change to the express boat and head further inland, along steep-sided Aurlandsfjord to Flåm, for two nights at the historic Fretheim Hotel. (Journey time: 3hrs)
  • 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.
    The future of the fjords boat along Naerøyfjord  (C)sverrenhjornevik.com-Fl^âm AS
    Enjoy a bike ride down the old Navvies Road
  • Flåm to Oslo
    Take your seat on the Flåmsbana, one of the world’s great train journeys that rivals even the Hurtigruten voyage. 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)
    Take the Flâm Railway and then onwards to Oslo (C)sverrehjornevik.com-Flâm AS
  • Explore Oslo
    Spend your last 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.
    Oslo
 

Accommodation

You stay in an appealing mix of accommodation, including the Hurtigruten coastal steamer.
 

Options to extend or shorten your stay

 

Summer 2021

We are keeping our prices the same for 2021, so you can now book for next year at this year’s prices.
 
Prices & travel options
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  • 16 nights : 22 May 2020 - 04 September 2020

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

    Starting Price Single room
    22 - 28 May 2020 £3340 £945
    29 May - 28 Jul 2020 £3640 £1150
    29 Jul - 19 Aug 2020 £3520 £1025
    3rd & 4th person discount -£385 to -£465
    Single traveller supplement £385 to £465

    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: 4 days' category B car hire (eg Toyota Yaris or similar with manual transmission) on the Lofotens. Stamsund – Bergen – Balestrand – Fjærland – Flåm – Oslo by boat/rail.

    Driving time to first hotel: Svolvær 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 (£ per person per night)

    Kvikne’s Hotel, Balestrand
    'Demi-suite' in the historic building: 22 May - 04 Sep 2020 £36
    Fjord view in the historic building: 22 May - 04 Sep 2020 £12
    Fretheim Hotel, Flåm
    'Historic': 22 May - 04 Sep 2020 £0

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

    Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret, Bergen (B&B) Double room Single room
    22 May - 04 Sep 2020 £134 £194
    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
    22 May - 04 Sep 2020 £140 £175
    Hotel Bristol, Oslo (B&B) Double room Single room
    22 May - 04 Sep 2020 # £88 £136
    If staying in Oslo Mon-Thu 16 May-28 Jun & 7 Aug-30 Sep 2020: add £10pp/n

    Upgrade your City Card in Oslo: add £24pp for a 48hr Card or £40pp for a 72hr Card
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Svolvær via Bodø or Oslo for the outward flight; Oslo for the homeward flight

    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.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Bodø (via Bergen & Oslo) SAS 
    Aberdeen - Bodø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) SAS 
    Aberdeen - Bodø (via Stavanger & Oslo) SAS 
    Aberdeen - Oslo (Gardermoen) Loganair,  SAS 
    Aberdeen - Oslo (Gardermoen), via Amsterdam KLM 
    Aberdeen - Oslo (Gardermoen), via Bergen SAS 
    Aberdeen - Oslo (Gardermoen), via Copenhagen SAS 
    Aberdeen - Oslo (Gardermoen), via Stavanger SAS 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Bodø (via Copenhagen & Oslo) SAS 
    Birmingham - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Birmingham - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Copenhagen) SAS 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Durham Tees Valley - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Bodø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) SAS 
    Edinburgh - Oslo (Gardermoen) SAS 
    Edinburgh - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Humberside - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Bodø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) & Trondheim) SAS 
    Heathrow - Bodø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) SAS 
    Heathrow - Oslo (Gardermoen) British Airways,  SAS 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Oslo (Gardermoen) Wizz Air 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Oslo (Gardermoen) Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Bodø (via Copenhagen & Oslo) SAS 
    Manchester - Bodø (via Heathrow & Oslo) SAS 
    Manchester - Bodø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) SAS 
    Manchester - Oslo (Gardermoen) SAS 
    Manchester - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Manchester - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Oslo (Gardermoen), via Copenhagen SAS 
    Manchester - Oslo (Gardermoen), via Heathrow SAS 
    Manchester - Oslo (Gardermoen), via Stockholm SAS 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Norwich - Oslo (Gardermoen) (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.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Svolvær

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    car hire from Svolvær airport to accommodation (0h10) included flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    own travel arrangements between the hotel and the airport pay locally flexible

    Connecting travel options - flying via Oslo Gardemoen

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    domestic flight Oslo to Svolvær (2h20), car hire from Svolvær airport to accommodation (0h10) contact us flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    own travel arrangements from the hotel to the airport pay locally flexible
What is included
  • 16 nights
  • 11 dinners
    16 breakfasts
  • city maps, and notes for city walking tours
  • detailed cultural information
  • 24hr City Cards in Bergen & Oslo
  • 4 days’ category B car hire on Lofotens
  • coastal steamer Lofotens-Bergen
  • boat/rail travel Bergen-Balestrand-Fjærland-Flåm-Oslo
 
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 >

All 4 reviews
  • Mrs G Creed
    Glasgow
    09 September 2019

    There were so many highlights, starting with Bergen and the gorgeous visit to Grieg's House at Troldhaugen with a phantastic midday concert and all n blazing sunshine. Later the amazing and comprehensive Edward Munch exhibition, which had just oepend at the Kode museum.  

    On the middle section of the journey to Balestrand, Fjaerland with its experience of the glacier and then Flam we experienced violent rainstorms for 3 days, with only glimpses of sunshine, and even snow which did not stop us from walking and discovering sodden bookshelves in Fjaerland and glorious forrest and views form some moutain tops ! The contrasts were brilliant and the waterfalls everywhere in fullest flow!! And then we arrived in lovely,  interesting Oslo in warm sunshine, where there are so many must sees.. On the last day of the holiday we did have a private mission to attend the opening of the "Twist", the new museum at Kistefos , north east of Oslo, it opened with a brilliant exhibition : Inside Out, Howard Hodkin and Martin Creed,(who happens to be our son!), with Queen Sonja in attendance.

  • Mr N Franklin
    Southend-on-sea
    27 June 2019

    Our adventure through Norway was a truly memorable one with Inntravel’s organisation of the trip being impeccable as always. The holiday consisted of continual highlights and we would certainly recommend that the optional extension to Fjaerland should be added as a permanent part of the itinerary as the visit to the glacier museum (and glacier) plus the dinners at the Fjaerland Fjordstue Hotel are not to be missed. Thank you again Inntravel.

  • Anon
    25 May 2018

    Overall we had an excellent holiday and all the travel arrangements worked perfectly.  We were very impressed by the detailed information contained in the holiday pack, especially the recommended city walks, places to visit, nature walks, places to eat, etc, given we had limited time in each place. We particularly enjoyed the Lofoten Islands, helped by dry, sunny weather which we had for the whole two weeks. We would definitely recommend the Fjaerland extension for a true experience of Norway.  

  • Mr N Baggott
    Reading
    23 May 2018

    A superb taster of the wonders of Norway.
 

FAQs

  • 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 >
  • 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 >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted 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 >
  • 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 >
  • 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 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.
  • 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 www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/before-you-travel and the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC). 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 when the UK withdraws from the European Union (EU).

    It currently seems highly likely the UK’s withdrawal from the EU will take place on 31 January 2020, at which point the UK will enter a minimum 11-month transition period through to 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.
  • The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) 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.
Last fetch time is : 7/12/2020 5:24:16 PM