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Slow Lane Magazine, May 2019
Insights and stories from across Europe and beyond
  • favourite (but oft-forgotten) festivals
  • Nepal's secret valley
  • boutique beauty in Drôme Provençale
  • carving out a future in southern Italy
  • Inntravellers' Tales – our new writing competition
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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
Norwegian Highlights with Fjærland. 16 nights
 

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.
 
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 Morstund
    Night 1: at Statles Rorbusenter (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; drive east to Svolvær for 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.
  • Mortsund to Stamsund
    You have one last day to admire the special beauty of these islands before the 25-minute drive to Stamsund, where you leave your hire car and board 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 Hotel Admiral is your base for two nights.
  • 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.
  • 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)
  • 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 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.
  • 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.
  • 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)
  • 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.
 

Accommodation

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

Options to extend or shorten your stay

 
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.
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  • 16 nights : 22 May - 19 September 2019

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

    Starting Price Single room
    22 - 28 May £3070 £1080
    29 May - 28 July £3435 £1225
    29 July - 28 August £3285 £1125
    29 August - 3 September £3115 £1025
    3rd & 4th person discount -£130 to -£165
    Single traveller supplement £130 to £165

    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: Leknes 0h30

    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)

    Clarion Hotel Admiral
    Deluxe with fjord view: 22 May - 19 Sep 2019 £36
    Superior with fjord view: 22 May - 19 Sep 2019 £25
    Kvikne’s Hotel
    'Demi-suite' in the historic building: 22 May - 19 Sep 2019 £36
    Fjord view in the historic building: 22 May - 19 Sep 2019 £12
    Fretheim Hotel
    'Historic': 22 May - 19 Sep 2019 £6

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

    Clarion Hotel Admiral (B&B) Double room Single room
    22 May - 19 Sep 2019 £90 £124
    Upgrade your City Card in Bergen: add £9pp for a 48hr Card or £15pp for a 72hr Card.
    Kvikne’s Hotel (with dinner) Double room Single room
    22 May - 19 Sep 2019 £130 £160
    Hotel Bristol (B&B) Double room Single room
    22 May - 19 Sep 2019 £88 £134
    Upgrade your City Card in Oslo: add £23pp for a 48hr Card or £40pp for a 72hr Card.
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Leknes via Bodø or Oslo (return from Oslo)

    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) Flybe 
    Birmingham - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Birmingham - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Copenhagen) SAS 
    Outward route Airline
    Durham Tees Valley - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Bodø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) SAS 
    Edinburgh - Bodø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) Norwegian 
    Edinburgh - Oslo (Gardermoen) Norwegian,  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
    Gatwick - Bodø (via Oslo (Gardermoen) ) Norwegian 
    Gatwick - Oslo (Gardermoen) Norwegian 
    Gatwick - Oslo (Gardermoen) (via Stockholm) Norwegian 
    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
    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) Norwegian,  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 £30 per person for our flight booking service (£50 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 Leknes

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    car hire from Leknes airport to hotel (0h30) 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 Leknes (2h20), car hire from Leknes airport to hotel (0h30) 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
  • 10 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
  • 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.

  • Mr G. Cleaver, Wirral
    23 June 2017

    This was a wonderful holiday from start to finish and we loved every minute of it, helped no doubt by having more than our fair share of sunshine and blue skies thoughout our 17-day stay. We really appreciated that each stage of the holiday had been carefully planned by Inntravel not only to provide an overview of the many delights that Norway has to offer but also so that each transfer from one place to the next felt very much part of the holiday itself. It does make a difference when we could step off each boat and be in easy walking distance of the next hotel. The only exception here was in Oslo but the transfers by rail on arrival and by airport bus on return were very straightforward.

    We would definitely recommend extending the trip with the two-day stay at Fjaerland - it was lovely to stay in this very small hotel in a beautiful location, great for walking, and with a very personal style of service, especially for the evening meals of locally prepared food.

    Also we were pleased that we had opted to upgrade our room in Bergen to get a very spacious room with a balcony overlooking the water and Brygge. Not all the other rooms we had were quite as luxurious as this one, but what they lacked in space they made up with character, and we had no problems at all with comfort or noise. 

    We extended our stay in Olso by an extra night, making full use of our Oslo passes to get free use of the trams and boat transfers to get to the out-of-town museums and sculpture parks. The pass also gives 20% discount in a range of restaurants (every bit helps in Norway!) and can recommend the fish at the Cafe Christiania, quite close to the hotel. In Bergen, we had a lovely meal at the Spisekroken restaurant, a little away from the more touristy areas, but a nice place for a special meal.

    All in all, we had a great holiday and would love to do it all again one day. 

  • Mezza
    30 May 2017

    This was a very good introduction to Norway. We loved the variety of places, types of transport and scenery it provided. The hotels were generally of a good standard and comfortable and the transport arrangements worked very well with a comprehensive information pack with useful maps included. As seniors, we felt the Oslo pass was a bit expensive as most museums seemed to offer a reduced rate and we didn't quite get the full benefit of it. One tip: if you are planning to see the Viking Museum in Oslo, go early, as later on tour groups are very much in evidence and make it hard to see things. The Fram museum is wonderful. The Lofoten Islands are stunning and this was undoubtedly our holiday highlight although Fjaerland was wonderful too.
 

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 £30 booking fee per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). For India and Nepal, the booking fee is £50 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.
  • 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 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.
  • 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 travelling after 31 October 2019, see the Brexit question below for more information). 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 can be found through the following NHS link: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/ 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. EHICs may cease to be valid in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
  • 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.
  • Even in the event of a no-deal Brexit, it’s been confirmed that flights will continue as normal and that you won’t need a visa to go on holiday (the limit on stays is 90 days). What you will need if there’s no deal is a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your arrival (extra months added because you renewed your passport early do not count) and adequate travel insurance to cover you for accidents and illness in case reciprocal health deals are suspended. If you are driving while on holiday, you will probably need an International Driving Permit (plus a Green Card if you are taking your own car to Europe). More information >
  • 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 : 7/19/2019 12:55:49 AM