Norway is nature at its unadulterated best, with ancient Viking settlements, cascading waterfalls, soaring fells and magnificent glaciers. The fjords of Western Norway and the cities of this Scandinavian nation offer breath-taking and enthralling backdrops to our Kudu expedition. Staying in three historic hotels, our trip is accompanied by ‘New Nordic’ cuisine, based on the freshest of seasonal Scandinavian ingredients.
We begin our journey in the Hanseatic town of Bergen, the once capital of Norway, founded in the 11th century and entitled the Heart of the Fjords. We explore its ancient history and sample the cuisine which has earned it the status of a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. We attend a concert of the Bergen International Festival - a Lieder recital by Joyce DiDonato - and visit the living museum celebrating Bergen’s history as a city of wooden houses.
Moving on to the Hardanger Fjord, we base ourselves in Norheimsund for our exploration of this beautiful area. Our walks take us past natural floral displays, waterfalls, glacial scenery and to unique viewpoints.
Suitably invigorated, we continue our journey on one of the great rail journeys, travelling across the roof of Norway to Oslo, where we explore museums and galleries before attending a performance of Puccini’s Tosca at the acclaimed Oslo Opera.
HIGHLIGHTS of our Norway walking tour include:
Guests’ comments on this trip:
‘One of the best trips I ever took. Norway was beautiful. Just like I had thought it would be and exceeded my expectations. The group leader was gracious and a wonderful hostess. The vistas, hiking and itinerary were excellent. Wonderful food and wine.‘
‘Very enjoyable trip with good company (I liked the mix of Brits and Americans) to an area where there are not a lot of trips. Transportation was a highlight...ferries and trains are always fun... and the seafood was a close second.’
‘I enjoyed the variety of travel, especially the train and ferries. The food was good - it was asparagus and rhubarb season - I didn't know rhubarb could be prepared so many ways!’
After meeting at Bergen airport, a short private transfer takes us to the waterfront of Old Bryggen and our 4 star hotel, a converted 15th century Hanseatic merchant’s house. Time permitting, we have an introductory walk around the historic wooden harbour district of Norway’s second city, founded by King Olav the Peaceful in 1070. Dinner tonight is in a famous local fish restaurant.
In the 19th century, Bergen was Europe’s largest wooden city, with busy, steep and densely built-up streets, squares and alleyways giving it a unique character. Visiting Old Bergen, a reconstructed town of around 50 wooden houses, gives us an evocative reminder of Bergen at that time. We continue to Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s home and now museum, Troldhaugen. We visit the villa, the museum and the small hut where Grieg retreated to compose. After an early dinner, we attend a concert of the Bergen International Festival (programme to be confirmed) in the beautiful setting of the 13th century Håkonshallen, built for the wedding and coronation of King Magnus Lagabøte in 1261.
Strolling along wharves backed by picturesque old timber and stone buildings, we reach the Hanseatic Meeting House. This well-preserved, early 18th century wooden house tells the fascinating tale of how German merchants lived and worked for more than two centuries, trading in stockfish and grain. We visit Bergen’s oldest church, the 12th century Romanesque-Gothic Mariakirken. The centuries old, yet still bustling, fish market provides the perfect setting for a delicious picnic. After lunch, the historic Floibanen Funicular carries us 300 metres above the city, revealing spectacular views of the fjords and city below. From here, a gentle 2 hour hike takes us past several small lakes and through stands of Arctic birch with vistas of the water below.
B, L, D included
A 90-minute drive through the mountains takes us to Norheimsund on the famous Hardanger Fjord. Our home for the next two nights is a wooden 4-star hotel featuring elegant 19th century décor and a waterfront garden. We walk a 3-km trail along the Movatnet Lake shore from the spectacular Steinsdalsfossen Waterfall, enjoying views of the Folgefonna glacier on the far side of the Fjord. In the Hardanger Maritime Centre, we have the opportunity to see or even try our hand at rope-making or building a wooden boat in one of the active workshops. Dinner tonight is in the hotel’s grand dining room.
B, L, D included
We catch the post boat and sail for an hour and a half deeper into the Fjord, disembarking at the former Viking settlement of Kinsarvik. We walk beside the impressive river before lunch, then take a short ferry ride to the hamlet of Utne. We set off on a walk with wonderful views over the Sørfjord. Passing through apple orchards, for which the region is famous, our stroll ends at the Hardanger Folk Museum, complete with old farm buildings, displays of folk costumes and fine examples of the traditional Hardanger fiddle, the instrument so loved by Edvard Grieg. Crossing the unforgettable Hardanger fjord once more, we return to Norheimsund.
B, L, D included
Private transport takes us on a scenic drive by the fjords to board the famous Flåm railway line, which, in fifty-five awe-inspiring minutes, winds its way past waterfalls, over bridges and across gorges: one of the world’s most spectacular rail journeys. From Myrdal, at over 2,800 feet, we travel ‘Across the Roof of Norway’ on the Bergens Banen train to Oslo, arriving in the early evening. A private transfer brings us to our 4 star historic hotel, ideally situated in the centre.
B, L, D included
The day begins with a ferry ride across Oslo harbour to visit the special museums dedicated to Thor Heyerdahl’s raft, Kon Tiki, and to Roald Amundsen’s ship Fram, which took him to the South Pole in 1912. After lunch, we explore the fine new National Museum of Norway. Dinner is in the strikingly designed new Opera House, with wonderful harbour views, and is followed by a performance of Puccini’s ‘Tosca’.
B included
The morning is free for exploring Oslo, perhaps visiting the 17th century Cathedral, the Nobel Peace Prize Centre, the new Edvard Munch Museum or taking a ferry to visit the Norwegian Folk Museum. Our visit to Norway concludes with a transfer to Oslo airport.
780 single room supplement
Please note that the single room supplement is imposed by the hotels and not by Kudu Travel. If you are willing to share, but no other suitable guest books on the trip, we regret that the supplement will be payable. We shall endeavour to obtain double rooms for single occupancy, whenever possible.
On Kudu trips, you will only need money for postcards, presents to take home, the odd G & T or an irresistible ice cream. Festival and opera tickets, museum and gallery entrances, National Park fees, all meals (with a very few exceptions specified in individual itineraries), wine with lunch and dinner, access to specialist books carried by the guides, gratuities for porters and hotel and restaurant staff, boat rides, train trips, internal flights, wine tastings, 4WDs with drivers, the services of skilled local guides and trackers etc are ALL INCLUDED in the cost of your holiday.
We are confident that, like previous very satisfied guests, you will discover that our tours give you excellent value for money.
3 nights in Bergen, in a 4-star hotel, a beautifully converted 15C Hanseatic merchant’s house
2 nights in Norheimsund, in a wooden 4-star hotel featuring elegant 19th century décor and a waterfront garden
2 nights in Oslo, in a 4-star historic hotel within walking distance of the opera house and waterfront
PLEASE NOTE THAT EARLY BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR MUSIC AND OPERA TRIPS.
Kudu Travel reserves a block of seats for each performance, approximately 1 year in advance, and unsold seats will eventually be released.
Be aware that it may not be possible to retrieve seats in the same category, or indeed, to obtain any tickets at all for sold out performances.
Visitors from the UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand currently require a valid passport, but not a visa, for entry to Norway. If you are a national of any other country, please check visa regulations with your nearest Embassy of Norway.
At present, there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to Norway. You may wish to check the advice given to travellers by the Department of Health and the FCO.
Insurance
It is essential, and a condition of booking, that you protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy as soon as you book a trip. Follow this link for a quote for a policy available to UK residents. If you are already insured or a non-UK resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of booking.
Size of party
This trip will run with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 14 guests.
