.nordicvisitor.com FAMILY FUN IN THE NORWEGIAN ITINERARY

DAY 1 DAY 1: WELCOME TO NORWAY Arrive to Airport. For an easy and comfortable way to get to your hotel in central Bergen, we are happy to arrange a private transfer for you.

Despite being Norway’s second largest city and a major cruise port, Bergen has retained the atmosphere and charm of a small town. Here, you will find the old wharf of Bryggen—a UNESCO World Heritage site, centuries-old houses, a vibrant fish and flower market and an interesting range of museums. For a good overview of Bergen, take the one-hour “mini-train” sightseeing tour through city centre, including such sights as Maria Church, the Rosenkrantz Tower and King Håkon’s Hall as well as a panoramic view of the city from Fjellveien Road. If you arrive early, we recommend getting the Bergen Card, which provides free travel on all public transport, free admission to museums and sites and discounts on other attractions, sightseeing tours, restaurants and shops. Spend the night in Bergen. Attractions: Bergen

DAY 2 DAY 2: BEGIN YOUR ADVENTURE TODAY Collect your rental car in the morning in Bergen and start your self-drive into the Norwegian countryside. Enjoy the day as you drive toward the scenic , the second longest fjord in Norway. The fjord is famous for its fertile ground, and the mountainsides are home to plenty of apple trees. In the spring, the trees are in full bloom but if you are travelling during the late summer or early autumn, you will need to stop at one of the fruit selling booths, and buy some fresh apples! You will then head to , where we recommend making a stop at Steindalsfossen – where you can walk behind the wondrous waterfall. Just remember to bring a jacket! Spend the next night in the Hardangerfjord area. Driving distance: 77km / 48 miles Attractions: Hardangerfjord, National Park, Norheimsund, Steindalsfossen

1/4 DAY 3 DAY 3: FROM FJORDS TO GLACIERS After a night by the fjord, it is time for an early breakfast before you drive to Tørvikbygda, where you will board the ferry at 8:40, that takes you over the fjord to . You arrive in Jondal in good time before your next adventure – a thrilling glacier hike on the Folgefonni Glacier. You will meet your guides at 10:30 by the Fonna Glacier Ski Resort, a 19 km drive from the village. That is actually a summer ski resort, where you can ski during the summertime! But today you are heading out to the glacier on your own two feet. Juklavass Glacier consists both of calm flat ice and more challenging crevasse areas. In the middle of the tour you will take a break to enjoy the view over the North Sea and the Rosendal alps, while the guide tells you stories about the history and culture of the region. After the glacier hike you might want to take a short detour to Rosendal, where you will find Baroniet in Rosendal, a manor from 1665 which is surrounded by lush green gardens. After a stroll through the gardens, and perhaps some refreshments in one of the restaurants in the manor itself, it is time to return to Norheimsund the same way that you came, by taking the ferry over from Jondal to Tørvikbygd and then up toward your hotel. If you are not up to doing the glacier hike, you can spend the day exploring the fertile Hardangerfjord area. You might want to do a roundtrip tour by heading south to via Jondal, but Odda is located in the southernmost part of the fjord. Then from Odda you can drive up along Sørfjorden, which is one of the innermost branches of the Hardangerfjord, towards the Hardangerfjord Bridge. You will cross the fjord by driving over the bridge and then driving west out along the fjord, closing the circle back to Norheimsund. Spend the next night in the Hardangerfjord area. Driving distance when doing glacier hike: 50 km / 31 miles Driving distance when exploring Hardangerfjord: 185 km / 115 miles Attractions: National Park, Hardangerfjord, Odda, Rosendal, Steindalsfossen

2/4 DAY 4 DAY 4: FROM ONE FJORD TO ANOTHER Today it is time to head from the second longest fjord in Norway to the longest one. Drive east along the coastline of Hardangerfjord heading towards the Hardangerfjord bridge and . We recommend taking a detour to Eidfjord and up to Vøringfossen, with its majestic fall of 182 metres. After your visit to the waterfall head back to Hardangerfjord Bridge, and enjoy the view from the other direction. Then you will continue north, driving through on your way towards the innermost parts of Sognefjorden, Norway’s longest fjord. Spend the next two nights in the Sognefjorden area. Driving distance: 223 km / 138 miles Attractions: Eidfjord, , Lofthus, Vøringfossen

DAY 5 DAY 5: THRILLING DAY ON THE FJORD Spend the early part of your day exploring the Sognefjorden area. Perhaps you’ll want to do a roundtrip journey on the Flåmsbana train, one of the steepest railways in the world as it climbs 900 metres up to Myrdal. There are also a number of hiking trails surrounding the village of Flåm. Then in the afternoon it is time for an adventure on the fjord! The whole family will be joining an exciting Rib safari on the two innermost branches of Sognefjorden: Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord. The Nærøyfjord branch is one of the most scenic fjords in Norway and has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 2005. You will venture out on the fjord in the Rib boat, and along the way the guide will tell you stories about the area and also stop to spot the animals. The tour includes a stop in Undredal, where you will be treated to a goat cheese tasting, with cheeses locally made. In Undredal there are only 85 human inhabitants, while there are 450 goats! After your stop in Undredal you will head back to Flåm with the Rib boat. Spend a second night in the Sognefjorden area. Attractions: Flåm

3/4 DAY 6 DAY 6: BACK TO BERGEN Today it is time to head back to Bergen. We suggest that you drive along Sognefjorden, instead of taking the shortest route back to town. Along the fjord you will find the village , which is known as the artist village with many small galleries and working spaces for artists. The church in town, St. Olaf’s church, might be familiar to the youngest members of the family, as it inspired the church in the Disney film Frozen. Then from Balestrand you will continue along the fjord towards , where you will cross the fjord with the ferry to Oppedal. Then from Oppedal you will drive south to Bergen, where you will return your rental car and spend the next 2 nights. Driving distance: 255 km / 158 miles Attractions: Balestrand, Sognefjord

DAY 7 DAY 7: LEISURE TIME IN THE CAPITAL OF THE FJORDS Spend a full day at your leisure in the capital of the fjords. We recommend a visit to the top of Fløyen with the Fløybanen funicular, and at the top you will find the local Trolls. From the top you will have great views over Bergen but also a number of easy hiking trails for all ages. The hiking route to Skomakerdiket (Shoe maker pond), is an easy trail that takes only an hour for example! If you are an animal lover you should visit the aquarium in Bergen, located on Nordnes in city centre. The aquarium can be reached either on foot or by taking the shuttle boat from the fish market in the city centre. At the aquarium you will find all kinds of animals, for example seals, fish, sharks and penguins! Spend another night in Bergen.

DAY 8 DAY 8: DEPARTURE DAY! For transportation to Bergen-Flesland Airport, you can take the airport bus (Flybussen) from one of the various departure points in the city centre or you can take a taxi directly from your hotel. If your flight is in the afternoon, you have the opportunity to do some last-minute shopping, visit one of Bergen‘s museums or enjoy a relaxing lunch at a café after this amazing journey. Attractions: Bergen

Whatever your needs, we are here to help. If you have any questions about our packages or services, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Nordic Visitor Tel: +354 578 20 80 [email protected] nordicvisitor.com

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