CITY & FJORDS
Benjamin A. Ward / Visitnorway.com
Photo: lightuplife/Foap/Visitnorway.com
We took a call from a couple that wanted to see iconic fjord Norway and visit Oslo. This sort of holiday is ‘bread and butter’ work for most Norwegian Tour Operators but here at Love Norway, we like to add that something extra. Taking time to get to know and understand our clients, even the individuals in a group booking, helps us to create a holiday that is special to each and every traveller. The couple that contacted us requested a ‘standard accommodation package’ with breakfast included and wanted a 3-night stay in Oslo and 2-night stay in the fjords and Bergen. Their particular interests included history and they expressed a wish to learn more about Norway and it’s past. This is how their holiday was arranged:
Photo: Johan Berge - Visitnorway.com
In June our clients flew into Oslo Airport and transferred downtown to their centrally located hotel. Included in their package was a light evening supper, which allowed them to grab food quickly and make the most of their first night exploring Oslo. Their first morning was spent visiting the wonderful Viking, Fram and Folk Museums on the island of Bygdøy. After a tasty lunch in one of the many fine Norwegian bakeries, they took a walk from the centre of the city, passed the Royal Palace and out into the exclusive West End. Here they were able to enjoy a stroll through Frogner Park and admire more than 200 beautiful and thought-provoking sculptures, which were created over a period of 20 years by Gustav Vigeland.
Following a goodnights sleep, the couple were booked onto a ferry cruise in Oslofjord, which took them passed pretty islands and quaint wooden houses, into the sparkling deep blue waters of Drøbak Sound. From the pretty village of Drøbak, they caught a small boat for a 10-minute journey to the islands of Kaholmen, the site of the famous Oscarsborg fortress. This fortress is of great historical importance to the Norwegians, as it played a significant role in WWII. However, the area has been a strategic defence point in Norway from as far back as the Viking Era and today the fortress houses several museum exhibitions, an art gallery, café and hotel. It is a great place for adults and children alike, with gentle hikes and coastal bathing areas. On summer evenings, it is often turned into an impressive venue for Opera and other music concerts.
The next morning, the couple left Oslo by train. They took the Bergen Line, which is Europe’s highest mainline railway, and is renowned for it’s beauty, particularly when it crosses the wild and windswept Hardanger Mountain Plateau. Our clients, connected from this line to the World famous Flåm Railway, which was described by the Lonely Planet in 2014 as ‘The Worlds most beautiful train ride’. Departing from the mountaintop station in Myrdal, it carries passengers down the tracks to sea level and the pretty town of Flåm, which is nestled on the side of the spectacular Aurlandsfjord. Here, from the quay, a daily boat connects passengers that are travelling along Sognefjord, Norway’s deepest and longest fjord.
After embarking on this breath-taking boat ride, the couple arrived in a small village on the shores of the fjord, where they spent their next two nights in a traditional pension hotel. From the waters edge they relaxed and watched porpoise playing and even took a chilly swim from the little beach! Staying in the fjords offered the chance for them to get into the mountains and take some self-guided hikes and we also organised a half-day excursion, which transported them out along the scenic Fjærlandsfjord to the Glacier Museum and included a coach ride to see the amazing Bøyabreen glacier arm.
On their last day in the fjords, the clients caught a late afternoon boat to Bergen and arrived at the city harbour in the evening sunshine. After a good nights sleep and a full day ahead of them, they caught the early bus to Ulriken, Bergens highest mountain, where they took a cable car to the top. From it’s peak they could see the pretty coastal city and it’s surrounding islands and in the opposite direction the snowy mountain tops that stretch way out into the Western Fjords. It’s truly a spectacular view!
On return to the city they simply sat on the quayside, watching Bergen life pass by and enjoyed a delicious seafood feast, bought and cooked in the famous fish market.
After such an eventful holiday, the last day and a half were occupied by relaxing strolls around Bergen and city sightseeing. The clients checked out of their hotel and vowed to return to discover more of Norway.
“The museums were fantastic and we really enjoyed the train and boat journeys. The scenery in Norway is simply jaw dropping! We have to go back. Thank you.””
Each holiday is individually tailored to meet our clients wishes. For an accurate quote and costs of any optional activities please contact Love Norway Limited on +44 750 890 6178.