Discover the Norwegian Fjords

Bergen is Norway’s second largest city, and arguably its most colourful. Bounded by mountains and sea, it has a unique and fascinating history as a trading port, most visible in its beautifully preserved late medieval harbour containing the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bryggen, a collection of former trade buildings dating back to the era of the Hanseatic League. Your hotel in Bergen, the Clarion Admiral, is perfectly positioned for exploring this history, as it enjoys a prime location overlooking Bryggen Wharf, with its brightly-painted wooden buildings and narrow passageways, and the Seven Mountains.

Many visitors like to take the hop-on hop-off bus, which visits several of the city’s most prominent sites, including Bryggen, Bergen Museum, the fish market, and the National Stage, though it’s also possible to explore much of the city on foot, with many of Bergen’s attractions centred on the harbour area and Bryggen Wharf.

For an enjoyable day tour, we suggest that you start with a stroll along Bryggen Wharf, with its magnificent merchant trading houses, then take the funicular railway to Fløyen (a short 10 minute ride) for spectacular views of the city and coast, and then finish with a trip to the KODE Art Museum, which contains works by Munch and others, and/or Bergen’s famous fish market.

Early evening, board the Hurtigruten cruise vessel sailing north out of Hjelte Fjord. This scenic stretch of coastline offers stunning views, which you can enjoy from the ship’s deck or lounge area.

Overnight in a twin-bedded ocean view cabin, with breakfast included.

Set amidst fjords and mountains, the small port city of Alesund (population: 50,000) is considered by many to be the most attractive city in Norway. Though it has a long history as a maritime trading port, most of the present-day city was built in the early 20th century after fires destroyed almost all of Alesund’s original structures. From this destruction the city was reborn, with most of the structures rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style of the day, giving it a distinctive identity even amongst Norway’s many vibrant cities. The city is built along a narrow peninsula and across a series of small islets, with almost all of the structures positioned at the water’s edge, hence its moniker as the “Venice of the North”.

After sailing through Alesund, you detour east through narrow fjords to arrive at the UNESCO-listed Geiranger Fjord. Only 16km in length, Geiranger is one of the smallest fjords in Norway, but for many visitors it is also the most spectacular. Enclosed by mountains, the deep, blue waters of the fjord present a striking contrast with the forested slopes and snow-capped peaks that surround it. You’ll sail to the end of the fjord, past the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil waterfalls, to arrive at the small settlement of Geiranger, from where you can admire what is amongst the most photographed landscape views in all of Norway.

From Geiranger Fjord, you sail back out of the mouth of the fjord to Alesund, where you stop for one hour, and then on to the fjord town of Molde, where you dock at approx. 10pm. On arrival in Molde, check-in at the Scandic Seilet Hotel, situated on the edge of the water with views of the fjord and the Romsdal Alps.

There is lots to see and experience in and around Molde. Most visitors will want to see the Atlantic Road, which is a 3-hour round trip excursion that can be pre-booked as a guided group tour. Known as the Atlanterhavsvegen in Norwegian, the road connects Molde to Kristiansund via the island of Averoy, spanning 8.3 kms. An incredible feat of engineering, the road incorporates 8 bridges over a series of man-made islands. It has been designated a Cultural Heritage Site.

If you prefer to stretch your legs, the walk from Molde to Varden will not disappoint. This is a 3km walk (approx. 250m height gain) through lush forest to the Varden viewpoint, which offers impressive views of the fjord, mountains, and islands.

Late this afternoon, take the bus from Molde to Andalsnes, a one-hour journey which involves a brief ferry crossing from Solsnes to Afarnes (the bus will board the ferry). On arrival in Andalsnes, check-in at the Grand Hotel Bellevue for dinner and overnight night.

This small town is situated in a broad valley where the mouth of the River Rauma meets the Romsdal Fjord against a backdrop of lofty mountain peaks. Unsurprisingly, Andalsnes is one of Norway’s most popular walking destinations, serving as a primary gateway to the Romsdal Alps.

There are lots of walks that are easily accessible from Andalsnes, including several that begin from town, such as the popular trek to the Rampestreken Viewpoint. Another option is to hire an electric car from the hotel and explore at your leisure. It is possible to reach several viewpoints in the Romsdal Alps by vehicle with minimal walking involved.

Late this afternoon, board the Rauma Railway express train bound for Lillehammer via Dombas. This 3½ hour rail journey covers a wonderfully scenic route, with dramatic views of fjords, mountains and waterfalls! The train crosses 32 bridges and stops briefly at the vertical rockface of Trollveggen, or “Troll Wall”, before arriving in Dombas, where you will need to make a brief transfer onto the train to Lillehammer.

You stay tonight at the Clarion Collection Hotel Hammer in the centre of Lillehammer.

Founded in the early 19th century as a merchant town, Lillehammer is perhaps best known today as the host city of the 1994 Winter Olympic Games. Many travel to Lillehammer to visit the Olympic Park, which is open to visitors year-round (the Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena and chairlift offers one of the best views of the city!) Elsewhere in Lillehammer, the Kunstruseum Art Gallery provides exhibitions of contemporary art as well as collections by famous Norwegian painters, including Johan Dahl and Munch, while the Maihaugen open-air museum presents 140 reconstructed buildings from all over the region, including two farms dating from the 17th-century.

This afternoon, board the Dovre line train bound for Oslo, a journey of 2½ hours, with much of the route along the shoreline of beautiful Lake Mjosa, Norway’s largest lake.

On arrival in Oslo, check-in at the centrally located Thon Opera Hotel for two nights, with the rest of the day free to explore the city. Easily accessible from your hotel are several of Oslo’s most prominent attractions, including the Opera House, which is located on Oslo’s waterfront with magnificent views of the city from its roof plaza, and the Munch Museum, which opened in 2020 and houses several of the Norwegian artist’s most famous works. A tour of the museum and opera house can be combined with an evening walk along Oslo’s waterfront. 

Although the city conurbation is very large, Oslo’s city centre itself is relatively contained and has a good transfer system, making it easy to navigate. Amongst its attractions are several fascinating museums, with highlights including the Viking Ships Museum, which contains a collection of beautifully-preserved Viking-era ships; the Ibsen Museum, which is housed within the former home Norway’s most renowned playwright; and the Fram Museum, which tells the story of Norway’s early Polar explorers.

This morning, we recommend taking the boat over Oslo Fjord to the “museum island” of Bygdoy, where the Fram, Viking Ship, and Norwegian Folk Museums are located. From Bygdoy, it a short journey by bus (or if preferred, by boat and tram) to the Vigeland Sculpture Park – a repository of its the sculptor’s many works as well as one of Oslo’s largest public spaces – where a pleasant afternoon can be spent exploring the park and its museum.

You might end the day with a visit to Holmenkollen, a hilly suburb in northern Oslo, approx. 30 minutes by bus or metro from the city centre. Holmenkollen is the setting for the Holmenkollen Ski Jump & museum, which doubles as one of the best viewpoints in Oslo, offering a stunning panoramic view of the city.