The Best of Norway by Rail and Sea - to the Top of the World

Day 1 - UK - Bergen

Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Bergen. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel and the rest of the day is free to relax and explore.

Day 2 - Bergen

Bergen was founded over 900 years ago by Olav Kyrre, King of Norway. The small settlement became a capital within 150 years. The title didn’t last long but its location ensured it continued as an important trade city and it continued to grow. We have an included tour of this modern city, taking in important sites including the modest cathedral dedicated to ‘Olav the Holy’, Norway’s patron saint, and the gorgeous Bryggen wharf, lined with colourful wooden buildings which draw the attention of artists and craftspeople. The afternoon is free to explore - why not visit Troldhaugen, Edvard Grieg’s charming house, with its meticulously preserved Victorian clutter including the composer’s rimless spectacles which still lie where he left them by an open book. Alternatively, take a funicular ride to the top of the 1,000ft Mount Fløyen where the views of the city and the glittering fjord spread out below.

Day 3 - Flåm Railway - Aurlandsfjord - Nærøyfjord

You’ll want to keep your camera at the ready for today’s journey. Step aboard the Flåm Railway for a train experience unlike any other. This scenic journey will take you 20km down to Flåm via the longest and deepest fjord in Europe, the Sognefjorden. You’ll pass deep ravines and thundering waterfalls and soaring mountains. There’s lush greenery dotted with chocolate box houses set in idyllic valleys. You won’t want to blink for fear of missing something amazing. Nestled among the Norwegian fjords, Flåm is a pretty little village in a big, dramatic setting. We’ll have some time to explore here and enjoy the beautiful surrounds, before taking to the waters aboard a fully electric cruise boat to travel silently through the fjord from Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen. This spectacular stretch is a UNESCO-World Heritage Site and you’ll float by a number of villages that are only accessible from the water. After, we transfer to the pretty village of Voss, surrounded by beautiful mountains, rivers, fjords and lakes and our overnight hotel.

Day 4 - Loen

We’ll set off on a scenic drive from Voss to Loen this morning. We’ll cross the mountains and the beautiful wide Sognefjord. Driving along the fjord, we will pass waterfalls and colourful fruit orchards before we climb up into the mountains. We’ll stop at the Norwegian Glacier Museum before continuing down to Innvikfjorden for a scenic drive along the fjord, until we arrive in Loen - known as the gateway to the glaciers.

Day 5 - Geirangerfjord - Molde/Andalsnes

Today is a big day. We’ll drive along Innvikfjorden to the village of Hellesylt. From here, we board a cruise ferry for an unforgettable journey along the world-famous Geirangerfjord. This UNESCO-listed stretch is a majestic combination of towering, sheer mountain cliffs, plunging waterfalls and deep blue waters that are enchantingly inviting. It is one of nature’s greatest spectacles. Natural wonders aside, we’ll also sail past long forgotten farms and shoreline smallholdings, of people who once lived and worked here. From Geiranger, we tackle the hairpin bends of Eagle Road high up into the mountains. The sight from the top is quite spectacular, with panoramic snow-capped scenes stretching from Geiranger all the way back over the fjord. We then take the narrow Trollstigen serpentine road back down the mountain. This evening, we overnight in Molde or Andalsnes.

Day 6 - Rauma Railway - Trondheim

The Rauma Railway is famed for its picturesque mountain route, which whooshes guests over bridges and through horseshoe-shaped tunnels. We step aboard this morning; the carriages have panoramic windows to make the most of the views of fjords, forests, valleys, lakes and mountains - the train slows as we glide by the most scenic spots. We arrive in Dombås and board the Dovre Railway down to the sea and beautiful harbour city of Trondheim. With wide streets and a colourful array of buildings over the water, the historic capital of Norway is a pleasure to explore. On our tour, we’ll visit the magnificent Nidaros Cathedral, where all the Norwegian Kings have been crowned.

Day 7 - Trondheim

Today we set sail for a journey that will cement your status as an arctic explorer. Step aboard a fully electric Havila ship as we sail north towards the Arctic Circle. Perhaps head to the Observation Lounge for a coffee with panoramic views - the reclining seats allow you to make the most of the glass roof. Havila puts a real emphasis on sustainability and meals on board are created using the best ingredients from local Norwegian producers for traditional and modern dishes. You might notice local commuters step aboard too, as they travel from port to port.

Day 8 - Brønnøysund - Svolvær

We finally cross into the Arctic Circle today and the occasion is marked with a special ceremony on deck. Every summer for six weeks, the sun doesn’t fully set at all. This is known as the Midnight Sun, providing ever-changing shades of light throughout each day and night - perfect for keen photographers to capture. We’ll pass by Scandinavia’s largest glaciers, the world’s strongest tidal current and there might even be an opportunity to spot a majestic sea eagle soaring in the breeze (keep your binoculars at the ready). This evening, Lofoten’s tiny fishing villages and steep mountains make for a beautiful backdrop.

Day 9 - Stokmarknes - Tromsø - Skjervøy

Our voyage continues through narrow fjords and past wild mountains to the island city of Tromsø. This northern city is known as the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’ and is characterised by hunting, fishing and polar bears. This is the land of the Sami, Norway’s indigenous people. Perhaps take the opportunity to meet and learn about the Sami, their reindeer and their unique culture. The afternoon is yours to spend in Tromsø. The streets are decorated with charmingly simplistic, colourful wooden houses but the city’s most recognisable landmark is the must-visit Arctic Cathedral. Built in 1965, its distinctive iceberg-shaped design was inspired by the landscapes of northern Norway and features a beautiful glass mosaic.

Day 10 - Hammerfest - Honningsvåg (North Cape) - Berlevåg

The North Cape is as far north as you can go - by land and sea. It’s closer to the North Pole than it is to Oslo and it’s a goal for many who venture along the Norwegian coast. It was a sacrificial site for the Sami, which gives it a haunting beauty. The North Cape plateau rises a mighty 307 metres straight up from the Arctic Ocean. You’ll simply feel on top of the world.

Day 11 - Kirkenes

Each winter, 25 tonnes of ice and 15,000 cubic metres of snow are shifted to build Kirikenes’ Snowhotel. It’s an absolute wonder to see it in person: the intricate detail, the beautifully decorated snow suites and Norway’s largest ice bar - it doesn’t seem possible. We disembark the ship this morning and enjoy a guided tour of the Snowhotel - and there’ll be a chance to cuddle with the resident huskies (and possibly puppies) and meet the reindeer.

Day 12 - Kirkenes - UK

We transfer to the airport and your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.