Fjords, Glaciers, Lakes and Mountains

An adventure which commences in Norway's beautiful Telemark region and continues to the famous Kviknes Hotel Balestrand, which has a sensational location right on the shore of the Sognefjord. See varied and dramatic landscapes travelling along sparkling lakesides, around sheltered fjords, across majestic high mountain passes and through charming hamlets and villages. Our hotels in Vrådal and Balestrand are both proud members of Norway's Historic Hotels organisation.

Telemark Lake Cruise • Sognefjord • Balestrand • Glacier Views

Day 1 Short Channel crossing. Overnight in Holland.

Day 2 Travel across Germany and into Denmark for dinner and an overnight stay near Kolding.

Day 3 Travel to Hirtshals on Denmark's north coast. Here board the ferry for the exciting journey across the Skagerrak Sea to Norway. On arrival leave the port and immediately encounter the fantastic, pristine Norwegian scenery during the onward journey to Vrådal.

Day 4 A day at leisure to explore Vrådal, enjoy the hotel's facilities and relax on the terrace or garden and take in the views across the lake. In the afternoon, from the hotel's lakeside garden, we include an afternoon cruise on Lake Nisser on the historic vessel MS Fram, now almost 100 years old.

Day 5 Leave the Telemark region travelling west, over the Haukeli high mountain pass and descend to the Hardangerfjord. This is a fruit growing area and is particularly beautiful when the spring blossom and autumn colours appear. Enjoy views of the fjord and up to the Folgefonn Glacier before joining a short ferry across the fjord. On then past Voss before crossing the Sognefjord to arrive at Balestrand for a 3 night stay.

Day 6 Enjoy the morning at leisure in Balestrand, taking time to enjoy the hotel and its breathtaking location. Late morning board the coach for the short excursion across the fjord and through Sogndal to the Sogn Folk Museum, Kaupanger. This attraction includes a range of local farm dwellings, pastures, footpaths and trails. It offers an insight into fjordland life through the ages.

Day 7 A full day 'Glacier Route' excursion starting with an ascent of the mighty Gaularfjell, stopping at the Utsikten Viewpoint en-route. Continue along Lake Jolster and through Skei to arrive Fjaerland for a visit to the Norwegian Glacier Museum. On then towards Sogndal, enjoying wonderful views along the Fjaerlandsfjord, before arriving back at Balestrand.

Day 8 Leave Balestrand and take 2 short ferry crossings on the Sognefjord before a photo stop at the Borgund Stave Church. Continue through the Hemsedal Valley and then south through lakes and mountains scenery before arriving in Horten, on the Oslofjord, for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 9 To Larvik for the early morning ferry crossing to Denmark. Proceed to the Hamburg area for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 10 Travel through Germany, into Holland and on to the North Sea coast for a relaxing overnight crossing to Hull or Harwich.

Day 11 Arrive back in the UK and travel home.

All tours are tailored to your requirements and can be adapted for travel by coach and/or air as you prefer. Occasionally itineraries change. Please see our current brochure or contact us for the latest version.

Straand Hotel, Vrådal

The Straand Hotel is located in Vrãdal village on the north shore of Lake Nisser in Norway's Telemark region. The hotel has been owned and managed by the Straand family for 5 generations. It combines historic charm with great facilities to include a lakeside garden.

• 3 star superior • 125 bedrooms • Lift

• Indoor swimming pool

• Terrace and lakeside garden

• Coach parking

Kviknes Hotel, Balestrand

With a breathtaking location on the shore of the Sognefjord, Kviknes combines traditional hospitality and modern comforts. The guest list includes royalty, presidents and film stars, all drawn by both the hotel and the surrounding scenery. Bedrooms are located in the modern wing, built in the 1960s. The hotel has spacious lounges, bar and feature terraces and gardens.

• 4 star • 205 bedrooms • Lift

• Leisure facilities

• Gardens and terrace

• Coach parking

Your tour includes:

• Short Channel crossing

• 1 night half board in Holland

• 1 night half board in Kolding

• 2 nights half board in Vrådal with:
Buffet breakfast and buffet dinner
After dinner tea or coffee

• 3 nights half board in Balestrand with:
Buffet breakfast and buffet dinner

• All Norwegian internal ferries

• Cruise on Lake Nisser

• Entrance to Sogn Folk Museum

• Entrance to Glacier Museum

• 1 night half board in Horten

• 1 night half board near Hamburg

• Return fast ferries Denmark/Norway/Denmark

• Overnight ferry Holland to Hull or Harwich

For a quotation, or to enquire about this tour, fill in our online form, send us an email or call us on 01432 277666.