Best of Norway

Prepare for a spellbinding encounter with nature - an untamed landscape of fjords, lakes and dense forests that begins in the understated capital of Oslo, set within beautiful natural surrounds. On arrival, transfer to your Stays With Stories accommodation, the Clarion Collection Bastion, a boutique hotel with a unique personality. Hotel founder Morten Mørch visited over 100 hotels around the globe as inspiration in his quest to create one of the world's best hotels. Spend the day exploring the city's interesting architecture and exquisite open spaces, before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception to kick-start your journey.

We journey along the shores of the Tyrifjord to the ski resort of Geilo with its scenic location at the foot of Hallingskarvet, before continuing across the Hardanger Plateau to Voringfoss, a cascade of water that plunges impressively into the Måbødalen Canyon below. We continue to Hardangerfjord - its title as the 'Queen of the Fjords' is well deserved and you'll have an opportunity to admire its deep blue waters as you travel along part of its shoreline to your hotel in Norheimsund where you will dine tonight.

A scenic drive along lakes and fjords will bring us to the 'Capital of Fjords', Bergen. We'll learn about the city's Hanseatic heritage, enjoying an orientation tour past the 13th-century Haakon's Hall and bustling fish market. Enjoy some free time to explore this colourful city. This evening, Connect With Locals as the Øvre-Eide family welcome us on their farm for dinner and a very special Be My Guest experience.

Delving straight back into Norway's inspiring natural landscapes, we continue to the 'King of Fjords', travelling via Voss, the country's adventure capital. There's some free time to embark on an Optional Experience on the Flåm Railway, one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. Tonight, we overnight at one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories - Sognefjord Hotel located on a peninsula stretching out into the Sognefjord. Step straight from your hotel into the breath-taking fjord and mountain surroundings.

Journey from Sognefjord, Norway's longest and deepest fjord, to Geirangerfjord. See the impressive Bøyabreen glacier, part of Jostedalsbreen, continental Europe's largest glacier. Your road trip is filled with pinch-me moments as you skirt past three different fjords. Tonight, we stay on the shores of the fjord at one of Trafalgar's Stay With Stories - Hotel Havila Geiranger.

The Geirangerfjord takes centre stage today, you'll get to explore it your way today. You could choose to take a scenic cruise past its tumbling waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. Perhaps take the short drive to Flydalsjuvet viewpoint for a breathtaking panoramic view of the fjord below. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon soaking up your epic surrounds, or consider joining an Optional Experience to drive Norway's most famous road, the Trollstigen, with its eleven hairpin bends.

We enjoy a scenic drive to Lom, the gateway to the Jotunheimen Mountains. Here, we will Dive Into Culture and visit a 12th-century Stave church, adorned with Runic inscriptions, paintings and carved dragon figures that are said to protect it against evil. We continue through the Gudbrandsdal Valley before arriving in Lillehammer, the proud host of the 1994 Winter Olympics.

We return to Oslo where we spend the day exploring several of the city's highlights with a Local Specialist, including views of the medieval fortress of Akershus, overlooking Oslo's beautiful harbour, the Opera and the 19th-century Royal Palace. We finish our tour with a visit to the fascinating Vigeland Sculpture Park, proudly displaying the life's work of Gustav Vigeland. After a magnificent encounter with Norway's epic natural landscapes, we enjoy our last evening together at a Farewell Dinner, toasting to a memorable trip.

Our journey through the fjords, falls and forests of Norway has come to an end. We bid our newfound friends a fond farewell and prepare to return home.