Luxury two-centre Norway holiday with Trondheim and Bodø in the Arctic Circle and scenic train journey on the Nordland Railway
This Norwegian two-centre holiday combines a stay in the ancient capital of Norway, Trondheim, and in the Arctic Circle town of Bodø. In between you travel on the longest railway journey in Norway, the scenic Nordland Line, which crosses the Arctic Circle. Start your holiday by flying into Trondheim via Oslo. Located on the Trondheimfjord and the third largest city in the country, Trondheim is home to the world’s northernmost mediaeval cathedral, the Nidaros Cathedral. Formerly the site where Norwegian kings were crowned, it is today open to tourists. You may want to spend some of your time in Trondheim exploring the picturesque streets of Bakklandet, a small neighbourhood of painted wooden warehouses. For an excellent view of the city and the fjord you can climb to the top of the Tyholttarnet, the tallest building in Norway. After three nights here it is time for you to cross the Arctic Circle on Norway’s longest railway, the Nordland Line. This will take you through a huge variety of landscapes in its 729 km journey, from farmland and great forests to coastal areas and impressive mountains. You pass the Arctic Circle at the Saltfjellet mountain range, where you can see the Northern Lights or the Midnight Sun depending on the time of year. After approximately 10 hours of stunning views you arrive into Bodø, your base for the next three nights. Bodø is a relatively small city set amidst some of Norway’s most beautiful scenery. One of its main attractions is the beautiful harbour, whose pier offers stunning views across the Norwegian Sea. The Norwegian Aviation Museum, located close to Bodø’s airport, offers an insight into the civil and aviation history of Norway. For the more adventurous visitors there is a wide range of activities available around the city, from eagle safaris to glacier hiking. After three nights exploring all Bodø has to offer it is time to fly back to the UK via Oslo.
Highlights
Trondheim • Nordland Railway • Bodø in the Arctic Circle
Day by day
This holiday starts with a flight from London to Trondheim via a connection in Oslo. Check into your hotel in Trondheim for the next three nights.
Trondheim lies on the southern shore of the Trondheimfjord and has played a significant role in Norwegian history. As the country’s first capital city, it was the site where Norwegian Kings were crowned for over 700 years, specifically in the Nidaros Cathedral. We highly recommend taking a visit to this beautiful building, which is the world’s northernmost mediaeval cathedral and started construction in 1070. South of this is the striking Archbishop’s Palace Museum, which offers an insight into the 1000-year history of the cathedral and its diocese. You will also find here the Royal Regalia, including the 200-year old Crown of Norway. For a glimpse of the more rustic side of Norwegian life, a visit to the Trøndelag Folk Museum is essential: dominated by the ruins of Sverresborg castle, this outdoor museum consists eighty historic buildings giving information about folk culture as well as rural monuments and the Haltdalen stave church, which dates from 1070. Another picturesque area of the city is Bakklandet, a small neighbourhood of painted wooden warehouses home to galleries, cafes and restaurants.
After three nights indulging in Trondheim’s cultural attractions it is time to embark on a magical journey across the Arctic Circle to Bodø. The 729 km Nordland Railway line is Norway’s longest and presents huge variety in culture, climate and landscape. The journey starts by skirting around the Trondheim Fjord, reaching the small town of Steinkjer two hours later at the head of the longest arm of the fjord. From here you head into the hills. Be sure to notice the colourful station buildings at the small Norwegian towns as you pass by. Leaving the steel works town of Mo I Rana the train skirts the Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park, passing close by the Swedish border. Shortly after this you cross the Arctic Circle, before heading back towards the coast to reach the shores of Skjerstad Fjord. You continue along this spectacular natural beauty until you reach the station of Bodø, the final stop of the Norwegian railway system and your base for the next three nights.
The city of Bodø is an excellent base from which to explore some of Norway’s best scenery and natural attractions. One of its most well-known features is the Saltstraumen maelstrom, a small strait home to the world’s strongest tidal current. Here you can witness whirlpools bigger than 10 metres with the water moving as fast as 40 km/h. Slightly further out of the city is the Kjerringøy, a small, rural community featuring beautiful alpine landscapes ranging from mountains to white sandy beaches. The Kjerringøy trading post is a museum offering a unique insight into the lives of the powerful local merchants and information about the fish trade of the 19th century. For those looking for more adventurous activities, Bodø offers kayaking, RIB tours and even snorkelling in the surrounding fjords, and fishing is a popular local activity. There are also numerous hiking routes including Keiservarden, which leads up to Keiservarden hill overlooking Bodø, and Mount Ronvikfjellet, one of the top viewing spots for the Midnight Sun in the country. Within Bodø itself the beautiful harbour offers views from its pier dating back to 1904 and the Norwegian Aviation Museum offers an insight into the civil and military aviation history of Norway.
After three nights in Bodø you return to the UK by plane via Oslo.
The itinerary was exactly what we planned for. Travelling around by plane, train, car and ferry was perfectly arranged and all ran smoothly.Mrs A, October 2024
Holiday price guide
From £1,760 per person
£140 supplement per person for premium class on Nordland Railway
Holiday Code SCFR03
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury two-centre Norway holiday with Trondheim and Bodø in the Arctic Circle and scenic train journey on the Nordland Railway
This holiday starts with a flight from London to Trondheim via a connection in Oslo. Check into your hotel in Trondheim for the next three nights.
Trondheim lies on the southern shore of the Trondheimfjord and has played a significant role in Norwegian history. As the country’s first capital city, it was the site where Norwegian Kings were crowned for over 700 years, specifically in the Nidaros Cathedral. We highly recommend taking a visit to this beautiful building, which is the world’s northernmost mediaeval cathedral and started construction in 1070. South of this is the striking Archbishop’s Palace Museum, which offers an insight into the 1000-year history of the cathedral and its diocese. You will also find here the Royal Regalia, including the 200-year old Crown of Norway. For a glimpse of the more rustic side of Norwegian life, a visit to the Trøndelag Folk Museum is essential: dominated by the ruins of Sverresborg castle, this outdoor museum consists eighty historic buildings giving information about folk culture as well as rural monuments and the Haltdalen stave church, which dates from 1070. Another picturesque area of the city is Bakklandet, a small neighbourhood of painted wooden warehouses home to galleries, cafes and restaurants.
After three nights indulging in Trondheim’s cultural attractions it is time to embark on a magical journey across the Arctic Circle to Bodø. The 729 km Nordland Railway line is Norway’s longest and presents huge variety in culture, climate and landscape. The journey starts by skirting around the Trondheim Fjord, reaching the small town of Steinkjer two hours later at the head of the longest arm of the fjord. From here you head into the hills. Be sure to notice the colourful station buildings at the small Norwegian towns as you pass by. Leaving the steel works town of Mo I Rana the train skirts the Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park, passing close by the Swedish border. Shortly after this you cross the Arctic Circle, before heading back towards the coast to reach the shores of Skjerstad Fjord. You continue along this spectacular natural beauty until you reach the station of Bodø, the final stop of the Norwegian railway system and your base for the next three nights.
The city of Bodø is an excellent base from which to explore some of Norway’s best scenery and natural attractions. One of its most well-known features is the Saltstraumen maelstrom, a small strait home to the world’s strongest tidal current. Here you can witness whirlpools bigger than 10 metres with the water moving as fast as 40 km/h. Slightly further out of the city is the Kjerringøy, a small, rural community featuring beautiful alpine landscapes ranging from mountains to white sandy beaches. The Kjerringøy trading post is a museum offering a unique insight into the lives of the powerful local merchants and information about the fish trade of the 19th century. For those looking for more adventurous activities, Bodø offers kayaking, RIB tours and even snorkelling in the surrounding fjords, and fishing is a popular local activity. There are also numerous hiking routes including Keiservarden, which leads up to Keiservarden hill overlooking Bodø, and Mount Ronvikfjellet, one of the top viewing spots for the Midnight Sun in the country. Within Bodø itself the beautiful harbour offers views from its pier dating back to 1904 and the Norwegian Aviation Museum offers an insight into the civil and military aviation history of Norway.
After three nights in Bodø you return to the UK by plane via Oslo.
The itinerary was exactly what we planned for. Travelling around by plane, train, car and ferry was perfectly arranged and all ran smoothly.Mrs A, October 2024
Holiday price guide
From £1,760 per person
£140 supplement per person for premium class on Nordland Railway
Holiday Code SCFR03
Our prices include
● Return flights with British Airways from London to Oslo
● Scheduled flights with Scandinavian Airlines or Norwegian from Oslo to Trondheim, and Bodø to Oslo
● Second class travel on the train (Plus class can be booked at a supplement)
● 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Superior double room at Hotel Britannia, Trondheim
● 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Superior double room at Thon Hotel Nordlys, Bodø
● Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
Our prices do not include
● Early check-in or late check-out at any hotels (although we can arrange this on request at additional cost)
● Any other services not mentioned above, such as transfers and meals except breakfast at hotels
● Personal holiday insurance. This is essential and cover should be in place from when you book the holiday.
● Possible local tourist tax, usually the equivalent of £1 to £3 per person per night, and payable locally to the hotel
● Transfers in any cities
Additional information This holiday can be arranged throughout the year, subject to the opening dates of the hotels. Timings can vary depending on the month and day of the week.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury two-centre Norway holiday with Trondheim and Bodø in the Arctic Circle and scenic train journey on the Nordland Railway
The Britannia Hotel is a traditional, grand, 5-star hotel in the centre of Trondheim, completely refurbished in 2019. Luxurious but discreet rooms, four dining options, bar and wine bar, spa.
Superior double room
The Thon Hotel Nidaros is a 4-star hotel in a central location offering bright, comfortable rooms in a Gothic-style building.
Standard room
Thon Hotel Nordlys in Bodø is a modern 4-star hotel next the city’s marina offering comfortable, brightly-furnished rooms with a bar and restaurant.
Standard double
The itinerary was exactly what we planned for. Travelling around by plane, train, car and ferry was perfectly arranged and all ran smoothly.Mrs A, October 2024
Holiday price guide
From £1,760 per person
£140 supplement per person for premium class on Nordland Railway
Holiday Code SCFR03
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury two-centre Norway holiday with Trondheim and Bodø in the Arctic Circle and scenic train journey on the Nordland Railway
About Norway
Norway is a fascinating destination for a luxury, tailor-made holiday. The land and the culture of Norway lend themselves to a diverse and rich array of holiday experiences and a choice of mode of transport. At first glance, Norway offers magnificent, dramatic, severe and wild natural surroundings in its glaciers, Arctic snow and ice, majestic fjords, crashing waterfalls and mystical natural phenomena such as the Aurora Borealis and Fata Morgana. However, Norway also offers cultural ties, a shared history dating from the days of the Vikings, a cosiness in its orchards and pastures, brightly-painted wooden houses, folk tales and mythology, world-class art, literature and music in the works of Munch, Ibsen and Grieg, to name but three, and international philanthropy as exemplified by the Nobel prize. Many towns have superb museums, ancient wooden stave churches are well-preserved, the heritage of the Vikings is visible not just in major centres such as Oslo but all around, and seemingly small places are rich with music and drama festivals. Whilst the length of Norway with is 2518 km poses a challenge to the visitor, this also means that it makes sense to use a variety of transport modes to travel around; scenic trains, sleeper trains, boat rides, coastal cruises and car-hire can all be incorporated. The landscape lends itself well to hiking and cycling and there are many national parks that offer a variety of conditions depending on your ability. Norway’s cities are vibrant and manage to blend modernity with tradition. The iconic Oslo Opera House sits a short distance from the Akershus fortress, the Old Town Hall dating from 1641 is a stroll away from the Akrobaten pedestrian bridge, a near-futuristic construction of steel and glass.
Highlights of Norway
The numerous fjords: Eidfjord – branch of the Hardangerfjord, Geirangerfjord – precipitous, one of Norway’s signature images, Hardangerfjord – rolling hills and pretty villages, Jossingfjord – vertiginous fjord in the flatlands of the south, Lysefjord – plunging cliffs, cruises and look out points, Naeroyfjord – narrow and very pretty, Sognefjord – Norway’s longest and one of the most beautiful, Trollfjord – very steep fjord on Lofoten, Vestfjord – sheltered bays and pretty villages separating Lofoten from the mainland. The Hurtigruten ferry that covers over 2500 km from Bergen to Kirkenes with over 30 stops. The Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights. Stave churches, beautifully preserved in wood, dating from Viking times, for example at Borgund, Lom, Ringebu and Urnes. Viking ships and artefacts, burial mounds and trinkets in museums throughout the country. The red, wooden houses perched stilts over the sea on the Lofoten Islands. The modern architecture of Oslo. Picking wild blueberries, sampling aquavit made from potatoes and caraway, and tasting reindeer steak with cranberries. The charm of Oslofjorden with its pretty, arty village and towns, harbours with sailing boats, islands offshore and beaches. Hike over the Jotunheimen and relish the natural landscape of this stunning National Park.
Cultural highlights of Norway
The architecture of stave churches dating from the Viking era and Viking treasure in museums around the country. The literature of Henrik Ibsen and Knut Hamsun. Folk tales and mythology. The music of Edvard Grieg and the art of Edvard Munch. Contemporary jazz and folk music.
Gastronomy of Norway
Norway’s gastronomy is a clear reflection of its land and sea. From the land come reindeer, venison, lamb, cured meats and potatoes of all types: boiled, roasted and fried. From the freshwater lakes and streams come salmon served grilled and smoked, and freshwater fish. Sea fish is a vast array of cod, haddock, shrimps, mackerel, fish soup, fish balls, salt cod. From the orchards particularly around the Hardangerfjord come apples, cherries and plums as well as berries of all sorts including blueberries, cranberries, bilberries and, a great delicacy, cloudberries. Cheeses include Jarlsberg and brown cheese. Coffee is almost certainly the national drink, followed by beer, of which there are all sorts of craft beers brewed locally, and Aquavit is the national spirit made from potatoes and caraway.
Facts in brief
Capital OsloAirport Oslo Gardermoen
Size 323,878 sq km
Population 4.4 million
