Tailormade tour Three capital fjord cities of Norway touring holiday Norway

Your holiday starts with your arrival in Oslo where you stay for three nights.

Oslo, the capital of Norway, sits on the country’s southern coast at the head of the Oslofjord. Oslo's connection with the sea is obvious and you will want to take a boat trip on the Oslofjord or over to Bygdøy. Bygdøy is home to five national museums: the Viking Ship Museum, the Fram Museum, the Norwegian Folk Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum and the Norwegian Maritim Museum. The Fram Museum displays the strongest wooden ship ever built which still holds the record for sailing the farthest north and farthest south. It is possible to board the ship and see how the crew and their dogs managed to survive in the coldest and most dangerous places on earth. There are also exhibitions on the Arctic and Northwest passage. The Viking Ship Museum displays finds from four different Viking burial sites around the Oslofjord, whilst the Norwegian Folk Museum is an open-air attraction showcasing the diverse wooden architecture and history of the country and its traditions. Another major attraction is Akershus Castle Fortress. Completed during the 14th century, this mediaeval castle had a strategical location at the very end of the headland and withstood a number of sieges throughout the ages. Guided tours of the fortress are available during the summer. A must is the Munch museum and a stroll on the sloping roof of the Opera House. As well as museums, Oslo is known for its green spaces, the most famous of which is the Frogner Park. Within this area is the Vigeland Sculpture Park, featuring more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and iron and one of Norway’s top tourist attractions. Housed in some beautiful gardens of its own, the Royal Palace is the official seat of the current Norwegian King and Queen. Take a tour of the palace during the summer or stop by to see the changing of the guard at 13:30.

This morning board the direct train to Bergen, also known as the Bergen Railway. Leaving the capital, the farms dotted amongst the hills will become less and less frequent as you head further west. You will skirt along the northern shore of Lake Ustevtn, which can be frozen for three quarters of the year, before passing through Finse, the highest railway station in Norway. The train then passes Myrdal, the starting station of the famous Flåm Railway. Be sure to keep an eye out for incredible views down a precipice into Flåmsdal and Sognefjord. From here you ascend steeply along the tree line, soon following a spectacular canyon. Travel alongside the clear waters of the River Vossa before entering the Ulriken Tunnel, the final landmark before your arrival into Bergen. After travelling across the highest mountain plateau in Europe check in to your hotel for two nights.

Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and was the capital throughout some of the country’s most influential periods. One of your days here should start with a visit to the iconic Bryggen wharf, first established in the 14th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its colourful buildings today house a small museum, shops and restaurants. Bergen is known as the city of the seven mountains, the most easily accessible of which is Fløyen, which can be reached by funicular from the city centre and awards spectacular views of the city and surrounding area. It is possible to take the funicular back, or you may want to hike back down at your leisure. To fully appreciate the culture and traditions of Bergen, you should take the time to visit the Bergen Fish Market. Bergen has the busiest seaport in the country and the market offers an abundance of fish, shellfish, fruit and vegetables. Cultural attractions include the Troldhaugen, the former home of Edvard Grieg and today host to a museum about his life and works as well as a concert hall where you can hear his music performed. Its location in the fjords also makes Bergen an excellent base from which to explore more by boat, and there are many options ranging from a quick trip to an all-day experience.

On your final day in Bergen you have most the day free to continue your exploration of the Gateway to the Fjords before you board the Hurtigruten service to Trondheim which leaves from Bergen at 21.30 hrs. Start by sailing past the impressive fjords and coastal landscape as you head steadily northwards. Early the next morning you will pass the Nordfjord before getting the opportunity to see Vestkapp, Norway’s westernmost viewing point. Dock for a short while in Ålesund, before the boat ship continues on a day-time cruise of the Geirangerfjord (This depends on the ship. Otherwise, you have the day at leisure until 20.00 hrs when it departs for Trondheim).

You arrive in Trondheim at 10.00 hrs. If you would like us to arrange an early check-in then please ask us to arrange one or leave your bags at the hotel and start to acquaint yourself with Norway’s first capital city, Trondheim. You stay here for two 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 back to 1170. Another picturesque area of the city is Bakklandet, a small neighbourhood of painted wooden warehouses home to galleries, cafes and restaurants.

Today you can either fly back from Trondheim to London Gatwick with Norwegian or there is the Dovre Railway which covers the 497 kms from Trondheim to Oslo in about 7 hours. From Oslo you can take an early evening flight to London.