West Norway Discovery Tour 2010
8 days / 7 nights, Bergen - Skei - Sogne Fjord - Geiranger Fjord - Briksdal Glacier - Norway in a Nutshell - Flåm - Flåm Railway - Myrdal - Bergen or Oslo | An unforgettable experience of Norway's magnificent fjords, mountains, glaciers and lakes. For travelers who like to explore the spectacular Fjord region without moving from hotel to hotel. Enjoy the highlights of the fjords, cruise on the Geiranger and Sogne Fjord, ride the famous Flåm Railway, while staying in comfort at the beautiful Skei Hotel. The popular resort of Skei and the family run Skei Hotel is situated at the head of Lake Jølster, offering panoramic views of the lake and mountains. Set midway between the Sognefjord and Nordfjord, Skei is a good starting point for exploring the fjord region of Norway. Visit the Dalsnibba Mountain Plateau with spectacular view over the fjord village of Geiranger and the magnificent Geiranger Fjord. Experience all the highlights of Fjord Norway, while staying at one hotel! Visits include the colorful Hanseatic city of Bergen and bustling Oslo, the capital of Norway as well as an unforgettable journey on the most popular rail tour in Norway, the Norway Nutshell tour.
| Departure | Sundays, May 9th - September 19th, 2010 |
| Price | Low Season: May 9th, September 5th, 12th, 19th, 2010 $2,055 per person in double room $2,605 single room Mid Season: May 16th, 23rd, 30th & August 29th $2,140 per person in double room $2,690 single room High Season: June 6th - August 22nd $2,360 per person in double room $2,910 single room |
| Included | Two nights Scandic Hotel Bergen City**** Five nights at the Skei Hotel**** Scandinavian breakfast buffet daily Half board meals from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on final day 5 packed lunches (taken from breakfast buffet) Coach transfer from the Bergen Hotel to the pier Coastal Voyage cruise from Bergen to Lavik Coach/mini-bus tour to Skei Mini-coach tour Skei to Balestrand or Sogndal Folklore evening with music and dancing Geiranger Fjord excursion Gamlestova evening Use of sauna and Turkish steam bath at the Skei Hotel Norway in a Nutshell tour Flam Railway, Flam - Myrdal Train to Bergen or Oslo (for guests ending their tour in Oslo) Seat reservation in 2nd class Coach transfer from Bergen Railway Station to hotel English speaking guide from day for entire tour Taxi transfer for clients ending tour in Oslo (guests ending in Oslo will travel without guide from Flåm-Myrdal - Oslo en route from Skei) Taxes & services |
| Not Included | Airfare and airport taxes and customs fees Transfers Gratuities Optional excursions package ( $350 ) Personal insurance / personal items Alcoholic beverages $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | There is No Tour Escort on the train Flåm - Bergen or Oslo. Optional excursions can be pre-booked. |
| Tour Options | Additional nights in Bergen and/or Oslo DFDS Seaways, Oslo - Copenhagen FjordLine, Bergen - Hirsthals Color Line, Oslo - Kiel |
Day 1 BERGEN (D) Arrival and check-in at the Scandic Hotel Bergen City (formerly the Bergen Hotel) in the Bergen city centre. Dinner and overnight stay at the Scandic Hotel Bergen City.
Scandic Hotel Bergen City
Day 2 BERGEN - LAVIK - SKEI (B, L, D) After breakfast at the hotel, optional city sightseeing tour (3 hrs ) Sights of interest: Troldhaugen, the home of the world famous composer Edvard Grieg, the Rosenkrantz Tower and the Haakons Hall at Bergenhus Fortress, Bryggen, the famous Hanseatic harbour area and Floybanen, the funicular to Mount Floyen, where spectacular views of the city and surrounding areas can be enjoyed. Time at your own disposal in the city centre.16.30 hrs embarking on a coastal voyage through lovely coastal landscapes along the West Coast to Gulen. This is the beginning of the Sogne Fjord, the longest and deepest fjord in the world. Arrival in Lavik and further on with hotel coach through Vadheim and Førde to Skei on Lake Jølster. Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel.
Skei Hotel
Day 3 SKEI - FJÆRLAND - SKEI (B, L, D) After breakfast at the hotel, either free time to use the excellent hotel facilities and explore the wonderful Lake Jølster area or an optional excursion to Fjærland. involving a scenic drive along Lake Jølster, through the 6.350m tunnel and past the Bøyumsdal glacier to the small rural community of Fjærland. Visit to the Norwegian Glacier Museum, then via the Supphelle glacier unique for its amazingly low altitude (only 51m above sea level) then onto afternoon coffee at Bøyum Glacier. Return to Skei for dinner, and afterwards a folklore evening with music and dancing.
Skei Hotel
Day 4 SKEI - GEIRANGER - SKEI (B, L, D) Breakfast at the hotel, then an incredible journey through the Våtedal Valley, over Utvik Mountain, along the magnificent Nordfjord passing Olden, Loen and Stryn on the way to Hellesylt for a 1-hour cruise along the spectacular Geirangerfjord, past many famous waterfalls. Continue to Dalsnibba for fabulous views of the fjord. Then proceed back to Skei via Grotli, Hjelle and Lake Oppstryn. This full day excursion is included in the tour price. Dinner and overnight.
Skei Hotel
Day 5 SKEI - BRIKSDAL - SKEI (B, L, D) Breakfast at the hotel, day at leisure in Skei or an optional excursion to Nordfjord as above, and on to the little village of Olden and 20 km along the magnificent Olden valley to the Briksdal Glacier, a part of Europe's largest glacier, the Jostedalen Glacier (487 sq.km). Dinner and overnight.
Skei Hotel
Day 6 SKEI - SANDANE - SKEI (B, L, D) Breakfast at the hotel. Leisure day in Skei or optional excursion to Sandane & the Nordfjord Folk Museum. From Skei to Klakegg, through the scenic Våtedal Valley to Breim and Sandane, past the thundering Eidsfossen falls to the Nordfjord Folk Museum and a visit to the old Gimmestad church dating back to 1692. On the return journey we visit Reed for wonderful views of the Breim Lake, the Norwegian Horse centre and Byrkjelo. After dinner at the Skei Hotel, coffee shall be taken in the Gamlestova, a 300 year old cottage on the hotel grounds, with Norwegian folk music, local history and tales, and perhaps even a few ghost stories!
Skei Hotel
Day 7 SKEI - NORWAY IN A NUTSHELL - BERGEN After breakfast at the hotel, tour from Skei over the Gaular Mountain to Balestrand, then the famous Norway in a Nutshell excursion, including a cruise along the Sognefjord to Flåm (approx. 2 hrs.) Then journey on the spectacular Flåm Railway, spiraling up 900m to Myrdal. The tour is completed by a train journey on the Bergen Railway to Bergen and overnight/dinner at the Scandic Hotel Bergen City. Breakfast at the hotel on Sunday morning. End of tour for clients traveling to Bergen. TOUR ENDING IN OSLO (B) After breakfast at the hotel, tour from Skei over the Gaular Mountain to Balestrand, then the famous Norway in a Nutshell excursion, including a cruise along the Sognefjord to Flåm (approx. 2 hrs.) Then journey on the spectacular Flåm Railway, spiraling up 900m to Myrdal. The tour is completed by a train journey “Across the Roof of Norway”, the Hardangervidda Mountain Plateau, to Oslo and overnight stay at the Hotel Continental in the city centre. End of tour in Oslo. http://www.hotel-continental.com/
Scandic Hotel Bergen City
Day 8 BERGEN OR OSLO (B) Breakfast at the hotel before checking out.