The Norwegian Fjords & The Atlantic Road

Transcription

1 The Norwegian Fjords & The Atlantic Road A Spectacular 15 Day, 14 Night Tour including Bergen, Geirangerfjord & The Atlantic Road Driving through the mountains and fjords of Norway is without doubt one of the grand scenic journeys in Europe. You'll drive through majestic mountain passes, enjoy scenic fjord ferry crossings, pass spectacular waterfalls and picturesque fjord villages ancient stave churches and take a trip on one of the world's steepest railways. 15 DAY / 14 NIGHT TOUR Self Drive: 15th to 29th August 2015 Mixed Marque Tour Fly drive: 18th to 26th August 2015 Mixed Marque Tour Price TBC Per Person Return Overnight ferry crossings from Harwich to Hook of Holland or Hull to Rotterdam 1 Night accommodation in Hamburg each way Overnight ferry from Hirtsals, to Stavanger 1 Night accommodation - Flam 1 Night accommodation - Sogndal 2 Nights accommodation - Geirangerfjord 2 Nights accommodation - Molde 1 Night accommodation - Forde 1 Night accommodation - Bergen Overnight ferry from Bergen to Hirtsals Return Rail Journey on the Flåm Railway Accommodation in a 2 berth Inside cabin on all Overnight ferry crossings (**upgrades available) Buffet Breakfasts at all hotels Dinners at the hotels as stated in Itinerary Car Parking at all Hotels Road Book featuring Great Drives & Attractions Commemorative Tour Rally Plate * Prices are per person & based on 2 persons occupying a car and room/cabin. Single room occupancy supplement for the duration.

2 Tour Itinerary DAY 1 Early evening sailing to Holland from Harwich, Hull or Newcastle. Once on board you can relax and enjoy the facilities on-board as you sail overnight from the UK. Your accommodation is in a 2 berth inside en-suite cabin, or for an added touch of luxury, why not upgrade to an outside cabin or one of the premier class cabins (subject to availability). There's a choice of restaurants to cater for all tastes with a variety of delicious food and a number of bars allow you to unwind whilst enjoying live music and entertainment. DAY 2 Breakfast on board followed by an early morning arrival in Holland. After embarkation you'll drive north through Holland and into Germany where you enjoy an overnight stop in the Hamburg area with dinner included at the hotel. (Mileage: 325 miles - Driving time: 5hrs excluding stops) DAY 3 Departing the hotel after breakfast your journey today takes you into Denmark and to the port of Hirtshals. Here you ll board one of the superb Fjord Line Ships for your second overnight crossing, this time to Stavanger in Norway. Again your accommodation is in a 2 berth inside cabin (upgrades available). On board you choose between 8 different restaurants, from Gourmet food in the Cosmopolitan Restaurant, to burgers in the Sports & Burger Bar, and each evening you can enjoy a show in the ship's Show Lounge. (Mileage: 320 miles - Driving time: 4hrs 45 minutes excluding stops) DAY 4 Arrival in Stavanger is at 07h00 and almost immediately after disembarkation you'll start to experience the magnificent fjord-land scenery as you make you way north via Norheimsund and along the Hardangerfjord, where you ll see the new Hardangerfjord bridge which has a longer span than the Golden Gate Bridge! From here our journey takes us via Voss, through the majestic Norwegian mountain scenery, passing through Vossvangen and the Tvindefossen and Waterfall. Arrival in Flam and the Fretheim Hotel, your accommodation for the night with Buffet Dinner included. (Mileage: 133 miles - Driving time: 3 hrs 30 minutes excluding stops) DAY 5 After a leisurely breakfast you ll enjoy a spectacular trip on the Flam Railway, one of the world's steepest railway lines. On the 20km train ride you will experience more of Norway's most dramatic and magnificent scenery including deep ravines, waterfalls, snow-capped mountain slopes and mountain farms. After lunch we depart Flam for the drive to Sogndal. The routing takes us via the Laerdal Tunnel, the world s longest road tunnel (24.5km) followed by a short ferry crossing from Fodnes to Mannheller with arival at your Hotel in Sogndal late afternoon. Buffet dinner is included at the hotel. (Mileage: 103 miles - Driving time: 2 hrs 30 minutes excluding stops/ferries) DAY 6 Departing the hotel and Sogndal after breakfast, our routing today sees us travelling through the main gateway to the Jotunheimen National Park - Norway s highest mountains and from Gaupne you can make a short detour to Josterdal for a up-close view point to the Josterdal Glacierand, From Gaupne you ll join Route 55 for the drive across the Sognefjell mountain range, the highest and most impressive mountain pass in Northern Europe (highest point 1430 meters) to Lom. This route has been awarded the status of 'national tourist route' because of the spectacular and wild mountain scenery it passes through. The final part of the journey is from Lom to Geiranger where you'll spend the next two nights with Buffet Dinner included tonight. (Mileage: 152 miles - Driving time: 3 hrs 40 minutes excluding stops/ferries)

3 Tour Itinerary DAY 7 Buffet Breakfast followed by an optional morning drive to Dalsnibba viewpoint, at a breathtaking 1500m above sea level, with fantastic views of Geirangerfjord and the surrounding mountains. The winding mountain road takes you from Geiranger to Djupvasshytta at 1038m above sea level, then you take the Nibbevegen toll road (cost approx.100nkr) to Dalsnibba, one of the main attractions in the Geiranger region. The Dalsnibba Souvenir shop is located in the service building on the viewpoint. Then on your return to Geirager the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the village of Geiranger, a famous cruise ship destination. Dinner is at leisure in Geiranger this evening. (Mileage: 26 miles (round trip) - Driving time: approx. 30 minutes each way excluding stops) DAY 8 Departure from the hotel & Geiranger is breakfast and today you'll enjoy a breathtaking drive on the 'Trollstigen National Tourist Route' where you'll experience the Trollstigen Mountain Road, one of Norway's most dramatic and most visited attractions. The Trollstigen National Tourist Route is a 106 km stretch of road between Lake Langvatnet on Strynefjell and the Sogge Bridge in Romsdal and has six panoramic view and rest areas. Then it s on to Molde via Andalsnes with accommodation at the Rica Hotel with dinner included. (Mileage: 108 miles - Driving time: 3 hrs 45 mins excluding stops) DAY 9 - Departing the hotel after breakfast, today you'll experience the Atlantic Road. Sharp turns and wild nature have put the Atlantic Road at the top of the list of the world's best road trips. The Atlantic Road is a 8-kilometre long stretch of road between the towns of Kristiansund and Molde, the two main population centres in the county of Møre og Romsdal in Fjord Norway. The road starts approximately 47 kilometres north of Molde and ends 30 kilometres southwest of Kristiansund. Chosen as "Norway's construction of the century" in 2005, the road links together small coastal communities. From the Atlantic Road it is just a 30-minute drive through the Ocean Tunnel to Kristiansund. Return to Molde late afternoon with dinner included at the hotel. (Mileage: 160 miles - Driving time: 5 hrs excluding stops) DAY 10 After breakfast we depart Molde by ferry with a 30 minute crossing to Vestnes. From here it's a scenic drive to South to Forde passing along the Old Strynefjell Mountain Road, now a national tourist route and a piece of cultural heritage more than 100 years old. Between the mountain village of Skjåk and the fjord village of Stryn there were several ancient routes used for the transport of people and essential goods. In 1881, the decision to build a road between Grotli and Hjelle was made. In 1894 the road was ready for use, a masterpiece of road-building and engineering. Today, the old road is replaced with a new 12-kilometre long all-year road. However, it is still the old road that provides a view and perspective. Nature displays its contrasts along this stretch of road, with the rounded, glacier-scoured forms to the east and a steeper, more precipitous topography to the west. Arrival at the Rica Hotel Forde will be late afternoon with Buffet Dinner included. (Mileage: 171 miles - Total driving time: 5 hrs 15 minutes excluding stops/ ferries)

4 Tour Itinerary DAY 11 - Breakfast followed by departure from Forde for the final journey south to Bergen where you should arrive mid-afternoon with the remainder of the day to explore this Hansiatic City. Your accommodation is at the excellent Radisson Royal Blu Hotel in the heart of Bergen. Underground car parking is available at the hotel however this is independently operated and parking charges are payable locally. Accommodation here is on a B&B basis. (Mileage: 109 miles - Total driving time: 3 hrs excluding stops/ferries) DAY 12 The morning and early afternoon at leisure in Bergen before boarding a mid afternoon Fjord Line Ferry for the overnight sailing back to Hirtshals in Denmark. Again all of the ships facilities are at your disposal during the sailing and accommodation is in a 2 berth inside cabin (upgrades available). DAY 13 - Morning arrival in Hirtshals, followed by disembarkation and the drive back through Denmark and Germany with the last overnight stop in TBC DAY 14 Disembark TBC and make your way into Holland for your return sailing home via Harwich, Hull or Newcastle. Early evening sailing. Once on board you can relax and enjoy the facilities on-board as you sail overnight from Holland. Your accommodation is in a 2 berth inside en-suite cabin, or for an added touch of luxury, why not upgrade to an outside cabin or one of the premier class cabins (subject to availability). There's a choice of restaurants to cater for all tastes with a variety of delicious food and a number of bars allow you to unwind whilst enjoying live music and entertainment. DAY 15 - Breakfast on board followed by an early morning arrival in the UK. Welcome home. OUTWARD RETURN

5 Places to Visit

6 Accommodation Hamburg - Overnight HOTEL TBC Hirtshals - Stavenger (Overnight Ferry) Welcome on board MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord, where you will experience travel and entertainment like never before. Our artists have an amazing opportunity to be close to the audience, be spontaneous and adapt their show according to your wishes, in order to ensure a unique experience on board. If you like dancing, you will love our extraordinary show in Fjord Lounge. If you prefer sitting down and enjoying music in a calm and pleasant atmosphere, then our fabulous piano bar by Bungalow Wine is the perfect alternative for you. The Fertheim Hotel, Flam This refurbished 1800s manor house is in Flåm, 200 metres from the Aurlandsfjord and the Flam Railway. It provides a restaurant, a large garden and free Wi-Fi and sauna access. All rooms have fjord or mountain views. The hotel s individually decorated rooms feature a seating area, an electric kettle and a private bathroom. The restaurant serves Norwegian cuisine based on organic, locally sourced ingredients. In summer, guests can sit on the terrace. A bar, café and lobby bar are also available. The Torvis Hotel, Marifjora, Sogndal This hotel is set in a 17th-century guesthouse by the pretty Lustrafjord, in the quiet village of Marifjøra. It offers great relaxation options such as a hot tub and a fireplace room. Each of Tørvis Hotel s classically styled rooms feature views of the fjord and surrounding mountains. All include wooden floors, large beds and a private bathroom with bathrobes. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout Hotel and the restaurant serves Norwegian and international dishes made from fresh, locally produced ingredients. A wine cellar and café are also found on site.

7 Accommodation The Union Hotel Geirangerfjord The Union Hotel is set into the mountains with spectacular views overlooking the magnificent Geirangerfjord. Hotel facilities include; In-door & out-door swimming pool, sauna, solarium and shopping arcade. The restaurant serves a variety of Norwegian and International dishes and the lobby bar is the perfect place to relax at the end of the day.all of the hotels en-suite guest-rooms are beautifully decorated and feature; air conditioning. minibar, hairdryer, radio, satellite TV, Iron / Ironing Board and in-room safe. The The Union Rica Seilet Hotel Hotel, Geirangerfjord Molde The Situated Union right Hotel by is the set Romsdal into the Fjord, mountains the sail-shaped with spectacular Rica Seilet views Hotel overlooking offers free the magnificent Wi-Fi and rooms Geirangerfjord. with cable TV Hotel and facilities a minibar. include; Molde In-door city centre & out-door is 250 metres swimming away. pool, All rooms sauna, at solarium Rica Hotel and Seilet shopping have arcade. a private The bathroom restaurant with serves bath a or variety shower. of Norwegian Restaurant and Seilet International serves a breakfast dishes and and the lunch lobby buffet bar daily. is the Drinks perfect can place be to enjoyed relax at at the the end 15th-floor of the Sky day.all Bar of which the hotels has a en-suite terrace with guest-rooms panoramic are views. beautifully Work decorated out in the and Bris feature; Fitness air Centre conditioning. situated in minibar, the hotel. hairdryer, Relaxing radio, treatments satellite TV, are offered Iron / Ironing at the Board 4th-floor and Cosmopol in-room safe. Spa. The The Rica Scandic Seilet Sunnfjord Hotel, Molde Hotel, Forde This full-service hotel is centrally located in Førde, in an area with stunning Situated right by the Romsdal Fjord, the sail-shaped Rica Seilet Hotel offers free countryside, rich fishing waters, exciting glaciers and abundant cultural possibilities. Wi-Fi and rooms with cable TV and a minibar. Molde city centre is 250 metres away. The hotels inviting and well-equipped en suite guest rooms have TVs, phones, All rooms at Rica Hotel Seilet have a private bathroom with bath or shower. minibars and ironing facilities. There are both disabled and non-smoking rooms Restaurant Seilet serves a breakfast and lunch buffet daily. Drinks can be enjoyed at available. The renowned buffet at Restaurant Laxen is very popular with both guests the 15th-floor Sky Bar which has a terrace with panoramic views. Work out in the and locals. On weekends guests can venture to the Barthold Bar for live music and Bris Fitness Centre situated in the hotel. Relaxing treatments are offered at the the lobby bar Bartine is a nice place to meet up for a few drinks in good company. 4th-floor Cosmopol Spa. Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Bergen The Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Bergen is centrally located in the charming Bryggen area of this exciting Norwegian city. The hotel s award-winning and distinctive architecture ensures that the hotel blends in with the historic environment in Bryggen, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the old wooden alleyways, visit the colourful fish market and take the Føibanen Funicular to enjoy the spectacular view over the city between the seven mountains. Guests enjoy plush rooms with thoughtful amenities, delicious dining options, an on-site fitness centre and flexible meeting facilities.

8 Accommodation Bergen - Hirtshals (Overnight Ferry) Welcome on board MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord, where you will experience travel and entertainment like never before. Our artists have an amazing opportunity to be close to the audience, be spontaneous and adapt their show according to your wishes, in order to ensure a unique experience on board. If you like dancing, you will love our extraordinary show in Fjord Lounge. If you prefer sitting down and enjoying music in a calm and pleasant atmosphere, then our fabulous piano bar by Bungalow Wine is the perfect alternative for you. Overnight Stop HOTEL TBC

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