Magic of the Fjords Stockholm to Stavanger - 11 Days

Welcome to Stockholm, a city set amidst nearly 25,000 islands. The rest of the day is at leisure. You may wish to take a stroll through the charming streets and discover the city’s royal heritage, or wander along Drottninggatan – Queen Street – lined with shops, bars, and cafés.

Please note: This tour is semi-independent in style from days 1 - 3, you will not be escorted by a tour guide in Stockholm.

Your taxi driver will meet you at reception and take you to the small port to begin the Royal Canal Cruise. During the cruise, you’ll learn about the city and its fascinating history.

Often called the Beauty on Water or the Venice of the North, Stockholm is built across 14 islands and surrounded by Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. Its grand public buildings, elegant palaces, rich cultural heritage and world-class museums beautifully reflect over 700 years of history.

After the Royal Canal Cruise, enjoy exploring the city at your own pace. Please note there is no return transfer to the hotel after the cruise.

This morning, make your way to the train station for your high-speed train journey to Oslo. Enjoy a comfortable and scenic ride as you travel from Sweden into Norway.

On arrival in Oslo, check in at your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Norway’s capital at your own pace. You may wish to wander through the city centre, visit the harbour front, or unwind in one of Oslo’s many inviting cafés.

You will meet your Tour Leader either at the hotel this afternoon or at breakfast the following morning.

Meet your local guide at the hotel reception and set off on a three-hour city sightseeing tour of Norway’s vibrant capital, starting at 11:00 am. The guided tour includes highlights such as Frogner Park with its impressive Vigeland sculptures, the Royal Palace, City Hall, and Akershus Fortress.

Today, your journey continues from Oslo into the heart of Norway’s spectacular fjord region. Board the Bergen Railway in the morning and travel through dramatic mountain scenery to Myrdal, a scenic junction high in the mountains. From here, connect to the legendary Flåmsbana Railway – one of the steepest and most beautiful train journeys in the world. This breathtaking ride takes you past sheer cliffs, cascading waterfalls, remote mountain farms, and through 20 tunnels as you descend from the highlands to the fjord village of Flåm.

On arrival in Flåm, enjoy some free time to explore this charming village at the end of the Aurlandsfjord – an arm of the mighty Sognefjord, known as the King of the Fjords and the longest in Norway.

In the afternoon, embark on a fjord cruise from Flåm to Balestrand, gliding through the tranquil waters of the Sognefjord, surrounded by towering peaks and picture-perfect landscapes. The Aurlandsfjord section, a 17-kilometre arm of the Sognefjord, is often considered one of the most beautiful stretches of fjord in the world.

Schedule (subject to change): • 08:25 – Train from Oslo, arriving in Myrdal at 13:03 • 13:27 – Flåmsbana train from Myrdal, arriving in Flåm at 14:25 • 15:30 – Cruise from Flåm to Balestrand, arriving in Balestrand at 16:50

Optional excursion: You may wish to join a visit to Supphellebreen and Bøyabreen glaciers, before returning to Fjærland for the boat trip back to Balestrand. Coach transport and museum entrance are included. As places are limited, we recommend booking this excursion in advance.

Enjoy a leisurely morning exploring the beautiful village of Balestrand and its surrounding fjord landscapes. You may wish to stroll along the waterfront, browse the local art galleries, or simply relax and soak up the tranquil atmosphere.

Alternatively, you can join an optional half-day excursion to Fjærland – where the glacier meets the fjord.

Optional Excursion: Fjærland & Glacier Experience This round-trip tour from Balestrand begins with a scenic boat journey through the stunning Fjærlandsfjord, framed by steep mountains and lush greenery. On arrival in Fjærland, a shuttle bus will take you to the Norwegian Glacier Museum, where you’ll enjoy Ivo Caprino’s panoramic film on the Jostedalsbreen Glacier and explore the interactive exhibits. The tour continues by coach to two spectacular glaciers, Supphellebreen and Bøyabreen, before returning to Fjærland for the boat trip back to Balestrand.

Please Note:Coach transport and museum entrance are included. As availability is limited on-site, we recommend booking this excursion in advance.

This morning, take a short walk from your hotel to the pier and board a scenic express boat to Bergen. As you travel along the magnificent Sognefjord – the King of the Fjords – admire the majestic cliffs, charming villages, and serene Nordic landscapes that line your route.

Schedule (subject to change): • Departure from Balestrand: 07:50 am • Arrival in Bergen: 11:50 am

Upon arrival in Bergen, leave your luggage at the hotel before meeting your local guide at reception for a walking tour of this historic city. Discover Bergen’s most iconic sights, including the Hanseatic Bryggen with its colourful wooden warehouses, St Mary’s Church, Håkon’s Fortress, and the lively Fish Market.

Enjoy a full day at leisure to discover Bergen – the World Heritage City and gateway to Norway’s fjords. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a European City of Culture, Bergen offers the perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant urban life throughout the year.

You may wish to wander through the UNESCO-listed Bryggen Wharf, browse the lively Fish Market, or take the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen for panoramic views of the city and surrounding fjords.

To experience more of Bergen’s charm, you can choose from the following optional activities:

Bergen Food Tour – 15:00, approximately 3 hours Discover the city’s culinary traditions and local flavours with an expert guide.

Fjord Cruise to Mostraumen – 14:00, approximately 3 hours Cruise through narrow fjords and past cascading waterfalls, taking in the stunning coastal scenery.

Breakfast is served at the hotel. This morning, continue your journey south towards Stavanger – Norway’s oil capital. Make your own way to the pier and board the ferry for a scenic 5 hour 30 minute voyage along the coast.

As you sail, enjoy breathtaking views of Norway’s rugged coastline, dotted with islands, tranquil inlets, and unspoilt natural landscapes.

Upon arrival at the ferry terminal in Stavanger, transfer on your own to your hotel. Private transfers can be arranged in advance if preferred.

Today, take part in a memorable fjord cruise through the stunning Lysefjord. Sailing in near silence aboard a battery-powered boat makes this experience truly special. Both Preikestolen and the Lysefjord are among Stavanger’s most celebrated natural attractions.

Step aboard directly from the city centre and glide into the heart of Norway’s serene, unspoilt fjord landscapes. After passing under the Lysefjord Bridge – the gateway to the famous fjord – you’ll find yourself surrounded by steep, dramatic cliffs rising high above the water. Feel the excitement as the crew navigates towards Fantahålå, the cave where “vagrants” once hid from the sheriff in days gone by.

Soon after, you’ll spot one of Norway’s most iconic landmarks – Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock – soaring 604 metres above the fjord. Lysefjord is also home to several spectacular waterfalls, including the thundering Hengjanefossen, where the captain brings the boat close enough for you to feel the refreshing spray.

In spring and summer, look out for the friendly goats grazing on the mountainsides, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot sea eagles, seals, or porpoises as you cruise through this magnificent landscape.

Our tour concludes after breakfast. Depending on your flight schedule, you may wish to enjoy a final stroll through Oslo – perhaps browse local design boutiques, wander the charming streets, admire the city’s elegant architecture, or relax at one of its many inviting cafés and bars.

Please note that airport transfers are not included but can be arranged in advance for an additional fee.