NOTHERN LIGHTS BY TRAIN AND CRUISE

After collecting your luggage and leaving the airport, make your way to your accommodation in Oslo city centre. You could opt to take a taxi or use public transport, but for a more direct and comfortable ride, we could arrange a private airport transfer for you. If you arrive early in the day, spend the afternoon walking through the city. You could stroll along the Karl Johans gate main street, along the Aker Brygge marina and past the beautiful Oslo Opera House.You could also choose to visit the beautiful Vigeland Sculpture Park, tour the Royal Palace, explore the Akershus fortress or view Oslo City Hall. Other attractions include the Fram Museum, displaying a world-famous polar exploration ship, and the extensive collection of works by the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch at the Munch Museum. Spend the night in Oslo.

Get an early start and head to Oslo Central Station, where you’ll begin the Norway in a Nutshell® railway journey to Bergen, with an overnight stop in Flåm. For this, we recommend booking the luggage transfer between Oslo and Bergen so you can travel freely.

Then you’re off on a scenic train ride that will take you over Norway’s “mountainous rooftops”, through charming villages like Gol and Geilo. In Myrdal, you’ll switch trains to hop on the famous Flåm Railway (“Flåmsbana”) for an incredible ride to the beautiful village of Flåm. Enjoy the rest of the day in Flåm. Spend the night in Flåm.

Today you finish the Norway in a Nutshell journey by travelling from Flåm to Bergen. First, you’ll sail through Aurlandsfjord into the World Heritage-listed Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord in all of Europe. This is perhaps the most beautiful arm of Sognefjord, with its mighty waterfalls and small farms clinging to the steep mountainsides. This is especially charming in the winter months. Then, your boat will dock in Gudvangen, from where the journey continues by bus through Nærøydalen, with its quaint villages and scenic winter landscape. The bus will arrive in Voss, where you’ll embark on the final stretch of your journey on the Bergen Railway. Spend the night in Bergen.

Bergen, “The Capital of the Fjords”, is an international city with all the charms of a small town. That makes it ideal to explore in a day. You could first head to the historic harbour of Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or spend time in a museum of your choosing. For some outdoor adventures and great views over the city and surrounding snowy hills, take the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen or the cable car up Mount Ulriken. In the evening, you’ll board your coastal cruise. Spend the night aboard the coastal cruise.

Wake up on the cruise and admire the coastal winter scenery. Grab breakfast and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Nordfjord. As the ship sails past the West Cape, you will enter the open ocean before reaching Ålesund. Depending on the time of year when you visit, you might spend the whole day in the port town of Ålesund, discovering its fascinating Art Nouveau architecture. Or you'll first discover the Hjørundfjord, one of Norway's most idyllic and untouched fjords. Spend another night aboard the coastal cruise.

You’ll arrive in Trondheim early in the morning, which is where your cruise comes to an end. We suggest you grab a nice breakfast at one of city’s lovely cafés before enjoying some leisure time. Take the day to explore the sights in this historic city that used to be the capital of Norway during Viking times. Don’t miss Nidaros Cathedral, one of Scandinavia’s largest buildings from the Middle Ages. Other spots you’ll want to see include the Old Town Bridge (“Gamle Bybro”), Bakklandet, an idyllic neighbourhood full of history and culture, the Ringve Music Museum and Munkholmen island. Spend the night in Trondheim.

Today you’re leaving the south of Norway behind to fly into the Arctic Circle. When your flight lands at Tromsø Airport, collect your luggage and make your way to the city centre. We recommend taking the airport bus (“Flybussen”) or a taxi directly to your accommodation. After settling in, you can spend the rest of the day exploring the charming city of Tromsø, also known as the "Capital of Northern Norway". There are many restaurants in the city centre to start your trip with a taste of the Arctic. In the evening, you’ll leave the city lights behind to join a northern lights* tour. Heading out of town will give you the best chances to spot the magical aurora borealis in the winter sky. Spend the night in Tromsø.

* Please note that the northern lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Take the full day to enjoy the cultural highlights of Tromsø. We recommend a stroll along Storgata, the main shopping street of the city. Then stop to visit the Polar Museum nearby. Or travel across the water to take in the striking Arctic Cathedral. For views of the city and some more outdoor adventures, take the cable car Fjellheisen up Storsteinen mountain.In the evening, you’ll enjoy a northern lights cruise*. You’ll sail away from the bright lights of Tromsø to hunt for the northern lights at sea. Meanwhile, you’ll be served dinner on board. After the tour you will be transferred back to your accommodation. Spend another night in Tromsø.

You have another full day to take in all that Tromsø has to offer. Visit what you may have missed yesterday, or head to Polaria or the Northern Norway Art Museum (“Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum”). This way you’ll immerse yourself even more in the Arctic atmosphere of the city. Another alternative, if you’re looking for more adventures before you say goodbye to Norway, is to book an optional activity. You could go whale watching or a guided reindeer sledding tour. Spend another night in Tromsø.

After an incredible adventure across Norway, it’s time to bid farewell to this Nordic nation. Your tour will conclude in Tromsø, from where you will make your way back home. Note: If you need assistance with flights from Tromsø, or would like to book some additional nights in Oslo after your trip, then please contact us for details.