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Norway & Denmark 11 HB 6th June £1179 single £305
TELEMARK & THE WESTERN FJORD HIGHLIGHTS |
| Enjoy a relaxing ferry-cruise between Harwich and Esbjerg, on Denmark's west coast and the spend a night in East Jutland before crossing to Norway for a wonderful 2 centre tour with stays in the magnifi cent Telemark Region and the heart of the Western Fjords. Highlights include Vrådal, The Hardangervidda National Park, the famous World War 2 sabotage site at Vemork, Stalheim, The Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord and Flåm. Telemark is a relatively unchartered area of Norway. It offers magnifi cent scenery with a high mountain plateau, deep valleys, forests, rivers and crystal clear lakes. It has a very rich cultural heritage. By contrast Norway's Western Fjords, offer some of the World's most dramatic scenery and they have been attracting tourists to Norway for decades. |
Day 1
Proceed to Harwich to meet the DFDS cruiseferry service to Esbjerg, on Denmark's west coast.
Depart Harwich 17.45.
Day 2
Arrive Esbjerg 13.00. Drive from Esbjerg and through the Danish countryside to Århus, in east Jutland. Distance 100 miles by motorway the whole way so estimate travelling time of 2.5 hours. Check-in for a 1 night stay in Århus.
Day 3
Depart Århus and travel through North Jutland, past Brønderslev and Hjørring to arrive in Hirtshals for the Color Line fast-craft ferry service to Kristiansand, on Norway's south coast.
We Depart Kristiansand and drive along Norway's southern coast to Arendal. From here we branch north west on route 42 to Svenes. North then through Dølemo to Åmli (possible refreshment stop at Åmli).
From Åmli continue along road 41 to Treungen and drive along the beautiful eastern coast of the lake, through Nissedal, to arrive in Vrådal for a 3 night stay. After check-in a late dinner will be served in the restaurant.
Day 4
AT LEISURE IN TELEMARK
A full day at leisure to relax in Vrådal. The hotel has great facilities including an indoor swimming pool, large panoramic terrace, a lounge and a wonderful garden that sweeps down from the hotel to the lake shore and beach.
In the afternoon we can, on request, arrange a cruise on Lake Nisser on the veteran boat MS Fram. The Fram dates from 1909 and the scenic cruise sails through narrow straits, the small islands and an old lock.
On return to Vrådal we visit the local silversmith, located very close to the hotel. Here guests can purchase jewellery and souvenirs. The shop can, of course, be visited free of charge but a guided visit to the workshop can be arranged separately on request.
Day 5
HEROES OF TELEMARK
Full day panoramic excursion across the Hardangervidda Plateau.
Travel first to Brunkenberg and then west through Morgedal to Amot. Proceed along the Vestfjord-Dalen climbing up on to the Hardangervidda Plateau with spectacular views of its wild scenery and beautiful lakes.
The Hardangervidda is the largest mountain plain in Europe and the largest of Norway's National Parks. After passing the Rauland High Mountain Hotel and Ski Centre. We continue to Rjukan for a visit to the famous Heavy Water Sabotage site at Vemork. After parking we join a mini-bus for the short journey across the gorge and up to the Vemork Power Station (you may see some bungee jumpers at the Vemork Suspension Bridge!).
The fascinating visit offers an insight into Norwegian Industrial Heritage but of most interest is the film and exhibits relating to the incredible story of the partisan sabotage mission to destroy Hitler's heavy water plant that was located at this site. Eventually succeeding they halted German efforts to build a nuclear bomb. There is a café at the museum.
After returning to the coach we continue through Rjukan and along the shore of Lake Tinnsjø and pass the small railway/lake terminal that used to load the heavy water on to boats to commence its journey to Germany.
Arrive in Orvella. A short detour to Heddal can, time allowing, also be included. It is home to Norway's largest Stave Church (built in 1100/1200) and it is still in use today - It can be photographed from the outside or alternatively a fee can be paid for an inside visit. This is a full day so our recommendation is for a short photo stop at Heddal. Another Stave church can be visited later in the tour (see below) if required. There is a small café close to the church.
Day 6
FROM TELEMARK TO THE WESTERN FJORDS
Today we depart Vrådal and travel to Brunkenberg before crossing the Haukelifjell Mountain Road and descending to the Sörfjord, a branch of the Hardangerfjord, at Odda.
Odda makes a good refreshment stop before continuing along the western shore of the Hardangerfjord. Overlooked by the Folgefonn Glacier, the road is flanked by fruit trees on one side and the deep fjord on the other.
We arrive in Utne and take the short ferry journey across the Hardangerfjord to Kvanndal, northwards then past Voss and then towards Gudvangen before climbing up to the Stalheim Hotel for a 3 night stay.
Day 7
THE SOGNEFJORD CIRCULAR
We start from Stalheim and travel over the Vik Mountains to the small town of Vik (snow can often be seen on top of the "Vikafjell" well into the spring). Often, the snow on the roadside will be taller than the coaches, lorries and cars that pass across the mountain road.
Pass through Vik and then on to Vangsnes for the short ferry ride to Hella. On past Leikanger (look out for the Kvinna waterfall en-route from Hella to Leikanger - When in full flow it is necessary to drive through the water!), to Sogndal where we recommend a short stop (there is a small parade of shops in Sogndal).
We follow the stop in Sogndal on to Mannheller for the short sailing to Fodnes and continue on to Laerdal to visit the Norwegian Wild Salmon Centre (allow about 2 hours for this visit). The visit includes a fascinating film show about the life of the salmon. There is a café at the Wild Salmon Centre (if you intend to use the café then the centre will need advance warning).
Laerdal itself is a very pretty town with a tranquil setting surrounded by mountains. It's worth a short time for exploration not least because of the quarter, "Gamla Laerdalsoyri" which consists of traditional wooden houses which have been lovingly restored.
From Laerdal we continue along the old Bergen/Oslo postal route climbing up to the stave church at Borgund. The drive is through beautiful scenery and along one on Norway's most famous salmon fishing rivers. Borgund has become known as the Norwegian stave church par excellence. It is one of the biggest and most spectacular and has the best-preserved mediaeval appearance. It has also served as the model for the restoration of several other stave churches.
After the stop in Borgund we travel on via the new tunnel between Laerdal and Aurland (at 24.5km the longest road tunnel in the world). On arrival in Aurland we return to Stalheim via Flåm.
Day 8
The Norway in a Nutshell/Flåm Railway excursion is one of Norway's greatest highlights. The day starts with a coach transfer for the descent from Stalheim to the port of Gudvangen. Here we board the Fjord Cruise for the leisurely journey to Flåm, sailing down the narrow Naeroyfjord and Aurlandsfjord with steep cliffs rising on both sides of the boat. There are many mountain top farms to be spied along the way before arriving into the very charming port of Flåm.
In Flåm there will be a little time at leisure before joining the fantastic Flåm Railway for a return journey to Myrdal, with unforgettable views of mountains and waterfalls en-route.
On arrival back in Flåm we return to Stalheim for an included visit to Stalheim Museum (this is an outside visit - Depending on the timings for this excursion the Stalheim Museum visit may be better rescheduled to the morning).
Day 9
FROM THE FJORDS TO THE SKAGERRAK COAST
Not to be confused with a day at leisure, today is a long but very scenic day. Depart Stalheim and travel via Flåm and through the new tunnel to the Laerdal Valley. Pass Borgund and travel through beautiful scenery to Hemsedal. Southwards then through Noresund and Kroderen to arrive in Larvik in time for dinner. Overnight stay in Larvik.
Day 10
An early breakfast before departing the hotel and joining the morning Color Line fast ferry departure from Larvik. There will be plenty of time to relax on board before the arrival into Denmark at Hirtshals. Depart Larvik 08.00 Arrive Hirtshals 11.45. Onward journey to Esbjerg is approx. 210 miles. Motorway the whole way and a comfortable 4 to 4.5 hour drive. Join the DFDS ferry crossing - Depart Esbjerg 18.45.
Day 11
Arrive Harwich at midday and travel home.
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Included in price: Dinner B & B including ship throughout, all visits as
list, Luxury Coach travel, services of experienced tour driver.
Excursions as listed, all ferries.
PASSPORT REQUIRED. |
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