Leisurely Scenic Tour

This leisurely motoring tour features much of the beautiful and dramatic scenery of the Hardangerfjord, the Hardangervidda National Park, the Sognefjord and Lake Jølster.

 

 

Distances between resorts have deliberately been kept to a minimum in order to allow plenty of time to make the most of the scenery and points of interest en route and therefore this tour will particularly appeal to those for whom the car is a convenience rather than the main location for the holiday!

Day 1

Arrive Bergen Airport. Collect your hire car from the airport. Drive alongside the Samnangerfjord before crossing the Kvam Mountains and descending to Norheimsund, overlooking the Hardangerfjord. A lovely drive now alongside the fjord to Øystese. Day's mileage approx. 50 miles.

2 nights ØYSTESE - Hardangerfjord Hotel (BB)

Day 3

Continue alongside the fjord passing the village of Granvin before travelling through the Vallavik Tunnel to Bruravik. Ferry across to Brimnes before bearing eastwards alongside Eidfjord to the little village of the same name. The Hardangervidda Natursenter is located at Øvre Eidfjord and is well worth a visit. The road now continues into the dramatic Måbø Valley, passing the magnificent Vøringfoss Falls at Fossli (fantastic view from the top at Fossli Hotel) before climbing the Hardangervidda to the mountain resort of Geilo. Day's mileage approx. 79 miles.

1 night GEILO - Dr. Holm's Hotel (BB)

Day 4

Continue to Hagafoss to join the road westwards, back towards the fjord district, travelling alongside Strandafjord and into the Aurlands Valley, descending through a series of tunnels (admire these feats of engineering!) to Aurland, overlooking the beautiful Aurlandsfjord. Short drive around the fjord to Flåm. Day's mileage approx. 72 miles.

2 nights FLÅM - Flåmsbrygga Hotell (BB)

Day 6

From Aurland you will now join the road over the mountain to Lærdal, avoiding the 24 kms long Lærdals Tunnel with its ’alternative’ view. The mountain road is narrow and very winding to start with (12 hairpin curves) but offers a spectacular view of the Aurland Valley. The road gets wider as it starts to climb with clear views of the Jostedal Icefield in the north and the Jotunheimen Mountains in the north-east and at its highest point, at 1809 m, you will find snow at the sides of the road, even into July. Descend once again to the fjord, crossing by ferry to Mannheller, then drive through the Sogndal Valley and alongside Lake Dalavatn to the village of Fjærland (excellent Glacier Exhibition Centre) before continuing through the tunnels (toll) to Skei, overlooking Lake Jølster. Day's mileage approx. 100 miles plus 1 ferry, duration 15 minutes.

2 nights SKEI - Skei Hotel (BB)

Day 8

Southwards alongside Lake Jølster driving through Ytredal to reach the Sognefjord at Vadheim. Across the fjord by ferry to Oppedal then continue over Fjordsdalen and Romarheimsdalen into Bergen. Day's mileage approx. 136 miles plus 1 ferry, duration 20 minutes.

1 night BERGEN - Augustin Hotel (BB) - including reserved car parking.

Day 9

Return your hire car to Bergen Airport before joining your return flight to the UK.

Departure Day:  Daily from London Heathrow Airport
Departure Dates:  June - September 2011
Duration:  8 nights

Flight supplements for alternative departure airports

Hardangerfjord Hotel ***

Situated overlooking the fjord with a lovely garden and a view of the Folgefonna glacier. The hotel has 87 rooms all with shower and WC, TV and telephone. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, swimming pool and sauna. Lift to all floors.

Dr. Holm's Hotel ****

Dr. Holm’s is one of the most traditional hotels in Norway, and has been a source of recreation and leisure since the start of the 19th century. The hotel is situated on the hillside directly opposite the railway station (a complimentary mini-bus meets all train arrivals). The hotel has a swimming pool with sauna and solarium, a Shiseido Spa, several restaurants including an informal cafe, an American diner with 10 pin bowling lanes, a main restaurant serving buffet dinner and a cosy terrace with view of Geilo. All rooms have shower and WC, TV, mini-bar, telephone and hairdryer. Lift to all floors.

Flåmsbrygga ***plus

Flåmsbrygga Hotell is a brand new accommodation development owned by Furukroa, a lovely restaurant/cafe with a magnificent terrace overlooking the Aurlandsfjord and the daily comings and goings in Flåm. The hotel is of a very high standard and has been built in traditional, log cabin style with a relaxed and informal modern Scandinavian interior. All rooms have a private balcony with fjord view, shower and WC, telephone and TV. Family rooms with separate bedroom and living area also available (price on request). Buffet breakfast taken in Furokroa, next door.

Skei Hotel***plus

In the heart of Fjord Norway, situated in beautiful natural surroundings on the northern shores of Lake Jølster. Managed by the fourth generation of the Skrede family. All rooms have shower/wc.

Augustin Hotel ***

Bergen's oldest family-run hotel now managed by the fourth generation. Centrally located in the shopping and harbour area, the oldest part of the hotel was built in Art Nouveau style in 1909, however, since then the hotel has expanded, incorporating old neighbouring houses and building new wings. The hotel has a popular intimate dinner restaurant (closed Sundays) and a lovely 400-year-old cellar bar.  All bedrooms are equipped with TV, phone, hairdryer, mini-bar and trouser press  Lift to all floors.