8 nights. Norway

Day 1

hamburg, germany

Departure: 20:00

Hamburg, a city with centuries of trading history, is a bustling blend of Hanseatic commercialism and cosmopolitanism. A very attractive city, although severely damaged during WWII, much of the copper-roofed brick architecture so characteristic of northern Germany remains, while beautiful parks and lakes give rise to Hamburg’s claim that it is the Venice of the north. An active cultural life adds further vitality to this expansive port city. Hamburg’s old town is interspersed with wonderful canals running from the Alster to the Elbe. The richly decorated Rathaus dominates the city centre. Nearby is the equally impressive St. Michaeliskirche. Climb the massive spire of this beautiful baroque church for a splendid view. Near the Rathaus are the Börse, suitably grand for this city of commerce, and the devastated St Nikolai church. Its remains are considered an anti-war memorial. Shopping enthusiasts should head towards Pöseldrof, a charming district of upscale homes, small cafes, boutiques and antique shops. The night owls will have a great time in the notorious St. Pauli district. Hamburg will surprise visitors with its dynamic and cool atmosphere. In this city absolutely everyone can find a good place to suit their taste. Its numerous parks, canals, bridges and beautiful lakes formed by the river Alster, will make you forget its apparent austerity.

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Day 3

bergen, norway

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 17:00

Clinging tenaciously to the hills surrounding its deeply indented fjord, the stunning scenery and exciting cultural tradition of Bergen make it unique among European cities. Once the capital of Norway, Bergen has always played a leading role in the nation’s history. Squeezed between mountains and bounded by water, the centre of town stretches between the harbour Bryggen and Torgalmenningen, the main square. The most sensuous spot in Bergen is the Torget, at the foot of the harbour, where your nose will tell you what’s being sold. Here you can choose fish from open tanks and watch traders net, weigh and clean the creature you’ve chosen. Looking towards the right side of the harbour you’ll see the pointed gables of Bryggen’s roofline. This row of heavy-timbered medieval buildings, typical of Hanseatic architecture, has survived half a dozen disastrous fires since its construction in the 16th century. Bryggen now features restaurants, bars and arts-and-crafts workshops. Housed in one of the best-preserved buildings, the Hanseatic Museum presents an interesting picture of commercial activity during those times. Starting from Torget or Bryggen, explore the jungle of houses on the slopes of Mount Floien. A steep hike above these houses will reward you with increasingly spectacular views of Bergen and the fjord beyond. Welcoming Bergen has numerous places for an evening beer or glass of wine. This beautiful and charming city has a dynamic cultural life and lively atmosphere and is the perfect place to explore the Sognefjord and other fantastic Norwegian fjords.

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Day 4

hellesylt, norway

Arrival: 08:30 - Departure: 09:30

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Day 4

geiranger, norway

Arrival: 11:30 - Departure: 20:00

Geiranger is one of the most beautiful mainland fjords and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Norway, in a rating of UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a fairytale landscape with its majestic, snow-covered mountain tops, wild and beautiful waterfalls, lush green vegetation and the deep, blue fjord,. Take a fjord sightseeing trip and experience it all. (Note: The text is already in English and does not require translation. Irish English does not significantly differ from other forms of English in terms of vocabulary or grammar. Any differences are typically in pronunciation and certain colloquial phrases, which would not affect the given text.)

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Day 5

alesund, norway

Arrival: 07:00 - Departure: 17:00

Old-fashioned pinnacle buildings dot the stone-paved streets of Alesund, a bustling port surrounded by jade-green fjords and forested mountains. After burning to the ground in 1904, Alesund was rebuilt and lavishly embellished with the help of Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany. The Norwegian architects who supervised the rebuild were heavily influenced by Jugendstil, the German version of Art Nouveau, and the town is now one of the best remaining examples of this sinuous, highly personalised, turn-of-the-century style. Moreover, Alesund is the perfect place to explore some of Norway's most famous natural and cultural attractions. Alesund's beautiful Art Nouveau architecture is known far and wide. Narrow streets are crammed with buildings topped with turrets, spires and gables that bear decorations of dragonheads and curlicues. As one of the few remaining Art Nouveau towns in the world, in 1998 Alesund was awarded the coveted Houens National Memorial Prize for the preservation of its unique architecture. The Alesund Museum, in the centre of town, illustrates the city’s rich past with ship models and vintage clothing. For a breathtaking view of Old Alesund, the harbour, and the mountains beyond walk up to Aksla hill. Birdwatchers will enjoy the island of Runde, a sanctuary for birds. Alesund is a modern city with a varied cultural scene and exciting cafes and restaurants. The sea, the fjords, the mountains, the multitude of islands, all so pretty and inviting and the myriad of turrets, spires and beautiful ornamentation that give the town its distinctive character are like something from a fairytale.

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Day 6

flam, norway

Arrival: 08:00 - Departure: 17:00

Flåm is a village in the municipality of Aurland, in the province of Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. It is located at the end of the Aurlandsfjord, which is in turn an arm of the Sognefjord. The town of Flåm has been a popular tourist destination since the late 19th century. It currently receives approximately 450,000 visitors a year. Major attractions include the fjord boat trip and the Flåmsbana, a 20km train between Flåm and Myrdal, being one of the most uneven railways in the world (including several spirals). An old train station houses a museum dedicated to Flåmsbana. The Rallarvegen route, linking Haugastøl with Voss, is also one of the main tourist attractions, especially for cyclists. Access by car to Flåm can be done by the European route E16 connecting Oslo and Bergen.

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Day 7

stavanger, norway

Arrival: 09:00 - Departure: 19:00

Stavanger is the fourth largest city in Norway and in recent years, has become the oil capital of Norway. Despite the rapid growth of the town due to North Sea exploration, Stavanger has managed to retain its old charm while offering all the amenities you'd expect in a modern town. The central area around Vågen harbour is usually bustling with activity, especially during the summer months. There are plenty of bars, cafes and places to eat. The old part of town, Gamle Stavanger, is a beautiful collection of old houses built in traditional Norse style. The historic centre of Stavanger includes several artisan workshops and the Norwegian Canning Museum. It's said there are 173 white cottages dating from the 1800's in this area. It's the largest surviving wooden house settlement in northern Europe. The fantastic Stavanger Cathedral is located right in the middle of the town, between the main harbour and Breiavatnet Lake. The overall style is Romanesque but the eastern side is clearly gothic, with all the specific elements included. The Norsk Oljemuseum shows its interesting side starting from its architecture. The museum is located in an impressive building down the harbour and tells you the history of oil in the North Sea and gives an insight into the industry. Outside the central area, there are lots of parks, open spaces and cycleways to explore the impressive scenery in the area. There's plenty to do in Stavanger itself, which has its own theatre, museums and concert hall. During the summer months, various festivals take place and the centre of town is buzzing with activity.

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Day 9

hamburg, germany

Arrival: 08:00

Hamburg, a city with centuries of trading history, is a bustling blend of Hanseatic commercialism and cosmopolitanism. A very attractive city, although severely damaged during WWII, much of the copper-roofed brick architecture so characteristic of northern Germany remains, while beautiful parks and lakes give rise to Hamburg’s claim that it is the Venice of the north. An active cultural life adds further vitality to this expansive port city. Hamburg’s old town is interspersed with wonderful canals running from the Alster to the Elbe. The richly decorated Rathaus dominates the city centre. Nearby is the equally impressive St. Michaeliskirche. Climb the massive spire of this beautiful baroque church for a splendid view. Near the Rathaus are the Börse, suitably grand for this city of commerce, and the devastated St Nikolai church. Its remains are considered an anti-war memorial. Shopping enthusiasts should head towards Pöseldrof, a charming district of upscale homes, small cafes, boutiques and antique shops. The night owls will have a great time in the notorious St. Pauli district. Hamburg will surprise visitors with its dynamic and cool atmosphere. In this city absolutely everyone can find a good place to suit their taste. Its numerous parks, canals, bridges and beautiful lakes formed by the river Alster, will make you forget its apparent austerity.

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8 nights. Norway

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