Dec 17

Dec 17 Family Holiday in Norway - Norwegian Fjords

Itinerary, Luxury Travel, Family Holidays

Family Adventure in Norway - Norwegian Fjords

Looking for a family adventure in Norway in the summer? Norway is one of the best destinations during summertime for adventurous and fun family holidays with unique and stunning scenery. The Norwegian Fjords are one of the greatest expressions of Mother Nature and offer breath-taking landscapes, unique accommodations and experiences and all with the wonderful hospitality of the local communities and local gastronomy.

Day1: Private transfer from Bergen airport to 29/2 Aurland Hotel with Dinner

On your arrival to Bergen airport, your driver will be waiting for you and take you to your accommodation which will be a wonderfully scenic drive of about 2hr 30min. Overnight accommodation in the Aurland 292 Hotel. We like the Buxton and Grandfather rooms for families. Dinner is included once you have had time to get settled and relax.

29/2 Aurland Hotel was a farm that has provided accommodation for anglers from Norway and abroad for several generations. The furnishing of each of the rooms has been inspired by guests with close links to the Aurlandselva river.

Buxton room

The room has a view of the farmyard, and it has a skylight that offers views of the sky. Here, you simply had to let the birds in, in memory of their dear departed friend and bird lover John Buxton, and his wife Bridget. John succeeded in bringing cranes back to England for the first time for more than a century, and he chased every single greedy crow away from the crane eggs on the marshes of Horsey in Norfolk where the family lives. For his efforts to ensure the return of cranes to England, he was honoured with an MBE, Member of the Order of the British Empire.
He never passed on a chance to catch sea trout, however. Naturally, he chose the Aurlandselva river as the destination for his honeymoon. ‘You stick to your river’

Grandfather room

Framed by Mulberry curtains, this room has a view of the garden and of Turlidfossen waterfall, the white ‘veil’ that cascades down the mountainside and roars in spring, then freezes to ice in winter. It has been furnished in memory of grandfather Erik, farmer and passionate fly fisher. Fortunately, his wife, grandmother Petra from Balestrand, was not just patient, she was also very hard-working. She cooked for the anglers, while grandfather kept the conversation – and the Cognac – flowing. He liked to fish dressed in a suit and hat, and he enjoyed his trips to Oslo, where he gave talks on fly fishing for Oslo Angling Association. No one could smoke sea trout like a grandfather!

29/2 Aurland are proud to serve you tasty, local and organic food, some of it sourced from their own kitchen garden and the rest from local farmers and producers. They cook with a smile and focus on taste, health and letting local ingredients shine through in every meal. Dinner is served in an old smokehouse converted in a dining area where socializing is an important part of the dinner as guests share the table.

Day 2: Exploring Naeroyfjord in luxury

Today is about experiencing new adventures! Today you will enjoy the natural wonders of the Norwegian Fjords. After a short private transfer to Flam, your private yacht will be waiting for you at the pier.

The yacht is a 58 feet Fairline Squadron with 3 sleeping cabins and beds for 6 adults. The main cabin at the front of the yacht is large and has a double bed and a separate bathroom. One cabin has a double bed and one cabin has twin beds. All cabins have an entertainment system with TV, DVD, CD and separate air-conditioning. WiFi internet is available all over the yacht and it has a large flybridge.

Once everyone is on board, it´s time to start exploring the most famous fjord of Norway: Aurlandsfjord which is a UNESCO World Wonder. Sailing in this fjord is simply amazing with its tall mountains and peaceful surroundings. During your cruise, you will have a wonderful seafood lunch and make a stop at Undredal, one of the small villages along the fjord for a short, fun and easy hike which takes you to a traditional goat farm. Here you will have a cheese tasting experience and Norwegians know how to make very different goat cheese so be prepared for a surprise! After the tasting, it´s time to come back to the yacht and continue sailing and admiring the fjord.

When you get back to the hotel dinner will be served and you can enjoy a dip in the hot tub to relax and unwind.

Day 3: Biking Adventure in the Fjord

Your experienced guide will pick you up at your hotel and your day will start with a scenic train ride up the fjord.

The World famous Flåm railway to Myrdal will take you to the height of 867 meters above sea level. Along the way, you will see breathtaking views and make a stop at Kjosfossen waterfall, where you can get off the train to enjoy the location and - if you're lucky - you can see the mythical inhabitant of these magical places. At the last stop, Myrdal, the next step in your adventure will begin. Your bikes will be ready for you and following the recommendations of your guide, you will bike down the fjord.

The bike path known as, Rallarvegen, is the ultimate cycling experience and has become one of the most popular cycling routes in the country. It stretches about 17 kilometres from Myrdal in the east to Flåm in the west. The cycling route starts in the high mountains, passes by rivers filled with water from the mountains, follows the wild Flåm valley with its beautiful waterfalls. The route ends in Norway’s beautiful and well-known fjord landscape. After your bike ride is over we will take a short drive and hike to Brekkefosen - the hike is very easy and short and there we will have nice picnic lunch in the mountains next to a waterfall before returning to your hotel.

Day 4: Hardangerfjord

Today your guide/driver will take you to a private trip to Hardangerfjord in the west of Norway which has a length of 179 km, and the depth reaches up to 800 meters. This fjord is the second-longest in Norway and the fourth largest in the world. The surroundings of Hardangerfjord are majestic cliffs and powerful glaciers with orchards that are especially picturesque in spring during flowering.

One of the local attractions here is the most famous waterfall Voringfossen (145 m), which falls from a height of 182 meters. On the way to Hardangerfjord you will make a stop at Steinsdalsfossen waterfall where you can explore before continuing to a lake with goldfishes! Then you will pass along Hardangerfjord almost till the very end to one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world - Hardangerbrua. You cross the fjord via the bridge and arrive at the village of Øvre Eidfjord. There you will stop to visit the Hardangervidda Nature Center. The visit includes a panoramic viewing of a stunning movie on 5 screens (supervideographer system) by Norwegian director Ivo Caprino about mountains, fjords, waterfalls, and the glacier.

You can have lunch in a cosy café next to the museum. The spacious interior of cafes, wooden furniture and a fireplace creates a warm welcoming atmosphere. You will be offered typical Norwegian dishes, soups, desserts, and beverages. After the lunch break, you will continue the journey to one of the most famous waterfalls in Norway - Vøringfossen. After inspecting the waterfall, it´s time to go to your new accommodation for the night. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Ullensvang.

From Hotel Ullensvang, you can delight in breathtaking views upwards towards the Hardangervidda mountain plain and the Folgefonna glacier, and down to the Hardangerfjord. Make the most of your stay in the wonderful Ullensvang Bath, relaxing in the swimming pools and enjoying the delightful gardens with private beach. Taste the flavours of Hardanger in the hotel restaurant, where dishes are made from the best local produce available. Squash, ten-pin bowling, playroom and tennis are only a few of the activities on offer.

Day 5: Folgefonna Glacier

Your private guide/driver will take you on another incredible day, this time visiting another iconic landscape of Norway: a glacier. On your way, you will see beautiful and harsh mountain landscapes with lakes and waterfalls that will leave a lasting impression. Once you arrive at the glacier, you will have a lunch break and enough time to admire the fascinating landscape. On your journey back you will take the ferry from Jondal to Norheimsund in direction to Bergen.

Surprises do not stop here however as you can find many impressive waterfalls on the journey such as Fossen Bratte and Steindalsfossen where you can stop and explore.

Overnight at Solstrand Hotel and Spa in two standard suites. Everything at Solstrand, from the architecture to the choice of stone in the stairs leading from the pool and down towards the fjord, is based on Norwegian nature and culture. Wood and stone are used throughout, and often Norwegian varieties such as oak, birch and soapstone. The walls of their rooms and parlours are adorned with art that is chosen specifically to heighten the experience.

Day 6: Privately guided visit to Bergen

Today it´s time to discover the second most important city in Norway: Bergen. Visit the colourful Brygge wharf with its wooden houses, the fish market, Domkirken and Korskirken.

You can also take the funicular to the upper part of Mt. Floyen (320 meters), from where you will have a fantastic view of Bergen. Children will enjoy a visit to Bergen Aquarium. Norway’s largest and oldest aquarium is located on the southern extremity of Nordnes Peninsula not far from Bergen. This is a home to one of the broadest collections of marine fauna in Europe: 9 large aquariums, 42 small ones, 3 open aquariums with seawater, where typical dwellers of the North Sea, seals, penguins, and even crocodiles can be observed. After the visit to this beautiful city, it´s time to come back to your retreat and enjoy the spa with fjord views.