The Mighty Fjords, Telemark & Norway in a Nutshell

After a leisurely start this morning we continue our journey through Holland, into Germany and over the border into Denmark to our next overnight hotel near Kolding.

An early breakfast this morning before we make our way north along the Jutland Peninsua to the port of Hirtshals where we board the fast ferry to Larvik for the Viking Connection. During the 3 hour journey across the Skagerrak Sea you will have time to relax and enjoy the ships facilities, before we arrive in the Norwegian port of Larvik. As we begin our journey inland, you will immediately experience your first taste of Norway's beautiful countryside and lakeland scenery, passing the famous Telemark Canal, considered one of the World's most beautiful waterways, to arrive at our historic Vrådal hotel (3 star Straand Hotel x 3 nights HB)

Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore the hotel's fabulous facilities, beautiful lakeshore scenery and glorious gardens on the water's edge. This afternoon, we embark on a scenic cruise on Lake Nisser aboard the historic vessel MS Fram, which dates back to 1909. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and fairytale forests, the narrow straits and small islands make for impressive views. This evening after dinner enjoy a showing of the classic Hollywood blockbuster "The Heroes of Telemark" at the hotel.

Today we include a full excursion exploring the region featured in "The Heroes of Telemark". Travelling through Morgedal to Amot, we climb up onto the magnificent Hardangervidda one of Europe's largest high mountain plateaus and Scandinavia's largest National Park, home the the country's largest population of reindeer. We will visit the the Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum at Vemork, housed in the former hydroelectric power station used as a heavy water production plant by the Nazis during their WWII occupation. This fascinating guided visit provides an insight into the incredible story of the Resistance mission carried out on the night of 28 February 1943 which halted German efforts to build a nuclear bomb. Our return takes us to Heddal for a photo stop at Norway's largest stave church – a wooden cathedral from the 13th century and still in use as the parish church. Both the exterior and the interior invites you on a time travel back to the fascinating world of the Middle Ages.

We leave Vrådal and the Telemark region after breakfast and continue our journey deeper into Norway, crossing the Haukelifjell High Mountains and through spectacular scenery before before descening to Odda beautifully situated at the southern tip of Sørfjord, where we have a short stop. Afterwards we drive along the western shore of the Hardangerfjord, the world's third longest fjord and one of the most breathtaking in Norway - overlooked by the Folgefonn Glacier, then a short ferry across the Fjord, past Voss before ascending to Stalheim and our historic hotel overlooking Stalheimskleiva, one of the steepest roads in Northern Europe, built during 1842-1846 and 13 hairpin bends.

Experience fjords, waterfalls and high mountain passes on today's excursion as we cross the Sognefjord, the longest and deepest in the world, and the Vik Mountains for a visit to the award-winning Norwegian Glacier Museum. Home to interactive exhibits, panoramic films and hands-on experiments with century-old ice, you'll learn about Norway's famous fjords, glaciers and mountains. Our return journey will see us enjoy unforgettable stops and views at the Boyabreen glacier beauty spot, the Fjaerlandsfjord viewpint and the iconic Borgund Stave Church, one of the biggest and most spectacular wooden churches of its kind. We return through Lærdalstunnelen, the longest road tunnel in the world, and via the pretty port of Flåm.

Enjoy the highlight of our holiday as we present 'Norway in a Nutshell'; this world-famous trip sees us travel to Gudvangen, where we board a cruise along beautiful Naeroyfjord and Aurlandsfjord. After a journey basking in the stunning green hills, mountains and waterfalls, we will arrive in Flåm and enjoy free time to enjoy this popular cruise port. Here, you'll board the famed Flåm railway; dubbed the world's most beautiful train journey, and enjoy wild Norway's stunning scenery on this return journey to and from Myrdal. In the late afternoon, we return to Stalheim with a guided visit to the nearby Folk Museum.

After checking out of our hotel, we head south through stunning scenery via Noresund and Krøderen, arriving in Skien for this evening's overnight stay.

With an early breakfast today, we return to Denmark, taking the fast ferry from Larvik back to Hirtshals. We continue back down the Jutland Peninsula, crossing the border into Germany to our overnight hotel near Hamburg.

Our journey continues through northern Germany and Holland, stopping at our final overnight hotel in Belgium.

We start today with some free time in gorgeous Gent, a medieval masterpiece affectionately known as the flower Capital of Belgium. Be sure to admire the imposing Bavo Cathedral and Gravensteen Castle or try the city's pralines and chocolates, which are famous worldwide. Why not visit a specialist chocolatier and pick up a treat to take home? This afternoon, we cross the English Channel by ferry and return home.