Highlights
- Ride the famous Flåmbana, one of the world's most beautiful railways
- Marvel at the view from the Stegastein lookout
- Travel 1,000 years back in time at Viking Valley
- Cruise the UNESCO World Heritage Nærøyfjord
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Oslo, Explore | Oslo |
| Day 2 | Bergen Railway to Geilo, Hike & Explore | Geilo |
| Day 3 | Explore Geilo, Huldreforest Story-Telling Excursion | Geilo |
| Day 4 | Train to Aurland, Stegastein Viewpoint | Aurland |
| Day 5 | Nærøyfjord Cruise & Viking Valley Tour | Aurland |
| Day 6 | Visit Undredal, Ferry to Bergen | Bergen |
| Day 7 | Explore Bergen & Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Oslo, Explore
Velkommen til Norway (welcome to Norway)! Arrive in Oslo and enjoy a short, scenic train ride through the picturesque countryside or catch a private transfer straight to your accommodation. Surrounded by mountains and sea, the country's rapidly growing capital is compact and walkable, making it perfect for families. After checking in at your hotel, rally the kids and head out to explore.
Start at Karl Johan's Gate, the main thoroughfare that takes you from the city center to Palace Park, home of the Norweigan royal family. Wander around Aker Brygge, an area along the waterfront known for its restaurants, bars, boutiques, and museums that highlight the city's cultural reputation. Stop for tebrødstenger (a delicious jam-filled pastry) at any of the cafés along the promenade before taking in two of the city's architectural highlights—the Oslo Opera House and Munch Museum.
Day 2: Bergen Railway to Geilo, Hike & Explore
It's time to leave Oslo behind and take a four-hour train journey to the stunning mountain village of Geilo, situated midway between the capital and Bergen. Nestled in a valley, surrounded by mountains and two of the country's best national parks—Hallingskarvet and Hardangervidda—Geilo offers a blend of magnificent scenery and many family-friendly action and nature-based activities. Relax as you travel along the beautiful Bergen Railway, sweeping past dense forests and great lakes through some of Norway's unspoiled and wildest countryside.
After a refresh at your hotel, it's time to stretch your legs, and luckily, you have an abundance of hiking options suited to every age and fitness level. Geilo is famous as a ski resort in the winter, but from the end of June through to October, the grassy plateaus, steep cliffs, and lush forests provide numerous trails. For a less arduous start to your holiday, take a spin on the summer chairlift with panoramic views of the region.
Day 3: Explore Geilo, Huldreforest Story-Telling Excursion
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
The morning is yours to spend as you choose, so after a leisurely breakfast, head out to explore. Take a canoe or paddleboard across Lake Ustedalsfjorden, hike to nearby Vøringsfossen, Norway's best-known waterfall, or help the kids burn off some energy at Geilo's purpose-built bike park.
Scandanavian folklore tells of a beautiful forest creature called Hulder, central to many of Norway's myths and legends. This evening, you and your family will spend a few magical hours in the Huldreforest. Settle in by the campfire with warm drinks and watch the kids' enchanted faces as you listen to folktales and Norweigan songs that bring to life these classic Scandanavian fairy tales among the "living museum" installation within the forest canopy.
Day 4: Train to Aurland, Stegastein Viewpoint
After a hearty breakfast, it's time to wave goodbye to Geilo and head west to Aurland. Enjoy a 1.5-hour train ride to Myrdal, where you will board your connection on the famous Flåm Railway. Experience why the Flåmsbana is described as "the world's most beautiful train journey" as you travel through dramatic fjord landscapes, snow-covered peaks, and steep mountains. Arrive in Flåm, where a car will transfer you to Aurland, a 15-minute drive from the station.
Check in at your hotel, but don't linger too long, as you won't want to miss a trip to the stunning viewpoint of Stegastein. An open-air lookout with breathtaking panoramic views of the fjord below, the manufactured platform stands 2,132 feet (650 m) above the Aurlandsfjord, jutting out 98 feet (30 m) from the cliffs. Capture the kids' wonder-filled faces before heading back to charming Aurland and deciding which family-friendly restaurants to dine in and recounting your favorite memories of the day.
Day 5: Nærøyfjord Cruise & Viking Valley Tour
Get ready for a truly memorable excursion today; after breakfast, make your way down to the pier and prepare to cruise along the beautiful Nærøyfjord to the village of Gudvangen. Marvel at the sheer cliffs and tiny farms clinging to the mountainside as you journey through one of only two fjords to have earned the UNESCO World Heritage designation. Let the breathtaking scenery fire the kids' imagination as you disembark at the village of Gudvangen and prepare to travel back 1,000 years to the age of Njord, the god of trading and sailing.
Viking Valley in Gudvangen recreates an authentic Viking village where you and your family can immerse yourselves in all aspects of Viking life. Earn major brownie points with the kids as you and your tribe learn to use traditional longbows, attend a banquet, play traditional Viking games, and hear exciting battle stories. If you can tear the kids away, return to Aurland, where the evening is yours to spend as you wish.
Day 6: Visit Undredal, Ferry to Bergen
If the kids are worried that nothing can beat yesterday's Viking Village experience, reassure them with this morning's plans to visit the small village of Undredal, the inspiration for Disney's first "Frozen" movie. Explore the tiny colorful streets and visit the smallest stave church in Norway before visiting a local goat farm and trying the artisanal goat's cheese, which has been produced here for centuries. Let the village's beautiful surroundings and fjord setting inspire the kids to do their best Anna or Kristoff impression before getting ready for the next leg of your adventure.
It's a short fifteen-minute drive back to Aurland, where you'll board a ferry for the scenic five-hour trip to the coastal city of Bergen. Cruise along Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in the country, and either relax in the ferry lounge or savor the view from the sundeck. Pass forested hillsides and colorful villages before arriving at Bergen. If the kids are clamoring for food, treat the family to some of the freshest fish and chips you'll ever eat as you explore Bryggen, the city's historic harbor district.
Day 7: Explore Bergen & Depart
It's your last day in Norway, but before you bid farewell to Bergen, take some time to discover the city's gems. One of the oldest ports in Europe, the city has an unrivaled position, surrounded by oceans, mountains, and fjords. Stroll over to downtown Bryggen, whose brightly-painted wooden waterfront houses date back to the 1700s. Stop for a second breakfast at one of the many charming cafés before treating the kids to a family ride on the Fløibanen funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen. Stroll down as you get the kids to spot the hidden troll sculptures along the way.
Afterward, you have several options. Head to the fun and interactive VilVite Science Center, or for nature-obsessed kids, don't miss the Bergen Aquarium and Urban Zoo. Art lovers should head to the four KODE Museums with collections from old masters to modernists, while kids will love the interactive art space. The Maritime Museum includes many artifacts and boats from the city's seafaring history. For a cooler experience, take the kids to the Magic Ice Bar—an ice-art gallery with ice sculptures inspired by famous works from various artists.
As your Norway adventure draws to a close, make your way to the airport, drop off your rental car, and prepare to board your flight. Safe travels!
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