From a delightful walking tour of Oslo, to kayaking the Aurlandsfjord and ferrying along the Sognefjord, to discovering how much we love Balestrand, our first time in Norway was rich with beautiful experiences. Merée's expertise ensured smooth transportation, varied excursions, comfortable stays in historic hotels, and solid guidance on a good route for exploring the beautiful southern fjordlands in the time we had available (11 days).
Most noteworthy is Norway's clean air and delicious water, the well-run ferry service, and of course the awesome impression of one of the world's unique landscapes. We also came to appreciate the care taken to keep alive and thriving the various historic hotels of the region. Outside of the Nordic countries one hears much about Danish and Swedish baking... but it was our experience that Norway's kanelboller (cinnamon buns) and various seed breads are second to none!
From our hearts, thank you to Merée, Fenne, and Julia for such a memorable and well-run trip.
Hotel Reviews
Hotel Christiania Teater
Oslo
Good location for easy walking around Oslo. A beautiful building, well-kept, with engaging artworks throughout. Very nice variety and preparation of breakfast foods.
Authenticity & Character
Lovely blend of history and comfortable modernity. We enjoyed the art throughout. Serves a plentiful and traditional breakfast buffet of good quality.
Location
Good proximity to interesting points such as the National Theater, the university, and walks along the waterfront. A reasonable walk to the wonderful Deichman public library and the exciting opera house.
If you have a lot of (or heavy) luggage, be prepared for a 10-15 minute walk from the train station with a mild incline along the way.
Staff
Staff was kind and friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds were comfortable - firm underneath with top padding. Room and hotel spotless.
Authenticity & Character
A charming old hotel that was very approachable. The oldest section is being renovated and will likely be very lovely when complete.
Location
Flåm is very small so it's hard to go wrong here, but the Fretheim was both close to the wharf and a bit set back from the bustle.
Staff
Staff were all very nice whenever we talked with them. Once you had their attention, everyone was lovely and warm.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms and common spaces were clean and in good working order. Beds were comfortable. It was very helpful and convenient that the hotel had a small laundry room with do-it-yourself washer and 2 dryers.
Grand hotel, elegant and well cared-for throughout. Breakfasts were done in such a way as to minimize food waste... instead of a buffet, one orders from a menu. Brava!
Authenticity & Character
A doubly intriguing background as both a former national bank building and an homage to the composer Edvard Grieg.
Location
Well-sited near Vågen harbor and the super-historic Bryggen.
Staff
The front-desk staff and housekeeping were warm, kind, and engaging.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our room was sumptuous, elegant, and luxurious. Spotlessly clean, thoughtfully laid out, bed and chaise both plush for lounging. Bath and coffee amenities of high quality.
A grand dame of an historic hotel. Stunning views, comfortable rooms. The buffet dinner and the breakfasts were delicious and great quality.
Authenticity & Character
Explore the older building - stunning view of the Sognefjord from the picture windows, and furniture with 'dragon style' carvings in the Høyviksalen (Høyvik Hall). The 'old reception' is very charming. The newer building has modern conveniences and engaging views to the mountains and village.
Location
Right at the harbor where you arrive by ferry. Easy walking to most points of this small, charming village and walkable to the trail heads.
Staff
The majority of staff were welcoming, kind, warm, and competent. The maître d'hôtel was very friendly and jokey with guests, but unfortunately overbearing and condescending to at least some of the wait staff and bussing staff, which was a bad look for such an elegant hotel.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room and all common spaces spotlessly clean and well cared-for. Buffet dinner elegantly presented, of quality, and well kept up.
Activity Reviews
Ride the Ulriken Cable Car
Bergen
Although the day we rode this was a foggy one, the experience is top notch. It's a fantastic view of the storied city of Bergen and gives access to unique and awe-inspiring hiking atop Mt. Ulriken.
Quality of Experience
Mt. Ulriken is a stunning alpine landscape, and what a way to access it! (via a swift, clean, well cared-for conveyance)
Transport
The cable car and launching/landing points were clean and well kept.
Aurlandsfjord is best enjoyed in the water! I could happily spend all my remaining days kayaking in the southern fjords.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was passionate about the environment and friendly. He took some time at the beginning to go over technique and help with kayak adjustments but needed to spend a little longer with each person to ensure details such as the foot pedal distance was correct for everyone. This would help beginners have a more enjoyable experience.
Transport
For me, kayaking is second only to walking! So for me this form of transport was most enjoyable.
Fjordcruise in the Nærøyfjord
Flåm
The Nærøyfjord is beautiful and scenic, and the "Future of the Fjords" all-electric catamaran was an EXCELLENT conveyance to cruise it!
Food
We did not partake of the offerings on board, but there were several choices, and the quality looked reasonable for a captive audience in a touristic area.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The crew of the Future of the Fjords catamaran were all kind and competent. The lead crew member stayed for a long while once we were back in Flåm making sure the vessel was ship shape before leaving for the day.
Transport
In general, we are awed and glad to see so many electric vehicles in Norway, and having an all-electric catamaran to get to such a sensitive ecological area allows one to truly enjoy. Air emissions are obviously nonexistent, but there is still some noise pollution, particularly for underwater life. The catamaran was very well cared-for, clean, and beautifully appointed for comfort and great views as you go along.
Visit the Viking Valley
Norway
We did not visit the viking village. It looked too touristic for us, and a woman we met while hiking confirmed that it felt that way to her, too, when she did go inside.
Besides the pay-entry viking village there is little else available in Gudvangen. There were perhaps two restaurants (cafeterias, both, I think) and a convenience shop for sundries.
The best thing we did with our time was to walk away from the viking valley along an old road on the Nærøyfjord - a beautiful and peaceful walk.
We likely would have had a wonderful time had we booked a day-long kayak excursion, as it's a beautiful fjord and we enjoyed kayaking the Aurlandsfjord so much.
Visit Stegastein Viewpoint with a bus
Norway
Everything about this excursion was scenic, from the drive up, to the aesthetic viewing platform, to the inspiring view of the Aurlandsfjord itself. Aurlands is a charming-looking hillside town with a few smallholdings and various traditional and newer-style homes.
Quality of Experience
The Sognefjord and the mouth of the Aurlandsfjord are gorgeous.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our driver was highly competent, and kind and engaging throughout the short drive.
Transport
Another opportunity to take an electric conveyance in this marvelous country. Van was adequately comfortable and driver was competent and friendly.
Our guide was a dapper architect who shared key moments and aspects of Norway's history as we walked through Oslo's streets, military bases, and city parks. We will always remember "the blue, the green, and the city between..." - a city planning framework he shared with us throughout this charming, very walkable city.
Quality of Experience
A local's perspective is generally a good way to go, and this was no exception.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was dapper, knowledgeable, friendly, and amenable to include our interests folded into his original tour plan.
Transport
This is a walking tour, and Oslo is a very walkable city.
Local specialist: Merée Ruzits
