The Hardanger Fjord is one of the favorites among the many Norwegian fjords. It’s the 3rd largest fjord in the world and the 2nd largest in Norway. A scenic drive takes you by the fortress of Bergenhus, King Hakon's Hall and the Rosenkrantz Tower. Pass by the buildings of the Hanseatic period and the fish market of Bergen. Continue to the Bjornefjord, where you’ll have a short drive along the fjord with lovely views of islands and snowcapped mountains in the distance. A short ferry ride takes you from Hatvik to Venjanesetand where you continue your scenic drive to the Hardanger Fjord – the queen of the fjords. Near the village of Norheimsund, you'll make a stop for lunch and continue to the Steinsdal Waterfall. Here, the water falls away from the cliff enabling you to walk underneath without getting wet. Climb up the Tokagjel gorge via several tunnels and reach Kvamskogen mountain plateau. Descend to the fjord once more before climbing up to Gulbotn, a recreation area with lit up skiing tracks. You’ll then travel down to the Sorfjord, where you’ll find Oster Island, Northern Europe’s largest inland island.

OVERVIEW

Ride through the heart of Bergen in an electric minibus that runs on 100% renewable energy and is small enough to reach intriguing areas that other vehicles can’t. Along the way, the GPS-based audio guide will describe the attractions in fascinating detail. A special focus will be given to how the architecture has evolved since Bergen was founded in the 11th century and how devastating fires have shaped the urban landscape. A fire in 1955 raged through Bryggen, the city’s medieval Hanseatic-era wharf, but it was rebuilt so convincingly that UNESCO deemed it a World Heritage site. Because the minibus can easily drive through the narrowest of alleyways, you will see off-the-beaten-track neighborhoods such as Sandviken that offer a genuine look at daily life away from the tourist areas. That route will bring you to the century-old fire station at Skansen, where you will enjoy panoramic views of Bergen.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for a panoramic drive through Bergen in an electric minibus.
• See out-of-the-way areas off limits to larger vehicles for a unique perspective of Bergen.
• Pause for photos at the medieval Hanseatic-era wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Drive through narrow alleyways to reach a lookout point that most visitors never see.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise past the naturally beautiful islands and skerries off Bergen and into a glacial fjord before returning to Bergen by driving through the glorious countryside. The coastal views will be stunning, especially once you enter Lysefjord, whose pristine landscape is considered even wilder than that of other fjords. You can’t help but be awed by its majesty. Keep an eye out for waterfalls, mountain goats and adventurous hikers along the edges of the sheer cliffs. The scenery will be decidedly different but equally spectacular once you disembark at the Buena pier and take to the highway. The landscape between there and Bergen is mountainous, forested, shaped by ancient glaciers and absolutely breathtaking. It has changed little over the centuries. Similarly, the Bryggen harbor in Bergen looks much like it did in medieval times, although it was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1955. A walking tour will reveal why the area earned a UNESCO World Heritage site designation.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold Bergen’s coastal beauty by cruising through the archipelago and into a glacial fjord.
• Marvel at the untamed countryside on a panoramic drive between the fjord and Bergen.
• Walk through Bergen’s medieval wharf district, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• See the best of Bergen and the surrounding area by land and sea.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Bergen was founded in the year 1070 and up to the 1830’s it was the largest city in the country and a center for commerce and shipping. For several centuries the hanseatic merchants had one of their four trading offices here and today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Your tour starts with a drive along the old wharf side of Bryggen – with the characteristic wooden buildings and pointed gables facing the harbor. Stop for a walk through the ancient buildings and alleyways which today is home to workshops, where painters, weavers and craftsmen produce fine-quality and original items. Your walking tour ends at the popular Fish and Flower market.

Continue by coach through suburban areas ending your tour of Bergen with a ride up to Mount Floien. The funicular will take you safely up to approximately 1,050 feet/320 meters above sea level. The ride takes from 5 to 8 minutes each way. From the top you can enjoy a magnificent view of Bergen and the surroundings, weather permitting. You’ll return to the center by funicular where your coach will be waiting to take you back to your ship.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Bergen, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie expert guide will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Your pictures will be ideal for posting on social media and sharing in other ways.

As you walk and ride through Bergen, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Bergenhus Fortress
• St. Mary’s Church
• Bryggen wharf
• Byparken city park
• Fantoft Stave Church

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Bergen.
• Follow tips from your selfie expert guide to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• See architectural gems such as Bergenhus Fortress and Fantoft Stave Church
• Enjoy free time at Bryggen wharf, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

See Bergen from the ultimate vantage point while riding a cable car up and down Mount Ulriken and browse a replica of a wooden stave church built in 1170. It was no easy task to reconstruct the church – which an arsonist allegedly burned to the ground – as most stave churches were built in the Middle Ages using technologically advanced techniques that have long been forgotten. These usual steeped-roof churches were constructed with wooden dowels instead of nails and supported by large pillars called staves. All the materials for the Fantoft Stave Church were made on site using wood from 400-year-old pines, so it is as authentic as a replica can be. The ultimate view of Bergen and the fjord beyond awaits you atop Mount Ulriken, the steepest of the mountains that loom over the city. You will ascend by cable car and behold beautiful Bergen below, which you will explore later on a panoramic drive.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drink in the views of Bergen and its fjord while ascending Mount Ulriken in a cable car.
• Admire the sweeping panoramas from the summit and while descending on the cable car.
• See an extraordinary replica of a stave church originally built in the Middle Ages.
• Gain insight into how stave churches were built with wood but no nails.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

On this very scenic tour, you’ll see some of the most beautiful sights of Norway.

Drive past Bryggen and the hanseatic quarters before heading to the village of Voss. Here, you’ll board a train that will take you through picturesque agricultural areas and an upward journey towards the mountains. At Myrdal station, you’ll change trains and board the Flam Line that takes you down the mountain to the tiny village of Flam.

After a short break, you’ll board your coach and drive to the little village of Gudvangen. From here, the road takes you up the Naeroydalen (Narrow Valley). Your drive continues along Opheim Lake and further on to Tvinde Waterfalls, where a stop will be made. The return drive is takes you through Voss village and via Dale.

During the day, you’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

Discover historic Bergen on your guided walk through the old city. See the central Festplassen, where many of the city’s art museums are located and cross Bergen’s main square, Torgalmenningen, with the Seamen’s statue. Soon after, you'll pass the Fish Market on your way to Bryggen Hanseatic Quarters. This is a lively area with artists, shops and a great variety of restaurants and pubs. Before reaching Bergen’s oldest street, Øvregaten, you'll pass by St. Mary’s church, one of the outstanding Romanesque churches in the country. Bergen has seven mountains and on this tour you’ll take the funicular to the top of Mt. Fløien, approximately 1,050 feet/320 meters above the city. The ride takes about five to eight minutes and travels at a 26 degree incline, stopping for commuters along the way. At the summit, be prepared for magnificent views of the city, harbor and countryside, weather permitting. There’ll be time for shopping or a short walk on one of the forest trails before you return to the city center by funicular and back to your ship.

Bergen was founded in the year 1070. Up to the 1830's the city was the largest city in Norway and a centre for commerce and shipping. For several centuries the Hanseatic merchants had one of their overseas trading offices in Bergen - the German office at Bryggen. Your tour starts with a drive to the center and a short guided walk along the German pier "Bryggen" with its old wooden warehouses from the hanseatic period and continues with a drive through the city and suburbs to Troldhaugen - the composer Edvard Grieg's home for 22 years. Troldhaugen is beautifully situated by the peaceful Nordåsvannet fjord. Grieg composed many of his most famous works at Troldhaugen, and he is also buried here with his wife Nina. Your next stop is at the Fantoft stave church. The old stave church built in Fortun, Sogn in 1150, moved to Fantoft in 1883 and burnt down in 1992. The church has now been rebuilt just as it was before the fire.