The Best of Norway by Rail and Sea - to the Top of the World

The Best of Norway by Rail and Sea - to the Top of the World

Renowned as one of the most beautiful countries in the world, this holiday into the heart of the Norwegian fjords and beyond will leave you with a lasting impression. You’ll pass ravines and thundering waterfalls on the Flåm Railway. You’ll cruise through the awe-inspiring Geirangerfjord. You’ll weave through the historic streets of Tromsø. On a Norway cruise, you’ll take an epic voyage aboard a fully electric ship to bask in the Midnight Sun, conquer northernmost Europe at North Cape and explore the famed Snowhotel in Kirkenes.

What's Included:

• 6 nights in hotels and 4 nights cruise on Havila Castor or Havila Capella (accommodation as specified or similar)
• International flights. Prices are based on return flights with Scandinavian Airlines.
• 24 meals: 10 breakfasts (days 2-11) 4 lunches (days 6-9) 10 dinners (days 1-10)
• Titan drinks party on board
• Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service
• Titan tour manager
• Travel in destination by coach

• Porterage

  Included Excursions:

• 7 excursions and visits
• Bergen orientation tour
• Journey on the Flåm Railway and - Nærøyfjord cruise
• Entrance to the Norwegian
• Glacier Museum
• Geirangerfjord cruise
• Journey on the Rauma Railway (with guided commentary) and the - Dovre Railway
• Sightseeing tour of Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral
• Guided tour of the Snowhotel Kirkenes

Day 1: UK - Bergen

Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Bergen. A highlight of the city is Bryggen Wharf, a colourful array of timbered houses and narrow cobbled streets that climb away from the waterfront towards the magnificent hills that back the city. We transfer from the airport and enjoy a short orientation tour to get acquainted with the city, before checking into our hotel this afternoon.

Bergen orientation tour (afternoon) Scandic Neptun, Bergen (4-star)

Day 2: Flåm Railway - Aurlandsfjord - Nærøyfjord

You’ll want to keep your camera at the ready for today’s journey. Step aboard the Flåm Railway for a train experience unlike any other. This scenic journey will take you 20km down to Flåm via the longest and deepest fjord in Europe, the Sognefjorden. You’ll pass deep ravines and thundering waterfalls and soaring mountains. There’s lush greenery dotted with chocolate box houses set in idyllic valleys. You won’t want to blink for fear of missing something amazing.

Nestled among the Norwegian fjords, Flåm is a pretty little village in a big, dramatic setting. We’ll have some time to explore here and enjoy the beautiful surrounds, before taking to the waters aboard a fully electric cruise boat to travel silently through the fjord from Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen. This spectacular stretch is a UNESCO-World Heritage Site and you’ll float by a number of villages that are only accessible from the water. After, we transfer back to Bergen and the evening is yours to do as you please.

Journey on the Flåm Railway (morning) Nærøyfjord cruise (afternoon) Scandic Neptun, Bergen (4-star)

Day 3: Leon

We’ll set off on a scenic drive from Bergen to Loen this morning. We’ll cross the mountains and the beautiful wide Sognefjord. Driving along the fjord, we will pass waterfalls and colourful fruit orchards before we climb up into the mountains. We’ll stop at the Norwegian Glacier Museum before continuing down to Innvikfjorden for a scenic drive along the fjord, until we arrive in Loen - known as the gateway to the glaciers.

Entrance to the Norwegian Glacier Museum (morning) Hotel Alexandra (4-star) or Hotel Loenfjord (4-star), Loen

Day 4: Geirangerfjord - Åndalsnes/Molde

Today is a big day. We’ll drive along Innvikfjorden to the village of Hellesylt. From here, we board a cruise ferry for an unforgettable journey along the world-famous Geirangerfjord. This UNESCO-listed stretch is a majestic combination of towering, sheer mountain cliffs, plunging waterfalls and deep blue waters that are enchantingly inviting. It is one of nature’s greatest spectacles. Natural wonders aside, we’ll also sail past long forgotten farms and shoreline smallholdings, of people who once lived and worked here.

From Geiranger, we tackle the hairpin bends of Eagle Road high up into the mountains. The sight from the top is quite spectacular, with panoramic snow-capped scenes stretching from Geiranger all the way back over the fjord. We then take the narrow Trollstigen serpentine road down the mountain and continue to our hotel in Åndalsnes or Molde.

Geirangerfjord cruise (morning) Grand Hotel Bellevue (4-star), Åndalsnes or Scandic Seilet, Molde (4-star)

Day 5: Rauma Railway - Trondheim

The Rauma Railway is famed for its picturesque mountain route, which whooshes guests over bridges, through horseshoe-shaped tunnels and past the tallest rock-face in Europe: the Trollveggen. We step aboard this morning for our own journey on this renowned railway. The carriages have panoramic windows so you can make the most of the views of fjords, forests, valleys, lakes and mountains - the train slows as we glide by the most scenic spots to ensure you can take it all in.

We arrive in Dombås and board the Dovre Railway, which will take us down to the sea and beautiful harbour city of Trondheim. With wide streets, a partly pedestrianised heart and a colourful array of buildings stood on stilts in the water, the historic capital of Norway is a pleasure to explore. On our sightseeing tour, we’ll visit the magnificent Nidaros Cathedral, where all the Norwegian Kings have been crowned.

Journey on the Rauma Railway with guided commentary and the Dovre Railway (morning) Sightseeing tour of Trondheim with Nidaros Cathedral (afternoon) Scandic Bakklandet, Trondheim (4-star)

Day 6: Trondheim

Today we set sail for a journey that will cement your status as an arctic explorer. Step aboard a fully electric Havila ship as we sail north towards the Arctic Circle. Take some time to settle into your cabin then perhaps head to the Observation Lounge for a coffee with panoramic views - the reclining seats allow you to make the most of the glass roof. Havila puts a real emphasis on sustainability and meals on board are created using the best raw ingredients from local Norwegian producers for traditional and modern dishes. As we sail, you might notice local commuters will step aboard as they travel from port to port, so you’re in for an all-round local experience.

Havila Castor (4-star) or Havila Capella (4-star)

Day 7: Brønnøysund - Svolvær

We finally cross into the Arctic Circle today and the occasion is marked with a special ceremony on deck. Every summer for six weeks, the sun doesn’t fully set at all. This is known as the Midnight Sun, providing ever-changing shades of light throughout each day and night - perfect for keen photographers to capture. We’ll pass by Scandinavia’s largest glaciers, the world’s strongest tidal current and there might even be an opportunity to spot a majestic sea eagle soaring in the breeze (keep your binoculars at the ready).

This evening, Lofoten’s tiny fishing villages and steep mountains make for a beautiful backdrop.

Havila Castor (4-star) or Havila Capella (4-star)

Day 8: Stokmarknes - Tromsø - Skjervøy

Our voyage continues through narrow fjords and past wild mountains to the island city of Tromsø. This northern city is known as the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’ and is characterised by hunting, fishing and polar bears. This is the land of the Sami, Norway’s indigenous people. Perhaps take the opportunity to meet and learn about the Sami, their reindeer and their unique culture.

The afternoon is yours to spend in Tromsø. The streets are decorated with charmingly simplistic, colourful wooden houses but the city’s most recognisable landmark is the must-visit Arctic Cathedral. Built in 1965, its distinctive iceberg-shaped design was inspired by the landscapes of northern Norway and features a beautiful glass mosaic.

Havila Castor (4-star) or Havila Capella (4-star)

Day 9: Hammerfest - Honningsvåg (North Cape) - Berlevåg

The North Cape is as far north as you can go - by land and sea. It’s closer to the North Pole than it is to Oslo and it’s a goal for many who venture along the Norwegian coast. It was a sacrificial site for the Sami, which gives it a haunting beauty. The North Cape plateau rises a mighty 307 metres straight up from the Arctic Ocean. You’ll simply feel on top of the world.

Havila Castor (4-star) or Havila Capella (4-star)

Day 10: Kirkenes

Each winter, 25 tonnes of ice and 15,000 cubic metres of snow are shifted to build Kirikenes’ Snowhotel. It’s an absolute wonder to see it in person: the intricate detail, the beautifully decorated snow suites and Norway’s largest ice bar - it doesn’t seem possible. We disembark the ship this morning and enjoy a guided tour of the Snowhotel - and there’ll be a chance to cuddle with the resident huskies (and possibly puppies) and meet the reindeer.

Guided tour of the Snowhotel Kirkenes (morning) Scandic Kirkenes (4-star)

Day 11: Kirkenes - UK

We transfer to the airport and your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.

Arrive Home