Oslo to Bergen - self drive tour

Details

Transportation

Self drive

Included

• Accommodation with private facilities
• Daily breakfast (5B)
• Car hire 6 days; Toyota Corolla or similar with free mileage and CDW
• 24-hour emergency service
• Taxes and service fees
• Pre-departure information
• Other meals where specified

Not Included

• Flights
• Road tolls
• Ferry crossings
• Items of personal nature
• GPS - Global Navigation System (most cars have a Navigation System built in)
• Accommodation in Oslo and Bergen - this can be added as desired.

Please note: We have not included evening dinners (half-board) in our Norwegian countryside self-drive itineraries but in some spots, the hotel you are staying at may be the only option and/or highly recommended. Norwegian countryside hotels often have well known restaurants or intimate family run dining rooms that the hosts take great pride in. Considering the price of meals in Norway we have left this flexible in case you choose to self-cater. Please ask us for our recommendations as determined by your final itinerary. You do need to book ahead for these evening meals.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Drive Oslo to Lillehammer - forests, valleys & Lake Mjøsa

Pick up your car from Oslo in the morning, and drive to the Lillehammer area (2-3h) in Oppland. Lillehammer are famous for hosting the Olympic games in 1994, and is still a popular area for skiers.

Just outside Lillehammer you can take the cable car to go for a hike and look out over the Gudbrandsdal valley. For the more adventurous person, rent a bike to try the downhill trails or visit one of the popular amusement parks in the area.

A stroll through Lillehammer town is also recommended. Visit Maihaugen Europe’s biggest open air museum just a short walk from the town center.

Accommodation

Day 2 - Drive from Lillehammer area to Lom area - raging rivers, boutique dining & National Parks

Continue the drive to Jotunheimen (2-3h) you can stop by in the Sjoa valley for a blast down the driver in a rafting boat or join in on a canyoning trip. Visit the charming town of Ringebu and stop by Rudi Gard farm which offers concerts, shows, exhibitions and a cafe. It is a working farm situated in a well-preserved cultural landscape featuring a number of heritage sites.

Food is a real highlight on this self-drive so be sure to plan ahead as to where you want to eat. One place to visit for sure is Brimi Bue, a popular Lom hot-spot for fresh local produce and traditional Nordic flavours owned by renowned chef Arne Brimi.

Meals

1 Breakfast

Accommodation

Optional Add Ons

Days 3 - 4 - Drive to Lusterfjord area - waterfalls, fjords & glaciers

The drive will take you to Lusterfjord area through scenic routes and stunning fjords along the road. Enjoy the nice mountain views, snow and fjords along todays drive. You will drive by Stryn with possibilities of trying summer skiing (this is also the home town of the clothing brand, Moods of Norway), and a stop in Fjærland to view the Fjærlandfjord is recommended. This area is packed with activity options for all levels: glacier walks, hiking, go out on the fjord or just view the amazing scenery.

You will spend two nights in this area.

Meals

2 Breakfasts

Accommodation

Optional Add Ons

Day 5 - Voss area - charming villages, 'Norway in a Nutshell''s Flåm train journey, locally sourced dining & cozy stay

Leave the fjords behind and spend the day in the charming Voss. Break up the journey stopping by in Flåm for a tour on a cruise boat getting close to the fjords, or take the worlds most spectacular train journey looking at stunning waterfalls, return to Flåm (3h).

Explore this small town and try the local tastes, traditional style lamb meat ("smalahove" and "pinnakjøt"), sour cream porridge, and cured and seasoned meat, amongst other local and Norwegian specialties. Smalahove translates into "sheep head".

Meals

1 Breakfast

Accommodation

Optional Add Ons

Day 6 - Drive to Bergen - fish markets & harbour views

Important Information

Our Nordic Self-Drive Holidays program extends across the Nordic region; including Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland.

We have spent time selecting countryside accommodation situated in key locations allowing you the opportunity to explore attractions and scenic highlights in the regions on day tours. Then come back to your lodging in the afternoon enjoying a satisfying meal at your accomomdation.

Our Nordic self-drive holidays are designed as short itineraries in each of the countries Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden & Iceland and can be combined to create a longer more in-depth itinerary if you wish.

Accommodation - important note
We can mix your accommodation up offering you a combination of a farm stay, country lodges, boutique hotels and kros/inns. Each of the properties we offer is unique, and lodging can range from a working farm to a comfortable country lodge/hotel.

You can leave the choice of accommodation to us giving you a great mixture, or you can be specific about your preferred accommodation when you book. Our accommodation categories are:

• Manor House/Historic Hotel/Castle - historic countryside manors, hotels and castles turned into stately accommodation (Norway, Sweden, Denmark & Finland)
• Country Lodge/Hotel - lodge found in national parks, countryside and mountains (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland & Iceland)
• Kro/Inn - countryside B&B/restaurant (mainly Sweden & Denmark)
• Farm/Gård - working farms, some with farm animals (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland & Iceland)
• Lighthouse - traditional lighthouses on the coast converted to accommodation (Norway, Sweden & Finland)
• Cabin/Hytte/Rorbu (fisherman's cottage) - self catering option with kitchen/kitchenette - these are no generally a budget option (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland & Iceland)

What we will never do is put you in a chain hotel in a town or city. You will always stay somewhere unique, somewhere with charm.

Driving in Norway during the peak season (July - early August):

Europeans love driving in Norway and during the summer months, the more popular tourist roads becomes crowded with European vans. This can slow the roads down, as it can be difficult to pass these vans. Norwegian country roads are often quite narrow. Having said this, these roads are incredibly scenic and have lots of picnic & photo spots.

If you are going to be using ferries during your drive, depending on the size of the ferry, this might involve a wait to get on. The ferries are reliable and regular but you may need to arrive early to secure a spot in the line. On some of the ferries, consider catching a ferry outside of the peak times. Your accommodation hosts will have the most up to date local information on hand so ask them for suggestions for your following days travel.

Photo credits: Tina Stafrèn/Visitnorway.com