8-Day Tour of Norway’s Cities and Countryside

It’s hard to tell which should get top billing in Norway: its natural beauty or its distinctive culture. You won’t have to choose between the two on this trip. You’ll take a cruise through Norway’s largest fjord and travel the mountainous countryside by rail, stopping in a few small towns along the way. Get to know the country’s two largest cities, Oslo and Bergen, during included tours and additional time to explore on your own. This vacation includes:

• Round-trip airfare from New York
• Airline taxes and fuel surcharges
• 2 nights of standard accommodations at Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Thon Hotel Opera, or Scandic Solli in Oslo
• 1 night of standard accommodations at Radisson Blu Lillehammer Hotel in Lillehammer or First Hotel Victoria in Hamar
• 1 night of standard accommodations at Quality Hotel Sogndal
• 2 nights of standard accommodations at First Hotel Marin or Scandic Bergen City in Bergen
• Hotel porterage
• All transfers
• 9 meals: 6 breakfasts and 3 dinners
• Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motorcoach
• Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
• Services of local guides per itinerary
• Entrance fees per itinerary
• Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring

Days 1–3: Oslo and Lillehammer

The flight from New York takes about 8 hours, and local time in Norway is 6 hours ahead of New York, so you’ll actually arrive in Oslo on Day 2. After dropping your luggage at your hotel, you can explore the museum-filled capital city at your leisure. The next day, a guided tour helps you to get better acquainted with Oslo’s cultural offerings, including the dramatic National Theatre and 19th-century Royal Palace. Another stop is the Vigeland Sculpture Park, whose 192 sculptures and 600 figures were all created by Gustav Vigeland.

• The Munch Museum contains the famous painting The Scream, along with 20,000 other pieces donated by Edvard Munch himself. Don’t miss the Norwegian painter’s series of self-portraits. Admission to the museum is not included in this Groupon.
• See 1,200-year-old Viking ships on the optional Treasures of Oslo tour. You’ll tour the world’s best-preserved Viking ships, including Ra and Kon-Tiki, which sailed 4,300 miles across the Pacific (4 hours; $76/person).
• Lillehammer: This ski town hosted the 1994 Winter Olympic Games, and you’ll get to see its ski jump up close before spending the night on Day 3.

Day 4: Lom and Sogndal

Your next stop is home to the Lom Stave Church; its dark-wood façade, built around 1150, is befitting of a fairy tale. Leave the mountain village behind to travel through Sognefjellet, the highest mountain pass in Northern Europe.

• Lom Stave Church contains intricate wooden framework and paintings by Eggert Munch, a distant relative of famous Norwegian artist Edvard Munch.
• Look out for reindeer darting through the forest on your way to Sogndal, the small town in Norway’s scenic fjord country where you’ll spend the night.

Days 5–6: Sognefjord Cruise and Bergen

Breathe in the fresh mountain air while cruising the Sognefjord, Norway’s largest fjord. The peaceful waterway’s banks are covered with towering peaks, glaciers, and rolling green hills. Next, you’ll take a ride through countryside on the Flam Railway, a famous train route carved into the mountains. Its waterfalls, pastures, and snow-covered peaks seem to glide past as the train climbs to altitudes of up to 3,000 feet. You’ll spend the next 2 nights in Bergen, a 1,000-year-old city on Norway’s west coast.

• Fjords and mountains create a beautiful backdrop in Bergen’s 14th-century Bryggen district, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take some time to visit the timber restaurants and artisan shops that line Vågen Harbor.
• Get a birds-eye view: For the best views of Bergen’s seven hills, take the Fløibanen funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen to see the entire city below.
• Optional Bergen tour: The three-hour tour takes you to famous sites, including the home of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg and Håkon’s Hall, where Norway’s first laws were passed in the 13th century (3 hours; $75/person).

Days 7–8: Oslo and Return Flight

Try to get a window seat for the ride back to Oslo—you’ll pass picturesque waterfalls, ski towns, and scenic lakes along the way. On Day 8, you’ll head to the airport and wave goodbye to Norway.

Know Before You Go

• Official language: Norwegian
• Currency: Norwegian krone
• Drive on the right side of the road.
• Entrance requirements for US citizens: a passport valid for at least three months beyond date of departure, with at least two blank pages

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much would it cost to fly from an airport not listed as part of this deal? Airfare is available from the New York City metro area. The departure airport (JFK, EWR or LGA) will be advised at the time of booked based on availability. The supplemental fee to depart from a city that isn’t included is subject to departure date and availability at the time of booking.

2. Can we extend our trip before or after the promotional dates for the deal? Yes, you may extend your trip for a supplemental fee at the time of booking. Please call Gate 1 Travel for more information.

3. How do I find out if the dates I want to travel are available? The dates available are listed on each option.

4. What happens if I buy the Groupon and my travel dates are not available? You can either choose another date or be refunded by Groupon. We suggest calling Gate 1 Travel to redeem your vouchers as soon as possible so that you do not run into this problem.

5. Does my child need a Groupon, and can they stay in my room? Yes, each person traveling (including children) needs to purchase a voucher. Your child may stay in your room; however, there are limits as to how many people per room.

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