Journey Through Norway

Fly overnight to Denmark, and transfer to your hotel upon arrival in Copenhagen. Meet your fellow travelers, Smithsonian Journeys Expert, and Tour Director during a welcome dinner at Copenhagen’s festive Tivoli Gardens. (D)

Discover the highlights of Copenhagen on a morning tour that includes Christianborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Parliament, set on an island in the center of town. Pass by the famous Little Mermaid statue, and stroll along the narrow streets of the historic center to City Hall Square. Enjoy free time in the afternoon to discover more of this appealing city. (B)

Set off on a full-day excursion that begins in Elsinore with a visit to Kronborg Castle, the setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Perched on the Øresund strait, the Renaissance castle played a crucial role in Northern European history, controlling access to the Baltic Sea. This afternoon visit the Karen Blixen Museum, set within the lifelong home of the Danish author, who wrote Out of Africa and other works under the pen name of Isak Dinesen. Situated in coastal Rungsted amid parklands and a bird sanctuary, the home remains much as she left it upon her death in 1962. Return to Copenhagen for an evening at leisure. (B,L)

After free time this morning, gather for a midday tour of Rosenborg Palace, home to Denmark’s dazzling crown jewels. Then visit the village of Dragør, a thriving harbor for tall ships in the 18th and 19th centuries. Take a stroll along its cobblestone streets, passing historic buildings and charming fishing cottages. Late in the afternoon, board an overnight ferry to Oslo and settle into your private outside cabin. Dinner is served onboard this evening. (B,D)

Disembark in Oslo, and board a coach for the journey north to ski country. Stop along the way in Lillehammer, site of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Here, visit the Maihaugen Museum, an open-air exhibition of Norwegian homes and everyday life dating back to the 13th century. Continue north to the village of Hundorp and check in to your hotel. (B,L,D)

Experience spectacular scenery as you travel from Hundorp into Norway’s fabled fjordlands. En route, ascend to the summit of Mount Dalsnibba (alt. 4,900 feet) for stunning views of Geirangerfjord and the mountains, lakes, and waterfalls that surround it. In the mid-afternoon, arrive in the town of Geiranger, nestled on the shores of one of Norway’s most dramatic fjords. A World Heritage site, Geirangerfjord measures 10 miles long and some 960 feet deep. (B,D)

Set out on a thrilling drive along Eagle Road, which hairpins up to mountain passes, affording incredible views. Stop at a local farm for lunch before returning to Geiranger in the afternoon. Gather for a reception and an opportunity to view a private vintage car collection before dinner at your hotel tonight. (B,L,D)

Immerse yourself in extraordinary scenery on a full-day journey from Geiranger to Bergen. A series of ferry rides takes you across Geirangerfjord, past tiny villages and tumbling waterfalls, and beneath towering mountains that plunge steeply into the placid fjords. Arrive in the coastal city of Bergen in the evening, and enjoy dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

Discover the highlights of Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city, on a morning tour. See Trolhaugen, the country home of composer Edvard Grieg; and stop in at the lively fish market. Take a walk through the colorful 14th-century Hanseatic merchants’ quarter of Bryggen, a World Heritage site, and visit the 16th-century Bergenhus fortress. Take advantage of a free afternoon to explore Bergen on your own. (B)

After breakfast, leave Bergen behind and travel to Lofthus in Norway’s Western Fjord District. Along the way, stop to see the 150-foot Steindal Waterfall and tour a floating salmon farm to learn about this important Norwegian export. Then stop at an orchard to sample the traditional hard cider produced here and take in stunning views of the Hardangerfjord region. Check into your hotel, nestled on Hardangerfjord, and dine together tonight. (B,L,D)

Travel by road to Gudvangen, experiencing the grandeur of Naeroyfjord, an arm of stunning Sognefjord and a World Heritage site, and Aurlandsfjord. Board the Flåm Railway for a breathtaking ride from sea level up to 2,900 feet. On the way, pass through 20 tunnels that spiral in and out of mountains, curve around 21 hairpin bends, view the mighty Kjosfossen waterfall, and cross the Flåm River three different times. The exhilarating excursion ends in Myrdal, where you’ll board another train for the brief trip to Voss. Later, cross the 4,600-foot Hardanger Bridge, one of the world’s longest suspension bridges, on the drive back to the hotel. (B,L,D)

Gain insight into local life in Norway’s fjord country on a visit to the Hardanger Nature Center in Eidfjord. After free time for lunch, journey to Oslo, stopping on the way to photograph the beautiful cataracts at Voringfoss Waterall. Arrive Oslo early this evening. (B)

Begin the day with a visit to the Historical Museum, which showcases artifacts from the Stone Age to the Viking era and beyond. Then tour the nearby Kon-Tiki Museum, following the tale of Thor Hyerdahl's famous voyage across the Pacific in 1947. In the afternoon, set out to discover many parks, galleries, and museums as you wish. (B)

Delve into Norwegian art today with a visit to the MUNCH Museum, dedicated to famed modernist Edvard Munch, as well as Vigeland Sculpture Park, filled with intriguing bronze and granite sculptures of human figures by artist Gustav Vigeland. Enjoy a free afternoon before meeting up to celebrate your journey at a farewell dinner. (B,D)

Transfer to the airport this morning for your return flight to the U.S. (B)