Essential Norway

Fly from London Heathrow to Oslo, Norway's fascinating capital. On arrival, transfer into the city centre by rail and walk to your hotel, the 3* Scandic Byporten.

• Dinner

You begin your stay in Oslo with a guided walking tour to introduce you to the main sights. The new state Opera House is situated close to your hotel and is an impressive, award-winning example of modern architecture. You also see Norway's magnificent 19th-century Royal Palace before an afternoon at leisure.

Oslo offers a good choice of museums including the Viking Ship and Maritime Museum, the Folk Museum, and the Edvard Munch Museum. The Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art is a fantastic example of modernity in itself, and its beguiling architectural design make its certainly worth visiting. You could also visit Oslo's world famous Art Gallery and view Munch's most famous piece, the expressionist painting, 'The Scream'.

A walk up Karl Johans Gate reveals the Royal Palace as well as a multitude of shops and restaurants. At Akershus Castle and Fortress, you'll find the location of King Christian IV's old defences. Otherwise, you could take a scenic cruise on Oslofjord. Visiting the islands of Oslo's archipelago means you will be able to view the imposing Oscarborg Fortress. Now a museum, the mighty castle was an important bastion during World War II, and the museum offers a variety of exhibitions. Cruises on the Oslofjord are available to join just a short walk from the hotel (payable locally).

• Breakfast

Travel on Northern Europe's highest railway today, the Bergen Railway, reaching the Hardangervidda plateau at 4,060 feet. Passing through some of the wildest nature accessible by train, this is widely regarded as one of the greatest railway journeys on the planet. The harsh climate experienced in this part of the world has produced a landscape which is simply breathtaking, and you soak up the phenomenal views from the comfort of your carriage.

Beginning in southern Norway, the train starts its ascent into the rugged mountains, travelling alongside deep fjords and passing through numerous tunnels hewn out of the solid rock, to the stations at Arna and Dale. After the Trollkona tunnel - the longest on the line at 5.5 miles - you reach Bergen, situated on the edge of Norway's fjord country. Here, you stay at the Hotel Scandic Neptun.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Embark on a full day excursion that encapsulates Norway in a nutshell, beginning with a journey on the iconic Flåm Railway, travelling along one of the steepest lines in existence. A branch line of the Bergen Railway, the scenic Flåm Railway takes passengers on a wonderful 12.5-mile journey past waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and remote, mountain-side farms.

Following some free time to discover Flåm and enjoy time for lunch, take to the waters on a spellbinding cruise along 2 of Norway's tranquil fjords, Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord. To get closer to the nature that surrounds you, this cruise is the perfect way to discover both UNESCO-listed fjords, surrounded by Alpine meadows, charming villages, and waterfalls cascading down from the mountainsides. Even in all weathers, this cruise is delightful to experience, as you sail through the world's most beautiful fjords.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Today you discover beautiful Bergen on a guided sightseeing tour, visiting the Bryggen Waterfront, the UNESCO-listed location of the old Hanseatic trading wharf. Afterwards, a traditional Scandinavian seafood lunch of fish soup, a fish platter with fish burger, prawns and mussels, and salad is served up near the town's iconic fish market. The rest of your day is at leisure. Perhaps visit the harbour, which is called Vågen, where you can still see parts of Bryggen.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Today, you enjoy a coach journey from Bergen to Oslo, stopping at Hardangervidda. Here, you have opportunity for a photo stop at a stave church. During the Middle Ages, immense wooden cathedrals were constructed in many parts of Norway. The decorations featured inside each church are a fascinating combination of Christian motifs and what is often assumed as Viking themes with dragons and other animals. Today, there are just 28 churches preserved, but its believed that there were just under 2000 churches in Norway at the height of the medieval period.

Later, you transfer to your hotel in Olso where you enjoy a farewell dinner.

• Breakfast

Today, you bid farewell to Norway, transferring to Oslo airport for the flight to London Heathrow.

• Breakfast