Norway — Europe — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

EUROPE NORWAY Land of Fjords & Mountains 10 DAYS HOTELS NORWAYS MAGNIFICENT WESTERN FJORDS Ref FJ JFMAMJJASOND JFMA Land of Fjords & Mountains Ref FJ n S e Andalsnes Trollstigen Pass Hellesylt The Rauma railway Dombas The Dovre railway GEIRANGER Fjord cruise & hike Jostedalsbreen Glacier hike LOEN Skei wonderland close up, then continue to the charming village of Flam, close to the head of Aurlandsfjord. From here we hike through the beautiful Aurland valley, one of the historic trading routes between eastern and western Norway, or for a change of scene we can sea-kayak amidst the spectacular scenery of the fjords. Flam Railway to Bergen We climb 900 vertiginous metres on one of Europes most famous mountain trains the Flamsbana to the village of Myrdal, then connect onto the hardly less spectacular train line to Bergen. A full day and a half in this attractive and historic trading city, built on the sea and backed by forested mountains, rounds off our short but comprehensive journey through Norways Western Fjords. Historic trading city Norw egia a BERGEN Aurland Aurlandsdalen FLAM hike Flam Mountain Myrdal railway Los a n NORWAY OSLO Visit Bygdoy peninsula by ferry km 0 160 Fabulous fjords/Johan Berge/NTR NORWAY " SWEDEN " FINLAND In the Ice Ages Norways elevated highlands were buried under a 2000 metre thick ice sheet, which over millennia carved out glacial valleys unequalled anywhere else in the world. Towering cliffs, ice-capped mountains and deep blue fjords make up a landscape so majestic it almost defies belief. It is an otherworldly place, where the awesome power and beauty of nature dominate the endeavours of man. Travelling by train, boat, bus and on foot, our journey takes us through the greatest of the fjords and up amongst the blue ice caps which created this land. Oslo & Journey to the Fjords Built at the head of a fjord and connected by ferries to offshore islands and beaches, Norways beautifully sited capital city is also home to some notable sites such as the Viking Ships Museum and a vibrant, lively night life. From Oslo we reach the Western Fjords on one of Europes most dramatic rail journeys first north on the Dovre railway then west on the Rauma railway to Andalsnes, connecting with a spectacular bus and ferry route over the Trollstigen Pass (seasonal opening) to Geiranger. Exploring the Western Fjords Set at the head of an impossibly narrow fjord, and surrounded by 1500m mountains, the village of Geiranger is our base for two nights. We enjoy a boat trip through Geirangerfjord and can hike to spectacular vantage points overlooking the valley below. Then by ferry and bus we travel south through the heart of the fjords to Jostedalsbreen, Norways largest and most impressive icecap. We include a guided walk on the glacier itself, a chance to see the pale blue shapes of this icy Spectacular Aurlandsfjord/Per Eide/NTR On the trail/Pal Bugge/NTR Above the Arctic Circle 15 DAYS CAMPING/CAMPSITE CABINS ARCTIC CIRCLE & LOFOTEN ISLANDS Ref AA JFMAMJJASOND JFMA We combine the Arctic lands of Sweden, Finland and Norway to see and enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery on earth. Vester�len & Lofoten Islands From Tromso we head for the wild Vester�len and Lofoten islands that jut out of the Norwegian Sea like jagged teeth. Crossing the sea, we hope to spot whales plunging in the water. Well explore the craggy coastline (home to many seabird colonies including puffins), go hiking in the hills, and relax in the sauna in the evening. Next we make a superb drive following the rugged coastal fjords to Narvik, then cut through the mountain range to Abisko in the Swedish fells. Lapland, Land of Reindeer Herdsmen We now enter Lapland, land of the Sami herdsmen: a colourful people whose life is geared to the migratory pattern of their reindeer herds. This enormous rolling wilderness is sprinkled with lakes that shimmer gold in the evening sun and with soft carpets of arctic flowers. We plan to spend our days making the most of the long hours and clear air. Day hikes, biking or canoeing are possible in this wilderness area. At Inari, the centre of Sami culture in Finland, we can explore the lake, perhaps catching fresh fish for dinner! Fishing in Lofoten Islands/Terje Rakke/NTR NORWEGIAN SEA TROMSO ALTA NORTH CAPE 71�N Tip of Europe Midnight Sun INARI Narvik KABELVAG Walks, puffins Sami herdsmen Hiking, canoeing LAPLAND FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Oslo. 2 In Oslo; ferry to Viking Ships Museum. 3 Train via Dombas to Andalsnes, bus via Trollstigen Pass to Geiranger. 4 Cruise on Geirangerfjord, hike to fjord viewpoints. 5 Ferry to Hellesylt, bus to Loen. 6 Guided walk on Jostedalsbreen glacier, drive to Flam. 7 Optional walk in the Aurland valley with connecting bus transfer, optional sea-kayaking or ferry trip. 8 Flam railway to Myrdal, train to Bergen, afternoon visit historic city centre. 9 In Bergen, optional walks and boat trips. 10 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 7nts hotel, 2nts cabin; 9 breakfasts included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Train/Coach/Express Bus/Ferry/ On Foot. Comment: Our hotel based tour takes in the best of Norways Western Fjord scenery and combines a number of easy and moderate hikes with spectacular train, ferry and boat trips. The glacier walk requires no previous experience, but walking boots are essential. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s). Group Size: Approx 12 to 16. SWEDEN �N Arcti c Circ le 66 km 0 250 North Cape the Top of Europe Heading even further north through the tundra, we take the tunnel across to the rocky outcrop of North Cape, situated on the edge of the Arctic waters the so-called Sea of Ice. Here at the tip of Europe the twilight night-sky glows misty pink and orange. Early in the summer the Midnight Sun can be viewed from towering cliffs of black granite, which rise 300m straight out of the sea. We head south, crossing fjords, then finally make a dramatic days hike through the stunning landscapes, near Alta. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Tromso. 2 Drive and ferry to Andenes on Andoya Island (Vesteralen). 3 Optional whalewatching; bus and ferry to Kabelvag on Vestvagoy Island (Lofoten); optional walks and exploring. 4 In Kabelvag; optional boat trips or walks. 5 Ferry and drive via Narvik to Abisko area (Sweden). 6 In Abisko; optional hikes. 7 Drive Enontekio, (Finland). 8 Drive Inari Lake area; optional visit to Lapp village; optional rafting. 9 At Inari; explore lake by canoe, hikes, optional sea-plane flight or Siida museum. 10 Drive and tunnel to Skarsvag on North Cape Island (Norway). Visit Nord Kapp. 11 Optional walk to Europes most northerly point; optional boat trip to bird colonies. 12 Drive Alta. 13 Drive to Sautso Canyon area; optional walks. 14 Return Tromso. 15 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 5nts simple campsite cabins, 9nts camping; 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches & 11 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Coach/Ferries/On foot. Comment: This trip to the remote and beautiful north of Scandinavia involves a couple of long drives, but also plenty of walks (optional). Campsites are generally well equipped and on 5 nights we stay in more comfortable cabins. Some camping nights can generally be upgraded to cabins, depending on availability. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, cook and a driver. Group Size: Approx. 18 to 24. For information, inspiration and latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk FINLAND Lo f en ot Ve s n ale erANDENES NORWAY Boating & hikes t ABISKO ENONTEKIO 45

Europe contd… Norway