The Beautiful Fjords of Western Norway

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To book or for more information please call: 0330 341 1117 and quote RTA

The Beautiful Fjords of Western Norway

Newmarket Holidays is offering 15% off European escapes until Friday, 25 July.

This journey to one of Europe’s most delightful destinations promises a nature-centred getaway like no other. This hugely popular holiday is a marvellous introduction to one of the world’s most beautiful locations. Western Norway's fjord country has drawn eager visitors to its unique landscape for centuries. Here, sheer mountainsides plunge into the deep, dark waters and, beyond, its unspoilt landscape of forests, lakes and pristine glaciers is watched over by soaring peaks that are the refuges of sea eagles and reindeer. Few places in the world match the spectacle of this breathtaking region, which charms and captivates at every step.

Holiday Highlights

Discover the region on a fascinating 'Fjord Life' tour
Experience a warm welcome, stunning scenery and beautiful views
Tour Norway's interior on unforgettable optional excursions to the Jostedal Glacier, and to Mydal, Flam and Gudvangen
Journey by boat through spectacular scenery to Bergen

Why we love this holiday ...

" There are over a thousand fjords dotted along Norway’s shoreline, but the most famous ones are located on the west coast – and that's exactly where this tour takes you. Your base for your Norwegian fjords holiday is the pretty, 4-star Kviknes Hotel on the banks of Sognefjord. Best of all, Newmarket Holidays offers some great optional excursions – meaning you can do as much (or as little!) as you like whilst away. You can visit Jostedal Glacier (mainland Europe’s biggest ice–floe) or ride the Flam Railway – or you can simply sit back and soak up the stunning scenery and fresh mountain air."

What's Included

Seven nights' half-board accommodation at the four-star Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand, on Sognefjord
Return flights to Bergen
A cruise to Bergen
A full-day 'Fjord-Life' tour
Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Norway - Fly to Bergen, meet your tour manager and board our coach for the memorably scenic transfer to the idyllic village of Balestrand, on the shores of mighty Sognefjord, and to the warm and welcoming Kviknes Hotel. Settle into your room and get to know your beautiful surroundings, before enjoying your first evening in the hotel.

Day 2

At leisure in Balestrand - Today, you'll have time to get to know Balestrand and its welcoming inhabitants, all of whom are keen to act as hosts for your visit, sharing their love of their beautiful location with you. Sognefjord, at 180 kilometres long and 1300m deep, is one of the world's largest fjords, and has been welcoming guests since the late 19th Century when the first British travellers came in search of clear mountain air and stunning scenery. The village, with its few shops, café, bank, historic, wooden English church, neat white-painted cottages and stylish artists’ villas, is surrounded by orchards. In springtime the valleys are be-decked with blossom while winter still reigns in the mountains. In the autumn, new snow adorns the peaks but summer lingers by the fjord, and the forests beyond the fjord-side blaze with vibrant colour. Whenever you visit Balestrand, the beauty of its natural surroundings will live long in your memory, as will the warmth of the welcome you receive virtually everywhere you go.

Day 3

Included Bergen cruise excursion - The first of your included excursions is an unforgettable day trip that begins with an express boat ride through the stunning scenery of Western Norway to historic Bergen, the former Hanseatic trading port that is known as the Gateway to the Fjords. Join us to explore this This city of narrow cobbled streets and medieval houses, with its vibrant harbour area and open-air Fish Market, is perfect for a self-guided stroll. Once a residence of medieval kings and queens and still the seat of a university, Bergen was also the birthplace of composer Edvard Grieg, one of Norway’s most famous sons. Don’t miss the chance to stroll through the ancient Bryggen area past its beautifully preserved wooden warehouses, or the opportunity to view the city from above as you ride the quaint Fløibanen funicular railway to the summit of ‘Mount’ Fløyen (payable locally). You’ll return to Balestrand in time for dinner.

Day 4

Optional Jostedal Glacier tour - Rest and relax in your idyllic surroundings, or join today’s optional tour to the breathtaking Jostedal Glacier. This formerly impenetrable east-west barrier – mainland Europe’s largest glacier – is a mesmerising natural wonder dominating the northern interior beyond the fjords. A visit here is a must, for the informative Norwegian Glacier Museum and its fascinating exhibits as much as for the sight of the glacier itself.

Day 5

Optional Norway in a Nutshell excursion - Enjoy another day in your beautiful surroundings, or join this famous tour, which is also one of the world’s most scenic journeys, and travel by coach, boat and train across the most stunning parts of the region. The tour includes the unforgettable experience of a ride on the the world-famous Flåmsbana branch-line train from Myrdal to Flåm – a truly remarkable 50-minute, 20-kilometre descent of 900 metres down the steep-sided valley – and a two-hour cruise through spectacular Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord to the tiny port of Gudvangen.

Day 6

Included 'Fjord-Life' excursion - Join your guide for a day spent exploring beautiful Sognefjord, including the fascinating Heiburgske Samlinger Sogn Folk Museum and the 12th-century Kaupanger Stave Church.

Day 7

Spend the day in Balestrand - Spend your final day relaxing in Balestrand. It's your last chance to soak up the tranquillity of your surroundings, and make the very most of the village. This evening, enjoy a final dinner at the hotel and look back on the highlights of your unique Norwegian fjords holiday.

Day 8

Return to the UK - Say goodbye to Balestrand, and retrace your route through the scenery to Bergen. Check in for your flight and head home, taking with you with a treasure trove of wonderful memories.

Kviknes Hotel, Balestrand

Kviknes Hotel, which once welcomed the Kaiser and his entourage, has been a favourite with our clients for very many years. A magnificent, fjord-side, Swiss-style wooden building, with a modern addition, this family-run hotel is sure to make you feel at home.

Hotel Facilities & Amenities

The hotel has fine public areas, including a spacious restaurant overlooking the fjord, large and comfortable lounges and a stylish bar. The restaurant includes an extensive fresh fruit and salad bar, and offers various hot and cold meat dishes, an excellent choice of fish and a good selection of freshly made desserts and cheeses.

Room Facilities & Amenities

All rooms will be allocated in the modern part of the hotel from the late 1960s. It has eight floors and 165 rooms. There is an lift to the rooms which are decorated in 1960s and 1970s style.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately four and a half hours. There will be a 30-45 minute comfort break en route.

Flight routes

Flights from London Gatwick and London Luton are direct. All other flights stop in Amsterdam.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Airport development fees

An Airport Development Fee has been introduced at a few UK Airports. You will be required to pay this charge at the following airports prior to checking in for your flight: Blackpool, Newquay and Norwich. The amount varies from airport to airport, but it is generally between £5 and £10 per person. Please visit the airport's website for further information.

Visas & Passports

Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel.

Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names.

Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date").

Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.

European Entry/Exit Scheme (EES)

EES is a new digital border management system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of most European countries. Once introduced, when you go through passport control on arrival, as well as producing your passport for checking, you will also have your photograph taken and fingerprints scanned. The system will register your entry on arrival and your exit when departing. You will only need to do this on your first entry into Europe after the scheme starts.

The EES scheme is not live yet - the latest information can be found at https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en. We recommend keeping yourself updated on the planned commencement date and, once live, ensure you are familiar with the process.

For those travelling via Eurostar, there is a dual British and French/Belgian border in operational at St Pancras International. Therefore the EES system will be in place at the station, you will not need to be checked again on arrival at the other side. For further information please visit the ABTA website here.

Please note: Irish passport holders or British Passport holders with an EU residency are currently excluded.

European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS)

Following the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, changes have been planned which affect the eligibility of citizens of the United Kingdom to have visa free travel to the EU. ETIAS travel authorisation is a new entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of the European Union and Schengen counties.

The ETIAS system is not live yet - the latest information can be found at www.etias.com. We recommend keeping yourself updated on the planned commencement date and, once live (and if applicable to you), apply for your ETIAS in good time prior to travel.

Newmarket Holidays will not be able to undertake ETIAS applications on your behalf, so have instead instructed the services of the Travel Visa Company to provide help, should you need it. You can find more information about this service here.

Please note: ETIAS will not be required for UK citizens travelling on our UK and Ireland tours.

Terms and conditions

Terms & Conditions: Save 15% on European escapes offer applies to new bookings made for short haul holidays between 10th to 25th July 2025. Offer cannot be applied retrospectively to bookings already confirmed. This offer does not apply to child pricing. The offer does not apply to holidays with late availability pricing and excludes Ocean Cruise, River Cruise, Edinburgh Tattoo, André Rieu events, Lapland and Wimbledon. This offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other discount, promotion or concession. See full terms & conditions.

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