NORWAY

  • Depart Elite Coach, 1685 West Main Street, Ephrata. Most likely Delta or KLM flight from JFK (sorry!) to Amsterdam,then Amsterdam to Trondheim. Multi-meals.

  • Arrive Trondheim airport around noon. 30-minute drive to the city of Trondheim, Norway's third-largest city, without a doubt one of the most photogenic of the bigger cities. Trondheim is Norway's historic capital, with pedestrian-friendly paths and great restaurant culture. We will stay in Trondheim for 2 nights.

  • Possible guided walking tour of this beautiful fishing town and its harbor. We will definitely visit Nidaros Cathedral,Europe's northernmost Gothic cathedral. Optional Ladestien walk—a relaxed coastal walk with beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean. Overnight in Trondheim.

  • We will drive about 3.5 hours with stops along the way to Kristiansund, a smaller city with a big heart. Kristiansund is situated on 4 islands, with a ferry connecting each island. Known for its fishing (and opera!), Kristiansund's old shipyard is almost perfectly preserved. This is a town known for authentic seafood, especially clipfish, salted cod that is dried on sea rocks. This is a place many Norwegians go on summer vacation. We will stay in Kristiansund 2 nights.

  • We will spend some of our time today on the Atlantic Road, considered one of the world's most scenic road trips. With its 8 bridges, the road meanders like a sea worm, connecting islands with the mainland, considered Norway's biggest engineering feat. A possible island visit is Eldhusøya, an island offering beautiful coastal walks, with views both of the Atlantic Ocean and the iconic Storseisundet Bridge. Another island visit possibility is Grip, an idyllic, now deserted fishing village located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as Norway's second-highest lighthouse at 44 meters.Return to Kristiansund. Overnight in Kristiansund.

  • 1-hour drive along the coast to the village of Bud, an active, charming fishing village beautifully situated on the sea. We will explore this small village, including the Ergan Coastal Fort, a German defensive fort built in 1940, now a WWII war memorial museum. After lunch, we will journey about 40 minutes to Molde, nicknamed the “town of roses.” Largely rebuilt after being bombed in WWII, this town blends vibrant culture with natural beauty as it is the gateway to the Romsdal Alps and the Molde Panorama—a viewpoint 396 meters above sea level with sweeping fjord views. We will stay 2 nights in Molde.

  • We will spend today exploring one of Norway's most beautiful fjords, Romsdalsfjord, an 88–94 km long fjord, known for dramatic contrasts between towering alpine peaks and open, coastal landscapes. This fjord is considered one of Norway's cleanest, boasting over 68 species of fish, making it a hotspot for fishermen. Options include a cruise along the fjord,taking the Romsdalen Gondola to the top of Mount Nesaksla for panoramic views, or visiting Trollveggen (Troll Wall),Europe's tallest vertical rock face. Return to Molde.

  • We have a 3.5-hour drive with stops along the way to Stryn, a smaller town known for its steep mountains and incredible views. Stryn is known for its emerald green lakes, mountains, and glaciers. This town sits along the bay of the Nordfjord,close to Jostedalsbreen National Park, home of the Jostedalsbreen Glacier, Europe's largest ice cap. We will stay in Stryn for 2 nights.

  • 10-minute drive to Loen, a small village situated innermost in Nordfjord, below the great Jostedalsbreen Glacier. It is the home of Loen Skylift, one of the steepest cable cars in the world. A modern marvel, we will be whisked from the fjord to the summit of Mount Hoven in a matter of 5 minutes, rewarded with panoramic fjord views, hiking trails, and a scenic restaurant. Afternoon may include venturing further into the national park. Return to Stryn.

  • Drive 40 minutes to Nordfjordeid, the biggest town on the Nordfjord. Nordfjordeid is famous for its population of Fjord horses, which can often be seen roaming the town streets. We will likely have lunch in this town. Drive 1 hour 15 minutes to the small village of Sæbø, an idyllic village right on the Hjørundfjord, a fjord off the beaten track for most tourists, but Norwegians say this is the most beautiful fjord in Norway! Though Sæbø is quite remote, a 2-night stay right on the fjord will allow for relaxation and stunning views without the crowds that we likely would not get in other more touristy fjord areas. Stay in Sæbø 2 nights.

  • Options for today include one or more of the following:

    • Sæbø is home to the Sunnmøre Alps. Plenty of hiking for those who want small and large hikes.

    • Relax in a floating sauna. Sæbø has two floating saunas right on the fjord, so you can sweat and admire the beautiful fjord!

    • Rent a kayak to enjoy Hjørundfjord up close and personal.

    • Take a 20-minute ferry across the way to the small village of Trandal, home of the famous Christian Gaard Pub, a true Viking pub right on the fjord. In the summer months, music festivals popping up are not out of the ordinary.

    Stay in Sæbø.

  • We will have a 1-hour 45-minute drive to Ålesund, often called Norway's most beautiful city. A port town, this city is known for its Art Nouveau architecture in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904. Ålesund is one of Norway's most important fishing harbors, and as such, is famous for its seafood. We will stay in Ålesund 3 nights.

  • Most likely we will have a guided tour of Ålesund in the morning. Afternoon and evening on your own to explore Ålesund at your own pace.

  • Today will be a day for island hopping. Options include a drive through underwater tunnels to Giske and Godøya, a coastal village with a beautiful lighthouse, Alnes. Another option is Giske Island, a flat island steeped in Viking history.Perhaps the highlight though will be Runde Island, a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. This island hosts hundreds of thousands of seabirds, most notably puffins. There is a puffin safari, a boat tour to see the puffins! Return to Ålesund.

  • 20-minute shuttle bus ride to Ålesund airport. Most likely travel from Ålesund to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to JFK, once again, my apologies. Return to Ephrata.

    This itinerary is subject to change.