NORWAY IN A NUTSHELL
BY RAIL AND FERRY
19 MAY 2026 - 9 NIGHTS
THIS TOUR IS ALREADY ALMOST FULLY BOOKED
JUST 5 PLACES REMAINING AS OF 07JAN26
TO BOOK THIS TOUR JUST CALL US ON 07808 366930
OR SEND US AN EMAIL TO alan@acetours.eu
Picture Perfect
A perfect mirror reflects snow-capped peaks, glistening in the sunshine. A lone duck makes its way across the lake, opening it like a zipper.
This has become one of our most popular tours in recent years and we are sure the programme we are offering in 2026 will be well received and exciting. It’sonly marginally more expensive than 2025 but with an extra night. Norway, regarded by many seasoned travellers, is one of the world’s most beautiful countries. It is spotlessly clean; the transport is efficient, on time and reasonably priced; the country has a wealth of stunning beauty from waterfalls to lakes, fjords to rivers, mountains to quaint villages; it is also extremely safe….and the food is tremendous!
We have attempted to avoid early starts, where possible. Our proposed tour will highlight the southern fjords and mountains, starting with a short overnight stay in Oslo before travelling by the gorgeous Bergensbanen railway from Oslo to Bergen, passing over viaducts and through tunnels, over mountains perhaps still snowy and along rivers, culminating in the beautiful Fjordland. We have a host of things for you to do and see in Bergen, Norway’s second but probably most beautiful city. There’s a full-day cruise and rail journey to Flam, through the fjords and back over the mountains. You’ll need plenty of memory in your camera! We’ll travel onward by cruise-ferry to the oil capital, Stavanger, where the locals seem to enjoying partying in a city full of life. We have another lovely train journey back to Oslo, where we have a couple of days to enjoy this lovely city.
We have tried to keep the number of hotel changes to a minimum. Journeys, however, should all be great fun and enjoyable, speaking from our past experiences. We have included breakfast every morning and evening meals on seven evenings, allowing you to experiment with Norway’s wondrous cuisine on two occasions.
Norway
It’s a large country, stretching over 1500 miles, North to South. Yet it only has a population of less than 6 million, about the same as Ireland. We would love to show you all of the country but it would take weeks and loads of your money.
So, we have condensed it and put together a programme that includes flights, ferries and trains, highlighting the beauty of this mysterious land. Leaving from Bergen, we’ll travel through some of Norway’s most beautiful countryside en-route to Bodo, tucked within the Arctic Circle. As a UNESCO World Heritage City and a European City of Culture, Bergen has the ideal combination of nature, culture and exciting urban life all year around. Bodo, on the other hand is a small, quiet city where, despite its northerly latitude, the locals enjoy socialising in the open air. Picture yourself at 11.30pm, sipping a glass of wine or enjoying a beer, and the sun hasn't even sunk yet! Amazing!
We then fly down to Oslo for a couple of nights, with enough time to explore and enjoy this very welcoming city.Two nights may not be long enough, so you might just have to come back again!
Outline Itinerary
19 May 2026 – Meet at Belfast Grand Central 06.45am.
Coach to Dublin departs 06.30am. Arrives 08.20am
(Option to go to Dublin the previous evening –
Premier Inn £100 per room, Room Only)
Check in at Dublin Airport by 08.30 latest
(Option to visit Airport Lounge - £20 - £30 pp, depending on lounge – see below)
Fly Dublin – Oslo 10.20 – 13.30
We will take the airport train to the hotel
1 Nights, 4* city centre hotel, Bed and breakfast
Free to relax before dinner.
Evening meal included -TBA
20 May 2026 - Breakfast at the hotel
Midday train to Bergen. This is one the great rail journeys of the world, Duration is around 8 hours, passing through spectacular scenery, over mountains, along rivers, past fjords and forests. Our journey includes superior, reclining seating.
City Centre, 4* hotel, 3 nights B&B
Evening meal is included tonight . TBA.
21 May 2026 - Breakfast at the hotel.
Mid-morning tour of Bergen, followed by ascent by Floibanen funicular for superb views of Bergen below.
Afternoon optional excursion by RIB to the islands and passages of the coast. (See below)
Evening meal is NOT included tonight. We will give you options. We suggest the Fish Market, where excellent meals can be had for fairly reasonable rates.
22 May 2026 All-day excursion by rail and ferry to Flam.
Our ferry departs at 08.00am, 10 minutes from the hotel. The cruise lasts for 5.5 hours, cruising through the Sognefjord, which offers spectacular scenery. We have around one hour in Flam before catching the scenic railway to Myrdal. From here we take the next train to Bergen. We arrive back around 6.30pm.
Evening meal included tonight TBA
23 May 2026- Breakfast at the hotel
Late morning transfer from hotel to Bergen port
Our wonderful journey today by ferry-cruise ship takes us through the inside passage, past fjords and islands, to the port of Stavanger.
Accommodation on board is in the Premium Lounge and an exceptional dinner on-board is included.
Transfer to the city centre by minibus / taxi / local bus (to be confirmed)
2 Nights, 4* city centre hotel, Bed and breakfast
Radisson Atlantic or Thon Maritim Hotel
Evening meal included. Aboard ship
24 May 2026 Breakfast at the hotel followed by walking
tour of the city.
Afternoon free to explore Stavanger on your own. Evening meal included. TBA
25 May 2026 Early start. Breakfast is from 07.30 and
we’ll need to leave the hotel by 09,45 at the latest. 10-15 minutes to the station.
Train from Stavanger back to Oslo -
Depart 10.15, arrive 18.25
This is another “highlight” journey We suggest you bring some food although there is catering on board.
3 Nights, 4* city centre hotel, Bed and breakfast
Evening meal included tonight. TBA
26 May 2026 Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day of excursions.
Evening meal is NOT included tonight.
Optional Harbour cruise by night with shrimp dinner
(Details to follow)
27 May2026 Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day to enjoy Oslo at your leisure.
Museums, palaces, parks, shops,waterfront.
Evening meal included tonight. TBA
28 May 2026 Breakfast at the hotel
Depart for airport at around 11.15 by train.
Fly Oslo to Dublin. Depart 14.10am. Arrive 15.30am
Coach transfer to Belfast.
Included in the fare:
· Flights from Dublin to Oslo and return with Aer Lingus
· 1 carry-on bag plus 1 checked bag up to 20kgs
· Train and ferry fares as specified above.
· Premier Travel with reclining seats on Oslo-Bergen route. ·
· Reclining seats on Stavanger-Oslo train.
· 9 nights accom at city-centre hotels with breakfast daily
· 7 evening meals (allowing 2 for free choice)
· Transfers between all hotels, ports, stations and airports,
· Excursion programme.
· Fully escorted throughout by Alan Couser
· Full ATOL financial protection
Not included in the fare:
· Gratuities to hotel staff (optional –
· but we will give you guidelines)
· 2 evening meals - we will give you advice where to eat
· Optional Excursion by RIB from Bergen.
· Approx cost £150 but to be confirmed.
· Optional Harbour Cruise in Oslo – details to follow.
· Travel insurance
Fares:
£2245 p.p. based on twin/double sharing-
£2645 in single rooms
Upgrades
We will publish possible upgrades by Friday, 09th Jan 2026
Excursions
There are a number of excursions included in your fare and we will be adding more optional tours for you to choose from.
Oslo walking tour - Included in fare
Oslo is not a huge city, so we will be able to see quite a bit of it on foot, during the morning. Approx 2 hours
We will offer a further two-hour walking tour in the afternoon
Walking Tours of Stavanger and Bergen - Included
These will be easy-going tours, with stops for coffee at appropriate times.
Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing bus - approx £30
If the walking seems a bit much for you, we can arrange hop-on hop-off buses in Bergen and Oslo.
Floibanen Funicular - Bergen - Included in fare
A trip on this is an unforgetable experience, offering superb views (subject to weather of course!)
RIB Boat ride to Saltstraumen -
Extra cost approx £150 (To be confirmed)
This is an exciting tour for thrill seekers, not to be missed. It is extremely safe and doesn't involve much effort. Speed out of Bergen towards the islets and reefs. Look out for sea-eagles, whales and dolphins en-route, although sightings are never guaranteed. All the cold-weather clothes and safety gear is provided.
Flam and Fjords - Cruise and Rail - Included
Included in your holiday fare is a full-day excursion, departing early in the morning from Bergen. You will spend 5-6 hours cruising the fjords on a modern catamaran, then a trip on the world-famous Flam Railway, before returning to Bergn by train in the evening. (Note- This tour may operate in reverse)
Evening Shrimp Dinner Cruise - Oslo - (Cost TBA)
This was a surprising highlight in 2024. Three hours or so of cruising through Oslo Fjord, spotting colourful villages and pretty islands. During the cruise you can buy drinks but your evening meal of shrimps with bread and salad. There are so many shrimps, you will not starve!
Ferry-Cruise from Bergen to Stavanger
This is a beautiful voyage, through the inside passage, past fjords and islands. Be amazed at the glorious scenery, enjoying intoxicatingly fresh air. We have reserved seats for you in the lounge. You can slip into the observation area, just next door, for wonderful views. Included in your cruise is a sumptuous evening buffet. (Our last exoerience in this restaurant was amazing!)
