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16 Day Norway Rail Summer Splendour

This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your trip includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.

Escorted Type
Fully Escorted

This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5

 

Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.

 

As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.

Pace
Balanced

These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for exact group size. Enjoy features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights, and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.

Group Size
Small Group

Take advantage of our 7 day cooling-off period. 

Cooling Off Period
7 Days
2,156 people have travelled to this destination

✓ Limited Time Offer - Add return international airfares from only $2,099
✓ Comfortable group tour, up to 24 guests only
✓ Incredible sightseeing including city tours in Stockholm, Trondheim and Bergen, see the church village of Gammelstad, visit the world famous ICEHOTEL in Kiruna, get up close to Abisko National Park in the heart of Swedish Lapland, explore in depth the stunning Lofoten Islands - including a stay in a traditional fisherman’s hut, ride the brand new Romsdal Gondal high above the Romsdalfjord and cruise along the UNESCO heritage listed Geirangerfjord, Sognefjord and Nærøyfjord.
✓ 12 nights in chic and central 3 and 4-star accommodation across Sweden and Norway
✓ 2 nights in traditional fisherman’s hut on the Lofoten Islands
✓ 1 overnight train in cabin (shared facilities) from Stockholm to Luleå
✓ Breakfast daily and 7 dinners including a farewell dinner at the famous Bergen Fish Market
✓ Fjord cruises along the most famous fjords of Norway
✓ Fully escorted by an English-speaking tour guide
✓ Comfortable, dedicated transportation throughout
✓ In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
✓ Why not extend your trip
    Pre-Tour extension with Helsinki & Tallinn click HERE
    Post-Tour extension with Oslo & Copenhagen click HERE

What we love about this tour

Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.

Itinerary

Hotel
Scandic Malmen or Similar
Meals
Dinner

Välkommen to Sweden! Upon arrival at the airport, please make your own way to the starting hotel.

The fastest and most economical way to get into the centre of Stockholm, if you are arriving into Arlanda Airport, is the Arlanda Express. Which travels non-stop from Arlanda Airport to Stockholm Central station and takes just 18 minutes. The cost of a one-way fare is approximately 320 SEK.

This evening, meet your tour guide and fellow travellers as we enjoy a welcome dinner. The rest of your evening is at leisure.

Why not extend your trip with Pre-Tour extension including Helsinki & Tallinn. Refer to link on the webpage.

Hotel
Scandic Malmen or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

After breakfast, we will enjoy a three hour city tour of Stockholm. We will see the city’s top sights including City Hall, where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded, the beautiful Gamla Stan (Old Town), where Stockholm’s history began over 800 years ago. Also seen will be the Royal Palace and the Parliament.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore, why not visit one of the city's many museums, including the Vasa Museum or take a tour of City Hall.

Train
Overnight train or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

Description: Some more free time this morning to enjoy the attractions of Stockholm, before this evening we take an overnight train up to Swedish Lapland to the hub of Luleå.

Note: Your overnight train journey will be in a private twin cabin with shared facilities

Hotel
Clarion Sense or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

Welcome to Swedish Lapland. We have arrived in Luleå, a beautiful coastal city just a couple hours away from the Arctic Circle and Finnish Border. Surrounded by an archipelago of islands, with a sparkling bay with a beautiful marina, Luleå has had a rich history.

It was in 1649 that the town was relocated from nearby Gammelstad, due to falling sea levels. What was left behind in Gammelstad, was the best preserved example of a unique type of settlement once found in northern Scandinavia - the church town. Built around a large church for the village to congregate, and for worshippers from the surrounding countryside, Gammelstad is a remarkable example of a settlement shaped by people’s religious and social needs rather than economic and geographical forces. Today, you will see the 424 wooden buildings that make up this unique look into medieval life in northern Europe.

Hotel
Scandic Kiruna or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

We officially cross the Arctic Circle today by train, as we enjoy sweeping views of a train further into Lapland as we journey to Kiruna, home to the world-famous Icehotel 365. Opening in 2016, it is the first in the world to offer ice experiences year-round. A specially designed 2100 square meter ice art hall, which houses suites, an ice bar and an experience room. We will enjoy a visit before enjoying an evening at leisure in Kiruna

Hotel
Quality Hotel Grand Royal or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

We depart Sweden and drive towards the striking Lofoten Islands in Norway. Before we cross the border, we stop at Abisko National Park. Majestic mountains frame the beautiful Abiskodalen valley with its flowering alpine meadows, picturesque rapids and Scandinavia’s largest alpine lake. During the summer you can experience light day and night and see the midnight sun. We take some time to explore before departing for Narvik, where we will stay overnight.

Hotel
Statles Rorbusenter or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Before we depart for the majestic Lofoten Islands, we visit the famous Narvik War Museum. Set over 1600 square metres, the exhibition in the museum focuses on the German attack on Narvik in 1940, and the following five years of war and German occupation.

The scenery will begin to be something out of a fairytale as we journey over to the Lofoten Islands. Tonight, a truly unique Inspiring Stay as we enjoy two nights in traditional fisherman's huts, the morning views will surely take your breath away.

Hotel
Statles Rorbusenter or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we enjoy a full day exploring the Lofoten Islands. The incredible arctic islands offers mountain peaks, fjords, tiny fishing settlements, beautiful beaches and some of the richest wildlife in Europe.

During summer, the days are long and in winter, drastically short. The area experiences both of the natural phenomena of the midnight sun and the northern lights. Today, we will visit the beach of Ramberg, where surfers from all over the world come to catch Arctic waves. We then venture to Henningsvær, a village strikingly set on inlets surrounded by mountains. A final stop in the quaint village of Nusfjord, lined with traditional fisherman’s huts, before we venture back to our own fisherman’s hut to enjoy dinner and another evening at leisure.

Hotel
Thon Hotel Nordlys or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

We continue exploring the Lofoten Islands by heading south. We will stop in Reine, an authentic living fishing village famous for its scenic location by the Arctic Ocean and the majestic Lofoten Peaks. We will then reach the southernmost point of the islands to visit Å, a uniquely named fishing village whose economy solely relies on the stockfish industry. 

We then catch a ferry to leave Lofoten to drive to Bodø, known as the mini-metropolis up north and named the European Capital of Culture in 2024.

Hotel
Quality Hotel Augustin or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

Today, another beautiful train journey awaits. The lighter days of the summer will ensure we don’t miss anything. The train journey transports you through pine forests, across foothills, alongside fjords and rivers. 

We will arrive in Trondheim in the late evening.

Hotel
Dombås Hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we enjoy a city tour of Trondheim. The city itself was Norway’s first capital city, and has a history that now stands over 1,000 years old. The centrepiece of the city is the beautiful Nidaros Cathedral, completed in 1300 and is a striking example of Gothic architecture in Northern Europe. We will have the chance to enter the Cathedral, and if you want, you can climb the 172 steps to the tower for stunning views of the city.

We depart this afternoon to the gateway of the fjords in Norway, to the quaint city of Dombås, where we will enjoy dinner and spend the night.

Hotel
Grotli Hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we take one of the iconic railway journeys in the country, the Rauma Railway. The approximately 1 hour and 40 minute journey takes you from the wild mountains surrounding Dombås to the beautiful fjords in Åndalsnes.

Upon arrival, we will enjoy the Romsdal gondola. A recent addition to the city, it will take you 1679 metres up the mountainside to get incredible views of the Romsdalsfjord.

Our day isn’t over just yet, as we continue our journey to the Trollstigen, also known as ‘Troll’s Road’, one of the most dramatic and visited roads in the country. Known for its 11 hair-raising hairpin turns and steep 10% gradient.

Tonight, we enjoy dinner and an evening at leisure at our hotel in the Geirangerfjord area.

Hotel
Thon Førde Hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

Our journey through the beautiful fjords of Norway continues as we drive to Geirangerfjord itself, easily the country's most famous fjord, and on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. We enjoy a one hour cruise through the fjord, to get alongside the sheer mountain cliffs and the many waterfalls. You may notice the abandoned farms high on the cliffs, now abandoned, giving an insight into the historical life on the fjords.

We then drive to the Sognefjord area where we enjoy dinner and an evening at leisure in our hotel.

Hotel
Zander K Hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

We drive through the incredible fjord area of Norway as we head to Sognefjord, where we will enjoy a cruise. First stop will be the charming village of Flåm, a quaint village perched on the edge of the Sognefjord known for its historic hotel and local breweries. We then cruise the Sognefjord, and the neighbouring UNESCO listed Nærøyfjord to the village of Gudvangen, where we will drive the rest of the way to Bergen.

Alternatively, at an optional cost, you can ride the famous Flåm Railway up to Myrdal, and meet the group in Bergen when you arrive by train.

Tonight, we enjoy an evening at leisure in Bergen.

Optional Tour - Flam Railway

As an alternative to driving from Flåm to Myrdal, take the famous Flåm Railway; it is one of Norway's major and most spectacular tourist attractions. On the 20 km-long ride, you can see rivers that cut through deep ravines, waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and mountain farms clinging dizzily to sheer slopes. The train also makes a photo stop at the beautiful Kjosfossen Falls.

In Myrdal you will connect to a regular train for the journey to Bergen. 

Hotel
Zander K Hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we enjoy a guided tour of Bergen, including a visit to the famous Fish and Flower Market, the old Bryggen Harbour (also UNESCO heritage listed), the popular Hanseatic Quarter and the ancient Maria Church. Founded in 1070, during the 12th and 13th centuries, when the Kingdom of Norway was at the peak of its power, Bergen was the capital. The Norwegian Kings resided here, bringing a wealth of history to the city.

Tonight, we say farewell and reminisce on our journey with a farewell dinner at the Bergen Fish Market.

Hotel
Zander K Hotel or Similar
Meals
Breakfast

After breakfast, our Scandinavian summer adventure comes to an end.

Why not extend your trip with a Post-Tour extension including Oslo & Copenhagen. Refer to link on the webpage.

Inclusions

  • Comfortable group experience - no more than 24 guests
  • Fully escorted by and English-speaking guide
  • 12 nights’ accommodation in high quality, hand picked Scandinavian standard 3 and 4-star hotels
  • 2 nights in a traditional fisherman’s hut on the Lofoten Islands
  • 1 night overnight train from Stockholm to Luleå
  • Daily breakfasts, 7 dinners including a farewell at the famous Bergen fish market
  • Incredible sightseeing including a visit to the church village of Gammelstad, Abisko National Park, the Narvik War Museum and the impressive Nicaros Cathedral with fjord cruises along the three most famous fjords in Norway - Geirangerfjord, Sognefjord and Nærøyfjord
  • Included guided tours of Stockholm, Trondheim and Bergen.

  • Stockholm - three hour city tour of to take in the sights including City Hall, Gamla Stan and the Royal Palace
  • Luleå - take an overnight train to Swedish Lapland
  • Gammelstad - see the 15th century town of Gammelstad, the most well preserved example of a Church Town in Sweden
  • Kiruna - enjoy a scenic train ride across Swedish Lapland from Luleå to Kiruna
  • Kiruna - visit the world famous Icehotel 365, the first in the world to offer ice-experiences all year round.
  • Abisko - visit to the incredible Abisko National Park, home to the Abiskodalen valley, where you will be able to walk along one of the many trails through the park.
  • Narvik - Entrance and visit to the Narvik War Museum, detailing the history of warfare during World War II in Northern Norway.
  • Lofoten - explore the majestic Lofoten Islands across three days, taking in the fjords, mountains and picturesque villages all the while staying in traditional fisherman’s huts.
  • Trondheim - visit the Notre Dam of Norway, the gothic Nidaros Cathedral built in 1300 and was Northern Europe's most important pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages
  • Åndalsnes - ride the famous Rauma Railway, taking you from the wild mountains surrounding Dombås to the beautiful fjord in Åndalsnes.
  • Åndalsnes - Ride the new Romsdal gondal, taking you high above the Romsdalfjorden
  • Trollsgiten - Drive the famous ‘Troll’s Road’ mountain pass, the steep, narrow road offering incredible views of Western Norway
  • Geirangerfjord - cruise the UNESCO heritage listed fjord, and the country's most famous fjord.
  • Sognefjord and Nærøyfjord - cruise the two neighbouring fjords at the heart of the famous Norway in a Nutshell journey, including a visit to the village of Flåm
  • Bergen - city tour of Bergen including a walk through the UNESCO heritage listed Bryggen, and a farewell dinner at the famous Bergen Fish Market

  • Tastes: Enjoy a delicious seafood platter at the bustling Bergen fish market.
  • Sights: Explore in depth the stunning Lofoten Islands. Cruise the majestic fiords of Geirangerfjord, Sognefjord and Nærøyfjord.
  • Stays: Stay 2 nights in the quaint Fisherman's Huts on the Lofoten Islands.

Fine Print

Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.

Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.

Instalment Schedule:

  1. At the time of booking pay a $99.00 deposit per person.
  2. Pay a 1st installment of $3,851.00 per person within 28 days.
  3. Pay a 2nd installment of $1,702.00 per person within 90 days.
  4. You will then be invoiced for final payment 120 days prior to departure.

Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.

As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.

This particular tour is categorised as a”3”

Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.

Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.

You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.

Single Supplement
Single supplement is $1,321.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.

Triple Share
Not available.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for this tour to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.

We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.

 Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.

Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.

Visas may be required.

Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.

Group Size
Maximum of 24 people

Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.

Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels: 

  • Fully Escorted - This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.

To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):

  • Flam Railway (Day 14) - $206 per person

Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online.

Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.

You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:

Pre Tour Accommodation

  • $327.00 per room, per night for double and twin share
  • $267.00 per room, per night for solo travellers

Post Tour Accommodation

  • $354.00 per room, per night for double and twin share
  • $302.00 per room, per night for solo travellers

Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.

This package includes international airfares or has the option of adding international airfares to your booking when selecting your departure city.

If international airfares are included this will be stated in the ‘Inclusions’ section

Alternatively, if international airfares can be added to your booking you will be able to select your departure city after clicking ‘Book Now’ and a cost will be stated next to your selected departure city. This cost will then be added to your booking and flights will be added to your booking.

Conditions of flights for this package bookable by Inspiring Vacations:

  • Flight Offer valid from select departure cities within the purchase path only
  • Flights will be booked with the best available airline/s with luggage included. Low-cost carriers may be booked in conjunction with a full-service airline. Depending on the carrier, entertainment and meals may not be included but payable at an extra cost on-board. We cannot specify or guarantee the airline booked. If you would like a specific airline, please request this at the time of purchase. To make a flight request, please click ‘Book Now’ and select Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?  By selecting this option you will be sent a request form after completing your purchases to make your request. 
  • Flights may not be direct and may include multiple connections
  • Due to disrupted airline schedules globally with the pandemic, stopovers/transit times may be longer than usual (up to 12 hours in duration in some circumstances).
  • Once ticketed, flights are non-refundable; any changes will be subject to the airline rules, Airline change fees and an Inspiring Vacations change fee of $250 per person.
  • Full names as per passport (including all middle names) are required at the time of submitting your traveller booking form. Any error in the names submitted will be subject to an Inspiring Vacations name change fee of $150 plus any applicable fees charged by the airline, or the ticket may be non-refundable with the purchase of a new ticket required. 
  • If the required booking class is unavailable at time of booking, surcharges may apply. Total cost is final only at time of ticketing. Once issued, air tickets are subject to amendment and cancellation fees or may be non-refundable
  • Any airline schedule changes or cancellations are outside of our control. It is important that you, as the customer, stay up-to-date with the latest airline schedule information prior to your departure. If a schedule change results in extended transits or an earlier/later departure from your destination, any additional accommodation or alternative arrangements will be at the traveler's expense.
  • After booking, the price payable may be subject to change as a result of factors beyond the control of Inspiring Vacations. Inspiring Vacations reserves the right to increase the price payable and this will be reflected on the customer's invoice. Increases may be in relation to, but not limited to, currency fluctuations, airline taxes, airfare increases and fuel surcharges.
  • Internal airfares (where applicable and included in the itinerary) will be using a local carrier and may include low-cost carriers without meals or entertainment. Checked baggage will still be included for each passenger. Any additional baggage required is payable at time of check-in. 
  • If you are travelling with another party on a separate booking, we cannot guarantee that the same flights will be booked for all parties, as this strictly depends on availability. 
  • You will be responsible for handling your luggage at all times as the services of porters are not included. If travelling over the recommended amount, you will be liable for any excess baggage fees enforced by the airline, payable directly.
  • In the event of that you no-show on your scheduled flight, please be aware the airline will require you to pay a no show fee, Airline reissue fee plus any additional airfare and taxes. Inspiring Vacations will also charge a $250 admin fee to assist re accommodating you on the next available flight. Please note that depending on the airline's policy, purchasing a new ticket may be required.

 

Baggage

Included baggage differs based on your country of origin. Included baggage will be as per the following:

Country of Origin

Carry-on Baggage

Checked Baggage

Australia

7kgs

20kgs

New Zealand

7kgs

20kgs

United States of America

15lbs

45lbs

Canada

15lbs

45lbs

India

7kgs

20kgs

United Kingdom

7kgs

20kgs


Baggage allowances provided by the airline might differ to the values stated above. However limitations are required due to transport storage restrictions on your selected tour or package.

Flight requests, amendments or preferences

We understand customers may wish to request changes to their included airfares. If you wish to fly with a certain airline, land at a certain time or change your flight in other ways we will gladly provide you with a personalised quote tailored to your specific requirements.

To make a flight request, please click ‘Book Now’ and select Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?  By selecting this option you will be sent a request form after completing your purchase to make your request.

We would be more than happy to provide you with a quote for the following requests:

  • Airline Preferences - You may wish to fly with a particular airline
  • Cabin Preferences - These include upgrading to premium economy or business class
  • Extensions (start and end cities must remain the same) - You may request to extend your stay pre or post tour.
  • Meal Requests - You may request a specific meal for dietary requirements.
  • Seat Requests - If you would like to request particular seating. However please note, not all airlines allow the selection of pre-purchased seat arrangements.

We are currently unable to provide a quote for the following requests:

  • Stopovers - Is where you might want to stop in transit for a certain amount of days prior to your tour or after your tour.
  • One way flights
  • Different start or end city to the tour - you may not amend the arrival or departure city of your itinerary. 
  • Around the world tickets  - Is when a ticket includes multiple stops in different continents.
  • Return home to a different city from the one you departed.
  • Frequent Flyer point redemption - Is when an airline allows you to redeem points to pay for your flights or upgrade your ticket.  

If we can’t fulfill your request and you still wish to proceed with the booking, please select Land Only (excluding UK customers). This will allow you to travel on the land portion of the package without the included airfares. You will then be able to arrange your own flights separately.

FAQs

For more frequently asked questions please view our FAQs  section. 

Online check-in 

Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.

  • International airfares (optional)
  • Airport Transfer
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance (compulsory)
  • Tipping
  • Optional activities
  • Personal expenses
  • Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
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