Norwegian Explorer
Norwegian Explorer
Book NowJoin us for a wonderful Norwegian adventure of Fjords, lakes, glaciers and mountains on our magnificent Norwegian explorer tour. The magic starts in Norway’s beautiful Telemark region and continues to the famous Kviknes Hotel Balestrand, which has a sensational location right on the shore of the Sognefjord. See the best of Norway with varied and dramatic landscapes, travel along sparkling lakesides, around sheltered fjords, across majestic high mountain passes and through charming hamlets and villages. Included in our Norwegian journey we have added entrance to the Sogn Folk Museum to experience life lived in Sogn, the Norwegian Glacier Museum at the magnificent head of Fjærlandsfjord and a visit to the Borgund Stave Church, the best preserved of all Norwegian stave churches, an iconic feature of this wonderful rural landscape. To enhance an already breathtaking tour our flagship hotels in Vrådal and Balestrand are both proud members of Norway's Historic Hotels organisation and are both in magnificent locations. Make lasting memories on this once in a lifetime tour, the feedback from our 2024 tour was the best ever, don’t delay, book today and look forward to becoming a Norwegian explorer.
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is not currently operational. Introduction has been delayed and now looking to be operational during the 2nd quarter of 2025 (looking like May 2025), the only travel documents customers need if they are travelling to the EU before this time will be valid passport not more than 10 years old with at least 3 months remaining on the return date.
Cost of the ETIAS will be 7 euros and can be done online, customers will need an email address, there passport and a debit credit card to hand when they make their application, please allow at least 96 hrs before date of travel to apply, the ETIAS is valid for 3 years or until the passport renews whichever comes first.
For customers who are local Ava Travel will be able to assist and complete the ETIAS registration face to face, the cost will be £16.00 which will include the ETIAS registration and cover staff and admin costs.
Your Holiday Includes:
Door to door service
Executive coach travel throughout
Excursions as specified
P&O Overnight ferry 26/06/2025
Overnight ferry crossing Hull-Rotterdam
Dinner, bed and breakfast
Inside en-suite cabin with lower bunks.
Overnight hotel – Atlantic Hotel Universum, Breman 27/06/2025 1 night
3 course menu or 3-course buffet dinner menu (chefs’ choice), bed and hot buffet breakfast
En-suite bedroom
Overnight hotel – Scandic Kolding, Kolding 28/06/2025 1 night
3-course buffet dinner followed by tea/coffee, bed and hot buffet breakfast
En-suite bedrooms
Straand Hotel, Vradal, 29/06/2025 for 2 nights
ColorLine fast craft ferry crossing Hirtshals - Larvik
Dinner, bed and hot buffet breakfast (dinner is a 3-course menu or more often a choice of traditional cold table starters, a choice of fish or meat main course followed by a dessert buffet, tea/coffee).
En-suite bedrooms
2-hour cruise on Lake Nisser on historic vessel MS Fram
Kvikne’s Hotel, Balestrand 01/07/2025 for 3 nights
Buffet dinner, bed and buffet breakfast (dinner is a 3-course buffet dinner followed by tea/coffee).
En-suite bedrooms
All internal Norwegian ferry crossings as stated in the itinerary.
Entrance to Sogn Folk Museum, Kaupanger
Entrance to the Norwegian Glacier Museum
Entrance to the Borgund Stave Church
Overnight Hotel – Thon Hotel Horten, Horten 04/07/2025 1 night
Dinner, bed and hot buffet breakfast (05/7/2025 early morning breakfast so we make check-in for our 08.00hrs ferry from Larvik)
En-suite bedrooms
Overnight hotel – Best Westen Hotel Schmoeker-Hof, Norderstedt, Germany 05/07/2025 1 night
ColorLine fast craft ferry crossing Larvik – Hirtshals (08.00 crossing)
Dinner, bed and hot buffet breakfast
En-suite bedrooms
DFDS 06/07/2025 Return overnight ferry
Overnight crossing Rotterdam-Hull
Dinner, bed and breakfast
Inside en-suite inside cabins with lower bunks
Single room supplement - £340.00
Itinerary
Thursday:
Depart Leyland at 14.00hrs for our journey to Hull to board the overnight ferry to Rotterdam. Once settled, we have an evening meal onboard before retiring to our cabins for the evening. We suggest an overnight bag for the ferry with all your essentials, medication etc.).
Friday:
Following breakfast re-join the coach on disembarkation in Rotterdam. Continue our journey to our overnight stop in Breman, Germany, with a lunch stop en-route in Groningen at the very tip of the Netherlands, known as the gem of the north, this authentic and unspoilt city is a great stop off point complete with its iconic, Martini Tower and quirky town hall, magnificent architecture and a wonderful array of coffee shops to relax in, continue our journey to Breman arriving in time for our evening meal.
Saturday:
Check out of our hotel following breakfast to continue our journey through Germany into Denmark and our overnight hotel in Kolding, Denmark, with a lunch stop in Flensburg en-route. Arrive at our hotel in time for our evening meal.
Sunday:
Check out of our overnight hotel following an early breakfast as we head to Hirtshals in Denmark to catch the 12.45hrs Colorline fast craft ferry to take us across to Larvik in Norway, sit back and relax and enjoy the wonderful views as we travel between the two countries arriving in Larvik at 16.30hrs. This exciting journey takes us across the Skagerrak Sea to Norway. On arrival disembark and re-join the coach, as we leave the port and immediately encounter the fantastic, pristine Norwegian scenery during the onward journey to Vrådal, arrive at the traditional, family owned Straad Hotel our home for the next two nights, surrounded by the beautiful nature of the Telemark Region.
Monday:
Today following breakfast, we have a day at leisure to explore Vrådal, enjoy the hotel's facilities and relax on the terrace or garden and take in the magnificent views across the lake. In the afternoon, from the hotel's lakeside garden, we include an afternoon cruise on Lake Nisser on the historic vessel MS Fram, now almost 100 years old.
Tuesday:
Check out of our hotel following breakfast as we continue our journey leaving the Telemark region travelling west, this long but rewarding day will take us over the Haukeli high mountain pass and descend to the Hardangerfjord. This is a fruit growing area and is particularly beautiful in late spring and summer. Enjoy views of the fjord and up to the Folgefonn Glacier before joining a short ferry across the fjord. Continue past Voss before crossing the Sognefjord to arrive at Balestrand at the Kvikne's Hotel our Norwegian home for the next 3-night nights.
Wednesday:
Following a leisurely breakfast board the coach for the short excursion across the fjord and through Sogndal to the Sogn Folk Museum, Kaupanger. This attraction includes a range of local farm dwellings, pastures, footpaths and trails. It offers an insight into fjordland life through the ages. After our visit we take an internal ferry between Mannheller and Fodnes to visit the Beautiful Borgund Stave Church.
Thursday:
Following breakfast, we have a full day 'Glacier Route' excursion to start with an ascent of the mighty Gaularfjell, stopping at the Utsikten Viewpoint en-route. Continue along Lake Jolster and through Skei to arrive Fjaerland for a visit to the Norwegian Glacier Museum. On then towards Sogndal, enjoying wonderful views along the Fjaerlandsfjord, before arriving back at Balestrand.
Friday:
Following breakfast, we leave Balestrand taking 2 short ferry crossings on the Sognefjord. Continue through the Hemsedal Valley and then south through lakes and mountains scenery before arriving in Horten, on the Oslofjord, arriving in time for dinner and our overnight stay at The Thon Hotel, Horten.
Saturday:
Check out of our hotel following a very early breakfast as we head to Larvik to bid farewell to Norway and board our early morning (08.00hrs) Colorline fast craft ferry to Hirtshals in Denmark, arrive 11.45hrs, disembark and re-join the coach continuing our journey to our overnight hotel in Germany with a suitable lunch stop en-route, arriving in time for our evening meal.
Sunday:
Check out of our overnight hotel following breakfast as we continue or journey back to Rotterdam with a suitable lunch stop en-route, board the 20.30hrs overnight ferry to Hull, (make sure you have an overnight bag with all your essentials). We have dinner onboard this evening before you retire to your cabins for the night.
Monday:
Following breakfast onboard disembark and re-join the coach in Hull, continue our journey home.
Altantic Hotel Universum, Bremen 27/06/2025 1 night
| Hotel |
Atlantic Hotel Universum, Wiener Straße 4, 28359 Bremen, Germany
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| Hotel Star Rating | 4 Star |
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| Hotel Contact | +49 421 2467555 |
| TV | yes |
| HAIR DRYER | Yes |
| LIFT | yes |
| WI FI | yes |
| SAFE | Safety deposit box |
| A/C | yes |
| TOILETRIES | NO |
| POOL | NO |
| GYM | NO |
| GOLF COURSE | NO |
| IRON & BOARD | Ironing Service added charge |
| BREW STATION | yes |
| PORTERAGE | NO |
The Atlantic Hotel Universum, Bremen is next door to the Science Centre, this wonderful, modern 4 star hotel is part of the Bremen Universum architectural concept within lovely green surroundings. A great choice of overnight hotel for our 1st stop.
Scandic Kolding, Kolding 28/06/2025 1 night
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Scandic Kolding Hotel, Kokholm 2, 6000 Kolding, Denmark
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| Hotel Star Rating | 3 Star |
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| Hotel Website |
https://www.scandichotels.dk/hoteller/danmark/kolding/scandic-kolding
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| Hotel Contact | +45 7551 7700 |
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| About the hotel | This modern, city centre hotel is an ideal overnight choice. Guest bedrooms are traditionally furnished and comfortable for a great nights stay. |
| TV |
Yes |
| Hairdryer | Yes |
| Lift | Yes |
| Wifi | Yes |
| Toiletries | No |
| Safety Deposit Box | No |
| AC | No |
| Pool | No |
| Gym | Yes |
| Golf | No |
| Iron | Yes |
| Tea/Coffee | Yes |
| Porterage | No |
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Straand Hotel, Vradal 29/06/2025 2 nights
| Hotel |
Straand Hotel Kviteseidvegen 1698, 3853 Vrådal, Norway
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| Hotel Star Rating | 3 Star |
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| Hotel Contact | +47 35 06 90 00 |
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| About the hotel | The Straand Hotel is a 5th generation hotel, in the magnificent Telemark region, they have been welcoming visitors since 1864. This beautiful traditional Norwegian hotel offers old-world charm and welcoming hospitality. Surrounded by the beautiful nature of the Telemark region, massage treatments can be booked at the hotel. Guest bedrooms are traditionally furnished, comfortable rooms for a relaxing stay. |
| TV | Yes
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| Hairdyer | Yes |
| Lift | Yes |
| Wifi | Yes |
| Toiletries | No |
| AC | No |
| Pool | Yes |
| Gym | No |
| Golf | No |
| Iron | No |
| Tea/Coffee | No |
| Poterage | No |
| Safety Deposit Box | No |
Kvikne’s Hotel, Balestrand 01/07/2025 3 nights
| Hotel | Kvikne’s Hotel, Kviknevegen 8, 6899 Balestrand, Norway
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| Hotel Star Rating | 4 Star |
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| Hotel Contact | +47 57 69 42 00 |
| TV | yes |
| HAIR DRYER | yes |
| LIFT | yes |
| WI FI | yes |
| SAFE | NO |
| A/C | NO |
| TOILETRIES | NO |
| POOL | NO |
| GYM | NO |
| GOLF COURSE | NO |
| IRON & BOARD | Ironing Service added charge |
| BREW STATION | NO |
| PORTERAGE | NO |
Kvikne’s have been welcoming people to their family-owned hotel for four generations, since 1877 when the family took it over. This magnificent, modern hotel with old-world charm and atmosphere is one of the most traditional hotels in Norway on the shores of the Sognefjord. Enjoy nature, mountains and the Sognefjord from a comfortable chair in the garden. Or you can do as so many other visitors to Balestrand have done, wander right out into the national romantic scenery that has inspired painters for over a hundred years. The list of prominent guests is a long one which includes Royalty, emperors, presidents, prime ministers and film stars from around the world. Guest bedrooms are traditional and comfortable rooms in the hotel’s modern wing.
Thon Hotel Horten, Horten 04/07/2025 1 night
| Hotel | Thon Hotel, Jernbanegata 1, 3187 Horten, Norway
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| Hotel Star Rating | 3 Star |
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| Hotel Contact | +47 33 04 17 22 |
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| About the hotel | The Thon Hotel, Horten is located an hours drive from Oslo, the area is known for its coastline, forest, cultural heritage and history. The botel is located by the harbour promenade in Horten. Guest bedrooms are modern, traditionally furnished and comfortable rooms for a great night’s stay. |
| TV |
Yes |
| Hairdryer | Yes |
| Lift | Yes |
| Wifi | Yes |
| Toiletries | No |
| Safety Deposit Box | No |
| AC | No |
| Pool | No |
| Gym | No |
| Golf | No |
| Iron | No |
| Tea/Coffee | Yes |
| Porterage | No |
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Best Western Hotel Schmoeker-Hof 05/07/2025 1 night
| Hotel | Best Western Hotel Schmoeker-Hof Oststr. 18 22844 Norderstedt, Germany |
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| Hotel Star Rating | 4 Star |
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| Hotel Website | https://www.bestwestern.co.uk/hotels/best-western-hotel-schmoeker-hof-95156 |
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| About the hotel | This 4-star hotel is located 20km from Hamburg, set within lovely gardens with a terrace, guest bedrooms are stylish and comfortable rooms, a great choice for an overnight hotel in Germany. |
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TV |
Yes |
| Hairdryer | Yes |
| Lift | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
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| Safe/Safety Deposit Box | Safety Deposit Box |
| AC |
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| Pool |
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| Gym |
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| Iron |
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| Tea/Coffee | Yes |
| Porterage |
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It is not possible to display the home pick-ups map because JavaScript is disabled in your web browser.
JavaScript InformationBelow is a map showing the pick up area for our free door to door service. If, on entering your postcode, you live outside the area we will still be able to collect you for a reasonable supplement.
Below is a list of coach joining points available on this tour. Please note, not all pick-ups are available on all departures.
Below is a list of coach joining points available on this tour. Please note, not all pick-ups are available on all departures.
| Name | Address |
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| Birch | Birch Services M62 Eastbound |
| Leyland Tesco Extra | Leyland Tesco Extra, Bus Lane |
| From Price | Book Now | Call Back | Telephone | Favourites | |
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| 26 Jun 2025 | £2,375.00 | | | |  |
| Show/Hide Pricing | |||||