100% customisable travel idea
Norway with the family This summer, let's all go to the land of fjords
Norway - Oslo - Geilo - Aurland - Os
Adventure with the Vikings
Your trip
As soon as you leave Oslo, you take the wheel of your rental car, which gives you total freedom and the luxury of being able to go anywhere easily and quickly. From start to finish, the trip is full of wonderful surprises. Starting with the carefully chosen accommodation. Your various accommodation all share one essential feature: they are ideally located, whether in the heart of cities or in the middle of nature. Inside, comfort is a constant, with generous spaces facilitating a peaceful environment for parents and children. In the majestic setting of the fjords, life adapts to today's constraints while perpetuating the traditions of yesteryear. Bicycles are available, so you can explore the surroundings of Geilo at your own pace, with the wind in your hair. The rest of the time, you are free to organise your days as you please. A cruise on the Nærøyfjord or a family rafting trip before arriving in Os are just two examples of some wonderful options. If you want to do something on the spur of the moment or encounter a minor setback along the way, our on-site Concierge is available to respond and make your life easier. They work with your travel specialist to make changes to your trip according to your preferences as it unfolds..
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Train from the airport to Oslo city centre. Stay for two nights in a family apartment in the vibrant Frogner district, known for its elegant early 20th century architecture, leafy streets and lots of cafes and restaurants. The spaces have been furnished and decorated in a style that can only be called urban chic. Parents and children alike have all the space and comfort they need. This utterly charming apartment bodes well for the rest of your journey.
Already booked - Oslo Pass. This pass is invaluable, giving holders unlimited access to Oslo’s public transport, as well as free entry to most of the city’s museums and tourist attractions.
Totally urban, yet close to the water and the countryside, Oslo is as a truly Nordic city. It’s easy to explore on foot, wandering around its lively neighbourhoods, by turn historic and full of neoclassical architecture or ultramodern and avant-garde. Explore its flower filled parks and gardens, its islands, and its green forests of pines and larches. As you wander the stunning fjord is always in the background.
Things to see - It may come as a surprise to learn that despite it being a capital city, Oslo is mostly made up of forests. Surrounding the business and residential districts is Nordmarka, the green lung of Oslo and easily accessible by public transport. This vast wooded area is a real outdoor playground for all ages, with several family-friendly walking routes, such as the one at Grefsenkollen. What better way to encounter Norwegian nature for the first time.
Pick up your rental car and drive to Geilo, passing through the Hallingdal Valley. Stay for two nights in the woods, at a welcoming property with a traditional Norwegian style. The hotel is tastefully decorated in warm tones, with various antique pieces adding a pleasant charm to the place. There is a heated indoor pool, another pool outside for warm days, and even a bakery, which, by the way, is excellent.
Halfway between Oslo and Bergen, Geilo is a typically Norwegian village with its picturesque train station, charming little shops and a handful of hotels scattered across the hills. It's a true outdoor paradise and the gateway to the mountains.
Already booked - Bikes for the whole family. Geilo has countless different options if you enjoy cycling! The Flow Motion trail is perfect for families. Ski lifts take you up to a small summit and you ride back down on a marked trail suitable for everyone.
Things to do - Go for a walk in the mountains. At the entrance to Hallingskarvet National Park, stone steps take you safely to the top of Prestholtskaret. The route is accessible and not too long, so it’s perfectly suited to young children, who will love running around wherever they want.
Drive to Aurland. Stay for two nights. Your private apartment is right on the harbour, on the shore of the fjord. Simplicity is the key word here, in keeping with the minimalist aesthetic found across Scandinavia. There’s light wood throughout and designer furniture brings a contemporary touch to the whole space. Everything is bathed in generous natural light, thanks to the large windows that frame the landscape beautifully.
Things to see when you leave Aurland - The Aurlandsfjellet scenic route, open from early June to late October. The long and winding, "Snow Road" as it is called here, because it stays snow-covered even in summer, winds for nearly 48 kilometres (30 miles) through glaciers, and connects Aurland to Lærdal. Seldom busy, it rises to an altitude of 1,306 metres (4,284 feet) and offers breathtaking panoramic views. It also passes through the famous Lærdal Tunnel, known as one of the longest in the world (an impressive 25 kilometres [16 miles]!).
Optional - Nærøyfjord boat cruise. Departing from the village of Flåm, this adventure begins by crossing Aurlandsfjord to enter the Nærøyfjord, one of the branches of the Sognefjord, which stretches inland for 17 kilometres (11 miles). The fjord has a wild beauty. Its narrow walls rise to dizzying heights, over 1,700 metres (5,577 feet) above sea level, and it stretches to just 250 metres (820 feet) wide at the narrowest point. Throughout the cruise, small summer farms dot the steep sides of the fjord, creating a unique landscape.
Drive west towards the coast. Waterfalls, streams and mountains line the roadside along your route.
Optional extra - Family rafting trip in Voss.
Stay for three nights in the small town of Os, on the shores of the Bjornefjord, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) south of Bergen. Your hotel, which opened in 1896, is a true local institution. That period charm is still very much alive. Your room overlooks the garden and the fjord. The hotel's timeless style combines natural materials such as stone, wood and wool. You wake up in the morning to the sounds of the elements and the birds. In the restaurant, the menu centres on local and seasonal produce such as vegetables, fish and shellfish, a core principle of new Nordic cuisine. As for the spa, true to Scandinavian traditions, it overlooks the fjord and features striking contemporary architecture.
With all the fjords, islands and islets, the setting is perfect for a range of outdoor activities and family adventures. Refreshing swims, kayaking trips, walks, and bike rides set the pace for the last two days of the trip.
Not to be missed - Hike to the summit of Borgafjellet. From your hotel, the climb is easy, or if you prefer, you can even do the first part by car. Whichever option you choose, it's not too hard and the experience is thoroughly enjoyable. From the summit, the panoramic view of Os, Tysnes, Fusa, Fitjar, Tøsdalsfjellet, Linken and Byfjella is breathtaking.
Return the car at Bergen airport and international return flight.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Voss - Rafting
This approximately seven-kilometre (four-mile) course on the white waters of the Vosso River, between the villages of Voss and Evanger, alternates between calm sections and gentle rapids and is suitable for children aged five and up. Depending on the water level, you can choose a large raft for stability or, for the more adventurous, a small one for more thrills. Whatever your preference, splashes and laughter are guaranteed!Exploring the Nærøyfjord by boat
Departing from the village of Flåm, this adventure begins with a crossing of the Aurlandsfjord before entering the Nærøyfjord, which is one of the branches of the Sognefjord and extends inland for 17 km (ten miles). Its narrow walls are breathtakingly beautiful, reaching dizzying heights of over 1,700 metres above sea level and stretching only 250 metres wide at their narrowest point. Throughout this expedition, small transhumance farms dot the steep sides of the fjord, creating a unique landscape.
Why visit Norway with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Norway
- Globally unique concierge service
- CO2 absorption
