Norway Holidays – Boutique hotels and guesthouses in the fjords

Norway : The Land of the Midnight sun

From the largely untapped majesty of the fjords and the peaceful solitude of the mountains, to the esteemed hospitality of the people, Norway holidays offer a sanctuary from the seemingly endless stresses and strains of fast-paced 21st century life.

Our collection of hand-picked boutique and ‘experience’ Norway hotels and guesthouses offer the perfect opportunity to unwind – to breathe in the fresh, crisp air and exhale the smog you have left behind.

So what should you do and what should you see? Norway is famed for its stunning fjords, mountains and unspoilt nature and it is these majestic Norway fjords on the west coast that we have focused our attention. It is extremely easy to get to, with direct flights from the UK to Bergen and Alesund.

The fjords of Norway offer an endless variety of escapisms for the cultural pursuers, the spa loving lovelies, the dedicated hiking enthusiasts and of course the adrenaline-seeking junkies. Spend time exploring the cosmopolitan towns of Hanseatic Bergen or 'Art-Nouveau' Alesund, visiting the many museums and art galleries and perhaps attending a concert or two in the homelands or Edvard Greig and Ole Bull, not forgetting to take full advantage of their positioning as gateways to the fjords. Not to discourage cruises, in a land so perfectly suited for them, but there is a whole world beyond the boat deck. Don the hiking boots and scale the mountain peaks and glacial slides, swim with Killer Whales in waters as deep as the mountains are high, kayak among islands of ice at the foot of a glacier, or simply put up your feet, relax by a roaring log fire and be charmed and pampered by infallible Norwegian hospitality drinking in the serenity and beauty that surrounds you. (A plate of fresh langoustines and a glass of chilled white wine wouldn't hurt either!).

Finally, the most important thing to remember when planning a tour of Norway is not to over-load your schedule. Make use of our free expert advice, being sure to inform us of any special interests you may have, helping us to plan your perfect itinerary.

Stay in Style

Norwegians have always looked after their heritage and traditions, and are increasingly displaying this with a collection of boutique hotels steeped in tradition. Our hotels in Bergen, Alesund and the fjords range from the luxurious and large spa hotels, to the small and uniquely intimate ‘experience’ hotels. All have that special ‘something’ that ensures a thoroughly enjoyable experience, whether it is the height of Scandinavian design or a step back in time.

We frequently travel back to Norway to keep abreast of its ever increasing independent travel market and to ensure that we can supply you with first hand advice on each and every hotel listed on our website.

When to go

Norway is at its most beautiful during the spring and summer season (May – August), although the autumn also has its own charm. If you are planning a holiday in Norway during springtime, be sure to include the 17th May, as this is the national Independence Day, which is celebrated with great gusto throughout the country.

Norway holidays in the winter season offers a picture-perfect ‘winter wonderland’ as it is cold and tends to be snowy, particularly inland. October and November tend to be the in-between months, before it gets cold enough to snow.

Getting there and getting about

With direct flights from the UK to Bergen and Alesund, getting there is easy and takes about 2-3 hours. Flights with Scandinavian Airlines from London (Gatwick) to Bergen or Alesund start from £71 per person, and from Aberdeen to Bergen, prices start at £82 per person.

Norwegian Air also flies directly to Bergen from London (Stansted) and Edinburgh from about £100 per person.

The overnight ferry from Newcastle to Bergen would be another option. The prices for an on-foot passenger start at £86, and for 2 people plus a car the prices start at £352 (both return).

We strongly recommend renting a car whilst in Norway; alternatively you can bring your own car across with the overnight ferry from Newcastle. It is possible to do your entire trip by public transport, but this does add extra pressure on your itinerary as buses and ferries can be infrequent and may often take a roundabout route. Traffic is light, the roads of good standard, and Norwegians are very careful drivers. If you are travelling during the late autumn and winter period, please note that roads are often icy, slippery and covered with snow. If you are not used to driving under these weather conditions, please do take extra care and caution when driving. Please also note that the west coast is riddled with ferries, taking you across the numerous fjords. It is beneficial to keep a ferry schedule to hand when travelling, as there can often be up to an hour’s wait (or sometimes even more) between ferries.