Day 1 September 6, Saturday: depart USA
for Bergen, Norway from your SAS departure city - with any add-on connection
Day 2 September 7,
Sunday: Arrive Bergen after you SAS hub
connection in Scandinavia - Transfer to your first historic hotel stay, nestled
comfortably in the outskirts of Bergen on the picturesque Bjørnefjord: Late
afternoon tour of Bergen ending with a private piano recital at Troldhaugen, Edvard
Grieg's Home!
Hotel: Solstrand Fjord Hotel, B, L, GD, in Os. An historic hotel built for Bergen
merchant princes!
Menu: Fish soup, scallops for starters - LAMB main course - including
wine (W)!
Day 3 September 8, Monday: Travel via deluxe coach to Rosendal, site of The Barony,
a 17th century renaissance castle/manor. Enjoy Lunch and then a short drive over to
Lofthus, site of the classic Hotel Ullensvang. This beautiful hotel is situated in
the garden of Hardangerfjorden lying beneath the shadows of the Foglefonn
Glacier. Time to enjoy this relaxing, Utne family hotel setting, which inspired so
many of Grieg's compositions.
Hotel: Hotel Ullensvang, B, L, GD in Lofthus
Menu: Mountain Trout - Reindeer medallions, and sorbet of cloudberries and
plums
Day 4 September 9,
Tuesday: Leisurely mid morning departure
for Sognefjorden via Voss ad Mrydal including a ride on the famous Flåm Railway
down to Flåm. Lunch is followed by a spectatular cruise through the Nærøyfjord
to Gudvangen. Continue up Stalheim Canyon and over the mountain passes to Vik.
Visit the 12th Century Hopperstad Stave Church, taking ferry connections to Balholm,
Balestrand - home of the 4th generation family owned historic hotel - Kvikne's. Many Soft-Hiking
possibilities in the area!
Hotel: Kvikne's Hotel, B, L, GD in the historic wing !
Menu: Chef Theo's: Reindeer capriccio with fresh Parmesan cheese. Mushrooms filled
with Saffron Lobster - on Oppland salad topped with raspberry dressing. Leg of Duck
braised in Burgundywine sauce with fresh vegetables. Chestnut parfait - Tyttbær mousse
and pumpkin pie - Preceded by special Wine Tasting (W) hosted by our good friend,
General Mgr. Sigurd Kvikne, in the wine cellar!
Day 5 September 10,
Wednesday: Board the morning ferry from
Balestrand to Fjærland; fjord crusing along the green foothills of the
Jostedalbreen - glacier. Visit the glacier museum, plus the Boyum and Supplebreen
Glaciers - a photographers dream! Continue by tunnel to Skei, visit Auhild Vixen
Vevestove sweater and souvenir shop, and on to Loen, romantically situated at the end of
the Nordfjord. Enjoy a restful night after a dining feast for the eyes as well as the
pallet.
Hotel: Hotel Alexandra, B, L, GD - Loen with fresh mountain air and a breathtaking
fjord view!
Menu: Surprise GD - gourmet dinner proceeded by a Wine Tasting (W)
party in the hotel's amazing wine cellar!
Day 6 September 11, Thursday: Look forward to an exhilating day o Loenvat - Lake Loen
starting with a ferry to Kjenndal Glacier, and Lunch on the lakeshore. Choice of a
soft Glacier Walk or Horse Carriage ride included! Enjoy a gentle hike into the mountains
upon our return to hotel. Evening smorgasbord dining with delicious selections from the
best traditional recipes drawn from Loen's bounty.
Hotel: Hotel Alexandra, B, L, D - evening on your own!
Day 7 September 12,
Friday: Continue north to Dalsnibba, high
atop the Geirangerfjord, and on over the Jotenheimen Mountains range to Lom - visit
the Lom Stave Church, the Mountain Museum with Lunch at the Fossheim
Hotel prepared by famous Chef Brimi!
Welcome to the traditional Gudbrandsdalen farm preserved from the 16th Century with
loving care:
Hotel: Røisheim Hotell, B, L, GD - "the right place for a quiet holiday in
an old fashioned atmoshpere!"
"Visit by Queen Sonja on her fall Holiday in 2002"
deep in Boverdalen!
Menu: Surprise GD -gourmet dinner proceeded by host, Haavard's special Wine
Tasting (W) party!
Day 8 September 13,
Saturday: Experience a relaxing day in
the mountains with a "soft hike" guided by our host, Haavard, including a packed
lunch. Your evening is spent relaxing and basking in this unique mountain setting
atmosphere.
Hotel: Røisheim Hotell, B, L, D
Menu: Dinner selection from Chef Ingrid's standard menu - a gourmet treat in
itself!
Day 9 September 14,
Sunday: We continue down into Gudbrandsalen past
Vinstra, to Lillehammer - stroll on the streets of the Olympic Village, which
remains just as quaint as before the successful '94 Winter Games! Those who have not
visited Maihaugen, the fabulous folk museum, may do so. Afternoon lunch on our friend's
farm in BROTTUM - with Ole and Jorunn's @ Halla Gård. Drive down Lake Mjøsa to the
outskirtsof OLSO for our stay @ the historic Losby's Gods Manor, a large country
estate, steeped in 150 years of traditions, history and glorious culture dating back to
the 1850's!
Hotel: Losby Gods, B, L, D - Kings and noblemen came here to hunt and celebrate!
Our stay includes a trip into the past as well as the opportunity to enjoy a plush 18-hole
golf course, tennis courts, riding stables, superb accommodations, hiking and hunting all
spread over 10,000 acres. Our host, Lars Christian, and special friend, has turned Losby
Gods into a truly remarkable manor and resort.
Menu: Exceptionally served in the supreme wine cellar and selected from the
standard menu tonight
Day 10 September 15,
Monday: The day is spent enjoying your favorite
past time - listed above, followed by a memorable evening taking us back into old world
traditions:
Hotel: Losby Gods, B, L, GD
Early evening veranda cocktail party outside the doors of our dining room overlooking the
lush grounds!
Menu: Home Smoked Breast of Duck and Cauliflower soup with Truffle oil. Halibut
with wild mushrooms and morels - Rosti potatoes. Chocolate Fondante with wild berries from
the area
Day 11 September 16,
Tuesday: After biding farewell to Losby Gods, we
head to Sweden via Värmland in Western Sweden stopping in Arvika, home of part of our own
heritage. We continue on to Märbacka, near Sunne, into the countryside lake resort area
just north of Karlstad. Overnight in a charming and historic Värmland manor house!
Hotel :Länsmansgarden (The sheriff's manor) from the 16th century , B,
L, GD
Menu: Surprise GD - in traditional Svenske gourmet style! Plenty of time to
relax with ample hiking, rowing, and canoeing opportunities in the vicinity.
Day 12 September 17,
Wednesday: We continue
even deeper into the Värmland district to Filipstad for our last stop at an idyllic, but
sophisticated manor house. The lake setting in this beautiful folklore countryside
enhances the excellent culinary delights and charm! But first, a stop en-route @ Märbacka
to visit Selma Lagerlöf's - Nobel Prize for Literature - home, well known author of
"The story of Gösta Berling".
Hotel: Hennickenhammars Herrgård , B, L, D, Wine Tasting (W) before dinner!
Menu: Standard daily menu selections chosen from local game or freshwater fish, berries,
herbs, and mushrooms from the area.
Day 13 September 18, Thursday: Day spent in complete relaxation enjoying canoeing, hiking, or
boating. A side trip over to what else, as a culmination to our Culinary Tour, The Svenske
House of Culinary Art, Måltildens Hus I Norden for lunch, cookbook shopping, gardens and
tour!
Hotel: Hennickehammers Herrgård, B, L,GD
Menu: Compete surprise - a "FAREWELL GOURMET DINNER" feast with selected
wines (W) you have chosen from the previous day's wine tasting part.
Day 14 September 19, Friday: Mid morning departure for Karlstad and our SAS connecting flight to
Copenhagen and return to USA! |