Grand Norway Self Drive

Arrive in Oslo to get settled into the Norwegian culture. You'll take the train from the airport to Oslo central. Walk to the Radisson Blu where you'll soak up mesmerizing views of Norway's capital city from the rooftop bar before you reside to your room for the evening.

Collect your rental car at the Europcar office in Oslo and start your journey through the Hallingdal Valley on your way to Geilo, a charming mountain village. On this scenic drive, you will travel past steep ski hills, through beautiful forests and over plateaus with great views.

From Geilo, drive along the Hardangervidda National Park to the inner parts of the beautiful Aardangerfjord, with its spectacular views, on the way to Osoyro. You will pass the first glacier on your tour, Hardanger Jokulen, and visit the impressive waterfall, Voringfossen - the highest in Norway, with a cascade of 182 metres. From Voringfossen, you will continue through the dramatic and narrow Mabodalen valley, along Eidfjord, and end the day in Bergen.

Spend the day in Bergen. Bergen is a wonderful city, full of life and culture. In this "must-visit" city, you will find Bryggen, listed by Unesco as a World Heritage site; exceptional old houses; a vibrant fish and flower market; cable cars offering stunning views, great museums, dynamic culture, and more.

Drive the Fjaerlands Road to see Jostedal Glacier, "mainland Europe's largest icecap", and visit the Norwegian glacier museum. Then continue via Lake Jolster, Loen and Stryn to Hellesylt, where you will take the ferry on the lovely Geirangerfjord, which can easily be considered the most beautiful fjord in the world. Here you will find magnificent and impressive waterfalls, such as the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil.

From Geiranger, you will drive up Ornevegen, or the "Eagles' highway", to Eidsdal, where you will take the ferry to Linge. Then head east for the dramatic drive up Trollstigen, the "Troll Ladder", which is one of the most visited attractions in Norway. After viewing the high mountains encircling Trollstigen, you will continue to the captivating town of Alesund.

Relax and enjoy the day in the fishing and ferry town of Alesund. The town was rebuilt in 1904 after a terrible fire, and is therefore distinctively different from any other Norwegian town, with its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture. The myriad of turrets, spires and beautiful ornamentation give the town its distinctive character, which is like something from a fairytale. Here you have the opportunity to visit the Atlantic Sea Park and enjoy the stunning views over the town from Fjellstua.

Drive to Vestnes and take the ferry to Molde, then head to the fishing village of Bud, which in the 16th and 17th centuries was the most important trading center between Bergen and Trondheim. You will take the Atlantic Ocean Road, with the vast and boundless ocean on one side, and majestic snow-clad mountain peaks towering on the other. Trondheim is the original capital of Norway, and until the 16th century, Trondheim was known as Nidaros. Here you will find Nidaros Cathedral, which is one of Scandinavia's largest buildings from the Middle Ages.

Today you will head southeast, close to the Swedish border, to explore the World Heritage-listed village, Roros. Roros is a beautiful gem with a charming atmosphere, lovely houses and delightful tiny streets and alleys.

From Roros, drive south to Lillehammer, the host town of the 1994 Winter Olympics. In Lillehammer, you can visit the Maihaugen open-air museum, the Olympic Museum and/or the Lysgardsbakken Olympic Arena.

Leave the Olympic village after you have seen and enjoyed all the best Lillehammer has to offer. On your way to Oslo, stop at Hamar to visit Vikingskipet, the impressive ice rink built for the Olympics. Enjoy the rest of the day in the capital. Spend the night at a hotel in central Oslo.