DAY 1:

Arrival to Oslo Gardermoen or Sandefjord Airport. Enjoy some time to explore Norway’s capital city with our recommendations for sites to visit and places to eat. Overnight stay in one of Oslo's four star hotels.

DAY 2:

Today your Norwegian road-trip begins in earnest as you collect your rental car and ead out of the city to the southern coast. The first stretch of the journey between Oslo and Kristiansand follows the shoreline of the Skagerrak - the strait that connects Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Many of the towns you’ll pass through pay homage to Norway’s coastal culture and are the picturesque setting for many summer homes.

Your first stop should be the fjord town of Åsgårdstrand which has for centuries attracted artists and painters, not least Edvard Munch who set up his summer home here, now a museum. Continuing along the minor roads that hug the shoreline, your next visit should be the historical village of Tønsberg and the island of Tjome before a well deserved rest at the seaside town of Sandefjord. Here your options are numerous, including fine dining at Geir Skeie’s restaurant Brygga 11, culture at Midtåsen Sculpture Park - or white sandy beaches, perfect for younger travellers. Finally your day comes to a close at Kragerø in Telemark county. This scenic coastal town is surrounded by over 490 islands and skerries. Wander through narrow alleys, past colourful wooden houses and along the picturesque harbour front. Your overnight stay at Kragerø Resort spa hotel will be a perfect opportunity for relaxation as well as to enjoy the stunning archipelago views.

DAY 3:

After breakfast, your journey along the southern highway continues. Travel inland and take the fast road to Risør, or alternatively meander along the coastal road for a leisurely and scenic drive. Risør offers a step back in time. The white wooden buildings of the harbourfront are perfectly preserved and the wooden boat heritage stands at the forefront of the town’s legacy. The beaches and unusual giant rocky potholes offer a perfect setting to enjoy the sunshine. Alternatively, take a short ferry crossing to the car-free island of Lyngør, a historical seaside village. If you’d like to make a night of it, there’s the option to stay in Lyngør Lighthouse. Your final destination for today will be Kristiansand, the largest city in southern Norway where you’ll stay overnight in one of the city’s four star hotels.

DAY 4:

After breakfast, there’ll be plenty of time to explore Kristiansand with its city beach, popular fishmarket and visitor attractions. There are plenty of places for wild swimming and island hopping punctuated by visits to museums, galleries and shops. For families, a visit to Norway’s largest zoo is a must.

Your journey this afternoon will be to Norway’s southernmost tip Lindesnes. The southern cape is as wild and windy as the name suggests where the elements can create calm beauty or whip up a raging storm. Out to sea the Lindesnes Lighthouse overlooks the spectacle as well as the headland which will soon be hiding an underwater secret. From April 2019, a submerged restaurant named Under will brave the mighty sea and offer diners an experience like no other five meters below the surface. Fronted by chef Nicolai Ellitsgaard, the Immersion menu will showcase seafood specialities as well as locally sourced meat and produce. The panoramic window provides an awe-inspiring backdrop teaming with fish and sub-sea views. This impressive feat of architecture will be lowered into the water ensuring no disturbance to the marine life beneath. Your base for tonight will be the nearby Lindesnes Havhotell overlooking this stretch of rugged coastline.