Often unfairly overlooked in favour of Bergen and Oslo, Stavanger is a real undiscovered gem. Here, pretty clapboard houses, a high-gabled harbour and Norway’s oldest cathedral look out over a spectacular fjord setting, which you’ll explore with a full-day excursion. Leaving the city behind, you’ll kayak out over a forest-ringed lake before hiking to the iconic Preikestolen – Pulpit Rock. What’s more, your guide will bring you along a secret route, avoiding the tourists. And, with direct flights from London, Manchester and Aberdeen, this is the perfect weekend for those looking for an active city break, available year-round.
Day 1: UK/Stavanger
Flying out to Stavanger, you’ll make the short journey to your hand-picked accommodation. Both are offering are centrally located and serve up fantastic included breakfasts, with our upgraded option a 1930s functionalist jewel, featuring a Michelin-starred restaurant, ultra-contemporary design features and complimentary minibars in its designer rooms. Whichever you choose, you’ll be perfectly positioned to explore, with the first two days of your trip left free to do so. Be sure to begin with a walk along the cobbled streets of its old town, admiring the idyllic 18th-century weatherboard houses, all adorned with immaculate flowerboxes. The Øvre Holmegate street is a particular favourite, with its pastel-coloured bars and boutiques all painted to a colour scheme devised by artist Craig Flannagan.
Stay: Clarion Hotel Stavanger or Eilert Smith Hotel
Day 2: Stavanger
After breakfast on your second day, you might want to relax in one of the city’s lauded cafés or have a nose around Stavanger’s museums. There are exhibitions on everything from canning to the region’s oil riches. Otherwise, perhaps explore further afield with a fjord cruise, admiring tomorrow’s hiking scenery from the water, or take a trip out to Flor og Fjære. Known as the “tropical island”, these remarkable gardens are an exotic, multicolour tumble flung out into the fjord waters.
Stay: Clarion Hotel Stavanger or Eilert Smith Hotel
Day 3: Kayaking & hike to Pulpit Rock
Today you’ll be treated to a true trip highlight – a full-day expedition to Pulpit Rock. As a true natural icon, it’s becoming increasingly popular. But, our trip will see you avoid the crowds by heading out on an off-the-map trail. As such, you’ll be treated to rarely seen views of formation and its spectacular fjord setting, all deep blues and sheer granite cliffs. After being picked up at your hotel, you’ll be brought out of the city, beginning your trip with coffee and a briefing before you kayak out across the beautiful Refsvatn Lake. Then, you’ll set off hiking to reach viewpoints most will only see in brochures before descending to the plateau itself. It’s surely the best way to see this Norwegian icon. At the end of it all, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel.
Stay: Clarion Hotel Stavanger or Eilert Smith Hotel
Day 4: Depart for UK
After some further time to explore Stavanger, you’ll make your way to the airport for your flight home.
This trip has no fixed departures but restrictions may apply - check operator website
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