2020 GeoEx Catalog

LOOK / ALAMY

Norway Family Journey  THE LAND OF A THOUSAND FJORDS AND ENDLESS ACTIVITIES DAY HIKING · KAYAKING · BIKING | 7 DAYS · CUSTOM

C raggy mountains skyrocket from the sea. Shifting glaciers crick and crackle in the night. Fjords yawn deeply into the wilderness, their narrow inlets drawing us into miles of untouched forest. It’s a sparsely populated, untamed, myth-making landscape—ideal for heart-pumping family adventures. Charming Norwegian guides lead the way, skillfully steering us through the terrain, introducing us to local heroes, and sharing fascinating Viking lore. Alighting on the west coast, we begin with a dose of history and culture in Ålesund, a fishing town famous for its art nouveau architecture. Then we get to know the seaboard via jet boat, stopping along the way to mingle with members of a seal colony and a bird sanctuary. We try our hand at fjord fishing and get our geographi- cal bearings by hiking Mount Saksa: its panoramic views showcase Hjørundfjorden stretching south from Ålesund and the peaks of the Sunnmørsalpene range all around. By electric bicycle we scout Norangsdalen, one of the country’s narrowest valleys, and stumble upon little stone houses built into cliffs. After arriving by ferry in Geiranger, a village nestled at the end of UNESCO- listed Geirangerfjord, we take to the road or the best sledding spots in

on Valldøla River, the rest of us relax with a picnic at a bucolic farm, and then we regroup to dine merrily together in a rustic barn. Throughout this off-the-beaten-path trip, travelers of all ages have no shortage of options: glacier walking, jet boating, fjord kayaking, canoeing, visiting historic farms, even summer snowshoeing and skiing. For ultimate flex- ibility, the equipment travels with us, so if we’re moved to pedal here or paddle there, we just say the word. Families with more time won’t want to miss the four-day extension to Lofoten, a stunning archipelago of dramatic mountains, sheltered bays, and tranquil beaches, where more outdoor activities await. It’s also possible to tie in explorations in Norway’s gateway cities of Oslo and Bergen, not to mention Iceland.

offered may–sept. from $9175 adult; from $8550 child (11 and younger)

Day 1  arrive in Ålesund ✦  2  explore Ålesund ✦  3  drive and ferry to Saksa, hiking ✦  4  Norangsfjorden kayaking, farm visit ✦  5  Norangsdalen biking, Geirangerfjord ✦  6  Valldøla rafting, exploration ✦  7  return to Valldal, depart. LOFOTEN EXTENSION Day 7  fly to Lofoten ✦  8  fishing village, fjord cruise, active options ✦  9  Unstad hiking, Viking museum, surfing ✦  10  fly to Oslo.

Europe

Dalsnibba. Finally, while the more adventurous set goes whitewater rafting

ABOVE  Getting hands-on with Viking history, Norway.

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