Our 2019 opera tour in Norway starts with a visit to historic Bergen. We take a gentle stroll round the reconstructed area of what once was Europe's largest wooden city and visit Bergen's oldest 12th Century church. We avoid the busy porters in Bergen's bustling fish market while enjoying a fish lunch, before driving to the home of Norway's national composer, Edvard Grieg. at Troldhaugen, visiting the house, his museum and the small hut where he retreated to compose. We take the Floibanen Funicular to enjoy spectacular views of the fjords and city below and stroll gently to Blamansvannet lake, where dwarf birch trees are acclimatised to the harsh winter conditions.
Our concert of the Bergen International Festival takes place in the 13th century coronation hall of King Magnus.
We visit fjords, staying in Norway's oldest hotel, and walk in the high meadows of Hardanger. After arriving by post boat, we explore this wondrous rural area over a two day period meandering through apple orchards, visiting folk museums and enjoying excellent Norwegian cuisine. The Flam railway takes us, in 40 breath-taking minutes, on a scenic ride by waterfalls and over bridges and gorges, before we continue our rail journey from a height of 2,800 metres "Across the Roof of Norway" to Oslo.
We spend a day exploring this entrancing capital includng a ferrry ride to the Viking Ships Museum; a guided tour of Ibsen's home; and a stroll past the Royal Palace and the National Gallery, perhaps popping in to view masterpieces by Munch, Van Eyck and Gauguin, before we attend a vivid performance of Rossini's 'La Cenerentola' in the strikingly contemporary opera hall.