In 2019, We are offering two fully escorted guided holidays organised by Kudu Travel for small groups of a maximum size of 14 people, featuring classical music concerts, opera and breath-taking scenery in two of the jewels of the Nordic lands.
In Norway, we start our visit in historic Bergen with a gentle stroll round the reconstructed area of what once was Europe's largest wooden city. We visit Bergen's oldest 12th Century church and its bustling fish market, before driving to the home of Norway's national composer, Edvard Grieg. at Troldhaugen. 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. The Flam railway takes us, in 40 breath-taking minutes, on a scenic ride by waterfalls and over gorges, before we continue our rail journey "Across the Roof of Norway" to Oslo. After a day spent exploring this entrancing capital, we attend a vivid performance of Rossini's 'La Cenerentola' in the strikingly contemporary opera hall.
In Finland, we attend Mozart's 'Abduction from the Seraglio' and Rossini's hilarious 'Barber of Seville', both performed in the magical setting of the mediaeval 15th Century castle of Savonlinna, and three concerts of the International Music Festival in Kuhmo on its 50th anniversary. We walk through forests and by great lakes as we explore this quiet yet magnificent country.