Plan Your Own Frozen 2 Adventure with a Norway Trip Through Vacations By Rail

With the upcoming release of Disney’s Frozen 2 on November 22, it’s hard not to get excited about the newest adventure of Anna, Elsa and Olaf in Arendelle. While Arendelle is a fictional country, the inspiration of its fjords and mountains come directly from Norway, one of the cleanest, safest and most beautiful countries in the world. After the original Frozen film made over $1 billion, Disney fans and travelers alike “Let it Go,” flocking to Norway to see the pristine wonderland of Scandinavia and the Norwegian seaside villages transporting back into the days of yore.

If the cold doesn’t bother you anyways, Vacations By Rail, a full-service rail tour operator, is here to help everyone celebrate Frozen 2 with immersive and engaging rail journeys through the stunning Norwegian landscapes while learning the history of the region with a guided tour.

The below journeys travel through Norway, and in some cases can be personalized to fit traveler’s needs and dates:

Fjords Cruise & Historic Cities of Norway

Starts at $1,915

·         Traversing the spellbinding Scandinavian landscapes of Norway, this seven-day tour starts in Bergen, a seaside city on Norway’s West Coast. and explores the UNESCO site of the Bergen waterfront, the timber house-laden historic quarter featuring 15^th century preserved buildings, and wraps up with a  journey on the Fløibanen Funicular to the top of Fløyen Mountain for a scenic overlook.

·         The next day, travelers board the Bergen Railroad and cross Norway’s unearthly fjordland regions to journey to the mountain station of Myrdal, transferring to the Flam Railroad, which journeys through stunning mountain panoramas to Aurlandsfjord, a large lake surrounded by towering cliffs.

·         The next two nights are spent in Flam, a fjordside village deep within one of the most picturesque settings in Europe, enveloped by bare-rock cliffs, verdant forests, lush green pastures and the serenely beautiful fjord. 

·         With another day to explore Flam, travelers hop aboard a boat to take in Aurlandsfjord from the water, passing by the mountains and the small village Undredal, famous for its abundance of goats and freshly made brown goat’s cheese.

·         Returning to Flam for another overnight, the fifth day comprises of a beautiful train journey to Oslo, where travelers stay at the Thon Hotel Opera.

·         The final day explores the rich cultural center of Oslo, stopping at the magnificent 19th century Royal Palace, and the 20th century Oslo City Hall, which is the home of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies. With the afternoon at leisure, travelers can explore Oslo’s abundant parks and museums, perfect for relaxed family outings. Oslo’s Art Gallery boasts the renowned painting “The Scream,” while sites such as the Royal Palace, Akershus Castle and Fortress and the Vigeland Sculpture Park attract visitors from all over the world.

·         This journey ends on day seven, after traversing the countryside and city side of hidden Norway.

Arctic Circle Express

Starting at $5,095

·         Majestic mountains and heavenly fjords in Norway combine with the tranquil landscapes of Sweden on an epic journey that includes every great Scandinavian rail experience. 

·         Start with a guided tour of both modern Stockholm and its historic Old Town, followed by a day to explore on your own.

·         Next, head inland by train to Östersund and view the beautiful scenery at every turn, before you cross the Arctic Circle into the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun.’ 

·         Then travel through Sweden’s breathtaking mountains and into Norway, arriving in Narvik with a day at leisure.

·         Follow the coastline south to Trondheim, where you have a free day to explore the musical history of the area on your own. 

·         Enjoy the trek along the River Rauma with views of national parks as you approach Geiranger. There you will partake in a Geirangerfjord Boat Cruise alongside the steep sides of the fjord.  Experience an amazing train ride through the fjords to Flåm, and watch the mountains and valleys unfold outside your window.

·         Once in Flåm, take an excursion on the Flåm Railroad, one of the steepest lines in the world, and then enjoy a visit to Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord. 

·         Wrap up your journey with a free day to explore Bergen, and then travel through the most remote areas of western Norway as you head to Oslo.

Arctic Norway & Midnight Sun on the Lofoten Isles

Starting at $4,215

·         Starting in Oslo, travelers enjoy a guided tour of the Norwegian capital before departing the city via the rails for Bergen, a harbor city surrounded by seven mountains and home to the 18^th century wooden house neighborhood of Klosteret.

·         With a guided tour the following day that visits the Hanseatic waterfront of Bryggen and Bergen’s famous fish market, the fourth day has travelers take a ride on the Bergen Railroad into the rugged mountains, passing by deep fjords and rock tunnels before coming to Myrdal, where travelers transfer to the renowned Flåm Railroad, one of the steepest railroads in the world that goes along stunning scenery such as waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and remote farms. That evening, travelers can eat (and drink) like a Viking with a feast at the Ægir Brewery, a traditional Norse establishment set along the Aurlandsfjord. 

·         The fifth day takes travelers to Southern Norway in Geiranger, stopping at the Borgund Stave Church and the Dalsnibba viewpoint, Europe’s highest fjord view at a staggering 4,500-foot elevation.

·         Day six is spent exploring the UNESCO site of Geirangerfjord by boat, with towering walls and the Seven Sisters and the Suitor waterfalls complimenting the lush green trees and sparkling blue water.

·         On day seven travelers journey to Åndalsnes along the serpentine Trollstigen mountain road, before transferring to the Rauma Railroad to Trondheim on a 71-mile journey, traveling along the River Rauma and jagged mountain peaks before arriving at night.

·         Day eight is at leisure to explore Trondheim’s broad avenues, old warehouses and timber dwellings. The thousand-year old city has a rich and fascinating history, being the seat of Norwegian kings and home to several museums that travelers can explore; the stunning green-roofed cathedral of Nidarosdomen is a must-see.

·         Day nine starts with a 452-mile train ride to Bodø. After traveling through the beautiful and varied landscape of northern Norway, travelers pass the Arctic Circle right before reaching Lonsdal. The last section of the journey is above the Nordland Railroad, also known as the Polar Express, which passed by clear blue lakes, sparkling fjords and the Svartisen Glacier 

·         The tenth day puts travelers on a speed ferry to Moskenes before a coach ride to Svolvaer, capital of the Lofoten Islands, which are tethered to mainland Norway by a series of bridges and resemble spikey, wired teeth. 3,000 foot cliffs tower over the quaint fishing villages in the islands, and after a late dinner, the Midnight Sun can be seen at the top of the world in the summer season, perfectly viewed from Gimsoy Beach.

·         The last few days are spent exploring the Lofoten archipelago, as guests visit the village of Nusfjord, Uttakleic and Henningsvær.

·         The last leg of the trip exploring the Arctic communities will likely feel far too short, as the twelfth day brings travelers back to Oslo where farewell dinner ends the trip before the itinerary ends the next day.