The Fjords in One Week

This driving tour of the fjords of western Norway, one of the world's greatest tourist attractions, is far more scenic than the environs of Oslo in the east previously visited. The Ice Age really outdid itself in carving out this wonderland of nature. Of course, one of the grandest experiences of it may be found in a boat -- not a car -- traversing the most scenic of the fjords, such as Sognefjord.

If all the fjords were laid out in a straight line, they would measure 21,347km (13,235 miles), roughly the distance between the north and south poles. Throw in Europe's largest glacier, little fjordside farming villages, and jagged snow-capped peaks, and you've got beauty galore.

Day 1: Ålesund: Top of the Fjord Country

Spread over three islands and opening onto two bright blue fjords, Ålesund, lying 1,186km (735 miles) northwest of Oslo, is a good launch pad for a driving tour of the fjord country. Since it is such a long distance from Oslo (and since there are no rail lines to Ålesund), it's best to fly here and rent a car before beginning your tour.

Before heading out from Ålesund, you can explore the rebuilt Art Nouveau town, including its most important attraction, the Sunnmøre Museum, one of the fjord country's best open-air museums.

Day 2: Åndalsnes and Romsdalsfjord

Leave Ålesund on the morning of Day 2, driving east to the resort of Åndalsnes, a distance of 127km (79 miles), following the A69. Once here, check in to a hotel for the night. At Åndalsnes, try to hook up with a summer excursion, especially one involving a hike through the Romsdalen Alps that envelop the town. The summit of Nesaksla Mountain towers over Åndalsnes at 715m (2,345 ft.). You can ask about the boat trips on Romsdalsfjord, one of the most beautiful waterways in western Norway.

Day 3: The Trollstigvein to Geirangerfjord

On the morning of Day 3, leave Åndalsnes and head south on one of the greatest road trips in Norway, the Trollstigvein, a 20-hour drive along Route 63 to the fjord resort of Geiranger, a distance of 85km (53 miles) from Åndalsnes. At one point, the highway climbs a breathtaking 620m (2,034 ft.). When it opened in 1952, the Ørnevein, or Eagle's Road, section of Route 63 was heralded as a marvel of engineering -- and so it is today. Nearly one dozen hairpin turns await you, opening onto panoramic views over Geirangerfjord.

Once at the resort town of Geiranger, explore the area in the afternoon after checking in to a hotel for the night. Its waterfalls, such as the Seven Sisters, are among the world's most dramatic. If it's summer and you arrive late, an evening tour of the Geirangerfjord is available.

Day 4: A Trio of Resorts: Stryn, Loen & Olden

On the morning of Day 4, leave Geiranger and take the ferry across the Geirangerfjord to Hellesylt, a scenic hour's boat ride. At Hellesylt, follow the signs south along Route 60 to Stryn, a distance of 50km (31 miles). You can check in to a hotel for the night at Stryn or at Loen or Olden, since the cluster of resorts are close together.

From your home base in Stryn, you are poised to explore one of the natural wonders of Norway, the ice plateau of Jostedalsbreen National Park. This wonder lies between Sognefjord and Nordfjord. The glacier is the largest in Europe, and you must have a qualified guide to tour it.

Day 5: Fjaerland

On the morning of Day 5, head 60km (37 miles) to the south to Fjaerland, where you can book a hotel room for the evening. Once at Fjaerland, you can spend the afternoon touring Bøyaøyri Estuary, a protected nature reserve north of the village. Have some more time? You can also take in the exhibits at the Norwegian Glacier Museum.

Day 6: Balestrand & the Sognefjord

On the morning of Day 6, leave Fjaerland and journey by car ferry to Balestrand; the scenic boat ride takes about 45 minutes. Check your luggage in to a hotel for the night before setting out to explore one of the world's deepest and most beautiful fjords, the famous Sognefjord. This fjord stretches for 205km (127 miles), and a scenic boat ride on it will comfortably fill your afternoon.

Day 7: Voss: Summer Fun in a Winter Playground

On Day 7, it's just a 90km (56-mile) drive south to Voss, where you can choose a hotel for the night. Route 13 links Balestrand to Voss, but the section between Vanganes and Balestrand is serviced by car ferry. A wide range of activities awaits you in Voss. Refer to "Seeing the Sights" and "Other Outdoor Pursuits" for the full array of choices. Voss is also a good connecting point for travel back to either Bergen or Oslo, one of which can be your transportation hub for leaving Norway.