Monday 25th January 2010

Pistonheads Viking tour: 17th -27th June 2010

Head to Scandinavia with Petrolhead Nirvana and PistonHeads for an unforgettable adventure

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Scandinavia has so many things going for it; stunning scenery, beautiful roads, very little traffic and the longest road tunnel in the world with magnificent caverns that have to be seen to be believed. Largely untouched by driving tours because of the difficulties in getting there, we've moved heaven and earth to solve that problem and it will be well worth it.

Roads such as the Trolstigen (the Norwegian Stelvio), the Snow road, the visually stunning Ash road and the amazing Atlantic road are just the beginning. We'll travel the 24.5km Laerdal Tunnel and hit some of the unknown back roads which open up to yet another beautiful waterfall or landmark Fjord. There's a bonus to anyone who can spot Slartibartfasts signature. We'll take you through the unique Drammen spiral tunnel and then onto a party boat as we head out of Norway and on to beautiful and historic Copenhagen.

Getting to Norway has been a challenge since the direct ferries stopped in 2008 so we've used a bit of lateral thinking and our connections to find the best way to get you to the promised land. The ferries take up some of the nights so we get as much chance to drive as possible. We've also kept the daily mileage short so that if you really want to you can do bits of the route over and over again, and there will be times when you will!

As if the great roads and landscapes, friendly people and great hotels weren't enough, we've got another bonus for you. We'll get you into the factory where they build one of the most exclusive supercars on the planet, the Koenigsegg. This is a tour with everything a Petrolhead could want, and is truly a trip of a lifetime.

Anyone who has been to Scandinavia before will know that it's not a cheap place to visit, but we've spent a lot of time and effort to find some excellent value for money hotels in order to keep the costs down. You will get 11 unforgettable days on tour and you will be driving on arguably some of the very finest roads in the world.

What's included?
Return ferry crossings from Harwich to Esbjerg including overnight cabin (2 nights)
Ferry from Oslo to Copenhagen including overnight cabin (1 night)
7 nights dinner, bed and breakfast in hotels
Ferry from Hirtshals to Kristiansand
Sat-Nav files for Tomtom, Garmin or Navman
Use of high power walkie talkies
Full route info packs
Services of two tour managers, one in a lead car and one in a chase car (with spare fuel, tow rope, tools, tyre compressor, tyre foam, jack, etc.)

Cost?
£1997 per person, based on two people sharing a car and a room. Solo driver options also available.

For more information and a full day by day breakdown of this tour, or to book online, please see here and click on Viking Tour, or call one of the team on 0845 838 7363

[Mermaid]

That should make a nice change from the usual European destinations

[soad]

Blimey, that looks good!

[fwaggie]

I'd so love to do this on my bike but I don't think my arse would ever forgive me, a week of riding gorgeous roads like that.

I'd also have at most a 5% chance of coming home in one piece

[VerySideways]

fwaggie said:

I'd so love to do this on my bike but I don't think my arse would ever forgive me, a week of riding gorgeous roads like that.

I'd also have at most a 5% chance of coming home in one piece

I know the feeling! Just bring the Boxster instead then

[OatSy]

I live in Norway so can I start in Oslo? I have done the longest tunnel too in my Tamora so know the best roads around but be warned the speed limit is ridiculously low and if you get caught doing 85Km/h in a 60 you will be banned (only in Scandinavia) Instantly. 90 and you could be going to prison!!! Norway is expensive so be prepared to pay from £6 to £11 a pint, cheap bottle of plonk will be £35.

Be careful on the ferry with drink, they sometimes breathalyse you when you are getting off. In Norway there is no allowance for alcohol in the blood so 1 pint and you will be banned and will have to go to prison for 2 weeks. Unless you can prove you didn't know you would have to drive after 1 pint.

Also What about the toll roads? have you got this covered in the price, if you go through a "Bomstasjon" without paying it will cost you £35 a time. You can pay later but you will have to remember what road and time you passed through unless you have a "Brikke".

If anyone needs some information on Norway, sights to see along the way PM me. Hope I get to see some of you.
Forgot to mention!! If you are single you will be have a great time with the locals

Edited by OatSy on Monday 25th January 15:38

[Johnpidge]

Its a bit like Switzerland and not much sense of humour about speed limits (and booze)!

[da_murphster]

Looks awesome

Looks expensive

Would love to do this but not until I have for more wonga to spend.

[K17LER]

OatSy said:

Norway is expensive so be prepared to pay from £6 to £11 a pint, cheap bottle of plonk will be £35.

Right so...fill the cars up with cheap booze on the ferry

[NWVT]

Im So lookng forward to this trip im booked up on it and cant wait to get my meggy 250 cup out on those roads

[WorAl]

would love to do this, but, £2k for a week I could have 2 month in Oz with spending money for that.

[sanctum]

Another reason I hate being married.......

[VerySideways]

WorAl said:

would love to do this, but, £2k for a week I could have 2 month in Oz with spending money for that.

Hi Alan,
Unfortunately Scandinavia is a good deal more expensive than Australia - but it's actually 11 days, and most of them are on roads like these (which i don't think you'll find 'down under'):

[WorAl]

VerySideways said:

WorAl said:

would love to do this, but, £2k for a week I could have 2 month in Oz with spending money for that.

Hi Alan,
Unfortunately Scandinavia is a good deal more expensive than Australia - but it's actually 11 days, and most of them are on roads like these (which i don't think you'll find 'down under'):

Oh I know, trust me I would love to go on this, just couldn't justify £2k right now, or probably for the next 50 years judging by my financial status

[Macboy]

We spent three weeks driving in Norway in 2008 and it was one of the best holidays we have ever had. Amazing scenery, wonderful people and a very leisurely pace to a trip that saw us do over 2000 miles in 20 days. But there are some things to be aware of, many of which other posters have already covered. Eating and drinking is stunningly expensive - £50 for a pizza and two beers was a real pinnacle! It takes a long time to make some very short journeys too because of ferry crossings, tunnels and holiday traffic (every third car is a German camper van).

Most of all for Pistonheaders, the speed limit seems very low everywhere - 80kph on almost always empty open roads and 90kph on the short stretches of motorway. Unfortunately (not from personal experience but having seen plenty of speed traps) the Police have a North Wales attitude to speeding of any kind and the locals tend to drive at or close to the limit.

But to all who are booked or booking, I for one am jealous that you will get to see one of the greatest landscapes and drive some of the best roads I have ever seen.

[bananapieface]

How much to run a decent car on top? I reckon total cost petrol + food is going to be 3k +

One for the rich boys me thinks.

[Harsh]

bananapieface said:

How much to run a decent car on top? I reckon total cost petrol + food is going to be 3k +

One for the rich boys me thinks.

Bear in mind that we have included breakfast and dinner at the hotels in the price and the overnight ferries take out some of the unnecessary mileage which will help cut some extra costs down.

We know it isn't cheap which is why we have the Scotland trip, the Welsh weekender and the Lotus tour to cater for smaller budgets, as well as the Alpine tour coming up.

However, considering where we're going and the experience you'll have it's something I'd say was the trip of a lifetime (I went in 2007 and am going again this year - by far the best place to go and drive, simply stunning)

[scz4]

WARNING !! - Don't get on that party boat, your hangover will never end!!

[Harsh]

scz4 said:

WARNING !! - Don't get on that party boat, your hangover will never end!!

ssssshhhh!!

[nonuts]

Would love to do this and it's over my birthday, however I doubt I can afford it this year... will keep my eye out for the next one I think

[bencollins]

check the weather forecast for some bits