Tuesday 9th April 2013

PistonHeads Tours - Viking 2013

Join us in Norway for this once in a lifetime driving holiday

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Welcome to the next PistonHeads tour brought to you with travel partners Petrolhead Nirvana. It's called the Viking Tour and takes place on June 18-26 2013. Spaces are filling up fast on this tour and there are now only a few places remaining on Viking 2013.

Roads such as the Trollstigen, the Snow Road, the beautiful Ash Road and the amazing Atlantic road are just the beginning of our latest PistonHeads tour. We’ll travel the Laerdal Tunnel, and take in some of the unknown back roads and we’ll also take you through an amazing six-lap spiral tunnel which is not to be missed.

Getting to Norway has been a problem since the direct ferries stopped in 2008, so we’ve had to use a bit of lateral thinking to find the best way to get there and we have booked overnight ferry crossings to ensure we get as much driving time as possible. In addition we have also made sure the daily mileage is as short as possible so that if you really want to you can do bits of the route over and over again, or use the time to relax and enjoy the view.

This is a tour with everything a PHer could want, and because we’ve done it before it’s something only we can offer. Included in the package are two tour support cars with tour managers to guide and take care of you along the way; you’ll also have a pre-loaded TomTom for the duration of the tour, the use of one of our powerful walkie talkies, route guidance notes and a full drivers' pack. We’re also including dinner and breakfast at every hotel. We’re restricted to 16 cars for this tour, as the ferry company has made a special dispensation for us to travel.

ITINERARY

DAY ONE: We meet at Harwich for an evening departure to Denmark taking advantage of reserved outside cabins (with a window). Cabins are booked for two per cabin.

DAY TWO: Once we arrive in Denmark it’s an easy motorway drive for the short trip north to our next ferry. Ferry two takes us on a two-hour crossing and brings us into Kristiansand, Norway, just a mile from our hotel.

DAY THREE: The adventures really begin today as we traverse mountains, valleys and fjords on the way to our fjordside hotel. In 2011 we had an optional twisty route on the tour, but this year we’ve made it part of the main route as it was such a great road. In fact the Lysebotn road would make the trip worthwhile all on its own.

DAY FOUR: Today we head further north, deeper into the Norwegian countryside on our way to the 24.5km Laerdal tunnel with three large caverns that have to be seen to be believed. From here we go up and over the mountain to the picturesque lookout at Aurland before driving on towards, and around, the Jostedalsbreen national park before arriving at our next waterside hotel.

DAY FIVE: Another fjord-filled day as we continue north for the last time, past Molde and on to the amazing engineering masterpiece that is the 'Atlantic Road' taking us into Kristiansund. That afternoon we head south to settle in for the night in Andalsnes.

DAY SIX: At the foot of the world famous Trollstigen (The Troll’s Ladder) is Norway’s answer to the famous Stelvio pass. We’ve allowed plenty of time to go up and down more than once and after a stop to look over the top of the waterfall, we’ll continue on to both the Snow road and then the Ash road. To end the day we will head south once more into the deepest Norwegian countryside and our overnight stop in a ski resort near Gol.

DAY SEVEN: Our last day in Norway sees us heading to Larvik along some stunning back roads before stopping at Drammen – home of the 1,650m Spiralen tunnel. That’s right, a six-spiral corkscrew tunnel rising 200m through the volcanic rock of the mountain. Our seaside hotel at Larvik sadly signals our last night in Norway, but what a tour it's been and we know you'll have enjoyed every mile

DAY EIGHT: Leaving Larvik we take the early ferry to Hirtshals where we begin a leisurely drive south through Denmark back to Esbjerg before arriving at the waiting ferry.

We arrive back in Harwich around midday on Wednesday.

Pricing and information

• £1,999 per person sharing a car and a twin or double room
• £2,239 per solo driver sharing a room with another solo driver
• £2,589 per solo driver with private room

What’s included

Return ferries from UK to Denmark (two nights accommodation)

Six nights in hotels with dinner and breakfast included.

Two experienced tour managers in two cars to lead and chase.

Loan of TomTom with all routes pre-loaded.

Loan of powerful licenced walkie-talkies.

Drivers' pack with route notes, maps and useful information.

What’s not…

Lunch, food on the ferries, drinks, tolls, fuel and European breakdown cover (for your own peace of mind this a requirement on all tours).

How to book

A £500 deposit is required per person to secure your place(s) on this tour.

Give the team a call on [phone] with your credit or debit card ready, and we’ll have you booked on tour in no time.

[BJG1]

This looks bloody awesome, just need to rope in someone to come as my passenger...

[TREMAiNE]

Looks fantastic and I would love to come... Sadly I can't afford this as well as the USA Tour, unless the Gods are in my favor during the Euromillions draw!

[Getsis]

Part of the road to lysebotn, this tour will go pretty close to my house!.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovap3QhRsQ4

[JamesHayward]

That tunnel looks epic

[vescaegg]

This looks spectacular but...

I hope no one gets caught going a bit too quickly. From what my Norwegian friends have told me, speeding fines range from highly ridiculous to absolutely insane! One friend got a £500 fine for something like 7mph over the speed limit (in a 50).

[mannyg]

vescaegg said:

This looks spectacular but...

I hope no one gets caught going a bit too quickly. From what my Norwegian friends have told me, speeding fines range from highly ridiculous to absolutely insane! One friend got a £500 fine for something like 7mph over the speed limit (in a 50).

Norwegian police and speeding fines are a strange one. One the one hand, the fines are ridiculously high (as you rightfully stated) and the limits ridiculously low (50mph MAX!). On the other, there are very few police outside of the major cities and they don't seem to be that concerned with speeding motorists. We passed a police car today whilst doing 50mph in a 30 zone and they coudln't have been less interested...

Also, the roads are all very scenic and very twisty. Maybe the best option is to have all chip in for the poor guy leading the group.

[Getsis]

You will get an instant ban for doing 81Kph and over in a 60 zone, £650 fine for doing 80Kph in a 60. Jail term for any alcohol in your system (2 weeks) so don't go crazy at the bar in the evening! you can't drive even with one beer. Be wary of the moose and deer, the moose don't move out of the way like a deer will.

[mannyg]

Serious question - how would Norway enforce a ban of a UK license? How would they even enforce a speeding fine? That is, considering they are not part of the EU.

[RicM5]

Isnt that the same weekend as Le Mans????????????

[Ult-Jim]

I'm very interested in doing this trip in my Ultima GTR in 2014, so I hope it is a success this year and they run it next year as well.

[V8 FOU]

Getsis said:

You will get an instant ban for doing 81Kph and over in a 60 zone, £650 fine for doing 80Kph in a 60. Jail term for any alcohol in your system (2 weeks) so don't go crazy at the bar in the evening! you can't drive even with one beer. Be wary of the moose and deer, the moose don't move out of the way like a deer will.

Sounds like a bundle of laughs. So, you will need a low powered car so it's less tempting to speed, and not drink if you are going to drive at all during the trip....... and possibly end up with a moose stuffed into your p&j........

As I said, a bundle of laughs for 2 grand....

[VerySideways]

The Viking Tour, as with all our tours, only run if we have some respect for the countries we visit.
That means rolling through towns and villages at less than the speed limit.

We also tend to enjoy the quieter roads which are off the beaten track, where even approaching the speed limit often requires a fast car and skills!
These roads tend to be less populated by other motorists and, of course, the police.

Norway is a fantastic place if you know where to go...

mannyg said:

Also, the roads are all very scenic and very twisty. Maybe the best option is to have all chip in for the poor guy leading the group.

That would be me!

[VerySideways]

Oh, and just for fun this is the list of cars already booked for this trip:

1. Porsche 996 turbo
2. Ferrari 360 spider
3. Ferrari 355
4. Focus RS (mk2)
5. Aston Martin V8 Vantage
6. BMW 1M
7. Aston Martin V8 Vantage
8. Porsche 997 C4S
9. Jaguar XKR
10. TVR Tuscan
11. Ferrari 550
12. Porsche 997 GT3

Can't wait to take some pictures

[_rubinho_]

Having lived there I can say that Norway is one of the most frustrating countries in the world to drive, and I've driven in more than a few. Ridiculous speed limits (nothing >80kph except on a few miles of highway near Oslo, Bergen and Kristiansand which is 100kph), lots of trucks and few overtaking opportunities. There are hundreds of miles of single carriageway roads in uninhabited areas with 70kph limits and concrete central reservations making overtaking the truck doing 55kph impossible until a small area of dual carriageway where you'll get held up by a local doing 65kph meaning only one or two cars manage to pass. The local drivers are doddering car haters who drive under the speed limit often towing unsuitable loads (trailers, caravans, boats etc). Zero tolerance from Police for any sort of infraction and instant bans for alchohol and punitive fines for speeding. Many of the st (potholed and damaged) roads charge expensive tolls and fuel is even more than the UK. It's a beautiful country with a fantastic way of life but it is no place for petrolheads.

Go for it though if you want to drive through some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe (maybe the world) at 50kph behind a truck...

[Getsis]

mannyg said:

Serious question - how would Norway enforce a ban of a UK license? How would they even enforce a speeding fine? That is, considering they are not part of the EU.

They take your driving license off you there and then, you will then be band in all Scandinavia countries for at least 6 months. As for the fine you will have to pay, they can obtain all owner details from the reg plate. They will give you a ticket with the bank details for you to send the payment to. As for the prison thing, you choose which 2 weeks you go within a year and the fine will be determined on the percentage of your yearly earnings.

But as stated there are no speed traps or plod in the mountains. They do breatherlising in the morning so at night you are less likely to be tested. I never got a speeding ticket in the TVR and I was always testing my skills in the mountains.

Be aware that when you land in kristiansand make sure you don't have a drink on the ferry as they sometimes breatherlise you when you drive off the boat!

I forgot if you are not carrying your driving license that will be an instant £500 fine.

Don't let all this put you off I guarantee you will enjoy every second when in Norway especially if you have never been before

Edited by Getsis on Tuesday 9th April 18:39

[SFO]

Viking Tour will be my 6th tour with PN ...

[MonteV]

I charged up the Trollstigen on a 1000cc Laverda and it's a memorable experience. The fjords are pretty, and Geiranger looked unreal with such clear skies the cruise ship down in the fjord looked like a toy I just reach out and pick up. Not to rain on your plans, the country is infested with caravans, 80km/h speed limits, and speed cameras everywhere, though.

Edited by MonteV on Tuesday 9th April 22:43

[tram50]

Any chance of posting a Google map of the route. It's somewhere I've always wanted to do a roadtrip. Can't do it this year as will be driving around New Mexico and Utah.

Alex

[VerySideways]

Speed cameras? Maybe on the main roads.
We've done variations of this tour for years, and we've not seen a single speed camera yet (touch wood!). As i said, off the beaten track.

[mannyg]

VerySideways said:

Speed cameras? Maybe on the main roads.
We've done variations of this tour for years, and we've not seen a single speed camera yet (touch wood!). As i said, off the beaten track.

Since some of the comments are really focusing on the negative, I have to add that i'm sure the trip will be incredible! I have driven a lot in Australia and it shares all the.. obstacles .. of fast driving that Norway does (+ the world's most zealous traffic police force). In spite of that, the drives and opportunities can be far more interesting than you will ever get in built and over developed countries. I currently live in Germany and the fun parts are really few and far between.

Plus, mountains roads are the best and Norway is covered in them!