Fjords and waterfalls: Coach touring Norway

Lying on the south western edge of Norway, warmed by the Gulf Stream and set between the dramatic, rocky coast and the rugged inland of fjords and mountains is Haugalandet, the area where Norway's history begins.

Visitors can see the traditional wooden architecture of the sea faring communities, explore historical sites that reveal the secrets of this country's past and venture further inland to marvel at the expansive networks of fjords, crashing waterfalls and dramatically rising mountainsides, which are inexplicably clad with forests that are rooted to near-vertical slopes.

Norway itself was born as a single nation in the ninth century, when Harold the Fair Haired brought the rival clans together under one banner. As Norway's first king he ruled from Avaldsnes, just south of Haugalandet's main town, Haugesund.

This became a royal base for the next 500 years, and the 13th century church that was built by King Hakon Hakonson still stands today. There is a newly developed visitors' centre which explains the area, but the real appeal for many will be seeing the ancient but intact Christian church and walking around the nearby replica Viking farm.

Haugalandet lies around halfway between Stavanger and Bergen, the main cultural cities on Norway's west coast, both of which can be incorporated into a longer tour.

Shorter trips are, however, still available, with the thriving centre of Haugesund your likely starting place. The town is home to a wide range of cultural events throughout the year, including a popular film festival, and several very modern and comfortable hotels, including the Rica Maritim Hotel set in the town's old harbour.

Travelling around Norway may be possible by car, but the staggering beauty of every landscape makes it ideally suited to coach touring, allowing you to comfortably take in all the surroundings you pass and cover far more ground in your itinerary.

An hour inland from Haugesund is the Fugl Fonix Hotel, a perfect stopping place on your way to the fjords, fruit farms and waterfalls of Hardangerfjord. Set up as cultural magnet for young Norwegians looking to return to their roots and still keep the live music, arts and buzz of city lifestyle, Fugl Fonix is a fascinating stop, with a relaxed café and restaurant, as well as regular music events, art on display on every wall, and a resident artist.

Back on the coach again, the road to Hardanger offers one of the most scenic journeys through Norway's dramatic landscape.

Featuring the world's third largest fjord and perhaps one of Norway's most photographed waterfalls, there is little chance of napping on the coach when there is so much to see.

A perfect way to see part of Hardangerfjord, spanning 179km long, is to take a gentle boat trip from Steinstø on M/S Peer Gynt through the narrowest part of the fjord of Fyksesund through to Botnen, a hamlet unreachable by road.

At Botnen you will find the home of the first Hardanger fiddles. The famous instrument, today featuring another four or five strings underneath the usual four, is believed to have inspired famous composer Edvard Grieg when he composed the score for Henrik Ibsen's Peer Gynt.

Easily reachable by coach, visitors can also take photographs of the nearby Steinsdalsfossen waterfall and even take the opportunity to walk behind it without getting wet!

Surrounding the stunning landscape, the mild climate and rich soils has helped encourage a delicious array of fruit crops. Expect to see apples, pears, cherries and plums growing on the hills. Highly recommended is a trip to Steinstø fruit farm.

Offering produce such as freshly squeezed apple juice and homemade preserves, make sure to buy a jar of the roadside farm shop's delicious plum jam that complements cheese perfectly. Visitors can also sample a mouth-watering slice of homemade apple cake with ice cream at the friendly, family-run café while overlooking some of the most breathtaking views of the fjord.

Nicely full of apple cake and memories of the breathtaking landscapes, you can relax back into your coach and settle in for more stunning views.

From Hardangerfjord your tour may take you further inland to explore the mountains, hike, bike or enjoy Norway's proud snow sports tradition, or back out towards the city of Bergen, hailed as the capital of the fjords.

A relaxed, cosmopolitan city, Bergen has great art galleries and restaurants, making it the ideal end – or even start – to your Norwegian coach touring adventure.

For more information on booking a coach tour to visit Norway's fjords visit the Coach Tourism Council or see the Norway tourist board website.

Elaine Samson and Chris Wilson