Photography by Roger Epsztajn
All participants were full of praise for the DISCOVER NORWAY 2017 tour, so brilliantly well-organised and hosted by Jens Holger Nilsen, his wife Inger Lise and their son Eirik. This was a 7-day roundtrip in the stunning south west region of Norway, which officially began in Oslo on Wednesday 31st May and ended there on Tuesday 6th June to rapturous applause.
International in flavour, the event was attended by Maseratisti from 10 countries in about 40 cars, classics and moderns combined, including a strong contingent from Maserati Club UK.
The route covered nearly 1000 miles introducing us to a spectacular array of scenic landscapes on which to feast our eyes and test our nerves – snow-capped mountains and plateaus, lush green valleys and forests, dramatic glaciers and waterfalls, vast jewel-coloured lakes and, of course, many picture-postcard fjords.
Altitudes ranged from fjord level to 1400 metres above, which meant that temperatures also varied accordingly between 26degC and close to zero, bearing in mind that until just a couple of weeks beforehand, sections of our route had been impassable due to thick snow!
The impressively detailed and informative roadbook produced by Jens would ensure we paced each day evenly while benefiting from the many optional detours and the specially designed viewing platforms that peppered our route. A combination of the national speed limit being 50 mph and the often narrow winding roads meant that journey times would be rather long in relation to the mileage you would usually expect to cover in a Maserati. Most participants seemed relaxed about this and especially thankful for the absence of any competitive elements which helped to promote stress-free enjoyment of the scenery.
Our journey took us to a new picturesque destination and a different hotel each evening, apart from one 2-night stop half-way through the tour – a most welcome opportunity for re-calibration and bag management! All the hotels were of a high standard especially given their remote locations; most had swimming pools and rooms with balconies on which to relax after a long drive or enjoy the astonishing midnight sunsets.
We ate well throughout the week, with several buffets offering healthy options as well as the opportunity to sample or avoid such treats as reindeer stew, whale meat, or fermented fish – as applicable!
If you’re interested in plotting our circular route, and not deterred by the unpronounceable spelling of the place names, some of our key staging posts included: Geilo; Lofthus via the breathtaking Vøringsfossen waterfall and Hardangervidda plateau; Balestrand; Geiranger and the nearby iconic Trollstigen mountain road (known as The Trolls Ladder for its exceptionally steep, snaking climb incorporating no less than 11 scary hairpin bends); then Lom; Beitostølen and finally a return to Oslo.
We ended the formal tour with a splendid Farewell Dinner at the famous Frognerseteren restaurant.
Superlatives abounded for the concept, design and organisation of the tour which showcased so many scenic roads and breathtaking Norwegian landscapes. Jens, Inger Lise and Eirik also greatly impressed us all by their exceptional consideration and support for individual requirements, whether relating to accessibility, diet, or breakdowns of any kind!
A more detailed write-up will appear in the next issue of Trident. Until then, on behalf of all the UK Club participants, many thanks to Jens Holger Nilsen, Inger Lise and Eirik for this life-enhancing opportunity to discover Norway!