Curated Southern Norway Road Trip: Culinary & Cultural Journey by Up Norway

Up Norway, the country’s leading curator of tailor-made luxury journeys, has introduced a new 17-day road trip itinerary that redefines Southern Norway as a world-class culinary and cultural destination. Designed for adventurous travelers, the self-drive journey moves beyond the country’s reputation for fjords and unspoiled nature to highlight its thriving food culture, contemporary art scene, and immersive local traditions.

Highlights Along the Way

From MICHELIN-starred dining to rustic farmstead meals, travelers experience a full spectrum of Norwegian gastronomy. Standouts include RE-NAA in Stavanger (Three Stars), Lysverket and Gaptrast in Bergen (One Star each), and Under — a dramatic, half-submerged restaurant in the North Sea designed by Snøhetta. Along the way, guests also explore Norway’s growing beverage culture with tastings of craft cider, wine, small-batch gin, and historic farmhouse beer brewed with kveik yeast.

The itinerary also weaves in cultural depth. In Voss, travelers discover functionalist architecture, farm-to-table dining, and folk traditions. Geilo introduces UNESCO-protected summer farms and locally produced cheeses, while the journey toward Oslo includes the acclaimed Kistefos Museum and its architectural landmark, The Twist. In the capital, curated experiences range from the National Museum and MUNCH museum to the Astrup Fearnley collection of contemporary art.

A Journey of Choice

Continuing south, guests can kayak with an Olympic champion near Lillesand, sample wines in Kristiansand, or take a helicopter transfer to dine at Under. Routes to Stavanger offer distinct experiences: a wellness-focused stay in eco-domes of Setesdal Valley or a coastal drive along Scenic Route Jæren’s beaches and artist-inspired landscapes. In Stavanger, the journey uncovers both Old Stavanger’s preserved wooden houses and the city’s modern culinary identity.

Industrial heritage is highlighted at Allmannajuvet zinc mines, reimagined by architect Peter Zumthor, while Hardanger reveals local cider traditions and the historic Utne Hotel. The trip culminates in Bergen with the KODE arts complex, composer Edvard Grieg’s historic home, and meals at Lysverket or Gaptrast, where chefs reinterpret “neo-fjordic” cuisine.

The Experience

Accommodations range from boutique design hotels and historic farmsteads to eco-lodges and mountain retreats, each chosen for authenticity and connection to place. Available from May through October, the 17-day road trip starts at $14,119 per person (based on two guests). Journeys can be made clockwise or counterclockwise between Bergen and Oslo, with each itinerary tailored to individual interests through Up Norway’s expert curation and insider access.

For more information or to plan a journey, visit upnorway.com.

For more getaway ideas, visit our Travel section.