Who are we?

FRANZISKA SCHWARZLMÜLLER

Managing Director
Franziska, who is originally from Germany, fell in love with Norway during her first visit in 1995. After finishing her Master degree in Tourism Management from the University of Applied Sciences in Munich, she moved to Norway in 2006 together with her family. She has worked all her professional life in the Norwegian tourism industry. Having been able to travel the whole length of this remarkable country, she is keen to share her passion for Norway with you.

LENE HOLMELID-HANSEN

Booking & Accounting
Lene moved from the southeast of Norway to Bergen in 1998 to study at the University of Bergen, and after finishing her studies, decided to stay. She has worked in Fjord Travel since 2007, after a few years in other areas of the travel industry. She works in booking & accounting, and is eager for travellers from all over the world to discover the many beautiful places in Norway.

YVONNE SOLHEIMSLID BJORKE

Booking & IT
Yvonne was born and raised between beautiful fjords and mountains, in the tiny village of Ardal, located on the shores of Sognefjord. Having lived 10 years abroad, Yvonne, got a higher appreciation of all the natural beauty Norway has to offer. She has enhanced this appreciation with her love for travel and a 1-year study in Nature and knowledge tourism – natural and cultural landscapes in Norway. She also has a Bachelor- and a Master degree from School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at London University. Enabling visitors of Norway to experience her amazing and beautiful country gives her great pleasure.

“THE PEOPLE BEHIND”

The owners
Rita de Lange started Fjord Travel Norway in 2000, with support of her husband Lars Glaso. Rita grew up in Bergen while Lars grew up in Trondheim.
They met as students at the University in Bergen, both graduating as psychologists. Rita worked for a while as a clinical psychologist, while Lars’ interests eventually led him into a professorship in organisational psychology and leadership.
When Rita decided to change her path into the travel business and started the company, Lars believed in her idea and invested, and has been a support on the sideline ever since. After 20 years the company is still family owned.

In 2017 Franziska took over as the general manager of the company. However, Rita still keeps her hand on the business from the sideline, both as head of the board as well as co-owner, along with Lars. 

From the first day in business, Rita’s main goal was to show the beauty of Norway to customers throughout the world, providing quality and authentic travel experiences. She is happy to see that Franziska and the rest of the team have kept her goal and values.