Travel to Scandinavia - Escorted Tour

The Scandinavian

14 days / 13 nights

Dates of operation: See price information below.

Day 1  Arrival in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Mon.) Time to rest or to start exploring Denmark’s capital. At 6 p.m. meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink hosted by your Tour Director.

Day 2  Copenhagen. (Tue.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Church of Our Savior and the Stock Exchange on the way to Christiansborg Palace where you visit the elegant ROYAL RECEPTION ROOMS. Drive past the National Museum and the Royal Theater, stop for pictures of Amalienborg Palace and at the LITTLE MERMAID statue. Tonight visit TIVOLI GARDENS, the city’s colorful amusement park. (FB)

Day 3  Copenhagen-Arhus. (Wed.) Morning drive over one of the world’s largest suspension bridges constructed off-shore to the fairy-tale island of Funen. Visit HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN’S HOME at Odense, then cross the Little Belt waterway to Jutland. Arrive in Arhus and visit DEN GAMLE BY, a fascinating collection of completely furnished old Danish town houses. Time to shop in the pedestrian area near the hotel. (FB,D)

Day 4  Arhus-Gothenburg, Sweden. (Thu.) At Frederikshavn board a FERRY for the three-hour crossing of the strategic Kattegat to Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city. See its landmarks on an orientation drive, and later you might want to mingle with the locals at Liseberg Amusement Park. (FB,D)

Day 5  Gothenburg-Stockholm. (Fri.) Crossing the width of southern Sweden you see the area often referred to as the breadbasket of the country, miles of fertile farmland strewn with tidy farms, followed by industrial towns such as Jönköping, the world capital of the safety match industry; Huskvama, noted for its sewing machines and bicycles, and Norköping, a major Baltic sea port. Afternoon arrival in Stockholm. (FB)

Day 6  Stockholm. (Sat.) Sightseeing with Local Guide features the Royal Palace, Riddarholm Church, and the festive blue and gold chambers in the CITY HALL, where the annual Nobel Prize banquet is held. Afternoon at leisure. An optional excursion to the fascinating Wasa Ship Museum can be arranged. (FB)

Day 7  Stockholm-Karlstad. (Sun.) Still on the shores of Lake Mälar, visit King Gustav Vasa’s GRIPSHOLM CASTLE, before continuing west through the scenic Lake District. On the way, glimpses of the ancient garrison town of Örebro; and Bofors, site of Alfred Nobel’s ammunition factory. Overnight in pretty Karlstad on Lake Vänern. (FB,D)

Day 8  Karlstad-Lillehammer, Norway. (Mon.) Drive through Värmland, the area so beautifully described in Selma Lagerlöf’s Saga of Gösta Berling, to the Norwegian border. Then trace the course of the Glomma River from Kongsvinger to strategic Elverum, rebuilt after total destruction during World War II. On via Lake Mjøsa to Lillehammer. Enjoy a guided visit of the fascinating MAIHAUGEN OPEN-AIR MUSEUM (from mid-May onwards). (FB,D)

Day 9  Lillehammer-Aurland. (Tue.) Majestic mountains, dark pine forests, sparkling lakes and silvery trout streams all the way on your leisurely journey through Valdres and the Fillefjell area. Before arriving in Aurland stop for pictures at Borgund’s stave church, famous for its beautiful exterior. (FB,D)

Day 10  Aurland-Bergen. (Wed.) Today a real treat: embark at Aurland for a leisurely CRUISE on the spectacular Sognefjord. Land at Gudvangen and motor through narrow Nærøydal Canyon up to Stalheim for a dazzling panoramic view. On the way back down to sea level, take pictures of the Tvindefoss waterfall. Early afternoon arrival in picturesque Bergen. On your orientation tour you will hear about its 11th-century origins and its association with the Hanseatic League. (FB)

Day 11  Bergen-Geilo. (Thu.) Bergen is the most characteristic of all Scandinavian towns. Visit the colorful fish market, stroll through the narrow lanes of ancient Bryggen, ride the funicular up to Mount Fløyen. Drive along the beautiful Hardangerfjord, then cross by FERRY, before climbing up to Vøringfoss, Norway’s most celebrated and mightiest waterfall. Continue across the Hardangervidda mountain plateau to the ski resort of Geilo. (FB,D)

Day 12  Geilo-Oslo. (Fri.) In Torpo admire a STAVE CHURCH, symbol of Norwegian heritage. Continue along the scenic road between the Steinsfjord and the ice-blue Tyrifjord and arrive in Oslo. (FB)

Day 13  Oslo. (Sat.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the National Theater, Parliament, and the Royal Palace. Highlight visits: FROGNER PARK with Gustav Vigeland’s famous stark sculptures and the ornate CITY HALL. The afternoon is free, with a chance to join an optional excursion to the relics of a glorious seafaring past. Tonight a farewell dinner to celebrate the success of your vacation. (FB,D)

Day 14  (Sun.) Transfer to the airport. (FB)

 

INCLUDED FEATURES COPENHAGEN Welcome drink; guided sightseeing; the Little Mermaid; visit the Royal Reception Rooms in Christiansborg Palace; Tivoli Gardens ODENSE Visit Hans Christian Andersen’s home ARHUS Visit Den Gamle By DENMARK-SWEDEN Boat cruise over the Kattegat GOTHENBURG Orientation STOCKHOLM Guided sightseeing; visit the City Hall GRIPSHOLM Guided visit of the castle LILLEHAMMER Guided visit of the Maihaugen Open-Air Museum (from mid-May onwards) BORGUND Picture stop at the stave church SOGNEFJORD Boat cruise BERGEN Orientation TORPO Visit a stave church OSLO Guided sightseeing; visit Frogner Park and the City Hall MEALS 13 full Scandinavian breakfasts (FB); 7 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome drink in Copenhagen and a farewell dinner in Oslo COPENHAGEN Radisson SAS Scandinavia (SF), ARHUS Radisson Scandinavia (SF), GOTHENBURG First G (SF), STOCKHOLM Scandic Sergel Plaza (SF), KARLSTAD Scandic Winn (F), LILLEHAMMER Radisson SAS (SF), AURLAND Aurland Fjordhotell (F), BERGEN Golden Tulip Rainbow Rosenkrantz (F), GEILO Dr. Holms (F), OSLO Radisson SAS Scandinavia (SF)

Departures 2008:

May 5, 12, 19, 26

June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

July 21, 28

August 4, 11, 18, 25

September 1, 8, 15, 22

 

Price: $2,692.00

 

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