Northern Highlights escorted tour

Northern Highlights 2008
11 nights Oslo - Helsinki
EUR 2.445 / USD 3.475

Guaranteed departures:
Tuesdays
June 17, 24
July 01, 08, 15, 22, 29
Fridays
June 13*,27*
July 04, 11*, 18, 25*
August 01, 08*, 22*
*= Portuguese or Spanish- speaking guide

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVE OSLO

Transfer from Oslo Gardermoen Airport to hotel in connection with your flight arrival. Dinner and accommodation at Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel, centrally located close to Karl Johan Boulevard and the Royal Palace.

Day 2: OSLO – ULVIK

After breakfast departure from Oslo, driving via Hønefoss along the charming Halling Valley to the tourist resort town of Geilo. Buffet lunch at Bardøla Mountain Hotel. After lunch cross the wild Hardanger Mountain Plateau to Fossli, stopping to view the thundering Vøringsfoss Waterfall with a vertical drop of 180 m., the highest in Norway. Descend the amazing Måbødal Canyon to the idyllic Hardanger Fjord. Short ferry crossing, followed by drive around the Ulvik Fjord, a branch of the Hardanger Fjord, to the picturesque village of Ulvik. Dinner and accommodation at Rica Brakanes Hotel, ideally located on the banks of the fjord.

Day 3: ULVIK - BERGEN

After buffet breakfast, start of scenic tour along the beautiful Hardanger Fjord, famous for its many fruit orchards, via the towns of Øystese and Norheimsund, arriving in Bergen around midday. Afternoon 2 hours tour of Bergen, including a visit to the popular Fish and Flower Market, the famous Bryggen Harbour with its gabled packhouses, and the old Hanseatic Quarter. You will also ride on the funicular to Mt. Fløien, for the best views of the city and fjords way below. Dinner and accommodation at Radisson SAS Hotel Norge, centrally located on Ole Bull’s Square, close to the pedestrian shopping streets and within walking distance of the old Bryggen harbour.

Day 4: BERGEN – FLÅM - BALESTRAND

After breakfast departure from Bergen and drive via Dale to the town of Voss.

Descend the Nærøy Valley, passing the Stalheim Canyon, to the fjordside village of Flåm. Board your train for an exhilarating ride on the amazing Flåm Railway to Myrdal, a masterpiece of engineering ascending 2.838 feet in less than one hour. The descent from Myrdal to Flåm offers opportunities for photo shots of some exciting waterfalls and mountain scenery. After short rest in Flåm, board a sightseeing boat M/S Lady Elisabeth for start of approx. 2 hours cruise along the narrow Aurlands and Nærøy Fjords, both branches of the Sogn Fjord, the longest and deepest fjord in the world. From the sun deck or the comfortable lounge, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of cascading waterfalls, sheer mountain cliffs, snow-clad peaks, and a variety of wildlife.

After disembarking in Gudvangen at the head of the Nærøy Fjord, continue by coach across the Vika Mountains to Vangsnes, for the short ferry crossing to the beautiful resort of Balestrand. Dinner and accommodation at Kvikne’s Hotel, superbly located on the banks of the fjord and surrounded by mountains.

Day 5: BALESTRAND – A DAY IN THE FJORDS

Day free in Balestrand, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the outstanding beauty and nature of the fjords. The day starts with a traditional Norwegian buffet breakfast in the hotel’s elegant dining room. You may want to spend the morning relaxing on the hotel terrace, breathing in the fresh mountain air and enjoying the spectacular views. We can also recommend a visit to the local aquarium and art gallery, or you may prefer to rent a bike or rowing boat from the hotel, or even go on foot up to the nearest mountains. A walking tour of the village of Balestrand, with its historic buildings and other interesting sites can also be arranged. Dinner and accommodation at Kvikne’s Hotel.

Day 6: BALESTRAND - GEIRANGER

After breakfast departure from your hotel by ferry, for a one hour’s cruise along the fjord to Fjærland. Continue by coach along the scenic route, passing under the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Europe, to the village of Skei. Descend to the beautiful Nord Fjord, making a detour at Olden to visit the world-famous Briksdal Glacier. The journey up to the glacier will be made in open cars to give you the best of views. Afterwards a typical Norwegian lunch will be served in sight of the glacier. During the afternoon the tour continues via Loen and Stryn, to the picturesque village of Hellesylt. From here you go on board the ferry for the one hour’s cruise along the spectacular Geiranger Fjord, possibly the most impressive of all the Norwegian fjords. During the cruise you will pass close by some magnificent waterfalls, such as the Bridal Veil and the Seven Sisters. Dinner and accommodation at the excellent Union Hotel, overlooking the Geiranger Fjord.

Day 7: GEIRANGER – OSLO

From the top of the famous Serpentine Road, you have the opportunity to digest some amazing views of the fjord, before crossing the rugged Grotli Mountains to Lom, well known for its 14th century stave church. The tour continues via Lake Vågå, before descending the magnificent Gudbrands Valley to the popular tourist town of Lillehammer. Stop for lunch in Lillehammer. After lunch the journey continues alongside Lake Mjøsa, Norway’s largest lake, back to Oslo and Holmenkollen, home of the world-famous ski jump, offering unforgettable views of the city and Oslo fjord way below. Dinner and accommodation at the famous Holmenkollen Park Hotel.

Day 8: OSLO - STOCKHOLM

After breakfast departure from Oslo, continuing by coach towards the Swedish border. Cross into the attractive province of Värmland to arrive in the city of Karlstad on Lake Vänern, the largest in Sweden. Lunch in Karlstad. After lunch the tour continues through a landscape of forests and sparkling lakes to reach the Swedish capital in the late afternoon. Dinner and accommodation at the Sheraton Stockholm Hotel, a really first class hotel, centrally located and overlooking the beautiful waterways of Stockholm.

Day 9: STOCKHOLM

The day starts with a 4 hours guided tour of the city. Famous sights include the Royal Palace, Parliament Buildings, Cathedral, Royal Theatre, etc. You will also visit the enchanting Old Town (Gamla Stan) with its narrow cobbled streets and numerous antique shops. Highlight of the tour is a visit to City Hall with its impressive Blue and Golden Halls, where the Nobel Prize banquet is held each year. Lunch at hotel (instead of evening dinner) . Afternoon free in Stockholm, with possibility to visit the famous Wasa Museum or take one of the popular canal tours. Accommodation at the Sheraton Stockholm Hotel.

Day 10: STOCKHOLM - HELSINKI

Morning free in Stockholm. Afternoon transfer from hotel to pier, for embarkation on a luxurious cruise ferry of the Silja Line. 17.00 hrs: Departure of cruise from Stockholm, sailing slowly down the picturesque archipelago past numerous small islands. Dinner on board. Choice of entertainment, bars, shops and casino. Accommodation is in 2-berth outside cabins (seaside) with shower/WC. We recommend you to bring an overnight bag for this cruise, to avoid having to bring suitcases to and from your cabin.

Day 11: HELSINKI

Enjoy your buffet breakfast as you sail into Helsinki harbour. After disembarkation 3 hours guided tour of Helsinki. Famous sights include the Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Park & Monument, Underground Temple, and much more. During the afternoon you can explore the busy market place or the many souvenir shops close to the harbour. Finnish crystal and leather goods are an excellent buy. Dinner and accommodation at the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel, another first class hotel centrally located.

Day 12: HELSINKI DEPARTURE

Buffet breakfast at hotel, followed by transfer to Helsinki Vantaa Airport to connect with your homebound flight.

Price includes:

11 nights Oslo - Helsinki

10 nights accommodation including daily 3-course or buffet dinner (lunch instead of dinner on second day in Stockholm) and Scandinavian buffet breakfast, in centrally located first class hotels, all rooms with private facilities.
5 lunches on days 2, 6, 7, 8 & 9.
3 hours guided tour of Helsinki, and 4 hours Stockholm, all entrances included.
Panorama tour of Bergen incl. ride on the Bergen Funicular to Mt. Fløien.
Ride on the Flåm Railway, Flåm-Myrdal-Flåm.
2+ hours cruise on the Sogn and Nærøy Fjords, and 1 hours cruise on both the Fjærland and Geiranger Fjords.
Excursion in open car to the Briksdal Glacier.
All visits as mentioned in itinerary.
All ferry crossings.
Overnight cruise Stockholm - Helsinki, incl. accommodation in 2-berth outside cabins with shower/WC, dinner and buffet breakfast on board.
Luggage assistance at all hotels.
English (or Spanish or Portuguese) speaking tour escort throughout.
Transportation by modern deluxe coach with reclining seats etc.
Transfers airport/hotel on first and last days. Transfers to/from a different airport than the one mentioned in the tour programme may incur a supplement. Please refer to Airport Transfers under General Information & Conditions.

Prices per person sharing twin-bedded room:

11 nights Oslo - Helsinki:

Tour Start Finish Price in Price in Language:
number: Oslo: Helsinki: Euros: US dollars:

NH11OH613PJune 13 June 24 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 Portuguese
NH11OH617 June 17 June 28 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 English
NH11OH624 June 24 July 05 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 English
NH11OH627PJune 27 July 08 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 Portuguese
NH11OH701 July 01 July 12 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 English
NH11OH704 July 04 July 15 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 English
NH11OH708 July 08 July 19 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 English
NH11OH711PJuly 11 July 22 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 Portuguese
NH11OH711 July 11 July 22 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 Spanish
NH11OH715 July 15 July 26 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 English
NH11OH718 July 18 July 29 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 English
NH11OH722 July 22 Aug. 02 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 English
NH11OH725PJuly 25 Aug. 05 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 Portuguese
NH11OH725SJuly 25 Aug. 05 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 Spanish
NH11OH729 July 29 Aug. 09 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 English
NH11OH801 Aug. 01 Aug. 12 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 English
NH11OH808PAug. 08 Aug. 19 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 Portuguese
NH11OH808SAug. 08 Aug. 19 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 Spanish
NH11OH822PAug. 22 Sept. 02 EUR 2.445 USD 3.475 Portuguese
Single supplement: EUR 745 USD 1.045