Grand Tour of Scandinavia starting at $4860

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVE COPENHAGEN

Arrive Copenhagen Kastrup Airport. Transfer to hotel in connection with individual
flight arrivals. Dinner and accommodation at Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel.
Your tour escort will meet you at 19.50 hrs in the hotel lobby.

Day 2: COPENHAGEN

The day starts with a 3 hours guided tour of the city. Famous sights include the Royal
Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace (Danish Parliament Buildings), Gefion
Fountain, and Nyhavn. Afternoon free for exploring this fairytale city. In the evening
you will be taken to dinner at the Tivoli Gardens. Accommodation at Radisson
SAS Scandinavia Hotel.

Day 3: COPENHAGEN – OSLO

Morning free in Copenhagen. Afternoon transfer by coach from hotel to DFDS
Seaways terminal for your overnight cruise by ferry to Oslo, departing at 17.00 hrs.
Enjoy your first Scandinavian smörgåsbord dinner as you cruise gently up the
Kattegat. Accommodation in 2-berth outside cabins with shower/WC. We
recommend you to bring an overnight bag for this cruise, to avoid having to carry
suitcases to and from your cabin.

Day 4: OSLO

A delicious buffet breakfast is being served as you cruise along the enchanting Oslo
Fjord. Arrival in Oslo at 09.30 hrs, followed by 3 hours guided tour of the Norwegian
capital. You will visit the world-famous Viking Ships, the Polar exploration ship Fram,
and the impressive Vigeland Sculpture Park. Afternoon free in Oslo. We can
recommend a visit to the Munch Museum or a stroll along the Karl Johan shopping
boulevard. Dinner and accommodation at Thon Hotel Opera, ideally situated close
to the Oslo Harbour and facing the new Opera House.

Day 5: 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 6: 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 7: 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, start of approx. 2
hours cruise by boat along the narrow Aurlands and Nærøy Fjords, both branches of
the Sogn Fjord, the longest and deepest fjord in the world. 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 8: 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 noteworthy sites can also be arranged. Dinner and
accommodation at Kvikne’s Hotel.

Day 9: BALESTRAND – GEIRANGER

After breakfast departure from your hotel by ferry from Dragsvik to Hella, followed by
a scenic tour along the northern side of the Sogn Fjord to Sogndal. The tour
continues by road to Fjærland, passing under the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in
Europe, to the village of Skei at the northern end of beautiful Lake Jølster. Descend
to the 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
views. Lunch will be served in a nearby mountain restaurant facing the glacier. After
lunch the tour continues around the Nord Fjord 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 10: 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 Dinner and
accommodation at Thon Hotel Opera, centrally located close to the Oslo Fjord and
the new Opera House.

Day 11: OSLO – STOCKHOLM

After breakfast departure from Oslo, continuing by coach towards the Swedish
border. Cross into the attractive province of Vãrmland to arrive in the city of Kalrstad
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 Clarion Hotel
Sign, a first class hotel opened in February 2008 and centrally located.

Day 12: 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 famous Blue and
Golden Halls, where the Nobel Prize banquet is held each year. Afternoon free in
Stockholm, with possibility to visit the famous Wasa Museum or take one of the
popular canal tours. Accommodation at the Clarion Hotel Sign. Please note that
dinner today is not included in the program, as our experience shows that whilst in
Stockholm guests prefer to eat out at a restaurant of their own choice. Your tour
escort will gladly advise and make table reservations for you.

Day 13: 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 glorious 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 bringing an
overnight bag for this cruise, to avoid having to carry suitcases to and from the cabin.

Day 14: HELSINKI

Enjoy your buffet breakfast as you sail into Helsinki. 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. Afternoon free in Helsinki. Dinner and
accommodation at Radisson SAS Royal Hotel, a first-class hotel conveniently
located in the centre of Helsinki.

Day 15: HELSINKI DEPARTURE

Your grand tour of Scandinavia ends after buffet breakfast in hotel, with morning
transfer to Helsinki Vantaa Airport to connect with your flight home.

Price includes:

14 nights Copenhagen – Helsinki
* 12 nights accommodation including daily 3-course or buffet dinner (except on
second evening in Stockholm) and Scandinavian buffet breakfast, in centrally
located first class hotels, all rooms with private facilities.
* 4 lunches on days 5, 9, 10, & 11.
* Overnight cruise Copenhagen – Oslo, incl. accommodation in 2-berth outside
cabin with shower/WC, buffet dinner and breakfast on board.
* Entrance to Tivoli Gardens for dinner on day 2.
* 3 hours guided tours of Copenhagen, Oslo & Helsinki, 4 hours Stockholm, incl.
all entrances.
* Panorama tour of Bergen incl. ride on the Bergen Funicular to Mt. Fløien.
* Ride on the Flåm Railway, Flåm-Myrdal-Flåm.
* Approx. 2 hours cruise on Sogn and Nærøy Fjords, and 1 hours cruise on the
Geiranger Fjord.
* Excursion to Briksdal Glacier in open car.
* All ferry crossings in Norway.
* Overnight cruise Stockholm – Helsinki, incl. accommodation in 2-berth outside
cabin with shower/WC, dinner and buffet breakfast on board.
* Luggage assistance at all hotels.
* English 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.