<NE12D1> Scandinavia & Fjords 12 Days
View: Copenhagen - Rosenborg Castle, Kronborg Castle
Stockholm - Vasa Ship Museum, City Hall
Visit four major fjords and one glacier in Norway:
Hardanger Fjord, Sogne Fjord, Eidsdal Fjord, and Jostedal Glacier
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DAY 1 USA - Helsinki - Copenhagen (Denmark)
Board our flight bound via Helsinki for our entry point into Copenhagen.
DAY 2 Copenhagen (Denmark)
Upon arrival at Helsinki, we take a connecting flight for Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark. Upon arrival, we start a half day panoramic sightseeing tour. Our first stop is the symbol of the city - the Little Mermaid in Hans C. Andersen’s fairy tale. Our tour also features the City Hall, the Agricultural Goddess Fountain, and a photo-stop at Amalienborg Palace. Highlight of the city tour is a visit to Rosenborg Palace, where you will see the three famous silver lions guarding the royal throne.
DAY 3 Copenhagen - DFDS Scandinavia Cruise
Today’s tour features two amazing castles: the Kronborg Castle and the Frederiksborg Castle. First we drive north through magnificent Danish countryside to Kronborg Castle, the setting chose by William Shakespeare for his famous play "Hamlet". After lunch, head to Hillerod to visit the Renaissance-style Frederiksborg Castle, which was built by the King Christian IV, and now is a national historical museum. Later in the afternoon we board the luxurious ferry at DFDS pier to Oslo. Enjoy a spectacular Scandinavian buffet dinner on board.
DAY 4 DFDS Scandinavia Cruise - Oslo (Norway) – Geilo
After a typical Scandinavian buffet breakfast, we disembark at Oslo. Our city tour takes us to the Viking Ships Museum for an orientation to the awesome technical skills the Vikings displayed in constructing their seafaring ships, and later to the Vigeland Sculpture Park, where granite and bronze sculptures portray joy and sorrow, life and death. Also, a scenic drive will show us in the Holmenkollen Ski Jump and a panoramic view of the city and the Oslo Fjord. Some free time in the afternoon for leisure before traveling to Geilo, the ski resort for the Scandinavian. Dinner at hotel
DAY 5 Geilo - Hardanger Fjord – Bergen
Drive along the valley of Hardangervidda and travel to Bergen, the gateway to the Fjords of Norway. Our bus passes snow-capped mountains, tumbling waterfalls, tranquil lakes and lovely villages. After crossing the Hardanger Fjord, we arrive in Bergen, Norway’s second largest city and principal port on the west coast. Our first stop of city tour is the harbourside outdoor Fish Market where you may sample the freshly seafood.
DAY 6 Bergen - Voss - Stalheim - Flam - Scenic Train - Tunnel - Sogne Fjord – Sogndal
Enjoy the picturesque Norwegian fjords from the train and also from the ferry today. We travel north, pass by the mountain resort of Voss up to Stalheim, a lofty vantage point high above the majestic Naerodal Valley, for a photo stop from the panoramic spot. Later board the world famous scenic train at Flam.
The train passes through narrow, idyllic bays and see a maz of islands, dotted with small summer houses, along the Sogne Fjord, the longest and deepest fjord in Norway. Get off the train, pass through Europe’s longest tunnel crossing the spectacular Sogne Fjord, arrive in Sogndal by ferry for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7 Sogndal - Briksdal - Jostedal Glacier - Geiranger Fjord Cruise – Geiranger
After Scandinavian buffet breakfast at hotel, we proceed to Briksdal. After city orientation tour and lunch, A walking tour shows us the world famous Jostedal Glacier. Later in the afternoon, we cruise on the Geiranger Fjord and enjoy the most beautiful views of fjord in Norway. Dinner and overnight at Geiranger.
DAY 8 Geiranger - Eidsdal Fjord – Lillehammer
Heading inland today through Eidstad. Enjoy wonderful views of the Eidsdal Fjord. Along the way there is more spectacular scenery as we drive through the valley to the 1994 Winter Olympic Town of Lillehammer. Free time at leisure, maybe walk along the streets or visit the open air museums.
DAY 9 Lillehammer - Karlstad (Sweden) – Stockholm
Another scenic day: the rolling green pasture lands, dense forests, charming valleys, shimmering lakes, and towering mountains. We travel in our comfortable coach toward Karlstad, a lovely lakeside town of Sweden. A chance to browse in its enticing shops is given.
Later we arrive in the second largest city of Scandinavia, Stockholm. Very soon tourists understand that the beauty of this Swedish capital is due to its unique setting on 14 islands and to the care with which city authorities control urban development and preserve historical treasures.
DAY 10 Stockholm – Overnight Viking Cruise on Baltic Sea – Helsinki (Finland)
Our half-day city tour gives us in a depth introduction to this perhaps the most beautiful of all Scandinavian capitals. The visit to Vasa Museum takes us back in time to an era when Sweden was the dominant maritime power of Northern Europe; the Vasa Ship, raised from the bottom of the sea after more than 400 years, is a testament to that power.
Later, we visit the stunning City Hall and its fabulous golden mosaics. It is where the Nobel Prize Banquet is held after the ceremony. Later we board the overnight five star ferry for Helsinki, the beautiful city by the Baltic Sea. After a splendid Scandinavian buffet dinner, plenty of time to enjoy the many facilities on board: duty free shopping, cinema, sauna, etc.
DAY 11 Helsinki
Upon early morning arrival at Helsinki, our sightseeing tour starts immediately featuring the imaginative monument to the Finnish Composer Jean Sibelius, the Tapiola Garden City, Russian Uspensky Cathedral, Olympic Stadium, Senate Square, Lutheran Church, Market Square, Parliament Building, and the world famous Rock Church. After dinner, we check in to our hotel.
DAY 12 Helsinki – USA
Bid Northern Europe a fond farewell as we board our homebound flight back to the States.
***** Peony *****
