SPECTACULAR SCANDINAVIA & ITS FJORDS (CLASSIC GROUP)
Price
Duration
Min People
Tour Type
Tour Code
INSIGHT-EU
Overview
Tour the Nobel Peace Prize banquet halls in Stockholm and ascend almost 1000-metres above sea level on the famous Flam railway, en route to Bergen. This 15-day tour of Scandinavia’s glassy fjords and sky-scraping mountains is a tonic for the soul as you journey from Sweden’s scenic farmlands to cosmopolitan Stockholm. Enjoy Uppsala sightseeing and meet Hans Odoo—a passionate local storyteller who’ll regale you with tales of Sweden’s first botanical garden, before you’re whisked away to a farm to table Falun dinner with fresh, locally-sourced produce. In Norway, set sail through the deep glassy waters of the Geirangerfjord, surrounding by towering ice capped mountains and lush green forests.
Included/Excluded
Day 1 : Welcome to Copenhagen (Dinner with Wine)
- Greetings to you, Copenhagen! Spend your afternoon at leisure to relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for drinks and a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner.
- In the evening visit the glittering lights and enchanting atmosphere of the world-famous Tivoli Gardens.
Arrival Transfer: Depart the airport at 09:00, 12:00, 15:00
Day 2: Wonderful Copenhagen (Breakfast)
- A Local Expert will reveal the charm of Denmark’s capital.
- Meet Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid gazing wistfully across the harbour and see Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Government.
- Continue to Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Palace, the Renaissance Stock Exchange and Copenhagen Cathedral, where the Crown Prince of Denmark married Princess Mary.
- View the unusual Rundertaarn and enjoy an afternoon at your leisure, relaxing or exploring at your pace.
Day 3: On to Gothenburg (Breakfast)
- Continue along Sweden’s west coast to the cosmopolitan port city of Gothenburg.
- On arrival, explore with your Local Expert and learn about the region’s culture and nautical history.
- Perhaps choose to delve into the heritage of Volvo – one of Sweden’s most recognisable exports.
- The evening is at your leisure.
- Take a stroll along the leafy boulevards and enjoy dinner in one of the city’s many restaurants.
Day 4: Scenic farmlands of Sweden (Breakfast)
- Enjoy views of the patchwork of fertile farmlands, as you journey along the shores of Lake Vättern to the Swedish capital.
- Stop at Grännaberget café for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience of Swedish Fika of coffee and freshly baked pastries.
- This experience advances SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, promoting the regional heritage of the local area and preservation of traditional Swedish houses.
Day 5: Stockholm, City of Islands (Breakfast)
- See the charms of Sweden’s capital with your Local Expert.
- Wander the medieval streets of Gamla Stan and see the 13th-century cathedral.
- Visit the imposing City Hall to see its fabulous Gyllene salen, the Golden Hall, with its walls covered in 18 million gilded mosaic tiles, and the Blå hallen, the Blue Hall, where the Nobel Prize banquets are held.
- There’s free time in the afternoon for you to explore at your own pace.
Day 6: Sigtuna, Uppsala and Falun (Breakfast/Dinner)
- Travel to the historic city of Uppsala, seat of Scandinavia’s oldest university.
- Meet Hans Odoo, a passionate local storyteller, who will share the fascinating history of the Carl Linneaus Garden on a guided tour.
- You’ll learn about Sweden’s rst botanical garden and its 1300 species of ora and fauna.
- Continue to the historic city of Uppsala, seat of Scandinavia’s oldest university.
- Travel to Falun, an old historic mining town.
- In the evening, enjoy a delightful meal at a local restaurant, prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
Day 7: Lillehammer (Breakfast/Dinner)
- With your Travel Director see the Falun Copper Mine and the Great Pit, a vast crater created by an enormous mine collapse in 1687.
- Later on in the morning travel along the shores of Lake Siljan to Mora, the home of Sweden’s infamous 17th-century witch trials
- Continue deep into the forested heart of the country to reach Sälen, the starting point for the world’s oldest and longest cross-country ski race, Vasaloppet.
- This 90 kilometre race across the snow has been challenging skiers since 1922.
- Later cross the border into Norway and pass Hamar with its Olympic ice skating rink which resembles an upturned Viking ship.
- Journey along the shores of Mjøsa, Norway’s largest lake, to arrive at Lillehammer, home of the 1994 Winter Olympics.
Day 8: Geiranger, Jewel of the Fjords (Breakfast/Dinner)
- Journey northwest from Lillehammer, travelling through the countryside of Peer Gynt, immortalised by Ibsen. At Lom, visit the Norwegian stave church dating back to 1158.
- Continue along winding roads that pass waterfalls, rivers, ice fields, lakes and snow-capped peaks.
- For the next two nights you will stay in the scenic village of Geiranger, overlooking fjords and soaring mountains.
Day 9: Geiranger at Leisure (Breakfast/Dinner)
- Enjoy a relaxed start and a day reserved for your leisure amongst the most breathtaking scenery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Perhaps join an Optional Experience for an incredible scenic drive along the amazing Troll’s Road?
- The road itself was a masterpiece of engineering when it was built over 70 years ago and the spectacular views will leave you speechless.
Day 10: Fjærland and Fjordland (Breakfast/Dinner)
- After a relaxed morning, take a scenic cruise along the Geirangerfjord.
- Your travels continue to the Bøya Glacier for a photo-stop. Explore Fjærland with Insight Choice.
- Choose to visit the interactive Norwegian Glacier Museum at the foot of the Jostedal Glacier, the largest icecap in continental Europe.
- Alternatively, take a walk through the village of Fjærland with a Local Expert and hear about life between the fjord and the glacier.
- Then enjoy a scenic drive onto your historic fjord hotel in Leikanger.
- Delight in a dinner of fresh and locally sourced produce.
Day 11: The Flåm Railway to Bergen (Breakfast)
- Cross the serene waters of magnificent Sognefjord, the longest fjord in Norway.
- Then embark on a spectacularly scenic journey aboard the Flåm Railway, ascending from sea level to 914 metres.
- On the Hardangerfjord hear how eight generations of a family-run farm have worked on the land, producing fruit, berries and various jams, jellies, traditional spreads, cake and other delicious treats
- Sample their fresh apple juice and homemade cider.
- Travel on to your hotel in the historic port of Bergen.
Day 12: The Hanseatic port of Bergen (Breakfast)
- A Local Expert introduces you to Bergen.
- The ancient Hanseatic port city still largely looks to the sea for its living, as evidenced by the picturesque and lively Fish Market, set in a charming location in the heart of the city.
- The market also has stalls selling a colourful variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, handicrafts and souvenirs.
- After seeing the 13th century Haakon’s Hall, there will be time to explore all that this exciting town has to offer.
- Perhaps you might like to visit the home of composer Edvard Grieg, before ascending Mount Fløyen by the only funicular in Scandinavia.
Day 13: Mountains and Fjords to Oslo (Breakfast)
- Travel along scenic and varied landscapes to Oslo, drive past some of Norway’s most picturesque ski-resorts.
- Leaving the seaside town of Bergen, your journey continues climbing up to elevations of 1200m (3930ft) offering moon like scenery and passing some of Norway’s ski resorts on the Hardanger Plateau.
- After returning to lower areas you’ll be driving among dense forests before reaching the capital city of Oslo.
Day 14: Cosmopolitan Oslo (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- With your Local Expert, see the Royal Palace and the spires and ramparts of Akershus Castle, the 14th century fortress guarding the harbour.
- At Frogner Park, view the intriguing Vigeland sculptures.
- Exploe the area around the Opera House and see the strikingly modern architecture of the Bjorvika neighbourhood.
- In the evening, round off your Scandinavian adventure with a Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant.
- Over a glass of wine, toast to your travels with your newfound friends.
Day 15: Out of Oslo (Breakfast)
- Your Scandinavian exploration has come to an end.
Departure Transfer: Arrive at the airport at 07:15, 10:15
- Day 1 – Day 2: Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel
- Day 3: Elite Park Avenue Hotel
- Day 4 – Day 5: Hilton Stockholm Slussen
- Day 6: First Grand Hotel Falun
- Day 7: Scandic Lillehammer Hotel
- Day 8 – Day 9: Hotel Union Geiranger
- Day 10: Leikanger Fjord Hotel
- Day 11 – Day 12: Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz
- Day 13 – Day 14: Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Oslo