Experience the cities, culture, and unspoiled landscapes of Scandinavia on this remarkable vacation. Begin with two overnights in Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen. Stop in Odense, Hans Christian Andersen’s home, and continue through the Jutland peninsula to reach Frederikshavn. From here, cross the Kattegat Channel by ferry to Gothenburg, Sweden, and continue by motorcoach into Norway for an overnight in Oslo. Included sightseeing of Norway’s capital features the National Theater, Parliament, Gustav Vigeland’s sculpture park, and more. On to the scenic Telemark region. A spectacular journey delivers you to the Vemork Museum, a tribute to recent history’s heroes. The views become more and more stunning as you cross the Hardangerfjord by ferry to arrive in Bergen, home of composer Grieg. After two overnights in this fascinating city, enjoy a cruise on the amazing Sognefjord, where the mountains meet the sea. Next up: Fagernes, Lillehammer of Olympics fame, and through fairytale landscapes to Karlstad. Stop at Gripsholm Castle before reaching Stockholm, the Swedish capital set on 14 islands with canals, palaces, and parks. Guided sightseeing shows off the highlights—the perfect ending to this exciting trip.
Highlights:
Scenic Highlights: Jutland Peninsula, Hardanger Plateau, Søgne and Hardangerfjord, Värmland, Lake Mjøsa
Itinerary:
Day #1 Copenhagen, Denmark. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the Danish capital. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)
Day #2 Copenhagen. Day at leisure in the capital of the oldest kingdom in the world. Besides many interesting landmarks and architechtural masterpieces, see some of the more famous sights on your included orientation drive. An optional tour of Zealand’s castles is also available. (B)
Day #3 Copenhagen–Odense–Frederikshavn. After breakfast, start the journey northwards, enjoying the drive across the Great Belt Bridge, which will connect you to the fairytale island of Funen. Via Odense, Hans Christian Andersen’s home town, and the Little Belt waterway, head for Frederikshavn on the rural Jutland Peninsula for an overnight. (B,D)
Day #4 Frederikshavn–Gothenburg, Norway–Oslo. A pleasant ferry ride from Frederikshavn across the strategic Kattegat to Gothenburg, Sweden’s thriving second-largest city and one of Europe’s major seaports. After an orientation drive, follow the inland route and cross into Norway. Evening arrival in Oslo. (B)
Day #5 Oslo–Telemark Area. Gustav Vigeland's sculptures are among the highlights of the included morning tour, also featuring the soaring City Hall, National Theater, Broadcasting House, Parliament, and Akershus Castle. In the afternoon, drive through the Telemark region to your overnight hotel. (B,D)
Day #6 Telemark Area–Vemork–Bergen. Take the scenic route this morning for a visit to Vemork, where the heavy water plant was blown up by a commando unit of British and Norwegians known as the Heroes of Telemark. Visit the Vemork Museum, then proceed through the Telemark region with its lakes, winding valleys, and rugged gorges backed by towering mountains. Ferry across the Hardangerfjord from Utne to Kvanndal. Continue to Bergen, Norway’s picture-perfect Hanseatic seaport. En route, a picture stop at Steindalfossen Waterfall. (B)
Day #7 Bergen. Built on seven hills with the fjords on one side and 1,000-foot Mount Fløyen on the other, Bergen was the home of composer Grieg. The optional sightseeing excursion takes in the main sights, including the Hanseatic Museum, one of the landmarks of Bergen's bayside area, and also a panoramic view of the city from one of the surrounding hills. (B)
Day #8 Bergen–Sognefjord Cruise–Fagernes. More spectacular scenery as you drive towards the Sognefjord, where you embark for a breathtaking cruise on one of Norway’s most mighty fjords. Today may well be the highlight of your journey. Overnight in Fagernes. (B,D)
Day #9 Fagernes–Lillehammer–Karlstad, Sweden. First to Lillehammer, host of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Then, a scenic drive along beautiful Lake Mjøsa and continue towards Sweden, through Värmland’s unspoiled wilderness of forest and lakes to Karlstad, located by Sweden's largest lake, Lake Vänern. (B)
Day #10 Karlstad–Mariefred–Stockholm. Leave Karlstad this morning and head east towards Stockholm via Alfred Nobel’s Bofors to Mariefred, an idyllic little town, where we view the majestic Gripsholm Castle, built in an enchanting rural setting. On to the Swedish capital. Its beauty is due to its unique setting on 14 islands between Lake Mäleren and the Baltic Sea. (B)
Day #11 Stockholm. This is perhaps the most beautiful of the Scandinavian capitals, because the crystalline waters that flow through its intersecting canals give a luminous appearance to palaces, castles, and parks. Your included city sightseeing takes in all the highlights. (B,D)
Day #12 Stockholm. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Hotels:
COPENHAGEN Quality Dan (F) at Kastrup
FREDERIKSHAVN Jutlandia (F)
OSLO Comfort Boersparken (ST)
TELEMARK AREA Quality (F) at Kongsberg
BERGEN Scandic Bergen City (F) or Terminus (F)
FAGERNES Quality Hotel & Resort (F)
KARLSTAD Scandic (F)
STOCKHOLM Best Western Sthlm (F) at Bromma