This Scandinavian getaway offers sparkling lakes, spectacular fjords, and more. From Copenhagen, travel to Arhus, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Karlstad, Lillehammer, Flam, Bergen, Geilo, and Oslo. All special Globus features are included, like Tivoli Gardens (open mid-April. to mid-September), Hans Christian Andersen’s home, and Den Gamle By in Denmark; Stockholm’s City Hall and a visit to Gripsholm Castle in Sweden; Lillehammer’s Maihaugen Open-Air Museum (from end-May onwards) and Frogner Park in Oslo, Norway, and more. You’ll get the chance to try out a local Swedish treat, Polkagris candy, and an apple cider tasting at a Norwegian farm has been included as well. This vacation also offers a great variety of transportation, including cruising from Denmark to Sweden and a beautiful cruise on the Sognefjord. A farewell dinner in Oslo celebrates the success of your Scandinavian vacation.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark. Welcome to Copenhagen! At 6 pm, meet your traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day #2 Copenhagen. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Church of Our Savior and the Stock Exchange on the way to Christiansborg Palace, where you visit the elegant ROYAL RECEPTION ROOMS. Drive past the National Museum and the Royal Theater, and stop for pictures of Amalienborg Palace and at the LITTLE MERMAID statue. A beautiful optional excursion is available to the North Zealand castles and countryside. Tonight, visit TIVOLI GARDENS, the city’s colorful amusement park. (B)
Day #3 Copenhagen–Arhus. Drive across one of the world’s largest suspension bridges, constructed off-shore to the fairytale island of Funen. Visit HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN’S HOME at Odense, then cross the Little Belt waterway to Jutland. Arrive in Arhus and visit DEN GAMLE BY, a fascinating collection of completely furnished old Danish town houses. (B,D)
Day #4 Arhus–Gothenburg, Sweden. From the naval town of Frederikshavn, cross beautiful Kattegat by FERRY to Sweden’s largest port city, Gothenburg. See its landmarks during an orientation drive and enjoy time on your own in this charming city. Taste the popular [LF] Polkagris candy, a traditional Swedish treat. (B,D)
Day #5 Gothenburg–Stockholm. Drive through the “breadbasket” of the country, miles of fertile farmland strewn with tidy farms, followed by industrial towns like Huskvarna and Norköping, a major Baltic seaport. Afternoon arrival in Stockholm, scene of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium. (B)
Day #6 Stockholm. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Royal Palace, Riddarholm Church, and the blue and gold chambers in the CITY HALL, where the annual Nobel Prize banquet is held. Choose from our exciting optional excursions to make the most of your stay. (B)
Day #7 Stockholm–Karlstad. Still on the shores of Lake Mälar, visit [LF] King Gustav Vasa’s GRIPSHOLM CASTLE before continuing west through the scenic Lake District. On the way, get glimpses of the ancient garrison town of Örebro and Bofors, site of Alfred Nobel’s ammunition factory. Overnight in pretty Karlstad on Lake Vänern. (B,D)
Day #8 Karlstad–Lillehammer, Norway. A scenic day! Drive through Värmland, the area so beautifully described in Selma Lagerlöf’s Saga of Gösta Berling, to the Norwegian border. Pass strategic Elverum, rebuilt after total destruction during World War II. On via Lake Mjøsa to Lillehammer. Enjoy a guided visit of the fascinating MAIHAUGEN OPEN-AIR MUSEUM. (B,D)
Day #9 Lillehammer–Flam. Majestic mountains, dark pine forests, sparkling lakes, and silvery trout streams all the way on your leisurely journey through Valdres and the Fillefjell area. Before arriving in Flam, stop for pictures at Borgund’s stave church, famous for its beautiful exterior. (B,D)
Day #10 Flam–Bergen. Embark at Flam for a leisurely CRUISE on the spectacular Sognefjord and Nærøyfjord. Land at Gudvangen and drive to Stalheim for a dazzling panoramic view over Nærøydal Canyon. Early afternoon arrival in picturesque Bergen, the most characteristic of all Scandinavian towns. On your orientation tour you will hear about its 11th-century origins and its association with the Hanseatic League. Visit the colorful fish market, stroll through the narrow lanes of ancient Bryggen, or ride the funicular up to Mount Fløyen. (B)
Day #11 Bergen–Geilo. Hear about fruit farming and how cider is made at the Steinstø farm and [LF] enjoy an APPLE CIDER TASTING. Then, cross Hardangerfjord by FERRY before climbing up to Vøringfoss, Norway’s most celebrated and mightiest waterfall. Continue across the Hardangervidda mountain plateau to the ski resort of Geilo. (B,D)
Day #12 Geilo–Torpo–Oslo. In Torpo, admire a STAVE CHURCH, symbol of Norwegian heritage. Continue along the scenic road between the Steinsfjord and the ice-blue Tyrifjord and arrive in Oslo. (B)
Day #13 Oslo. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the National Theater, Parliament, and the Royal Palace. Highlight visits: FROGNER PARK with Gustav Vigeland’s famous stark sculptures and the ornate CITY HALL. The afternoon is free, with a chance to join an optional excursion to the relics of a glorious seafaring past. Tonight, a farewell dinner to celebrate the success of your vacation awaits you at your hotel. (B,D)
Day #14 Oslo. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Hotels:
COPENHAGEN Radisson Blu Scandinavia (SF)
ARHUS Scandic Arhus City (SF)
GOTHENBURG Scandic Europa (F) or Radisson Blue Riverside (F)
STOCKHOLM Radisson Blu Waterfront (SF)
KARLSTAD Clarion Collection Bilan (F)
LILLEHAMMER Radisson Blu (F)
FLAM Fretheim (F)
BERGEN First Marin (F)
GEILO Dr. Holms (F)
OSLO Clarion Royal Christiania (F)