DENMARK,  NORWAY, SWEDEN, FINLAND

SCANDINAVIAN TREASURES

Welcome to the land of magnificent fjords, Vikings, and rigid national character. Scandinavia tours are really amazing. Maybe, even more, amazing than you think. Take a ride on the world’s most scenic railway, have an impromptu photo session while sailing past magnificent fjords, savor a wide range of locally brewed beers, and enjoy evening walks along the cozy streets of tranquil Scandinavian towns. Your tour of Scandinavia promises a lifetime of memories!

DAY 1 –  ARRIVAL TO COPENHAGEN 

(arrival by early morning flight)

Discover Copenhagen during a 2 hours sightseeing tour with a guide. Sights of interest are the Christiansborg Palace, the Royal Theatre, the City Hall, the Royal Palace Amalienborg, the old harbor of Nyhavn, the Little Mermaid, the Gefion Fountain, and the Rosenborg castle (no entrances )

At 1 pm we board the DFDS SeaWays ship for an overnight cruise from Oslo, accommodation in outside cabins to enjoy magnificent views during your cruise.  Scandinavian dinner buffet

DAY 2-  OSLO – LILLEHAMMER

Breakfast buffet on board and arrive in Oslo at 9:15

Explore Oslo on a 3 hours city sightseeing tour with a local guide. Panoramic views of Opera house, Karl Johans gate – Oslo’s main street, Old town Christiania, Akershus Castle and Fortress, and the Royal Palace.   Picturesque ride through some of Oslo’s prettiest neighborhoods to Vigeland Park with its more than 200 sculptures. The tour contents also a visit to the Viking Ship Museum, as well as the Fram Museum with the Polar Ship Fram, the strongest wooden ship ever built and still holds the records for sailing farthest north and farthest south. Continue by coach to the Olympic town of Lillehammer. The charming and historically important buildings in the city of Lillehammer serve as the backdrop for a modern and vibrant shopping environment. We visit Maihaugen – Norway’s largest open-air museum. The museum offers more than 200 buildings from different eras and invites you to safe and exciting museum experiences.  Hotel check-in, dinner. 

DAY 3 – LILLEHAMMER– MOLDE

After breakfast, drive north through the Gudbrandsdal valley, rich in culture and traditions, then further on to Dombås and along the Romsdal valley, with views of the impressive Troll Wall and majestic mountain peaks. Arrive in Molde, strategically located close to the Norwegian Scenic Routes Geiranger- Trollstigen and Atlanterhavsvegen. The “Town of Roses” also has various educational facilities as well as offering many cultural activities, including an international literature festival and the famous annual Molde International Jazz Festival. Hotel check-in, dinner.

DAY 4 : MOLDE – GEIRANGER – LOEN

After breakfast, we proceed to the Trollstigen route, then drive down the Eagles road.

Enjoy a cruise on the Geirangerfjord, one of the narrowest fjords in Norway.  Discover romantic mountain farms and snow-capped mountain peaks. The  Geirangerfjord is one of the most famous fjords, with deep blue water, surrounded by green valleys. You will also experience magnificent waterfalls such as the “Seven Sisters” and the “Bridal Veil”.  After the cruise, drive up to Geiranger Sky Walk. Enjoy the view over the UNESCO world heritage site Geiranger and its surrounding areas from 1500 meters above sea level.

Continue by coach to Loen, a small town in the region of Nordfjord. Nordfjord’s cultural heritage, with its longstanding folk music and arts and crafts traditions, is well preserved. Hotel check-in, dinner.

DAY 5 – LOEN – BALESTRAND

After breakfast, take the Loen Skylift cable car to experience the view of the area from 1011 meters above sea level. The cable car is among the steepest of its kind in the world.  Drive to Balestrand, beautifully situated by the Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, with its famous arm the Nærøyfjord – classified on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The surrounding mountain areas are amongst Norway’s most popular hiking areas. The mild climate, fresh air, and abundance of lush mountain pastures mean that the Sognefjord area produces fresh ingredients of high quality. Kviknes Hotel check-in, dinner.

DAY 6 – FLÅM –BERGEN

After breakfast, board a ferry for a crossing through steep mountains on the beautiful Sognefjord from Balestrand to Flåm. The Sognefjord is the longest fjord in Norway and is 1300 meters at its deepest.  Continue by coach to Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city, known as the capital of the west and gateway to the fjords. It is a UNESCO world heritage city with Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf, mount Fløien and the fish market as central attractions. A stroll through Bryggen takes you back to the middle ages as a lot of the architecture is preserved. We also recommend a visit to Edward Grieg’s villa, Troldhaugen (leisure option).  In the evening, you’ll go on a ride on the Bergen Funicular to the top of mount Fløien. Enjoy great views over the fjords and mountains surrounding the city of Bergen. Enjoy a 3-course dinner included coffee at Fløien Folkerestaurant. Travel with the funicular back down to Bergen.  Hotel check-in. 

DAY 7 – BERGEN

After breakfast, 2 hours of city sightseeing in Bergen with a local guide. Bergen is a UNESCO world heritage city with Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf, mount Fløien and the fish & flower market as central attractions.  Travel by coach along the romantic Hardangerfjord to Lofthus.  Lofthus is a small village in the region of Hardanger, a region with a living cultural heritage. The Hardanger fiddle, the traditional Hardanger folk costume, and Hardanger embroidery are all well known in Norway and regarded as national symbols. During the 13th century growing apples was introduced in Hardanger by monks from England. Today 40% of all Norwegian fruit is grown in the Hardangerfjord region.  Dinner.

DAY 8 :  EIDFJORD –  Vøringsfossen – GEILO – OSLO

After breakfast, relaxing morning in beautiful surroundings, travel to Eidfjord where you can see the splendid Vøringsfoss Waterfall, which has a free fall of 145 meters and a total fall of 182 meters and is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Norway.  Possibility to visit Hardangervidda Nature Centre in Eidfjord, which is an exciting experience center for Norwegian nature, climate, and environment (entrance not included) and DALE nordstrik – factory producing traditional Norwegian sweaters. Continue to Geilo. Here you are close to two national parks; Hallingskarvet national park and Hardangervidda national park. Hotel check-in, dinner.

DAY 9 –   OSLO –  STOCKHOLM

After breakfast, we cross from Norway into Sweden today and continue via Karlstad on Lake Vänern, the largest lake in the European Union. Enjoy landscapes with forests and lakes Passing Örebro with the visit to a castle and charming historic center. Continuing to the capital of Sweden – Stockholm.

Hotel check-in, dinner.

DAY 10 – STOCKHOLM, CRUISE TO FINLAND

After breakfast, today we make a panoramic tour of this very beautiful capital city built on 14 islands joined together. We will see the Gamla Stand or the “City Between the Bridges”, the old quarter of the city, full of life where there are many monumental buildings such as the Nobel Museum, alongside the main square of Stortorget, which pays tribute to the winners of the Nobel Prizes, the Cathedral and the Royal Palace with amazing guards.  Whenever possible, we will enjoy a pretty view from the Fjällgatan viewpoint.  Visit the City Hall and to the Vasa museum-ship, the highlights of the town.

In the evening, at 7 pm we will board a modern VIKING line ferry traveling overnight to Finland, where accommodation will be in double cabins with private bathrooms. Dinner

DAY 11 –  TURKU – HELSINKI

Forest and lakes pleasant landscape is waiting for you. As we arrive in Finland, we recommend that you go to the ship’s deck for sunrise, enjoy mesmerizing landscapes from the sea as we sail along with Aland Islands, hundreds of islands covered by forests. Breakfast on the ferry, disembarking. We continue our journey to the neighboring city of NAANTALI, a very picturesque town with wooden houses next to the sea. We arrive in HELSINKI, reaching lunchtime. In the afternoon enjoy the guided city tour to explore the city, with its old market, Sibelius monument, buildings with Russian influence, Uspensi cathedral, churches, and a boat trip to Suomenlinna Islands, a group of islands where we can witness a great fortress that used to protect the sea entry to the city, it has been declared World Heritage. Take time to walk around, it is possible to cross the islands through small pedestrian bridges. Hotel check-in, dinner. 

DAY 12 – HELSINKI DEPARTURE

After breakfast, departure home according to  your flight schedule