Day 1 Arrive Helsinki

Arrive in Helsinki any time this day as no activities are planned. Make your own way to the starting point hotel. Your tour leader will meet you in the lobby of the hotel at 18:00 for a pre tour briefing.

Helsinki, the capital of Finland was founded in 1550 by the Swedish king. In 1917, Finland gained its independence and Helsinki became the capital of the new Republic. Helsinki is a vibrant, cultural and modern city. The city is highly characterized by the presence of water.

We have included a Helsinki Card valid for 48 hours. The simple way to discover Helsinki is with a city card. The Helsinki card offers you the chance to visit the most important and interesting sights within the city. The Helsinki card offers you entrance to almost 50 museums and limited use of public transportation.

Accommodation

Hotel Fabien or similar centrally located in Helsinki

Meals Included

none

Day 2 Explore Helsinki

The day is free to explore Helsinki with your tour leader. We have planned a walking tour of the city, which is known for its great mixture of neo-classical buildings, orthodox style churches and chique bars and restaurant scene. You have the opportunity to visit the Senate Square, Uspenskij Cathedral, Parliament House, New Opera House, Sibelius Park & Monument and the Underground Temple.

Accommodation

Hotel Fabien or similar centrally located in Helsinki

Meals Included

Breakfasts1

Day 3 Helsinki, overnight ferry to Stockholm

The morning and early afternoon is free in Helsinki before boarding the overnight voyage to Stockholm through the magnificent Baltic Sea archipelago.

In the afternoon the overnight ferry across the Baltic Sea to Stockholm, Sweden departs. On board you can enjoy a buffet dinner and there is a choice of entertainment, shops, casino and bars.

Accommodation

Accommodation in 2-berth outside cabins (seaside) with shower/WC.

Meals Included

Breakfasts1

Day 4 & 5 Enjoy the charms of Stockholm

Arrive in Stockholm in the morning of day 4. Stockholm is built on 14 islands all part of an archipelago. Sweden’s Capital is charming, vibrant and surrounded by beauty and water - hence its nickname, Venice of the North! The city has a lot of charm, history and tradition! Stockholm offers interesting museums and castles; the city offers a warm atmosphere – and the old town, charming small alley ways boasting several famous restaurants.

The days are free to enjoy Stockholm, and you can spend it joining your tour leader for a stroll through the Swedish capital, and a city tour of Stockholm visiting the Royal Palace, the Parliament Buildings, the island of Djurgården and the Old Town (Gamla Stan), with its narrow cobbled streets and numerous antique shops.

We have included a Stockholm Card valid for 48 hours. The Stockholm Card gives you have free entrance to many of the cities museums and ‘free’ public transport.

Accommodation

First Hotel Reisen or similar on the old part of town (Gamla Stan)

Meals Included

Breakfasts2

Day 6 Train via Malmö to Copenhagen

After a leisurely morning in Stockholm we catch the mid morning fast train through the countryside southwest via Malmö to Copenhagen where we arrive in the evening.

We take taxis to our hotel and check in. Our hotel is located centrally in Copenhagen and we have time to go out for a dinner.

Accommodation

The Square Hotel or similar located in the city centre.

Meals Included

Breakfasts1

Day 7 Copenhagen with an ancient charm.

København (Copenhagen) in Danish means trading port. Copenhagen is often classified as one of the best cities in the world, for the quality of life and the cities cleanliness'. The city has a long history, and many delightful attractions and sights – you will never miss something to see or to do. Copenhagen is a modern city that has been able to preserve its ancient charm. The city is small and cosy, an ideal way to explore the city is by foot.

We have included a Copenhagen Card valid for 48 hours. The Copenhagen Card will allow you to free travel on the busses and trains within the cities metropolis, as well as free entrance to over 70 museums and attractions. Your guide will take you around the city to see the most important sights.

Accommodation

The Square Hotel or similar located in the city centre.

Meals Included

Breakfasts1

Day 8 Copenhagen, overnight ferry to Oslo

We have another full day to enjoy Copenhagen. We can recommend you spend the morning travelling 2 hours north to visit Louisiana, the Museum of Modern Art. This is a wonderful morning out to the seaside abd brings you back to Copenhagen well in time for our overnight journey by ferry to Oslo.

Accommodation

Accommodation in 2-berth outside cabins (seaside) with shower/WC.

Meals Included

Breakfasts1

Day 9 & 10 Oslo

We arrive Oslo in the morning and travel to our hotel located in a tranquil area close to the Vigeland Statue Park.

Oslo has been Norway’s capital from more than 700 years. The history of Oslo dates back to the middle ages, and the first constructions date back to the year 1000. Oslo is located at the end of the Oslo fjord, and the city is surrounded by forest.

We have included an Oslo Card valid for 48 hours. The easiest way to appreciate Oslo is by the Oslo card – with the card you can benefit with free entrance to the museums and enjoy free public transportation and so much more.

This morning our leader will take you visiting some of the Oslo highlights, including the Viking Ship, Kontiki & Fram museums, the Vigeland Sculpture Park and the Holmenkollen Ski Jump and Museum. A walk around the centre of town to view the Parliament, the Castle and the Harbour area is well worth it. We also have time to admire the view from the top of the new Oslo Opera designed by famous Norwegian architects ‘Snøhetta’, who also designed the beautiful Library in Alexandria (Egypt).

Accommodation

Rica Hotel Bygdo Alle or similar located near the city centre.

Meals Included

Breakfasts2

Day 11 Norway in a Nutshell

After breakfast we depart by train towards Bergen. Today you will experience Norway’s most popular short trip; Norway in a Nutshell. The excursion takes you through some of the most beautiful scenery in Norway's fjord region. The Flåm Railway will take you through wild and beautiful mountain scenery with waterfalls and steep mountain sides reaching a height of 900 metres and down to the Sognefjord. There is no other adhesion railway in the world running on normal tracks that are so steep over a long distance.

From Flåm you continue by boat on the Nærøyfjord, Europe’s narrowest fjord, to Gudvangen. From here you go by coach up the steep and spectacular hairpin bends of Stalheimskleiva, before arriving in Voss where you will board a train for the last stretch of the journey to Bergen. Your arrival in Bergen is in the evening.

Accommodation

Grand Hotel Terminus or similar located in the city centre.

Meals Included

Breakfasts1

Day 12 Bergen

Breakfast at the hotel and enjoy a day to explore Bergen, the capital of the fjords. Bergen offers many attractions and sights - many within walking distance. Recommended sights of interests are the Hanseatic harbour Bryggen, Fløibanen Funicular, Troldhaugen, the Fish and Flower market, Bergen Aquarium and Gamle Bergen (Old Bergen Open Air Museum).

We have included a Bergen card – Valid for 48 hours. The Bergen Card gives you free entrance to the cities museums, free public transportation, free parking and so much more.

Accommodation

Grand Hotel Terminus or similar located in the city centre.

Meals Included

Breakfasts1

Day 13 Express boat along Norwegian Coast

This morning we will catch the early morning express boat from Bergen north along the Norwegian coast to the township of Måløy. This is a great way to see the Norwegian coast with the many islands and the backdrop of the Norwegian mountains.

On arrival in Måløy we disembark and are picked up by our private minibus for the journey to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Geiranger. After check in at our hotel we go for a stroll in the township of Geiranger to make ourselves acquainted.

Accommodation

Hotel Union or similar located in the village centre.

Meals Included

Breakfasts1

Day 14 Geiranger – a day at the fjord

We have a full day at our disposal in Geiranger and there are numerous optional activities and excursions to choose from. Rent a kayak and paddle across the Geiranger fjord to climb up to one of the deserted mountain farms found high up on the steep hillside. You can also take a more leisurely boat trip on the fjord or go for walk up the hills for some beautiful views of this picture postcard area of Norway.

Accommodation

Hotel Union or similar located in the village centre.

Meals Included

Breakfasts1

Day 15 & 16 Cruise to Ålesund

We travel by Norwegian Postal boat to Ålesund. Leaving Geiranger after lunch, the cruise will take just over 4 hours. Waterfalls cascade down into the fjord, high mountain huts to marvel at and spectacular scenery will make for an amazing day.

The city of Ålesund is known for its architecture in Art Nouveau style, its surrounding fjords and the high peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps. It is the perfect stop on our way north. There will be opportunities to walk and visit the surrounding area.

Accommodation

Hotel Scandinavie or similar located in the city centre.

Meals Included

Breakfasts2

Day 17 The Atlantic Road & Trondheim

The Atlantic Road zigzags across low bridges that jut out over the sea, linking the islands between Molde and Kristiansund in the western fjords. The Hustadvika is an infamous stretch of ocean and when in storm it is truly dramatic. In calmer weather you might spot whales and seals.

Chosen as "Norway's construction of the century", the road links together small coastal communities. From the town of Kristiansund, the Atlantic Road is only a 30-minute drive through the Atlantic Ocean Tunnel. After passing the tunnel you cross the island of Averøy with Kvernes Stave Church, the very scenic west side of the island, and the incredible coastline out towards Hustadvika.

In the evening we arrive Trondheim - a lively and historical university town, and home to the famous Nidarosdomen Cathedral.

Accommodation

Hotel Britannia or similar located in the city centre.

Meals Included

Breakfasts1

Day 18 Trondheim, and overnight train to Bodø

We have a full day to explore the city of Trondheim, and we will certainly include a visit to Nidarosdomen. The cathedral is the national sanctuary of Norway, built over the grave of St. Olav. We also visit the Archbishop's Palace in Trondheim - one of the best preserved building complexes of its kind in Europe. It is the oldest secular building in Scandinavia.

In the late evening we board our overnight train along the province of Nordland to Bodø above the Arctic Circle.

Accommodation

Overnight train in 2 or 4 bed compartments.

Meals Included

Breakfasts1

Day 19 The Nordland Coast, arrive in Lofoten

On arrival in Bodø in the morning we transfer directly to the ferry taking us across the Vestfjord to Svolvær in the Lofoten archipelago. These islands are renowned for their small, picturesque fishing villages with their bohemian atmosphere surrounded by majestic granite cliffs and white sandy beaches.

Upon arrival in Svolvær we are transferred to the picturesque town for check in at Svinøya Rorbuer (Fisherman’s Cottages) for a 3 night stay.

Accommodation

Svinøya Rorbuer (Fisherman’s Cottages) – quad share in 2 bedroom (4 bed) cabins. All of the 30 original or newly built rorbu cabins maintain high standard. Each cabin has from one to three double bedrooms, a well-equipped kitchenette in conjunction with the living room, and a modern bathroom with shower and toilet. All the cabins are winter insulated. Considerable emphasis has been placed on maintaining the authenticity of the rorbu cabins. Time-honoured craftsmanship and timber have been preserved in order to provide a feeling of what a rorbu cabin was like in the days when the fishermen harvested the seas of Lofoten on boats with only oars and sails.

Meals Included

none

Day 20 & 21 The Lofoten Archipelago

Enjoy two full days in the stunningly beautiful Lofoten archipelago. The Lofoten Islands offer some of the most breath-taking scenery in the country with towering, pointed mountain peaks rising majestically from the sea to a height of almost 1000 meters. Many of the island interiors are swathed in emerald greens, and the shorelines are fringed with white sandy beaches.

On purpose, and because everyone has different tastes, we have not packed your stay in Lofoten full of pre-arranged activities. The reason being there is simply so much to see and do while in Lofoten and it should be your choice to pick your activities. Our recommended excursions are; • Cruise along the scenic Trollfjord on the MF Gamle Lofotferga (subject to availability)
• Visit to the impressive Lofotr Viking Museum
• Kayaks provide a fantastic opportunity to explore all of Lofotens small and large islands, islets and reefs
• Join an Ocean rafting trip in a rib boat
• Rent a bicycle and cycle to remote fishing villages
• Join a wildlife safari and spot a Sea Eagle or a Puffin
• Join a traditional fishing boat and try your luck
• Just laze around your Rorbu and enjoy the exotic smell of dried cod
• And there is more, but the list would be too long

Accommodation

Svinøya Rorbuer (Fisherman’s Cottages)

Meals Included

Breakfasts2

Day 22 & 23 Boat along the coast toTromsø

In the morning take the local bus to Harstad (4 hours) to catch the express boat to Tromsø (3 hours). The boat travels in between islands along the Norwegian coast and is a great way to get to Tromsø quickly while admiring the spectacular coastline.

Upon arrival in Tromsø check in at Rica Ishavshotel in the centre for the city. Thereafter, enjoy a 2 hour Arctic City Walk with your leader including a visit to the Polar Museum.

The next day is a full free day in Tromsø, often called the Paris of the north. Tromsø is the main town in northern Norway and home to the Polar Institute, which is Norway’s national institution for polar research. The Polar Museum, also located in Tromsø, is well worth a visit. Another great morning activity is taking the cable car up the mountains above Tromsø and go for either a long walk or short walk to enjoy the views.

Tromsø is a charming and intimate old town with the largest number of wooden houses in Norway - the oldest one from 1789. The landmark of Tromsø is the Arctic Cathedral (Ishavskatedralen), which stands tall and proud on the mainland at the bridgehead going out to the island on which Tromsø is situated.

Accommodation

Rica Grand Hotel or similar in the city centre

Meals Included

Breakfasts2

Day 24 Tour ends Tromsø

Our tour ends after breakfast in Tromsø. There are direct flights from Tromsø to Oslo for your flights home.

Meals Included

Breakfasts1