Viking Capitals & the Norwegian Fjords
Our new range, Nordic Journeys, comes from the heart. With pride, we offer a small group tour with great local hotels, all conveniently located. We use trains, buses, ferries and express boats to get around. A local tour leader is with you all the way to assist and make the journey smooth.
The highlights of this tour include travelling by express boats along the Norwegian coast, the Geiranger fjord by postal boat, visiting all the Nordic Capitals and the Norway in a Nutshell tour.
This is the Nordic Region at it's best.
Arrive Helsinki
Explore Helsinki
Helsinki, overnight ferry to Stockholm
Enjoy the charms of Stockholm
Train via Malmö to Copenhagen
Copenhagen with an ancient charm.
Copenhagen, overnight ferry to Oslo
Oslo, close to nature and the sea
Norway in a Nutshell
Enjoy the fish markets in Bergen.
Express boat along Norwegian Coast
Geiranger – a day at the fjord
Cruise to Ålesund
The Atlantic Road & Trondheim
Tour ends in Trondheim
Countries visited
Places visited
Transportation
Local minibus, train, boat, ferry and a cruise on the Norwegian postal boat, Hurtigruten
Included In Price
• Hotel accommodation in shared twin/double room with shower/WC• Overnight boats in twin outside cabin with window, toilet & shower
• Scandinavian breakfast buffet every day at hotels, and on board the boats
• All trains, buses and ferry crossings as per itinerary
• Transfer to/from railway stations/ports to hotel (except arrival and departure transfer at start and end of trip)
• City passes/cards each valid for 48 hours in all capital cities (plus Bergen) visited in the itinerary (Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, Bergen and Copenhagen)
• Local English speaking tour leader
Meals Included
This tour includes 17 meals; 17 breakfasts
Not Included In Price
• Arrival and departure transfer at the start and end of the trip• Meals not specified in the itinerary
• Gratitudes and items of personal nature
• Domestic or international flights
• Travel insurance
Important Information
This tour is a combination of other connecting tours and can be shortened or lengthened.| Start | End | Twin share | Single Supp | |
| 9 Jun 2012 | 26 Jun 2012 | AU$ 6200 | AU$ 2590 | |
| 7 Jul 2012 | 24 Jun 2012 | AU$ 6200 | AU$ 2590 | |
| 4 Aug 2012 | 21 Aug 2012 | AU$ 6200 | AU$ 2590 |
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 HelsinkiMeals Included
noneDay 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 HelsinkiMeals Included
1 x BreakfastsDay 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
1 x BreakfastsDay 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
2 x BreakfastsDay 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
1 x BreakfastsDay 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
1 x BreakfastsDay 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
1 x BreakfastsDay 9 & 10: Oslo, close to nature and the sea
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
2 x BreakfastsDay 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
1 x BreakfastsDay 12: Enjoy the fish markets in 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
1 x BreakfastsDay 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
1 x BreakfastsDay 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
1 x BreakfastsDay 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
2 x BreakfastsDay 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
1 x BreakfastsDay 18: Tour ends in Trondheim
Our tour ends after breakfast in Trondheim. There are direct flights from Trondheim to Oslo for your flights home.
