Day 1 : Welcome to Copenhagen
Greetings to you, Copenhagen! Spend your afternoon at leisure to relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for drinks and a warm and friendly dinner. In the evening visit the glittering lights and enchanting atmosphere of the world-famous Tivoli Gardens.
Accommodation : Radisson Blu Scandinavia, Copenhagen
Day 2 : Wonderful Copenhagen
A Local Expert will reveal the charm of Denmark's capital. Visit Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid gazing wistfully across the harbour and see Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Government. Continue to Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Palace and Copenhagen Cathedral, where the Crown Prince of Denmark married Princess Mary. View the unusual Rundertaarn and enjoy an afternoon at your leisure, relaxing or exploring at your pace. Perhaps take an optional experience into the picturesque Danish countryside to see the castles of North Zealand?
Accommodation : Radisson Blu Scandinavia, Copenhagen
Day 3 : On to Gothenburg Relaxed Start
Continue along Sweden’s west coast to the cosmopolitan port city of Gothenburg. On arrival, explore with your Local Expert and learn about the region’s culture and nautical history. Perhaps choose to delve into the heritage of Volvo - one of Sweden’s most recognisable exports. The evening is at your leisure. Take a stroll along the leafy boulevards and enjoy dinner in one of the city’s many restaurants.
Accommodation : Elite Park Avenue, Gothenburg
Day 4 : Scenic farmlands of Sweden
Enjoy views of the patchwork of fertile farmlands, as you journey along the shores of Lake Vättern to the Swedish capital. Stop at Grännaberget café for a Swedish Fika of coffee and freshly baked pastries, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience that helps preserving Sweden’s cultural heritage.
Accommodation : Hilton Stockholm Slussen
Day 5 : Stockholm, City of Islands
See the charms of Sweden's capital with your Local Expert. Wander the medieval streets of Gamla Stan and see the 13th-century cathedral. Visit the imposing City Hall to see its fabulous Gyllene salen, the Golden Hall, with its walls covered in 18 million gilded mosaic tiles, and the Blå hallen, the Blue Hall, where the Nobel Prize banquets are held. There's free time in the afternoon for you to explore at your own pace. Perhaps visit the fabulous Vasa Galleon, raised from Stockholm's harbour-bed in 1961 after sinking on its maiden voyage in 1628?
Accommodation : Hilton Stockholm Slussen
Day 6 : Sigtuna, Uppsala and Falun Relaxed Start
Travel to Sigtuna on Lake Mälaren to see Sweden’s smallest City Hall. Continue to the historic city of Uppsala, the seat of Scandinavia’s oldest university. Meet Hans Odoo, a passionate local storyteller, who will share the fascinating history of the Carl Linnaeus Garden on a guided tour. You’ll learn about Sweden’s first botanical garden and its 1300 species of ora and fauna. Continue to the historic city of Uppsala, seat of Scandinavia’s oldest university. Travel to Falun, an old historic mining town. In the evening, enjoy a delightful Farm-to-Table dinner at a local restaurant, prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
Accommodation : First Grand, Falun
Day 7 : Lillehammer
With your Travel Director see the Falun Copper Mine and the Great Pit, a vast crater created by an enormous mine collapse in 1687. Later on in the morning travel along the shores of Lake Siljan to Mora, the home of Sweden’s infamous 17th-century witch trials. Continue deep into the forested heart of the country to reach Sälen, the starting point for the world’s oldest and longest cross-country ski race, Vasaloppet. This 90 kilometre race across the snow has been challenging skiers since 1922. Later cross the border into Norway and pass Hamar with its Olympic ice skating rink which resembles an upturned Viking ship. Journey along the shores of Mjøsa, Norway’s largest lake, to arrive at Lillehammer, home of the 1994 Winter Olympics.
Accommodation : Scandic Lillehammer
Day 8 : Geiranger, Jewel of the Fjords Relaxed Start
Journey northwest from Lillehammer, travelling through the countryside of Peer Gynt, immortalised by Ibsen. At Lom, visit the Norwegian stave church dating back to 1158. Continue along winding roads that pass waterfalls, rivers, ice fields, lakes and snow-capped peaks. For the next two nights you will stay in the scenic village of Geiranger, overlooking fjords and soaring mountains.
Accommodation : Union Geiranger
Day 9 : Geiranger at Leisure Relaxed Start
Enjoy a Relaxed Start and a day reserved for your leisure amongst the most breathtaking scenery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perhaps join an Optional Experience for an incredible scenic drive along the amazing Troll's Road? The road itself was a masterpiece of engineering when it was built over 70 years ago and the spectacular views will leave you speechless.
Accommodation : Union Geiranger
Day 10 : Fjærland and Leikanger
After a relaxed morning, take a scenic cruise along the Geirangerfjord. Your travels continue to the Bøya Glacier for a photo-stop. Explore Fjærland with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the interactive Norwegian Glacier Museum, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, the largest icecap in continental Europe at the foot of the Jostedal Glacier. Alternatively, take a walk through the village of Fjærland with a Local Expert and hear about life between the fjord and the glacier. Then enjoy a scenic drive onto your historic fjord hotel in Leikanger. Delight in a dinner of fresh and locally sourced produce.
Accommodation : Leikanger Fjord
Day 11 : The Flåm Railway to Bergen
Cross the serene waters of magnificent Sognefjord, the longest fjord in Norway. Then embark on a spectacularly scenic journey aboard the Flåm Railway, ascending from sea level to 914 metres. On the Hardangerfjord hear how eight generations of a family-run farm have worked on the land, producing fruit, berries and various jams, jellies, traditional spreads, cake and other delicious treats. Sample their fresh apple juice and homemade cider. Travel on to your hotel in the historic port of Bergen.
Accommodation : Clarion Bergen
Day 12 : The Hanseatic port of Bergen Relaxed Start
A Local Expert introduces you to Bergen. The ancient Hanseatic port city still largely looks to the sea for its living, as evidenced by the picturesque and lively Fish Market, set in a charming location in the heart of the city. The market also has stalls selling a colourful variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, handicrafts and souvenirs. After seeing the 13th-century Haakon’s Hall, there will be time to explore all that this exciting town has to offer. Perhaps you might like to visit the home of composer Edvard Grieg, before ascending Mount Fløyen by the only funicular in Scandinavia.
Accommodation : Clarion Bergen
Day 13 : Mountains and Fjords to Oslo
Travel along scenic and varied landscapes to Oslo, drive past some of Norway's most picturesque ski-resorts. Leaving the seaside town of Bergen, your journey continues climbing up to elevations of 1200m (3930ft) offering moon like scenery and passing some of Norway’s ski resorts on the Hardanger Plateau. After returning to lower areas you’ll be driving among dense forests before reaching the capital city of Oslo.
Accommodation : Radisson Blu Scandinavia, Oslo
Day 14 : Cosmopolitan Oslo Relaxed Start
With your Local Expert, see the Royal Palace and the spires and ramparts of Akershus Castle, the 14th century fortress guarding the harbour. At Frogner Park, view the intriguing Vigeland sculptures. Explore the area around the Opera House and see the strikingly modern architecture of the Bjørvika neighbourhood. In the evening, round off your Scandinavian adventure with a dinner at a local restaurant. Over a glass of wine, toast to your travels with your newfound friends.
Accommodation : Radisson Blu Scandinavia, Oslo
Day 15 : Out of Oslo
Your Scandinavian exploration has come to an end.
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