Explore the four Nordic capitals on this exclusive tour, including all the major sights of the regions, whilst staying at quality, well located hotels. The capitals are all beautifully situated by the sea and offer a variety of architecture, culture and history. The two overnight cruises offer scenic views of the Stockholm archipelago and the Oslo Fjord. Visit the heart of the beautiful Hardangerfjord, experience the stunning scenery of the majestic Geirangerfjord, the famous Sognefjord, and Bergen. The tour includes a journey on the spectacular Flåm Railway and an excursion to the Briksdal Glacier.
Itinerary
Day 1 Helsinki Arrival
Make your own way from Helsinki Airport to your hotel. Meet your tour escort and fellow travelling companions in the hotel lobby at 18:00hrs for a welcome drink. Overnight in Helsinki at Original Sokos Hotel Presidentti or similar.
Day 2 City Sightseeing, Helsinki - Stockholm by Overnight Ferry
Morning Helsinki City Sightseeing tour with a local guide. Sights of interest are the Sibelius Monument and Park, Senate Square and the Cathedral (no entrances included). Afternoon at leisure to explore this bustling city on the Baltic. Coach transfer to the pier for your overnight ferry from Helsinki to Stockholm. Overnight in a 2 berth outside cabin with private facilities, including buffet dinner and breakfast. We suggest bringing an overnight bag for this cruise, to avoid having to carry luggage to and from the cabin. Luggage handling between coach and luggage container on board is included.
Day 3 Stockholm Arrival
Enjoy breakfast on board while sailing slowly through the Stockholm archipelago past numerous small islands. Arrival in Stockholm at 10:00hrs and disembark. Coach transfer to your hotel. Day at leisure in Stockholm for exploring this beautiful city, often called the Venice of the North because of its many canals and waterways. Perhaps take a guided boat tour on the canals or visit one of the many interesting museums. 2 nights in Stockholm at the Scandic Continental Hotel or similar.
Day 4 Stockholm City Sightseeing
Discover Stockholm during a locally guided City Sightseeing tour. Pass sights of interest such as the Old Town (Gamla Stan), Royal Palace, Parliament buildings, Island of Djurgården and City Hall with its famous golden and blue halls (entrance to City Hall included). Afternoon at leisure in Stockholm. Perhaps visit the impressive Vasa Museum or the popular ABBA museum. 2nd overnight in Stockholm at the Scandic Continental Hotel or similar.
Day 5 Stockholm - Copenhagen by Train
Coach to the railway station to take the train from Stockholm, across the heart of Sweden, over the famous Oresund Bridge and on to Copenhagen. The train takes 5-6 hours. Lunch on board. On arrival, coach transfer to your hotel. Close by is the charming Nyhavn harbour, with numerous waterside restaurants and vintage sailing ships, within a short walk to Ströget pedestrian street. Two nights in Copenhagen at Copenhagen Admiral Hotel.
Day 6 Copenhagen City Sightseeing
Morning City Sightseeing tour of Copenhagen with a local guide. Pass sights of interest such as Christiansborg Palace, the Royal Theatre, City Hall, Amalienborg Palace, the old harbour of Nyhavn, the Little Mermaid, Gefion fountain and Rosenborg Castle. Afternoon at leisure in Copenhagen. Perhaps explore the popular pedestrian shopping street Strøget, visit a palace or museum, join a canal cruise visit the famous Tivoli Gardens. 2nd overnight in Copenhagen at Copenhagen Admiral Hotel.
Day 7 Copenhagen - Oslo by Overnight Ferry
Morning at leisure for sightseeing. Coach transfer to the pier for your overnight ferry from Copenhagen to Oslo. Buffet dinner on board, as you cruise the Kattegat Strait. Overnight in an outside cabin with breakfast and dinner. There is dancing and entertainment on board, or you may prefer to sit out on deck and watch the sunset. We suggest bringing an overnight bag for this cruise, to avoid having to carry luggage to and from the cabin. Luggage can easily be stored in luggage container before boarding, and the coach will stop right by the container.
Day 8 Oslo Arrival
A Scandinavian buffet breakfast is served on board, as you sail up the lovely Oslo Fjord to reach the Norwegian capital, arriving at approximately 10.00hrs. Explore Oslo during a locally guided City Sightseeing tour. Enjoy panoramic views of the Opera House, Karl Johans Gate – Oslo’s main street, Old Town Christiania, Akershus Castle and Fortress, and the Royal Palace. A picturesque ride through some of Oslo’s prettiest neighborhoods to Vigeland Sculpture Park. Visit the Norwegian Folk Museum, an open air museum with 160 historic buildings, the Gol Stave Church and indoor exhibitions featuring Norwegian folk costumes, folk art, church art and Sami culture. Afternoon at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll through the new central city district Bjørvika and walk between Oslo’s latest architectural additions; the Deichman Library and Munch Museum. We also recommend a stroll along Aker Brygge, a lively pier with numerous restaurants and departures for sightseeing boats on the Oslofjord. Overnight in Oslo at Thon Hotel Bristol or similar.
Day 9 Oslo - Ulvik: City Sightseeing, Valleys, Mountains & Waterfalls
After breakfast, enjoy a panoramic tour of Oslo, including entrance to the Fram Museum, before driving via Hønefoss along the Halling Valley to Gol tourist resort town. After lunch in Gol at a local restaurant, continue across wild Hardanger Mountain Plateau to Fossli, stopping to view the thundering Vøringsfoss Waterfall, with a drop of 180m, the highest in Norway. Descend the amazing Mabodal Canyon to idyllic Hardanger Fjord, then cross the Hardanger bridge and on to the picturesque village of Ulvik. Dinner and overnight in Ulvik at the Brakanes Hotel, ideally located on the banks of the fjord.
Day 10 Ulvik - Bergen: Hardangerfjord, City Sightseeing and Floibanen
After breakfast start the scenic drive along the beautiful Hardangerfjord, famous for its many fruit orchards and vivid green fields, travelling via the towns of Øystese and Norheimsund, to arrive in the old Hanseatic trading town of Bergen around midday. This afternoon enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Bergen, including a visit to the popular Fish and Flower Market, the famous Bryggen Harbour with its gabled packhouses, and the old Hanseatic Quarter. After the city tour, enjoy a return ride on the Bergen Funicular to the top of Mount Fløien. Enjoy great views over the fjords and mountains surrounding the city of Bergen. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Norge by Scandic or similar.
Day 11 Bergen - Sognefjord - Balestrand: Journey on the Flåm Railway
After breakfast, depart from Bergen and drive via Voss to Flåm. Board the Flåmsbana train for an excursion on the spectacular Flåm Railway, one of the most beautiful and steepest standard-gauge railway lines in the world. There will be many photo opportunities along the way, passing waterfalls and spectacular mountain scenery. From Flåm, we cruise along narrow Aurlands and Nærøy Fjords - both are branches of Sognefjord, the world's longest and deepest fjord, known as Queen of the Fjords. Enjoy spectacular cascading waterfalls, sheer mountain cliffs, snow-clad peaks and a variety of wildlife. Disembark in Gudvangen at the head of Nærøy Fjord, and continue by coach through amazing Stalheim Canyon and Nærøy Valley, and across the Vika Mountains to Vangsnes. Here we take a short ferry ride across to lovely Balestrand. Dinner and two nights accommodation in Balestrand at Kvikne's Hotel, superbly located on the banks of the fjord and surrounded by mountains. Optional upgrade to fjord view room for two nights.
Day 12 Balestrand: Day in the Fjords
A day at leisure in Balestrand gives you the opportunity to enjoy the outstanding beauty and nature of the fjords. Start with a traditional Norwegian buffet breakfast in the hotel's elegant dining room, as you decide how to spend your day. This morning, you may want to relax on the hotel terrace, breathing in the fresh mountain air and enjoying the spectacular views. Or you may like to visit the local aquarium and art gallery, rent a bike or rowing boat from the hotel, or even go on foot up the nearby mountains. A walking tour of Balestrand village, with its historic buildings and other noteworthy sites, can also be arranged. Dinner and 2nd night in Balestrand at Kvikne's Hotel.
Day 13 Balestrand - Briksdal Glacier - Geiranger
After breakfast, depart by ferry from Dragsvik to Hella, before a scenic tour along the northern side of the Sognefjord. Continue by road to Fjaerland, passing under Jostedal Glacier (Europe's largest). Descend to beautiful Nord Fjord, making a detour at Olden to visit world-famous Briksdal Glacier. Journey up to the glacier in open troll cars, for the best views. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue by coach to picturesque Hellesylt village. From here, continue by ferry on a cruise along the spectacular Geiranger Fjord, possibly the most impressive of all the Norwegian fjords. During the cruise, you will pass close to some magnificent waterfalls, including the Bridal Veil and Seven Sisters falls. Dinner and overnight in Geiranger at the Union Hotel, overlooking the Geirangerfjord. Optional upgrade to fjord view room for one night.
Day 14 Geiranger - Oslo
Experience the roads that twist and turn through hairpin bends to Geiranger Skywalk - Mt. Dalsnibba - for a panoramic fjord view view (weather permitting). Continue across the rugged Grotli Mountains to Lom, well known for its 14th Century stave church. Then continue via Lake Vågå, before descending the magnificent Gudbrands Valley to lovely Lillehammer. Afterwards, the journey continues alongside Lake Mjøsa, Norway's largest lake, back to Oslo. Overnight in Oslo at Thon Hotel Bristol or similar.
Day 15 Oslo Departure
Arrangements end this morning after breakfast and check out. Make your own way to Oslo Gardermoen Airport.
2024 departures: 02 July
Notes:
Maximum Group Size: 31 persons
Pre-nights in Helsinki and post-nights in Oslo can be added
