Day
1 Depart Vancouver
Day 2 Arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to
explore the Danish capital. Tonight, meet your Tour
Director and fellow travelers. (D)
Day 3 Copenhagen
Day at leisure in the capital of the oldest kingdom
in the world. Besides many interesting landmarks and
architectural masterpieces, see some of the more famous
sights on your included orientation drive. An optional
tour of Zealand’s castles is also available. (B)
Day 4 Copenhagen–Odense–Frederikshavn
After breakfast, start the journey northwards, enjoying
the drive across the GREAT BELT BRIDGE, which will connect
you to the fairytale island of Funen. Via Odense, Hans
Christian Andersen’s home town, and the Little
Belt waterway, head for Frederikshavn on the rural Jutland
Peninsula for an overnight. (B,D)
Day 5 Frederikshavn–Gothenburg, Sweden–Oslo,
Norway
A pleasant FERRY ride from Frederikshavn across the
strategic Kattegat to Gothenburg, Sweden’s thriving
second-largest city and one of Europe’s major
seaports. After an orientation drive, follow the inland
route and cross into Norway. Evening arrival in Oslo.
(B)
Day 6 Oslo–Telemark Area
Gustav Vigeland's sculptures are among the highlights
of the included morning sightseeing tour; also see the
soaring CITY HALL, National Theater, Broadcasting House,
Parliament, and Akershus Castle. In the afternoon, drive
through the Telemark region to your overnight hotel.
(B,D)
Day 7 Telemark Area–Vemork–Bergen
Take the scenic route this morning for a visit to Vemork,
where the heavy water plant was blown up by a commando
unit of British and Norwegians known as the Heroes of
Telemark. Visit the VEMORK MUSEUM, then proceed through
the Telemark region with its lakes, winding valleys,
and rugged gorges backed by towering mountains. FERRY
across the Hardangerfjord from Utne to Kvanndal. Continue
to Bergen, Norway’s picture-perfect Hanseatic
seaport. En route, a picture stop at Steindalsfossen
Waterfall. (B)
Day 8 Bergen
Built on seven hills with the fjords on one side and
1,000-foot Mount Fløyen on the other, Bergen
was the home of composer Grieg. The optional sightseeing
excursion takes in the main sights, including the Hanseatic
Museum, one of the landmarks of Bergen's bayside area,
and also a panoramic view of the city from one of the
surrounding hills. (B)
Day 9 Bergen–Sognefjord Cruise–Fagernes
More spectacular scenery as you drive towards the Sognefjord,
where you embark for a breathtaking CRUISE on one of
Norway’s most mighty fjords. Today may well be
the highlight of your journey. Overnight in Fagernes.
(B,D)
Day 10 Fagernes–Lillehammer–Karlstad, Sweden
First to Lillehammer, host of the 1994 Winter Olympics.
Then, a scenic drive along beautiful Lake Mjøsa
and continue towards Sweden, through Värmland’s
unspoiled wilderness of forest and lakes to Karlstad,
located by Sweden's largest lake, Lake Vänern.
(B)
Day 11 Karlstad–Mariefred–Stockholm
Leave Karlstad this morning and head east towards Stockholm
via Alfred Nobel’s Bofors to Mariefred, an idyllic
little town, where we view the majestic Gripsholm Castle,
built in an enchanting rural setting. On to the Swedish
capital. Its beauty is due to its unique setting on
14 islands between Lake Mäleren and the Baltic
Sea. (B)
Day 12 Stockholm
This is perhaps the most beautiful of the Scandinavian
capitals, because the crystalline waters that flow through
its intersecting canals give a luminous appearance to
palaces, castles, and parks. Your included city sightseeing
takes in all the highlights. (B,D)
Day 13 Stockholm
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Transportation: Touring by private first-class motorcoach.
Cruise on Sognefjord; ferry crossings Frederikshavn-Gothenburg
and Utne to Kvanndal