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ITINERARY INSIGHT VACATIONS Grand Tour of Scandinavia
Tour Pace
This tour is well paced with two night stays in Copenhagen, Rovaniemi, Narvik, Geiranger & Oslo. There are one night stays in the more northern regions with magnificent driving days with frequent stops both for refreshment & for wonderful photo opportunities.
DAY 1 – SUN – COPENHAGEN AT LEISURE
There are complimentary transfers from Copenhagen Airport to your tour hotel. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink and dinner at your hotel, followed by a visit to the Tivoli Gardens. Hotel: Radisson SAS Scandinavia. (Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 2 – MON – COPENHAGEN SIGHTSEEING
This morning we go down to the harbour to greet Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid. Then a highlight visit takes us inside Christiansborg (Danish Parliament). We also see the Rosenborg and Amalienborg Palaces and the Renaissance Stock Exchange. Later, perhaps join a tour through the Danish countryside? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – TUE – COPENHAGEN – STOCKHOLM
We drive to Elsinore to see Hamlet's Kronborg Castle, then our ferry crossing takes us to Sweden. We drive along Lake Vattern before arriving in Stockholm, set on 14 beautiful islands. Hotel: Scandic Alvik. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 4 – WED – STOCKHOLM – OVERNIGHT CRUISE
With our local guide we visit the City Hall's 'Gold Room', then into the medieval Old Town to see the cathedral. Now we visit the 17th century Wasa Galleon, one of the greatest attractions of Northern Europe. We then embark on our Baltic cruise to Finland. Tonight, on board, we enjoy a highlight dinner! (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 5 – THU – HELSINKI SIGHTSEEING
We disembark in the heart of Helsinki, to visit the 'Church in the Rock' and Sibelius Monument. We also see Finlandia Hall, the Russian Orthodox church and the lively market. Hotel: Radisson SAS Plaza. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 6 – FRI – HELSINKI – KUOPIO
Today we travel through a land of beautiful lakes and forests. This afternoon we enjoy an ascent of Kuopio Viewing Tower to find out why Finland is called the land of a thousand lakes! Hotel: Scandic Kuopio. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 7 – SAT – KUOPIO – ROVANIEMI
On towards the Arctic today – into Lappland, the home of the Sami people. We stay in Rovaniemi tonight, modern capital of the region. Hotel: Scandic Rovaniemi. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 8 – SUN – ROVANIEMI SIGHTSEEING
We visit Aalvar Aalto's Lapponia House and the Cathedral. Later, maybe view the open air museum, and then perhaps try a traditional Lapp dinner? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 9 – MON – ROVANIEMI – IVALO
We look out for Santa Claus as we cross the Arctic Circle today, and receive a certificate to prove it! On we go to the oldest church in Lappland, and may see herds of reindeer roaming freely. Then through Europe's last great wilderness on our visit to the National Park, near the gold centre of Tankavaara. Hotel: Ivalo. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 10 – TUE – IVALO – NORTH CAPE
We cross the rolling tundra into Norway where we visit a Lapp folk museum and stop at Karasjok, a centre of Lapp culture. Then on to the North Cape. Our hotel is in Honningsvag on Mager Island, from where tonight we journey to the northern most point of Europe in search of the Midnight Sun. Hotel: Rica Hotel Honningsvag. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 11 – WED – NORTH CAPE – ALTA
We return to the mainland, travelling through the stony, near-deserted Finnmark to Alta, situated on one of the world's richest salmon rivers. Hotel: Rica Alta. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 12 – THU – ALTA – NARVIK
We pass the fjord where the battleship Tirpitz hid out in World War II, before travelling through some stunning northern scenery. Past mountains and fjords to Narvik. Hotel: Radisson SAS Grand Hotel Royal. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 13 – FRI – NARVIK AT LEISURE
A day at leisure to perhaps visit the War Museum, go fishing or maybe take a superb mountain train into Sweden for the afternoon? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 14 – SAT – NARVIK – MO-I-RANA
We take a ferry across Tyssfjord and pass Rago National Park, its fjords cutting deep into the landscape. We bid farewell to the Arctic before reaching Mo-I-Rana, at the head of Ranafjord. Hotel: Rainbow Holmen Hotel. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 15 – SUN – MO-I-RANA – TRONDHEIM
Leaving Mo-I-Rana, we drive through Namdal. Then on to the Laksfoss Falls to look out for leaping salmon. Now to the village of Hell, and then to Trondheim to see the cathedral. Hotel: Radisson SAS Royal Garden. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 16 – MON – TRONDHEIM – GEIRANGER
Our route takes us across the Dovre Mountains which form Norway's oldest National Park. We arrive at Geirangerfjord to embark on a spectacular highlight cruise beneath towering cliffs and waterfalls. Our hotel is in a superb setting overlooking the spectacular beauty of the Norwegian Fjord landscape. Hotel: Union. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 17 – TUE – GEIRANGER AT LEISURE
A day of relaxation amid the fjords and mountains; now granted World Heritage status by UNESCO. Perhaps take an excursion along the Trolls' Road? (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 18 – WED – GEIRANGER – OSLO
Now we travel to Lom where we see the Stave church. We continue through the Peer Gynt Valley to Oyer where we see the world's largest Troll, before stopping in Lillehammer, host of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Now on to Oslo. Hotel: Radisson SAS Plaza. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 19 – THU – OSLO SIGHTSEEING
Our sightseeing tour today takes in the Akershus Castle, the Royal Palace and the Viking Long Ship Museum. We also visit Frogner Park to see the controversial Vigeland Sculptures. This afternoon we are at leisure to explore the city at our own pace. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 20 – FRI – OSLO
Our tour ends with a transfer to Oslo Airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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