Spectacular Scandinavia  and Its Fjords 15 Day tour from $3058

an Insight Vacations luxury tour

click to enlarge map

Tour Highlights

Hotels

Excellent selection of modern city hotels like the Radisson Plaza in Oslo and  the Radisson SAS Royal in Bergen; and the scenically located hotels like the Union in Geiranger, with its fjord setting, and the Park Inn in the ski resort of Falun.

Fellow Passengers

This tour appeals to the seasoned and the first time traveller who are attracted by the unique scenery and lifestyle of Scandinavia. Some passengers may also be  searching for their roots in this magnificent region.

 Highlights

The unique Scandinavian scenery, plus the reminders of the seafaring past with visits to the Wasa Galleon in Stockholm & the Long Ships Museum in Oslo and  the spectacular ride on the Flam Railway en route to Bergen.

Excursions & Sights

• See Copenhagen's wistful Little Mermaid and the Stock Exchange
• Visit Copenhagen's Christiansborg and see the Rosenborg & Amalienborg Palaces
• Visit  Hans Christian Andersen's House in the old district of Odense
• Visit the Gold Room in Stockholm's City Hall and see the Royal Palace and Cathedral
• See the tiny City Hall in the old Viking capital of Sigtuna
• Visit Uppsala's Gothic Cathedral, for 300 years Sweden's coronation church
• Visit Nusnas in the beautiful Dalarna region to see wooden horse making
• Visit the attractive Maihaugen open air museum in Lillehammer
• Follow Peer Gynt's valley to see the 12C Stave Church in Lom
• Tour Norwegian Fjordland including scenic cruises on the Geiranger & Sogne Fjords
• See Haakon's Hall and Fish Market in the 'wooden city' of Bergen
• See the impressive Akershus Castle and Royal Palace in Oslo
• Visit the controversial Vigeland sculptures in Oslo's Frogner Park

Scenic Drives - Peer Gynt valley and Fjordland, Lake  Vattern

Guided City Tours

In depth sightseeing tours with expert local guides in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Bergen & Oslo

Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with onboard toilet
• First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 1 and departure transfer on Day 15

Quality Dining

Highlight Dinner in a local restaurant in Frederikshavn

14 buffet breakfasts and 6 three course table d'hote dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee.

Tour Itinerary

Tour Pace

This is an evenly paced tour with two night stays in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Geiranger, Bergen & Oslo. The majority of the travelling days are wonderfully scenic with  frequent stops both for refreshment and photo opportunities.

DAY 1 SUN - COPENHAGEN AT LEISURE

Welcome to Scandinavia! Complimentary transfers depart from Copenhagen airport to the tour hotel. Then we are at leisure to relax or explore. Tonight enjoy a Welcome  Drink and dinner at the hotel, followed by a visit to the Tivoli Gardens. Hotel:  Radisson SAS Scandinavia. (D)

DAY 2 MON - COPENHAGEN SIGHTSEEING

We meet Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid, gazing across the harbour this morning. Then we visit Christiansborg and see the Rosenborg and Amalienborg Palaces, and Stock Exchange. Later, maybe stroll Copenhagen's premier shopping street, the  Stroget? (BB)

DAY 3 TUE - COPENHAGEN - FREDERIKSHAVN

We cross over to the Island of Fyn, where we visit the home of Hans Christian  Andersen in Odense. This year marks the 200th anniversary of his birth and the museum  has been completely refurbished for this event. We then head to the Jutland peninsula.  We check into our hotel at Frederikshavn, before enjoying a highlight dinner at  a local restaurant. Hotel: Radisson SAS Jutlandia. (BB,HD)

DAY 4 WED - FREDERIKSHAVN - STOCKHOLM

Today we leave Denmark crossing over the waters of the Kattegat to Gothenburg. Next we pass through fertile fields and along the shores of Lake Vattern, before reaching Stockholm. Hotel: Scandic Malmen. (BB)

DAY 5 THU - STOCKHOLM SIGHTSEEING

With our local guide we visit the City Hall's 'Gold Room' where the Nobel Prize  banquets are held, then we continue into the medieval island heart of the city. We view the cathedral, walk through the Old Town and see the Royal Palace. Now a highlight visit to one of Europe's greatest attractions, the Wasa Galleon - a marvellous impression of life on board a 17C naval vessel. (BB)

DAY 6 FRI - STOCKHOLM - FALUN

We travel via Lake Malaren to Sigtuna, once the Viking capital and now boasting  Sweden's smallest City Hall. Then to Uppsala, seat of Scandinavia's oldest university  to visit the Cathedral where the Swedish kings were crowned. Later, we travel through rural Dalecarlia to the ski resort of Falun. Hotel: Park Inn Bergmastaren. (BB,D)

DAY 7 SAT - FALUN - LILLEHAMMER

A scenic drive along the shores of Lake Siljan in the Dalarna region, brings us to Nusnas, where we see wooden horses being made. We continue deep into the forested heart of Sweden, passing Salen, the starting point for the annual cross country  skiing marathon. Crossing into Norway, we journey to Hamar, where we pass the Olympic ice skating rink called the 'Viking Ship' on our way to Lillehammer. Hotel: Rica  Victoria. (BB)

DAY 8 SUN - LILLEHAMMER - GEIRANGER

Lillehammer hosted the Winter Olympics in 1994 and here we enjoy a visit to the  Maihaugen open-air museum to see old Norway's rural life come alive. Now we are on our way to the Norwegian Fjordland - a wonderful world of soaring mountains,  icy glaciers and rivers which cascade thousands of feet into green valleys below.  We follow Peer Gynt's valley and continue among vistas of waterfalls, lakes and  snow-capped peaks to Lom where we see the 12th century Stave Church. Now its on to the remote village of Geiranger, a superb setting overlooking fjords & mountains. Hotel: Union. (BB,D)

DAY 9 MON - GEIRANGER AT LEISURE

A day for relaxation in beautiful surroundings, with the most breath taking scenery. Perhaps go for an excursion along the amazing Trolls' Road? It's a chance for some outstanding photographs of Geirangerfjord and the stunning Seven Sisters waterfall!  (BB,D)

DAY 10 TUE - GEIRANGER - FJORDLAND

We begin our day with a highlight cruise on the mirror-smooth waters of Geirangerfjord,  with its towering cliffs and waterfalls. We continue through glacier country to enjoy a scenic drive along the Sognefjord, before our ferry crossing to Laerdal. Hotel: Lindstrom. (BB,D)

DAY 11 WED - FJORDLAND - BERGEN

Sognefjord is Norway's longest and deepest fjord, and we cruise upon its majestic  waters today. Then we embark on a spectacular journey on the Flam Railway, taking  us from sea level to 3,000 feet, with views of mountain scenery and roaring waterfalls. We travel now to the historic port of Bergen. Hotel: Radisson SAS Royal. (BB)

DAY 12 THU - BERGEN SIGHTSEEING

Bergen still largely looks to the sea for its living, as can be seen from the  fish market, the largest in Scandinavia. Today is yours to explore all that this exciting town has to offer, such as the 13C Haakon's Hall. Or perhaps take the funicular railway to the top of the mountain? (BB)

DAY 13 FRI - BERGEN - OSLO

This morning we drive over scenic mountains and through ski-resorts on our way to the Norwegian capital Oslo. Hotel: Radisson SAS Plaza. (BB)

DAY 14 SAT - OSLO SIGHTSEEING

Our guided sightseeing tour today includes the Akershus Castle and the Royal Palace. We also visit Frogner Park and view the controversial Vigeland Sculptures, then a special visit to the Viking Long Ship Museum. Tonight, why not enjoy a celebration  dinner at a traditional restaurant? (BB)

DAY 15 SUN - OSLO

Our tour ends with a transfer to Oslo Airport. (BB)