Scandinavian Panorama

Welcome to Denmark! Transfer on your own from Copenhagen Kastrup Airport to your centrally located hotel. This evening you will meet your guide and travelling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. Meals: D

Should you wish to have an extra day to rest up before your tour begins we can arrange for an additional night of accommodation in Copenhagen and a leisure day to recover from jet lag.

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a guided tour of the city. You will see the Church of Our Savior and the Stock Exchange on the way to Christiansborg Palace (Danish Parliament buildings), where you visit the elegant Royal Reception Rooms. Drive past the National Museum and Royal Theater and stop for pictures at the Amalienborg Palace, residence of the Danish royal family, the old harbour of Nyhavn, and of course the famous statue of the Little Mermaid. Afternoon free for exploring this fairytale city. Tonight visit Tivoli Gardens, the world’s second oldest amusement park. Meals: B

Today we drive to the fairytale island of Funen, crossing one of the world’s largest suspension bridges constructed off-shore. In Funen you’ll visit the Hans Christian Andersen Museum at Odense and then cross the Little Belt waterway to Jutland. In Arhus we visit Den Gamle By, a fascinating collection of completely furnished old Danish townhouses. This evening, we’ll have a group dinner at a restaurant featuring local specialties. Meals: B, D

From Arhus we drive to the naval town of Frederikshavn and, from there, cross beautiful Kattegat by ferry to Sweden’s largest port city, Gothenburg. An orientation drive takes you past its landmarks before you have some free time to enjoy this charming city on your own. Meals: B, D

Today we’ll drive through miles and miles of fertile farmland with tidy farms, an area known as the “breadbasket” of the country. We pass industrial towns like Huskvarna and Norköping, a major Baltic seaport. We finally arrive to  Stockholm, a beautiful city settled on 14 islands between Lake Mälar and the Baltic Sea. Meals: B

Morning sightseeing tour of Stockholm with a local guide including the Royal Palace, Riddarholm Church, a walk through the Old Town and the festive blue and gold chambers in the City Hall, where the annual Nobel Prize banquet is held. There are some optional excursions to choose from to make the most of your stay or decide to simply explore on your own. Meals: B

Today we visit King Gustav Vasa’s Gripsholm Castle on the shores of Lake Mälar before continuing westward through the scenic Lake District. On the way, there will be glimpses of  ancient garrison town of Örebro and Bofors, site of Alfred Nobel’s ammunition factory. Overnight in Karlstad on Lake Vänern. Meals: B, D

Today is a very scenic day! Drive through Värmland, a giant nature attraction with 10,000 lakes dotting a forested landscape. Sweden’s longest river, the Klarälven river, splits the province down the middle before flowing into one of Europe’s largest lakes, Vänern, near the city of Karlstad. We’ll cross the Norwegian border and visit the fortress town of Kongsvinger and Lake Mjøsa before arriving in Lillehammer. Enjoy a guided visit of theMaihaugen Open-Air Museum, featuring Norway’s culture and history along with a fascinating collection of artifacts. Meals: B, D

The leisurely journey today includes majestic mountains, dark-pine forests, sparkling lakes, and silvery trout streams. We’ll visit the well-preserved, wooden Borgund Stave Church before arriving in Flåm, where a true highlight awaits: a leisurely cruise on the spectacular Sognefjord and Nærøyfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meals: B, D

This morning there is an optional panoramic Flåm train ride. See the popular lakeside resort of Voss and drive south to the Hardangerfjord, where you will be met by the family that has owned the Steinstø Fruit Farm for eight generations. They will tell us about their history and offer home-made apple juice and cider along with lunch. Continue to Bergen. Meals: B, L

Our guided sightseeing tour of Bergen begins with an orientation drive to see the main sights like Bergenhus Fortress with its medieval Håkon’s Hall and Rosenkrantz Tower, the charming Hanseatic Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the harbour, and the famous Fish Market. There will be time to explore Bryggen on foot along narrow, cobblestone alleyways and past colorful wooden houses. Also see the 12th-century St. Mary’s Church, where Hanseatic merchants attended religious services until the 1870s. Balance of the day is at leisure. Meals: B

After breakfast we transfer to the railway station to board the train to Oslo. Enjoy a scenic ride across the Hardangervidda mountain plateau with views of sparkling lakes, rivers, streams, and snow-capped mountains. On arrival in Oslo we proceed to our hotel from the train station. Meals: B

Sightseeing in Oslo with a local guide features the National Theater, home for Ibsen’s plays; the unique Storting building, seat of Parliament; and the Royal Palace, residence of Norwegian monarchs since 1849. Stroll through Frogner Park with the extraordinary sculptures by Gustav Vigeland’s, and visit Oslo City Hall, where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held each year. This afternoon you may choose to join an optional excursion to see the relics of a glorious seafaring past. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner with your traveling companions. Meals: B, D

Your tour ends after breakfast this morning. Meals: B