Captivating Scandinavia

CAPTIVATING SCANDINAVIA

Norway • Sweden • Denmark

July 1 – 13, 2023  (Guaranteed Departure)

HIGHLIGHTS
City sightseeing in Bergen, Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen • Norway in a Nutshell experience • Borgund Stave Church • Dala Horse Center • Uppsala Cathedral • Vasa Ship Museum • Sweden’s Kingdom of Crystal • Frederiksborg Castle

ITINERARY INCLUDES

• Roundtrip airfare from Mpls / St. Paul, including taxes, fees & fuel surcharge
• 11 nights accommodations, double occupancy, with private facilities
• Daily breakfast [B] and 7 dinners [D]
• 1st-class touring coach, train & ferries per itinerary
• City sightseeing in Bergen, Oslo, Stockholm, and Copenhagen
• Entrance fees to all sites including:  Stegastein Viewpoint, Borgund Stave Church, Dala Horse Center, Carl Larsson Farm, Uppsala Cathedral, Stockholm City Hall, Vasa Ship Museum and Frederiksborg Castle
• Luggage handling at hotels for 1 suitcase (subject to availability)
• Tour Director for Days 2 – 13

 

ITINERARY – 13 DAYS

DAY 1                 SATURDAY, JULY 1

Mpls/St. Paul – Bergen:  Depart the USA on your transatlantic flight.  To request alternate dates or for estimated airfare supplements from other US cities, please note on application.

 

DAY 2               SUNDAY, JULY 2                                                     [D]

Bergen:  Arrive at Bergen Flesland Airport.  Transfer to hotel in city center.  Balance of day free to relax and adjust to time change.  Welcome dinner and overnight at Clarion Admiral Hotel.

 

DAY 3                 MONDAY, JULY 3                                                   [B]

Bergen: Morning sightseeing tour includes a guided walk through the historic Hanseatic Wharf. Balance of day free. Dinner on own.  Overnight at hotel.

 

DAY 4                 TUESDAY, JULY 4                                                   [B,D]

Bergen – Flåm:  Drive to Voss.  Board the famous Oslo/Bergen Railway and proceed to Myrdal.  Change to the renowned Flåm Railway and descend 2800 feet within 13 miles to Flåm.  Cruise the Aurlandfjord and Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen.  Return by motorcoach to Flåm for dinner and overnight at Fretheim Hotel.

 

DAY 5                WEDNESDAY, JULY 5                                            [B]

Flåm – Oslo:  Drive to Stegastein Viewpoint for a spectacular view of Norway’s fjord country.  Proceed over the mountain road to Lærdal.  At Borgund, tour one of the best preserved of the remaining stave churches.  Continue through lush Valdres Valley to Oslo.  Overnight at the classic Grand Hotel.

 

DAY 6                THURSDAY, JULY 6                                                [B]

Oslo:  Morning sightseeing includes a tour of Vigeland Park, the largest sculpture park in the world by a single artist, boasting over 200 pieces by Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland.  Balance of day free.  Dinner on own.  Overnight at hotel.

 

DAY 7               FRIDAY, JULY 7                                                       [B,D]

Oslo – Tällberg:  Enroute to the colorful province of Dalarna, drive through Värmland with its lakes and forests. There are many artists, writers and poets who have found inspiration in this region. Travel through Malung known for its leather industry. At Nusnäs, tour the center for the production of the traditional Dala wooden horses, the symbol of Sweden. Continue to Tällberg. Dinner and overnight at Dalecarlia Hotel & Spa.

 

DAY 8                 SATURDAY, JULY 8                                                [B,D]

Tällberg – Stockholm:  Depart for Sundborn, the home of Carl Larsson, one of Sweden’s most beloved artists.  Continue to Dalarna, which epitomizes all things Swedish.  Visit the old university town of Uppsala for a tour of the inspiring Uppsala Cathedral.  Proceed to Stockholm.  Dinner and overnight at Clarion Hotel Sign.

 

DAY 9               SUNDAY, JULY 9                                                    [B,D]

Stockholm:   Morning sightseeing tour of the Swedish capital includes City Hall, site of the annual Nobel Prize banquet; and the Vasa Ship Museum, home of the 17th century warship which sank on her maiden voyage.   Afternoon free to explore Stockholm including Old Town (Gamla Stan) with its narrow streets and old merchants’ houses.  Dinner.  Overnight at hotel.

 

DAY 10              MONDAY, JULY 10                                                 [B,D]

Stockholm – Kosta – Växjö:  Drive through the Swedish countryside to the province of Småland in the Kingdom of Crystal.  Shopping opportunity at Kosta Boda, one of the world’s leading brands of glassware and art glass.   Enjoy a “hyttsill” dinner with traditional food and music.  Overnight at the Elite Hotel in Växjö.

 

DAY 11              TUESDAY, JULY 11                                                 [B]

Växjö – Copenhagen:  Drive to Hillerød. Tour Frederiksborg Castle built over three islands housing priceless treasures such as furniture and tapestries.  Ferry from Helsingborg to Helsingør, Denmark.  Continue to Copenhagen.  Overnight at the Copenhagen Strand Hotel, located along the Copenhagen Harbor.

 

DAY 12               WEDNESDAY, JULY 12                                          [B,D]

Copenhagen:  Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Copenhagen featuring the famous statue, the Little Mermaid.  Time to browse the world’s longest shopping street, Strøget.  Farewell dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

DAY 13              THURSDAY, JULY 13                                              [B]

Copenhagen – Depart:   Tour ends following breakfast. Transfer to Copenhagen Kastrup Airport for return flight.  Longer stays may be requested upon registration or a minimum charge of $250.