Land of the Midnight Sun

LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN

2024 PRELIMINARY ITINERARY

June 13 – 25, 2024

2024 Itinerary is subject to change pending final confirmation.

HIGHLIGHTS
Travel north of the Arctic Circle, city sightseeing in Trondheim and Tromsø, Arctic Circle Center, Kjerringøy Trading Post, full day exploring the breathtaking Lofoten Islands, cable car excursion in Narvik, Polar Park (the world’s northernmost wildlife park)

ITINERARY INCLUDES

• Roundtrip airfare from Mpls / St. Paul and from Bodø to Leknes, including taxes, fees & fuel surcharge
• 11 nights accommodations, double occupancy, with private facilities
• Daily breakfast [B], 1 lunch [L] and 9 dinners [D]
• 1st-class touring coach, train & ferries per itinerary
• City sightseeing in Trondheim and Tromsø
• Cable car excursion in Narvik
• Entrance fees to all sites including: Nidaros Cathedral, Stiklestad, Norwegian Aquacenter, Arctic Circle Center, Blood Road Museum, Stockfish Museum, Viking Museum, Galleri Lofotens Hus, Lofoten Aquarium, WWII Museum, Boat Museum, Polar Park, Arctic Cathedral and Polar Museum
• Luggage handling at hotels for 1 suitcase (subject to availability)
• Tour Director for Days 2 – 13

 

ITINERARY – 13 DAYS

DAY 1                THURSDAY, JUNE 13

Mpls/St. Paul – Trondheim:  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               FRIDAY, JUNE 14                                                    [D]

Trondheim:  Arrive at Trondheim Værnes Airport. Transfer to hotel in city center. Balance of day free to adjust to time change. Welcome dinner and overnight at the Scandic Nidelven Hotel, or similar.

 

DAY 3                SATURDAY, JUNE 15                                            [B]

Trondheim: Morning sightseeing tour features the Nidaros Cathedral, one of Scandinavia’s most splendid cathedrals. Afternoon free.  Dinner on own.  Overnight at hotel.

 

DAY 4                SUNDAY, JUNE 16                                                 [B,D]

Trondheim – Stiklestad – Namsos:  Drive to Stiklestad, site of the battle of 1030 which led to the death of King Olav Haraldson (later St. Olav) and the acceptance of Christianity in Norway.  Learn about life of the Vikings in this region during that time period. Proceed to Namsos, an important trade center.  Dinner and overnight at Scandic Rock City, or similar.

 

DAY 5                MONDAY, JUNE 17                                                [B]

Namsos – Brønnøysund: Enjoy the coastal scenery of Helgeland as we drive north.  Norway is one of the world’s largest exporters of fish and seafood, an industry employing approximately 21,000.  Visit the Norwegian Aquacenter and learn about aquaculture.  Continue to Brønnøysund.  Overnight at Thon Hotel Brønnøysund, or similar.

 

DAY 6                TUESDAY, JUNE 18                                              [B,D]

Brønnøysund – Mo i Rana:  Proceed to Mo i Rana, located along the beautiful Helgeland coast in the southern part of Nordland county.  Dinner and overnight at Scandic Meyergården, or similar.

 

DAY 7                WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19                                      [B,D]

Mo i Rana – Arctic Circle – Bodø:  Drive to the Arctic Circle, which marks the boundary of the midnight sun of the Arctic summer and the sunless winters of the north. The Arctic Circle Center provides a visual presentation of the flora, fauna and countryside north of the Arctic Circle.  Visit the Blood Road Museum, portraying the plight of prisoners of wars under the German regime from 1942-45.  Proceed to Bodø for dinner and overnight at Scandic Havet Hotel, or similar.

 

DAY 8                THURSDAY, JUNE 20                                          [B,L,D]

Bodø – Leknes – Svolvær:  Depart Bodø for flight to Leknes on the spectacular Lofoten Islands, known for its distinctive scenery.  Arrive in Leknes and drive Borg.  Visit the Lofotr Viking Museum, site of the longest Viking Age longhouse.  Step back in time as you enter the full-scale replica as Vikings entertain you with stories, song and music.  Lunch at the museum.  Continue to Svolvær for dinner and overnight at Thon Hotel Lofoten, or similar.

 

DAY 9                 FRIDAY, JUNE 21                                                 [B,D]

Excursion in Lofoten: Sightseeing in the Lofoten Islands includes the Galleri Lofotens Hus in Henningsvær with an exhibition of classical painters from Northern Norway and the Lofoten Aquarium in Kabelvåg.  Dinner and overnight at hotel. 

 

DAY 10              SATURDAY, JUNE 22                                          [B,D]

Svolvær – Narvik:  Drive to Narvik, established as an ice-free port for the iron ore mines in Kiruna, Sweden.  A visit to the WWII Museum provides information about that time period in history.  A late afternoon excursion by cable car takes us to 2200 feet for an awesome view of the area. Dinner and overnight at Scandic Narvik Hotel, or similar.

 

DAY 11              SUNDAY, JUNE 23                                                [B,D]

Narvik – Tromsø: Depart for Gratangen. Tour the North Norway Boat Museum.  Visit the Polar Park, the northernmost wildlife park in the world.  Proceed to Tromsø, the capital city of Arctic Norway.  Dinner and overnight at Clarion Hotel the Edge, or similar.

 

DAY 12              MONDAY, JUNE 24                                              [B,D]

Tromsø: Sightseeing tour of Tromsø includes a visit to the Arctic Cathedral and Polar Museum.  Balance of day free.  Farewell dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

DAY 13              TUESDAY, JUNE 25                                             [B]

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