Scandinavia, In the Footsteps of Vikings Tour

Your tour commences this evening in Norway’s capital Oslo Join us tonight for a welcome drink before dinner. 

This morning we will visit Frognor Park to wander amongst hundreds of the artist Vigeland’s amazing giant sculptures. Next, on the Bygdøy peninsula, we visit the fascinating Norsk Folkemuseum where dozens of historic regional dwellings, houses, buildings and even villages have been saved, brought in and reconstructed. As a finale we see the mighty Viking longboats and treasures in the Viking Ship Museum. The remainder of your day is at leisure in Oslo to explore. Your hotel is located right in the heart of town.  Nearby there is a long, lively pedestrian mall, Akershus Castle and the Royal Palace. Make sure you visit the pretty port lined with excellent cafés, bars and restaurants.  

After flying directly to the beautiful city of Stavanger we stop at Sverd i fjell – a massive monument of three gigantic Viking ‘Swords in the Rock’. Commemorating Norway’s unification into one kingdom in 872, they symbolise peace, unity and freedom. Later we have ‘My Time’ exploring Stavanger’s delightful cobblestoned old town, wooden wharf and the colourful houses along the Øvre Holmegate. We stay two nights in Stavanger. 

Crossing the Arctic Circle, we take a short flight north to Bodø (avoiding 3 days of driving!). From here we board another small aircraft for a breath-taking flight over scenic islands and skerries, into the wonderful Lofoten Archipelago. Arriving in Leknes we drive south through incredible scenery to enjoy a short stop on Sakrisøy Island with its fish drying racks and seafood delicatessen. Next stop Reine, where we stay the next three memorable nights in historic fisherman’s cabins.

At the end of the road south we find the pretty harbour town simply called ‘Å’. This beautifully preserved village contains a number of heritage buildings, cafés, museums, shops, and the Lofoten’s oldest working bakery. Later we visit Flakstad Church, which honours the hundreds of sailors and fishermen from the local communities who have perished or been lost in the unforgiving sea. At our next stop we explore the ‘time capsule’ fishermen’s village of Nusfjord with its old-fashioned village store, preserved sawmill, forge and cod-liver oil workshop, before enjoying a buffet lunch in the Karoline Restaurant.

As a finale, we visit the amazing Lofotr museum with its Viking Longhouse, relics and treasures. 1,200 years ago, the Lofoten Islands were heavily populated by Vikings and this enormous Longhouse is the biggest ever discovered. A local guide will take us through the authentically reconstructed rooms, where costumed characters re-enact the ancient Viking community life.

Sadly, it is time to leave these spectacular islands. This morning we make our way to Leknes Airport to board our flight to Oslo, via Bodo.  This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner in a local Oslo restaurant.

Your tour ends today after breakfast.