Scandinavia, In the Footsteps of Vikings

Your tour commences this evening in Copenhagen. Join us tonight for a welcome drink before dinner.

*9 September departure stays at Hotel SP34.

With a local guide we enjoy a panoramic tour of Copenhagen including sights such as the Little Mermaid, Christiansborg Palace, Amalienborg Palace and Nyhavn’s colourful wharf. Your afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore this wonderful city.

After flying directly to the beautiful city of Stavanger (saving 2 long days driving!) 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.

As a highlight we enjoy a scenic cruise down the Lysefjord, one of Norway’s most breathtaking fjords, to the Vagabond’s Caves and one of the world’s most iconic sights – Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock). For those that enjoy a good walk we have something special! Instead of taking the Pulpit Rock cruise, we can arrange for you to hike to the top and stand on that gigantic rock slab overhanging the fjord. A magnificent experience and the views on top are sensational! Your afternoon is at leisure exploring Stavanger’s cafes, shops and excellent museums.

Following the scenic coastal route to Bergen we hop between lush green islands on bridges and ferries. Hugging the scenic shores beside deep fjords, we arrive into the famous Hanseatic city of Bergen, where we stay two nights in the heart of the old town.

*28 May departure stays at Clarion Hotel Admiral Bergen.

This morning we are joined by a local guide for a walking tour of this historic town and the old terraced houses of the UNESCO listed Bryggen on Vågen Harbour. We have also included a ride on the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen to take in the magnificent views over Bergen. The rest of your day is ‘My Time’ – it is a pleasure exploring this historical port city.

A fabulous day ahead! Catching the train, we cross the undulating hills of Hordaland, through Vossevangen, to Myrdal where we ride on the world famous, scenic Flam Railway. After a stop beside the massive Kjosfossen (waterfall) we follow the picturesque valley to Flam. Next, at Gudvangen on the tip of the Nærøyfjord a local guide will show us around a recreated Viking village, complete with craftsmen and local characters. Later, we take the dramatic Vikafjellsvegen high road across the Stølsheimen plateau. At Myrkdalsvegen a colossal waterfall crashes right next to a hairpin bend. Following a photo stop, we soon reach Vik and
visit the 800 years old Hopperstad Stave church, one of the oldest in Norway. Crossing the massive Sognefjord by ferry, we reach beautiful Balestrand set right on the fjord shores. This is the real Norway, far from the crowds, where we stay two peaceful nights.

A very leisurely start. A local guide will join us to take us on a short walking tour through the historic village, passing authentic wooden Swiss style character villas, small Viking mounds and a classic English church with a leprosy history. The rest of the day is entirely free in a perfect location. ‘My Time’ to relax, enjoy local walks, hire a bike or maybe visit The Cider House orchard and brewery?

After visiting the Fjordland Glacier Museum we enjoy a stop by the mighty Bøyabreen Glacier on the edge of the Jostedalsbreen National Park. Departing from Hellesylt we enjoy a wonderful cruise down the UNESCO listed Geiranger Fjord, passing the famous Seven Sisters waterfalls to charming Geiranger where we stay the next two nights.

There is so much to see and do. Opposite the hotel is the Geiranger Museum and there is a waterfall walkway right into town. Maybe hike or catch a taxi up to the rustic restaurant cabin at Westerås, with its panoramic dining terrace. For the more energetic the Storseterfossen waterfalls are a must - here you can even walk on a rocky terrace inside, behind the falls. Late afternoon, when all the crowds have gone, we drive up the Dalsnibba Pass to visit the incredible Geiranger Skywalk – Norway’s highest
lookout with exceptional views across the snow covered mountain tops.

Winding up a dozen hairpin bends of the Eagle’s Road we stop at Ørnesvingen lookout where the waterfall has been diverted over the cliff edge on a glass shelf. After a farewell look far down onto the fjord and Geiranger we then experience the zig zag walkway that snakes its way over the Gudbrandsjuvet gorge. Next… the world famous Trollstigen or ‘Trolls Road’. From the lookouts we gaze down on the amazing hairpin bends and the route we will soon follow down the valley, and to the craggy mountains
above - folklore tells us these are Trolls turned to stone by sunlight. After a lunch stop at Andalsnes we continue to Molde. Dinner tonight is in our hotel restaurant with stunning views directly over 200 peaks. Amazing!

Travelling through Elnesvågen (home of Jarlsberg cheese) we reach Bud. Here we make a fascinating visit deep down inside the WWII German artillery bunkers – an essential part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall defence. Now it is time to experience one of the world’s greatest drives as we follow the entire length of the Atlanterhavsveien – the Atlantic Ocean Road. Voted ‘the most beautiful coastal drive in the world’, this stunning route criss-crosses islands and skerries with sweeping bridges, passing incredible scenery as it winds its way up to Kristiansund. After an enjoyable lunchtime at leisure in the old port amongst the wooden sailing vessels, we return to Molde. Your evening is at leisure.

This morning we continue north to visit Norway’s 3rd largest city, Trondheim. Dating back to the 11th century this photogenic town has colourful warehouses along the waterside, pedestrianised walkways and the striking Nidaros Cathedral - the world’s northernmost medieval cathedral. We have included entrance and a guided visit.

Crossing the Arctic Circle, we take a short flight north to Bodø (avoiding 3 days of driving!). After lunchtime at leisure in the town, we board one of the famous Hurtigruten ships to enjoy an afternoon cruise past scenic islands and skerries, into the wonderful Lofoten Archipelago. Disembarking at Stamsund, we drive south through incredible scenery to Reine where we stay the next three memorable nights in historic fisherman’s cabins.

Here, in the most western part of the Lofoten archipelago, at the mouth of dramatic Reinefjorden, we stay in the village of Reine, set with an almost unbelievable backdrop of the majestic Lofoten peaks rising from the Arctic Ocean. After time to explore we board RIB boats (Rigid Inflatable Boats) to experience a ride to the tip of the Lofoten archipelago to see sea eagles and visit the giant Moskstraumen – the huge maelstrom whirlpool featured in Jules Verne’s ‘20,000 Leagues under the Sea’. The rest of your day is free. ‘My Time’ to explore your sensational location, maybe on foot or hire a bike? Kayakers - you might like to join an escorted kayaking trip up the sensational, placid Reinefjorden. No experience is necessary, and it is an incredible experience!

At the end of the road south we find the pretty harbour town called simply ‘Å’. This beautifully preserved village contains a number of heritage buildings, cafés, museums and shops and the Lofoten’s oldest working bakery. Their cinnamon buns are famous and certainly worth queuing for! Later we visit Flakstad’s tiny Fisherman's Church, built to honour 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. As a finale, on our way home, we take a break on Sakrisøy Island with its fish drying racks and seafood delicatessen.

The scenery is breathtaking as we follow the coast road to the iconic harbour town of Henningsvaer. With time to explore, make sure you check out the unusual soccer stadium carved into the island rocks. Later 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, with its arts and crafts and throne rooms. On the lake you will see some longboats. After enjoying a bowl of steaming, traditional Viking lamb soup, we continue to Leknes Airport to board a plane for the brief flight to Tromsø, capital of the North!

First stop will be at the Ishavskatedralen - the Arctic Cathedral, standing high over the Tromsø Sound. Later we visit the fascinating Polar Museum depicting the achievements of the great explorers and the harsh life of the early hunters and trappers. The rest of the day is at leisure.

We catch a flight to Norway’s capital, Oslo. Your hotel is located right in the heart of town and after checking in you will have free time to explore the nearby sights at leisure. There is a long, lively pedestrian mall. Akershus Castle and the Royal Palace are nearby. Make sure you visit the pretty port lined with excellent cafés, bars and restaurants.

*15 June departure stays at Radisson Blu Plaza.

This morning we will visit Frognor Parkland 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. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

Your tour ends today after breakfast.