Grand Tour The Nordic Countries

The Lands of  the Midnight Sun!

The Favorites of the North

Dazzle your eyes with architecture created to mirror the appeal of the sea. These "Beauty on water" ports-strongholds of defense and trading-capture the history of these harbors from the gabled warehouses of Bergen's Hanseatic history to the land of the Midnight Sun and Sami traditions.  A highlight is certainly the North Cape and surrounding Sami country.

Oslo is a perfect introduction to the version of Fjord and Northern Capitals Tour. The Viking capital claims the heritage of these explorers from her commanding position at the head of the Oslofjord. The coach tours from the Old World charm of Bergen to the top of canyon viewpoints and the blue ice chill of the glaciers. Descend into the awesome majesty of the longest fjord in the world-catch your breath as the ferry sails by cascading falls and towering cliffs.

Moving north, see Karasjok, SAMI cultural and political capital of the Lapps. Experience their culture, their resonating Joik chanting and browse the many shops displaying unusual and colorful handicrafts. The attractions of the villages are special as you see how hardy the people are in their pristine landscape. Keep alert to spot reindeer herds grazing in their summer open pasture!

The rolling countryside opens onto the largest lake in Sweden, an idyllic luncheon viewpoint before reaching the archipelago of Stockholm-"Venice of the North."  Old Town's cellar restaurant and antique shops contrast with the sumptuous Royal Palace and the rich blue and gold room and tiled mosaics of City Hall. Refresh your memories on a sunset cruise to Helsinki.

The imposing Suomenlinna fortress guards the stylish inner harbor of Helsinki-an elegant skyline of domed cathedrals and modernist architecture. Browse the designer shops lining the broad promenades and perhaps enjoy a night out in this colorful city. Continue your tour and explore on your own, perhaps into the medieval mysteries of Estonia in the Baltics and St. Petersburg.

End the Grand Nordic tour with a stop in Denmark, visiting Copenhagen and enjoy a stay in a Danish Castle in the typical Danish vountryside.

Day 1 Monday: Overnight flight to Oslo from USA gateway city

Day 2 Tuesday: Arrive Oslo
Refresh and get acquainted with the capital! Your tour escort will meet you at the hotel and there will be time to pursue suggested activities.

Day Wednesday: Oslo
3 hour city tour (Viking ships at Bygdøy Island, the Polar exploration ship Fram, Vigeland Sculpture Park, Holmenkollen viewpoint ad international ski jump)- afternoon free 

Day 4 Thursday: Oslo - Bergen
Scenic route through villages and mountains- Tryfjord- Hallingdal Valley- Geilo Resort town
Buffet lunch at Bardøla Mountain Hotel
Hardanger Mountain Plateau- Hardanger Fjord- Towns of Dale- Bergen
Accommodations: Radisson SAS Hotel Norge, B, L, D

Day 5 Friday: Bergen
3 hour city tour highlights (Bryggen Harbor, Fish and Flower Market, Hanseatic Quarter and Maria Church) ride up the Mt Fløien Funicular- afternoon free
Accommodations: Radisson SAS Hotel Norge, B

Day 6 Saturday: Bergen - Balestrand 
Scenic tour alongside the Hardanger Fjord
Lunch on board sightseeing boat
Stalheim Canyon-board ferry at Gudvangen- 3 hour cruise of Nærøy, Aurlands and Sogn Fjords- Balestrand
Accommodations: Kvikne's Hotel, B, L, D

Day 7 Sunday: Balestrand - Geiranger 
Ascent of the Gaular Mountains-viewpoint- Lake Jølster- Nord Fjord- Briksdal Glacier Lunch at  Loenfjord Hotel
1 hour cruise of Geiranger fjord-Seven Sisters- village of Geiranger
Accommodations:: Union hotel, B, L, D

Day 8 Monday: Geiranger - Aalesund 
Drive via Hellesylt to Aalesund for an overnight.  

Day 9 Tuesday:  Aalesund - Hurtigruten
Here you board the Hurtigruten
Ship – The Norwegian Coastal Voyage – for you cruise to Bodø, Lofoten Islands and Tromsø.
2 overnights on board ship.

Day 10 Wednesday: Lofoten
experience the wonderful nature of Lofoten Islands, before continuing to Tromsø See details
on the Voyage.

Day 11, Thursday Tromsø
Upon arrival at Tromsø start your visit to the North Cape & Land of the Midnight Sun.
Spend one night in Tromsø, Paris o fthe North, visit the unique Crystal Cathedral, the University Planetarium, This university is the worlds northern most university.  You can even get in a round of Golf at midnight under the midnight sun!

Day 12, Friday: Tromsø – Hammerfest
Drive northeast towards Karasjok and along the path of the wild grazing reindeer herds.  Overnight in Hammerfest.

Day 13, Saturday: Hammerfest - Honningsvåg - North Cape
Enjoy a 3 hour city tour of Hammerfest, including the musuem of WWII Reconstruction, Hammerfest Church and the Polar Bear Society Clubhouse. Lunch at the hotel and depart for Honningsvåg and the North Cape.

Day 14 Sunday:  Honningsvåg - Ivalo - Helsinki
Drive east to Ivalo with a stop in Karasjok, a most interesting and cultural time to experience Sami lifestyle. See many of the Sami dressed in their colorful attire as well as taste some of their hearty reindeer stew in a Laavo tent!
Dinner flight back to Helsinki

Day 15 Monday: Helsinki  
3 hour city tour highlights (Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, Parliment House, Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Park & Monument and the Underground Temple)

Day 16 Tuesday: Helsinki Tallinn – Helsinki
After breakfast take a Ferry to the Tallink Ferry terminal.  Hydrofoil departs at 10:05 am. Take a guided day tour by Tallink Ferry, Hydrofoil trip to Tallin Estonia.  Remember to bring your passports!  At Tallin take a guided walk through the Old town, and get a feel for this wonderful little artisan medieval city on the Baltic Sea. Lunch on your own.  Late afternoon return to the harbor for your trip back to Helsinki, where you will arrive at 7:05pm.

Day 17 Wednesday: Helsinki –Helsinki – aboard Repin Train to St Petersburg

Day on own in Helsinki.  Mid afternoon take a taxi to the station for your Russian “Repin” train to Russia departing Helsinki at 3:42pm arriving at St Petersburg station at 10:27pm.  Our guide will meet you and transfer you to the Hotel for your overnight.

Day 18 Thursday: St. Petersburg

After breakfast our guide will pick you up at 1000am for visit to Hermitage State Museum. At noon you will see the Golden Rooms of the Hermitage and recommend lunch at Restaurant Hermitage.  At 3pm you will visit Yusupov Palace.  Return to hotel at 5pm and have dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the Grand Emerald Hotel.

Day19 Friday: St. Petersburg

After breakfast our guide will pick you up at 09:30am taking you to the Hydrofoil (Meteor) destined for Peterhoff.  You will visit Peterhoff Palace and Park from 10:30am to 1:00pm. Recommended restaurant for lunch is Restaurant Podvorie (a Russian Log House) or Russian House in Pushkin.  From 2:00pm until 5pm visit at Pushkin, Catherine’s Palace and Park (Czarskoe Tzelo).  Return to hotel for dinner and overnight at Emerald Grand Hotel.

Day 20 Saturday: St. Petersburg - Stockholm

After breakfast our guide will pick you up for a visit to the Cathedral of the spilled Blood.  After an hour tour are continuing to St. Isaac’s Cathedral.  From there you will return to hotel pick up luggage and transfer to the airport for the SAS flight to Stockholm.

Day 21 Sunday: Stockholm 
4 hour city tour highlights ( Royal Palace, Parliament Building, the Island of Djurgården and the Old Town Gamla Stan and City Hall)- Afternoon free

Day 22 Monday: Stockholm - Copenhagen
Morning and early afternoon free
Late afternoon flight to Copenhagen

Day 23 Tuesday: Copenhagen
Arriving at 1:30pm at Copenhagen take a taxi to the Strand Hotel at the famous Copenhagen waterfront NYHAVN.  After checking in enjoy a stroll along the canal, have a drink and perhaps your evening meal at one of the many outside restaurants there.  Cape Horn is known for its traditional Danish Kitchen.  Overnight at the Strand Hotel.

Day 24 Wednesday: Copenhagen
After breakfast join a 3 hour city tour starting from town hall square.  Take a 20 to 30 minute walk up the walking street directly to City Hall, from where the bus will depart.  The tour will give you a good basis for exploring the rest of this Wonderful Copenhagen on your own.  An afternoon visit to Tivoli Gardens, the oldest amusement park in the world (approx. 155 years of age), for an evening meal might be in order.  Overnight at the Strand Hotel.

Day 25 Thursday: Copenhagen – Ribe
After breakfast pick up a rental car and start your drive to Frederiksborg Castle, a Danish National Museum.  Continue driving north to Gilleleje Harbor, for Lunch on your own at Karen and Marie’s Restaurant.  Here you will be able to see the remnants of the Danish Resistance movement’s efforts in saving our Danish Jews from Nazi capture, on 23 Oct. 1943.  By driving by the Library, you can see a statue donated to the village by the President of Israel, as well as the Hull of a Fisherman’s vessel, used in those days to transport people, clandestinely, to Sweden. After Lunch you should start your drive to the island of Fyn.  Crossing over the Great Belt Bridge. Continue your drive across the island to the little Belt Bridge and cross over to Jutland heading south to Ribe. At Ribe you will check into the Dagmar Hotel Situated directly across the street from the Ribe Cathedral dating back to 1125AD.  At 8:00pm you can take an evening stroll with the famous night watchman, making his rounds

As they have done for several hundred years. He will sing and tell a little of Ribe’s History. Overnight at Dagmar Hotel.

Day 26 Friday:  Ribe – Hvedholm Castle.

After breakfast take a walk through old Ribe perhaps visit the cathedral before staring the drive towards Rømø. An island off the North Sea Coast just south of Esbjerg.  Drive out and see these vast beaches of the North Sea.

You may even enjoy a dip.  Just be careful to watch the tides and current warnings.  Continue south to Tønder and walk thought the old town, or go further south crossing into Germany.  Flensburg Germany would be a great cross border stop for half a day continuing your drive across east Jutland to Als and catch a ferry to Bøjden.  Upon arrival on the Island of Fyn, continue the drive to Hvedholm Castle for your dinner and overnight.

Day 27 Saturday: Hvedholm – Egeskov – Odense – Hvedholm Castle

After breakfast and a leisurely morning drive to Egeskov Castle for another unique castle tour, this time it is an active private estate.  Have lunch there in their cafeteria. You can continue to Odense and see the Hans Christian Andersen Museum and home.  Continue back to Hvedholm Castle for your overnight stay.   You may want to have dinner at another famous inn Falsled Kro, made famous for its Michelin Rated Kitchen, This Inn once used by the G-& meeting during the Nixon Years.  You can of course enjoy a relaxed dinner at the Hvedholm Castle.  Overnight at Hvedholm Castle.

Day 28 Sunday:  Hvedholm – Copenhagen – Home

After breakfast make your way back to Copenhagen, across the Great Belt Bridge.  Stop at Roskilde and see the magnificent Cathedral, dating back to 1120A.D. built initially by our warrior Bishop Absalon.  Here you will find the largest collection of burial sites for the Danish Royal Family, all descendants of our first King Gorm the Old.

Continue the drive back to Copenhagen Airport for your onward journey.