The Heart of Scandinavia with the Norwegian Fjords 2010

	The Heart of Scandinavia and norwegian fjords 14 days/13 nights Superior First Class We are pleased to offer you the ultimate tour of Scandinavia - a quality first class tour at a leisurely pace during which you will experience Scandinavia whilst staying at very good first class hotels right in the heart of each city. You will have time to explore the 3 capitals and you will travel through some of the most beautiful parts of the Norwegian Fjords and the South of Scandinavia. The scenic highlights include the longest fjord in Norway - The Sognefjord, the Geirangerfjord and the Briksdal Glacier. Whilst in the Fjord area you will stay at hotels belonging to "The Prominent Hotels of the Fjords of Norway". You will be travelling on the famous Flåm Railway and cruising the fjords by ferries and boat. Bergen, the Capital of the fjords, will surprise and enchant you. In Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo, there is plenty of time to enjoy the amenities on offer and to get to know these capital cities, each one of them with a distinct different atmosphere. Throughout the tour you will travel by first class coach and with one of our professional Tour Escorts who will ensure you get full enjoyment during your holiday. If you are interested in travelling further East, we also offer extensions to Baltic Countries and to Russia.
Day 1 Tuesday Copenhagen	Arrival transfer from the airport to your hotel. In the early evening your Tour escort will arrange a get-together to give information about the tour and give you a chance to meet your fellow travellers. Accommodation at hotel, centrally located in Copenhagen.
Day 2 Wednesday Copenhagen	Buffet breakfast at the hotel. The day starts with a 3 hours guided tour of the city. Famous sights include the Royal Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace, Gefion Fountain, Nyhavn and of course the Little Mermaid. Afternoon free for exploring this fairytale city. Overnight.
Day 3 Thursday Copenhagen-Oslo	Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Morning free in Copenhagen. Your tour escort will be happy to advise you about places of interest to visit - we can suggest an optional tour to the three castles in North Sealand, including the Kronborg Castle of Hamlet. Afternoon transfer by coach from hotel to DFDS Seaways terminal for your overnight cruise to Oslo, departing at 17.00 hours. Enjoy your first Scandinavian smörgåsbord dinner as you cruise gently up the Kattegat. Accommodation in 2-berth outside cabins with shower/WC. We strongly recommend bringing an overnight bag for this cruise, to avoid having to carry your suitcases to and from the cabin.
Day 4 Friday Oslo	Buffet breakfast onboard. . Enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast as you cruise along the enchanting Oslo Fjord. Arrival in Oslo around 09.30 hours, followed by 3 hours guided tour of the Norwegian capital. You will visit the world-famous Viking Ships Museum and the impressive Vigeland Sculpture Park. Accommodation in the centre of Oslo. Evening free.
Day 5 Saturday Oslo	Buffet breakfast at hotel. Day free in Oslo. The bustling Aker Brygge Harbour, the Akershus Fortress, and other popular attractions are all within walking distance of your hotel. Your tour escort will assist you in planning your day and offer optional excursions. Overnight.
Day 6 Sunday Oslo-Lofthus in Hardangerfjord	Buffet breakfast at hotel. Departure from Oslo, driving to the mountain resort of Geilo for a stop. The tour continues skirting the wild Hardanger Mountain Pleateau, stopping at Fossli to admire Norway´s highest waterfall, Vöringsfoss, with a vertical drop of 180 m. Descend to the lovely Hardanger Fjord where you will be spending the night at the traditional Ullensvang Hotel, situated at the water´s coast. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7 Monday Lofthus-Bergen	Buffet breakfast at hotel. Short ferry crossing, before continuing via Norheimsund to Bergen, capital of Western Norway and gateway to the fjords. In the afternoon you will enjoy a city tour of this beautiful Old Hansa Town, surrounded by 7 mountains. The tour escort will show you the Old Bryggen Area and the popular Fish & Flower Market, the ancient Maria Church, Hanseatic Quarter, Old Bryggen Harbour and other famous sights. Accommodation in central Bergen.
Day 8 Tuesday Bergen-Balestrand	Buffet breakfast at hotel. Today you will have a scenic tour to the Sognefjord starting with a train journey from Voss to Flåm. This train journey is one of the most famous in Norway and gives fantastic views of the fjord. In Flåm you will take a 2 hours cruise along the Aurlands, Naeröy and Sognefjord. After this you have a breathtaking ascent of the Stalheim Canyon, with impressive views of the Naeroy Valley, its mountain peaks and waterfalls. Continue by coach over the Vika mountains to Vangsnes, followed by a short trip by ferry crossing the Sognefjord. Arrival in Balestrand in time for dinner and accommodation at the magnificent Kviknes Hotel, beautifully located overlooking the fjord.
Day 9 Wednesday Balestrand-Loen	Buffet breakfast at hotel. Departure from your hotel by coach to Fjaerland. Visit to the glacier Museum. Continue by coach along the scenic route, passing under the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Europe, arriving at the village of Skei. Descend to the beautiful Nord Fjord, making a detour at Olden to visit the world-famous Briksdal Glacier. The journey up to the glacier will be made in open troll cars to give you the best of views. During the afternoon the tour continues to Loen. Dinner and accommodation at the first class hotel Alexandra in Loen.
Day 10 Thursday Loen-Geiranger-Lillehammer	Buffet breakfast at hotel. Travel through Stryn to the village of Hellesylt. From here you board the ferry for the one hour cruise along the spectacular Geiranger Fjord. During the cruise you will pass close by some impressive waterfalls, such as the Bridal Veil and the Seven Sisters. Disembark in the picturesque village of Geiranger. Visit the interesting Fjord Museum and continue across the Grotli Mountains to Lom, travelling along Lake Vågå and descending the remarkable Gudbrands Valley, renowned for its old farmsteads and beautiful river. Arrive at the small town of Lillehammer, known as the Olympic Winter Games host city in 1994. Shor tvisit to the town. Accommodation.
Day 11 Friday Lillehammer-Stockholm	Buffet breakfast at hotel. Departure towards Gardemoen, the international airport outside Oslo. We will take a non-stop flight to Stockholm of approximately 1 hour duration. Arrival at Arlanda International Airport in Stockholm. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight at centrally located hotel.
Day 12 Saturday Stockholm	Buffet breakfast at hotel. The day starts with a 4 hours guided tour of the city. Famous sights include the Royal Palace, Parliament Buildings, Cathedral, Royal Theatre, etc. You will also visit the Old Town (Gamla Stan) with its narrow cobbled streets and numerous antique shops. Highlight of the tour is a visit to City Hall with its famous Blue and Golden Halls, where the Nobel Prize banquet is held each year. Afternoon free in Stockholm, with the possibility of visiting the famous Wasa Museum or take one of the popular canal tours. Accommodation at hotel.
Day 13 Sunday Stockholm	Buffet breakfast at hotel. Full day for independent activities. Your Tour Escort will help you with information and suggestions of what you can do and see in Stockholm during your free time. Tonight you will be served a farewell dinner. Accommodation at hotel.
Day 14 Monday Stockholm	Buffet breakfast at hotel. Today is where the tour of the Heart of Scandinavia ends. Check out. Transfer to Stockholm International Airport, Arlanda. ' For those who continue to Helsinki, Baltic countries and Russia, a transfer will be arranged at approximately 15.00 hours.

Rates in EUR:	2822 per person in triple (Please note that in Scandinavia a triple room is a double room with extra bed. This bed is usually a very simple bed or a sofa). 2969 per person in double. 1520 single supplement.
Hotels included or similar
	Copenhagen	Scandic Copenhagen - first class.
	Oslo	Clarion Hotel Royal Christiania - first class hotel or Thon hotel Bristol or Thon Opera – first class.
	Lofthus	Ullensvang Hotel - superior first class hotel Departure 18 of May – hotel Fretheim in Flåm
	Bergen	Radisson Blu Royal - first class hotel
	Balestrand	Kvikne's Hotel - first class hotel.
	Loen	Alexandra Hotel - superior first class hotel
	Lillehammer	Radisson Blu Lillehammer Hotel - first class hotel
	Stockholm	Sheraton hotel – superior first class
Departures: English guaranteed for dates in bold.	May 4 , 18 June 1 , 8, 15 , 22, 29 July 6, 13, 20, 27 August 3, 10, 17, 31 September 7 , 14, 21
Rates include:	Scandinavian buffet breakfast daily 5 dinners Transfers included upon arrival in Copenhagen and departure in Stockholm Touring by first class air-conditioned motorcoach plus full time service of a English and Spanish speaking professional tour escort from SIS Scandinavia. Luggage handling of one piece of luggage per person at hotels. Scandinavian DFDS Seaways Copenhagen-Oslo, outside 2 berth cabins. 2nd class train Voss-Myrdal-Flåm Local ferries in Norway according to programme. Electric "troll cars" to the Briksdal Glacier. Entries to Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Glacier Museum in Fjaerland. Fjord Museum in Geiranger and City Hall in Stockholm. Economy class one way flight ticket Oslo-Stockholm (max 20kg luggage). Sightseeing in capitals with local guide (in Bergen with tour escort) plus admission charges where applicable. Tour conducted in English, Spanish and Portuguese on dates marked in bold, otherwise in Spanish and Portuguese. Twin bed accommodation at first/superior first class hotels listed or similar. SIS Scandinavia baggage tags and all tour documents. SIS Scandinavia limits passenger luggage transportation to 1 piece of luggage of normal size (ie. max cm 60 x 80 x 35 or max inches 23,5 x 31,5 x 13,8) per person. Should this be exceeded SIS Scandinavia will have to charge an additional EUR 65 per piece of luggage, per tour. (This excludes hand luggage).
Important notice:	Overnight flight bags may also be carried but must remain in the passengers possession at all times. SIS Scandinavia is not responsible or liable for loss, damage or theft of luggage and/or personal belongings, so please be sure to have adequate insurance to cover loss, damage or theft. SIS Scandinavia reserves the right to make changes in the program and/or hotels if necessary. Always in the same standard and category.

2009-07-02/DT