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The Heart of Scandinavia and Helsinki 16 days/15 nights First/Superior First Class
We are pleased to offer you the ultimate tour of Scandinavia ending in Helsinki. A quality first class tour at a
leisurely pace during which you will experience Scandinavia whilst staying at good first class hotels right in the
heart of each city. You will have time to explore the 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 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 out of these 16 days of your holiday.
If you are interested in travelling further East, we also offer extensions to Baltic Countries and Russia.
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Day 1 Tuesday Copenhagen
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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 centrally located hotel in Copenhagen. |
Day 2
Wednesday Copenhagen
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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 fairy tale city. Overnight. |
Day
3 Thursday Copenhagen-Oslo
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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
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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
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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.
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Day 6 Sunday Oslo-Lofthus in Hardangerfjord
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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
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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.
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Day 8
Tuesday Bergen-Balestrand
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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
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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
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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.
Short visit to the town. Accommodation. |
Day
11 Friday Lillehammer-Stockholm
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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
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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
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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-Helsinki
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Buffet breakfast .
Morning free in Stockholm. At approximately 15.00hrs you will have a transfer from your hotel to the pier,
to embark on the cruise ferry Silja Line. The ferry departs from Stockholm and slowly travels down the
glorious archipelago past numerous small islands. Dinner on board. Choice of entertainment, bars,
shops and casino. Overnight.
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Day 15 Tuesday Helsinki
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Buffet breakfast
onboard. Enjoy your buffet breakfast as you sail into Helsinki. Directly after you disembark there is a
2 hours guided tour of Helsinki. Famous sights include the Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, Parliament House,
Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Park & Monument, Church in the Rock and much more. Afternoon free in Helsinki.
Accommodation at Hotel.
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Day 16 Wednesday Helsinki
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Buffet breakfast at
hotel. Today is the day to say farewell to the tour, your travel companions and to the Magic of Scandinavia and Helsinki tour.
If you are interested in travelling further East, we also offer extensions to Baltic Countries and
to Russia.
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