Scandinavia tours for mature travellers

Upon arrival in Copenhagen we will come individually to the hotel. In the evening we will have a welcome meeting and dinner at the hotel. Denmark is the smallest and most southerly of the Scandinavian countries. It is made up of the Jutland Peninsula and over 400 islands, the largest of which is Zealand, where Copenhagen is found. The country is a fascinating mix of pastoral farmland and lively cities, and is rich in medieval churches, Renaissance castles, and fishing villages. The country’s historic and cultural heritage ranges from the Viking Raiders who settled large swathes of England to colourful medieval kings and queens. The Danish Royal House remains the oldest in Europe and now has an Australian born Crown Princess. The island of Zealand is a contrast of rural pasture and sandy beaches with imposing castles, and the country’s lively capital, Copenhagen, is a treasure trove of museums, castles, and churches. (D)

This morning we meet our local guide for a city tour. We start with a drive towards the City Hall Square where the famous pedestrian street “Stroget” begins. We pass the Tivoli Gardens, dating back to 1843, and make our way past the New Carlsberg Glyptotheque and the National Museum. Next we see the Old Stock Exchange and the Naval Church. We drive past the Kings New Square, the home of the Royal Danish Theatre with the world famous ballet, then through the old canal area, Nyhavn, with its picturesque houses and vessels. Next, we visit a landmark of Copenhagen, the statue of the Little Mermaid, known from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale. Finally we stop at the Royal residence, Amalienborg Palace, for a photo stop and possibly seeing the changing of the guards (time permitting). During the tour we shall also appreciate the Christiansborg Palace (outside visit), housing the Danish Parliament, and the Rosenborg Castle, which houses the Crown Jewels (entrance included). The tour will end at Amalienborg Castle, and then we have free time to explore or head back to the hotel and relax. (B)

En route to Stockholm, we cross the impressive Oresundsbridge to Malmo and travel through the Swedish countryside. We travel by train from Copenhagen to Stockholm, about a 5 hour rail journey. On arrival in Stockholm we make our own way to the hotel which is next to the station. Dinner in the evening will be at our hotel. Sweden is the largest of the Scandinavian countries and has historically dominated its smaller neighbours. It too is a country of lakes and forests, stretching from the Baltic to the Arctic Circle. Its greater contact with the outside world has created an open and outgoing people, whilst its social policies have brought about one of the highest standards of living in the world. Sweden, like its other Scandinavian neighbours, is still a monarchy. Stockholm, undoubtedly one of the world’s most striking capital cities, reflects this royal heritage in its palaces and architecture. (B,D)

Today we enjoy a morning tour of the city including entrance to the City Hall, where the Nobel Banquet takes place in the Blue and Golden Halls. After the visit to town hall, we start a walking tour of the Gamla Stan (Old Town) of Stockholm. There will be some free time for lunch (own arrangements) in the old town, before we take the ferry to Vasa Museum for a guided tour. After visiting the museum we take the tram home, or have the opportunity to walk to Skansen (entrance not included). The remainder of the day will be at leisure. (B)

This morning we visit Drottningholm, including entrance to the Palace and the Chinese Pavilion & Gardens. Then we return to the hotel for a free afternoon. In the evening we take a short walk to Strandvangen pier to board our dinner cruise of Stockholm Archipelago (no drinks included). (B,D)

En route to Norway we traverse the lakelands and forests of Sweden, pausing to view the 16th century Gripsholm Castle and passing Karlstad in Varmland, before arriving in the Norwegian capital, Oslo. A ruggedly beautiful land of high mountains, deep fjords, and icy blue glaciers, Norway stretches for over 2,000 kilometres from its southern beaches to the Tundra wastelands of the “Land of the Midnight Sun.” Winters are cold and relentless, but summers benefit from long hours of sunshine when the sun hardly sets for weeks on end. The heritage of Norway includes unspoiled fishing villages, rich historic sites, Viking ships, and medieval stave churches. Oslo is the oldest of the Scandinavian capitals, but despite being Norway’s largest city and containing many fine palaces and monuments, it has a comfortable, small-town feel. (B,D)

After breakfast we meet our local guide for full day tour of Oslo. We will tour the city with coach and on foot, visiting the Cathedral, Akershus Fortress, Royal Palace, Parliament, and Vigeland Park. We will have some free time for lunch near City Hall (own arrangements) and/or go to National Gallery before short visit to City Hall. We then travel to Viking Ship Museum and the Norwegian Folk Museum (entrances included). (B)

En route to the Hardangerfjord, we experience “Norway in a Nutshell.” First we take one of the world’s most spectacular rail journeys from Oslo past forests, lakes, and waterfalls over a desolate plateau with a background of snow and glaciers, to arrive in Myrdal where we join the Flam Valley railway. The train journey to Flam is a constantly changing panorama of snow peaked mountains, thundering waterfalls, and green pastures. From here a boat trip along the Naeroyfjord takes us past tiny farmsteads clinging to steep mountainsides to Gudvangen, from where our bus takes us through the spectacular Stahlheim Gorge to Voss, and on to our hotel in Stalheim. (B,D)

We leave Stalheim and travel via the mountain village of Voss to Norheimsund. In Nodheimsund we visit the boat museum. We travel via coach to Steinsto, and from here we take a ferry over to Botnen and then to Kvanndal. Our second ferry crossing takes us to Utne and then onto Kinsarvik. We rejoin our coach to take the short journey to Lofthus. Our hotel rests on one of the most beautiful points on the Hardanger Fjord, and it was one of Edvard Grieg’s favourite haunts. (B,D)

Today we enjoy a full day guided tour to Eidfjord, including a visit to Simar Power Station. We stop in Kjeasen at an old mountain farm and later enjoy the film and museum at Hardangervidda Center, followed by a visit to Vorinsfossen and Sysendammen before returning to our hotel for dinner. (B,D)

We depart Lofthus and travel by coach to Brimness, travelling across the NEW bridge to Bruravik, before heading via Northeimsund to Bergen. We meet our local guide who will take us on a walking tour of Bergen to explore the city with its old Hanseatic Wharf, Rozenkrantz Tower, and fish market, as well as Troldhaugen, the birthplace of Norway’s national composer, Edvard Grieg. In the evening we will have our farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Today we explore this great city at leisure. (B)

Our tour ends today after breakfast. (B)