Spectacular Scandinavia & its Fjords

Greetings to you, Copenhagen! Spend your afternoon at leisure to relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for drinks and a warm and friendly dinner.

In the evening visit the glittering lights and enchanting atmosphere of the world-famous Tivoli Gardens. (D) Stay: Radisson Blu Scandinavia, Copenhagen

A Local Expert will reveal the charm of Denmark's capital. Visit Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid gazing wistfully across the harbour and see Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Government. Continue to Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Palace, Nyhavn and Copenhagen Cathedral, where the Crown Prince of Denmark married Princess Mary. View the unusual Rundertaarn and enjoy an afternoon at your leisure, relaxing or exploring at your pace. Perhaps take an optional experience into the picturesque Danish countryside to see the castles of North Zealand? (B)

Continue along Sweden's west coast to the cosmopolitan port city of Gothenburg.

On arrival, explore with your Local Expert and learn about the region's culture and nautical history. The evening is at your leisure. Take a stroll along the leafy boulevards and enjoy dinner in one of the city's many restaurants. (B) Stay: Elite Park Avenue, Gothenburg

Enjoy views of the patchwork of fertile farmlands, as you journey along the shores of Lake Vättern to the Swedish capital. Stop at Grännaberget cafe for a Swedish Fika of coffee and freshly baked pastries, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience that helps preserving Sweden's cultural heritage. (B) Stay: Scandic Grand Central (Superior rooms), Stockholm

See the charms of Sweden's capital with your Local Expert. Wander the medieval streets of Gamla Stan and see the 13th-century cathedral. Visit the imposing City Hall to see its fabulous Gyllene salen, the Golden Hall, with its walls covered in 18 million gilded mosaic tiles, and the Blå hallen, the Blue Hall, where the Nobel Prize banquets are held.

There's free time in the afternoon for you to explore at your own pace. Perhaps visit the fabulous Vasa Galleon, raised from Stockholm's harbour-bed in 1961 after sinking on its maiden voyage in 1628? (B)

Travel to the historic city of Uppsala, the seat of Scandinavia's oldest university. Meet Hans Odoo, a passionate local storyteller, who will share the fascinating history of the Carl Linnaeus Garden on a guided tour. You'll learn about Sweden's first botanical garden and its 1300 species of flora and fauna.  Continue to the historic city of Uppsala, seat of Scandinavia's oldest university.  Travel to Falun, an old historic mining town.

In the evening, enjoy a delightful Farm-to-Table dinner at a local restaurant, prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. (B/D) Stay: First Grand, Falun

With your Travel Director see the Falun Copper Mine and the Great Pit, a vast crater created by an enormous mine collapse in 1687.

Later on in the morning travel along the shores of Lake Siljan to Mora, the home of Sweden's infamous 17th-century witch trials. Continue deep into the forested heart of the country to reach Sälen, the starting point for the world's oldest and longest cross-country ski race, Vasaloppet. This 90 kilometre race across the snow has been challenging skiers since 1922. 

Later cross the border into Norway and pass Hamar with its Olympic ice skating rink which resembles an upturned Viking ship. Journey along the shores of Mjøsa, Norway's largest lake, to arrive at Lillehammer, home of the 1994 Winter Olympics. (B/D) Stay: Scandic Lillehammer

Journey northwest from Lillehammer, travelling through the countryside of Peer Gynt, immortalised by Ibsen. At Lom, view the Norwegian stave church dating back to 1158. Continue along winding roads that pass waterfalls, rivers, ice fields, lakes and snow-capped peaks. For the next two nights you will stay in the scenic village of Geiranger, overlooking fjords and soaring mountains. (B/D) Stay: Union Geiranger

Enjoy a Relaxed Start and a day reserved for your leisure amongst the most breathtaking scenery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perhaps join an Optional Experience for an incredible scenic drive along the amazing Troll's Road? The road itself was a masterpiece of engineering when it was built over 70 years ago and the spectacular views will leave you speechless. (B/D)

After a relaxed morning, take a scenic cruise along the Geirangerfjord. Your travels continue to the Bøya Glacier for a photo-stop. Explore Fjærland with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the interactive Norwegian Glacier Museum, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, the largest icecap in continental Europe at the foot of the Jostedal Glacier. Alternatively, take a walk through the village of Fjærland with a Local Expert and hear about life between the fjord and the glacier.

Then enjoy a scenic drive onto your historic fjord hotel in Leikanger. Delight in a dinner of fresh and locally sourced produce. (B/D) Stay: Leikanger Fjord

Cross Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in Norway, extending over 200 kilometres and reaching depths of 1,308 m (4,291 ft). Then take the Flåm Railway, a feat of 20th-century engineering, through steep terrain, tunnels and waterfalls. Continue to Voss for a visit to Finnegarden Farm and discover how glacial soil and a cool climate shape the distinctive flavours of their traditionally crafted juices and ciders.

End the day in Bergen, a former Hanseatic trading port with a rich maritime heritage and distinctive wooden architecture along its historic wharf. (B) Stay: Scandic Ørnen

A Local Expert introduces you to Bergen. The ancient Hanseatic port city still largely looks to the sea for its living, as evidenced by the picturesque and lively Fish Market, set in a charming location in the heart of the city. The market also has stalls selling a colourful variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, handicrafts and souvenirs.

After seeing the 13th-century Haakon's Hall, there will be time to explore all that this exciting town has to offer. Perhaps you might like to visit the home of composer Edvard Grieg, before ascending Mount Fløyen by the only funicular in Scandinavia. (B)

Travel along scenic and varied landscapes to Oslo, drive past some of Norway's most picturesque ski-resorts. Leaving the seaside town of Bergen, your journey continues climbing up to elevations of 1200m (3930ft) offering moon like scenery and passing some of Norway's ski resorts on the Hardanger Plateau. After returning to lower areas you'll be driving among dense forests before reaching the capital city of Oslo. (B) Stay: Radisson Blu Scandinavia, Oslo

With your Local Expert, see the Royal Palace and the spires and ramparts of Akershus Castle, the 14th century fortress guarding the harbour. At Frogner Park, view the intriguing Vigeland sculptures. Explore the area around the Opera House and see the strikingly modern architecture of the Bjørvika neighbourhood.

In the evening, round off your Scandinavian adventure with a dinner at a local restaurant. Over a glass of wine, toast to your travels with your newfound friends. (B/D)

Your Scandinavian exploration has come to an end. (B)