NORDIC EXPLORER:

THE BEST OF CITIES  & FJORDS 2009

14 days / 13 nights, Oslo - Hardanger Fjord - Bergen - Aurland & Nærøyfjord  -

Sogne Fjord - Geiranger Fjord -

Stockholm – Helsinki - Stockholm - Copenhagen

 English departures Fridays, June 26 / July 03, 10, 17

All departures are guaranteed / One of our most popular Scandinavia tour!

 Welcome to the Nordic Explorer, one of our most popular escorted tours to Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark!

 This comprehensive Scandinavia tour features the Nordic Capitals along with three of the most spectacular fjords in

 Norway. Visit magnificent fjords, the idyllic Hardanger Fjord, captivated by the snow-covered Hardanger Vidda.

 Cruise from Bergen on the Aurlandsfjord, the Nærøyfjord, and the Sogne Fjord to the fjord village of Balestrand.

 Stay at the historic Kvikne's Hotel, dating back to 1877. Continue to the magnificent Geiranger Fjord, on UNESCO's

 list of World Heritage Sites with powerful waterfalls "Seven Sister" and " Bridal Veil". Gasp in awe at the splendor of

 unspoiled nature, pristine wilderness and the pure clean air working it's magic on you! Enjoy the legends of fjords,

 mountains, waterfalls and glaciers, along with the colorful Hanseatic city of Bergen, bustling Oslo, Stockholm, the

 Venice of the North. Enjoy the luxurious Silja Line ship on a round trip cruise across the Baltic Sea from Stockholm

 to Helsinki and back. By motorcoach through Southern Sweden to Copenhagen, where we enjoy a guided tour of

 Castles, Nyhavn harbor and Tivoli Gardens.

Day 1 ARRIVE OSLO (D)
Transfer from Oslo Gardermoen Airport to hotel in connection with your flight arrival. Dinner and accommodation at Thon Hotel Opera, centrally located close to the Oslo Fjord and the new Opera House. Your tour escort will meet you at 19.50 hrs in the hotel lobby.
Accommodation: Thon Hotel Opera

Day 2 OSLO - ULVIK (B, L, D)
After breakfast departure from Oslo, driving past the beautiful Tyri Fjord and along the picturesque Hallingdal Valley to the tourist resort town of Geilo. Buffet lunch at Bardøla Mountain Hotel. After lunch cross the scenic Hardanger Mountain Plateau to Fossli, stopping to view the mighty Vøringsfoss Waterfall with a vertical drop of 180 m., the highest in Norway. Descend the amazing Måbødalen Canyon to the idyllic Hardanger Fjord. Short ferry crossing, followed by drive around the Ulvik Fjord, a branch of the Hardanger Fjord, to the picturesque village of Ulvik. Dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Rica Brakanes Hotel

Day 3 ULVIK - BERGEN (B, D)
After buffet breakfast, start of scenic tour along the beautiful Hardanger Fjord, famous for its  fruit orchards. Drive via the towns of Øystese and Norheimsund, arriving in Bergen around midday. Afternoon 2- hour tour of Bergen, including a visit to the popular Fish and Flower Market, the famous Bryggen Harbour with its gabled pack houses, and the old Hanseatic Quarter. Ride the funicular to Mt. Fløyen, for best views of the city, harbor and fjord below. Dinner and overnight at Radisson SAS Hotel Norge, centrally located on Ole Bull’s Square, close to the pedestrian shopping streets and the old Bryggen harbor.
Accommodation: Radisson SAS Norge Hotel

Day 4 BERGEN - FLÅM - BALESTRAND (B, D)
After a delicious breakfast buffet, we depart Bergen and drive via Dale to Voss. Descend the Nærøy Valley, passing the amazing Stalheim Canyon, to Flåm. Board the Flam Railway for an exhilarating ride to Myrdal. The descent from Myrdal to Flåm offers opportunities for photo shots of thundering waterfalls and mountain scenery. After short rest in Flåm, approx. 2 hours cruise by boat along the narrow Aurland and Nærøy Fjords, both branches of the Sogne Fjord, the longest and deepest fjord in the world. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of cascading waterfalls, sheer mountain cliffs, snow-clad peaks, and a variety of wildlife. Disembark in Gudvangen at the head of the Nærøy Fjord, continue by coach across the Vika Mountains to Vangsnes, for the short ferry crossing to the beautiful resort of Balestrand. Dinner and overnight at the historic Kvikne’s Hotel, nestled on the shores of the Sognefjord.
Accommodation: Kvikne's Hotel

Day 5 BALESTRAND - DAY IN THE FJORDS (B, D)
Start the day with a traditional Norwegian buffet breakfast hotel’s elegant dining room overlooking the fjord. Spend the day at your leisure in Balestrand. Relax on the hotel terrace or visit the local aquarium and art gallery or perhaps rent a bike or rowing boat from the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the Kvikne’s Hotel.
Accommodation: Kvikne's Hotel

Day 6 BALESTRAND - BRIKSDAL GLACIER - GEIRANGER (B, L, D)
After breakfast departure by ferry from Dragsvik to Hella, followed by a scenic tour along the northern side of the Sogne Fjord to Sogndal. Continue by road to Fjærland, passing under the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Europe, to the village of Skei at the north end of beautiful Lake Jølster. Descend to the Nord Fjord, visit Olden and the world-famous Briksdal Glacier; ride in open cars to give you the best possible views. Lunch in a nearby mountain restaurant. After lunch the tour continues around the Nord Fjord via Loen and Stryn, to the picturesque village of Hellesylt. Board the ferry for a one hour’s cruise along the spectacular Geiranger Fjord, now on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. Dinner and overnight at the excellent Union Hotel, overlooking the Geiranger Fjord.
Accommodation: Union Hotel

Day 7 GEIRANGER - LILLEHAMMER - OSLO (B, L, D)
Leaving the fjord village of Geiranger, we ascend the famous Serpentine Road with amazing views of the fjord below. Cross the exciting Grotli Mountains to Lom, renowned for its well preserved 14th century stave church. Continue via Lake Vågå, before descending into the picturesque Gudbrandsdal Valley to the Olympic town of Lillehammer. Stop for lunch in Lillehammer. After lunch the journey continues alongside Lake Mjøsa, Norway’s largest lake, back to Oslo and Holmenkollen, home of the world-famous ski jump, offering unforgettable views of the city and Oslo fjord way below. Dinner and accommodation at the famous Holmenkollen Park Hotel.
Accommodation: Holmenkollen Park Hotel

Day 8 OSLO - STOCKHOLM (B, L, D)

Guests on 9/11/13 nights tour continue by coach towards the Swedish border, crossing into the attractive province of Värmland to arrive in the city of Karlstad on Lake Vänern, the largest in Sweden. Lunch in Karlstad. After lunch the tour continues through a landscape of forests and sparkling lakes to reach the Swedish capital in the late afternoon. Dinner and accommodation at the Clarion Hotel Sign, a new first class hotel centrally located .

Accommodation: Clarion Hotel Sign

Day 09 STOCKHOLM (B, L)

The day starts with a 4-hour guided tour of the city. Famous sights include the Royal Palace, Parliament Buildings, Cathedral, Royal Theatre. Visit the enchanting 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 possibility to visit the famous Wasa Museum or take one of the popular canal tours. Accommodation at the Clarion Hotel Sign. Please note that dinner today is not included, because our experience shows that in Stockholm guests prefer to eat out at a restaurant of their choice. Your tour escort will gladly assist you with table reservations.
Accommodation: Clarion Hotel Sign

Day 10 STOCKHOLM - HELSINKI (B, D)

Guests continuing on the Baltic Sea Cruise to Helsinki have the morning free in Stockholm for exploring this beautiful city, often called the "Venice of the North" because of its many canals and waterways. We can recommend the 2 hours boat tour “Under the Bridges of Stockholm”. Afternoon coach transfer for embarkation on a luxurious cruise on Silja Line. 17.00 hrs: Start of your cruise to Helsinki, sailing slowly through the Stockholm archipelago and to the Baltic Sea. Buffet dinner on board. Choice of entertainment, shops, casino, bars. Accommodation is in 2-berth outside cabins (seaside) with shower/WC. We recommend bringing an overnight bag for this cruise, to avoid having to carry suitcases to and from the cabin.
Accommodation: onboard Silja Line / Seaside cabin

Day 11 HELSINKI - STOCKHOLM (B, D)
Enjoy your buffet breakfast, as you sail into Helsinki. Retain your cabin on the ship. Morning 3- hour guided tour of the Finnish capital. Famous sights include the Senate Square, Uspenskij Cathedral, Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, New Opera House, Sibelius Park & Monument, Underground Temple, etc. Afternoon free for shopping or exploring this bustling city on the Baltic. 17.00 hrs: Embarkation on Silja Line ferry for return cruise to Stockholm. 3-course dinner and overnight in your comfortable seaside cabin on board Silja Line.

Accommodation: onboard Silja Line / Seaside cabin

Day 12 STOCKHOLM - COPENHAGEN (B, L, D)
After a tasty buffet breakfast, arrive back in Stockholm at 09.30 hrs. Guests continuing to Copenhagen will be driven through Southern Sweden to Gränna on Lake Vättern. Stop for lunch. Tour continues via Jönköping to the city of Malmö. Cross the new Öresund Bridge from Sweden to Denmark, to arrive in wonderful Copenhagen during the early evening. Dinner and accommodation at Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel.

Accommodation: Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel

Day 13 COPENHAGEN (B, D)
The day starts with a 3-hour guided tour of the city. You will see the Amalienborg Palace, residence of the Danish royal family, Gefion Fountain, Christiansborg Palace (Danish Parliament buildings), the old harbor of Nyhavn, and of course the famous Little Mermaid. Afternoon free for exploring this fairytale city. This evening you will be taken for a Farewell dinner in the famous Tivoli Gardens. Accommodation at Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel.

Accommodation: Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel

Day 14 COPENHAGEN DEPARTURE (B)
Buffet breakfast followed by morning transfers to Copenhagen Kastrup Airport for individual flight departures.

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 Guaranteed departures 2009

 Fridays, June 26
 July 03, 10, 17

 Prices in US Dollar