NORDIC EXPLORER:

THE BEST OF CITIES  & FJORDS 2008

14 days / 13 nights, Oslo - Bergen - Sogne Fjord - Geiranger Fjord –

Stockholm – Helsinki - Stockholm - Copenhagen

 English departures Tuesdays: June 17, 24 / July  01, 04, 08, 15, 18, 22, 29

Spanish/Portuguese departures, Fridays:  July 11, 25

Portuguese departures, Fridays: June 13, 27 / Aug 08

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 mountain plateau. Cruise from Bergen on the Aurlandsfjord, the Naeroyfjord, 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 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 Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel, a first class hotel located in city centre.
Accommodation: Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel

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 breakfast, start the scenic tour along the Hardanger Fjord. Pass the towns of Oystese and Norheimsund arriving into Bergen this afternoon. Enjoy a 2-hour afternoon city tour of Bergen. Visit the Fish and Flowers Market, the famous Bryggen Harbor, the Old Hanseatic Quarter and a ride on the funicular to Mt. Fløyen. Dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Radisson SAS Norge Hotel

Day 4 BERGEN - BALESTRAND (B,D)
After a delicious breakfast buffet, we depart Bergen and drive via Dale to Voss. Continue along the Stalheim Canyon to Flam. Board the train for scenic ride on the Flam Railway to Flam. Board the sightseeing boat for a 2-hour cruise along the narrow Aurlands and Naeroy Fjords to Balestrand. Dinner and accommodation at Kvikne’s Hotel, one of Norway’s finest historic hotels, anno 1877.
Accommodation: Kvikne's Hotel

Day 5 BALESTRAND - DAY IN THE FJORDS (B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. 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.
Accommodation: Kvikne's Hotel

Day 6 BALESTRAND - BRIKSDAL GLACIER - GEIRANGER (B, L, D)
After breakfast departure by ferry, for a one hour’s cruise along the fjord to Fjærland. Continue by coach along the scenic road, passing under the Jostedalen Glacier, the largest in Europe, to 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 cars to give you the best of views. A typical Norwegian lunch will be served in sight of the glacier. During afternoon the tour continues via Loen and Stryn, to the picturesque village of Hellesylt. From here you go on board the ferry for the one hour’s cruise along the spectacular Geiranger Fjord, possibly the most impressive of all the Norwegian fjords. During the cruise you will pass close by some magnificent waterfalls, such as the Bridal Veil and the Seven Sisters. Dinner and accommodation 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 Gudbrandsdalen Valley to the Olympic town of Lillehammer. Lunch in Lillehammer. Continue the journey alongside Lake Mjøsa to Oslo. Dinner and accommodation at the Holmenkollen Park Hotel.
Accommodation: Holmenkollen Park Hotel

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

Guests on 9 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 Sheraton Stockholm Hotel, centrally located overlooking the waterways of Stockholm and only 10 minutes walk from the Old Town.

Accommodation: Sheraton Stockholm Hotel

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, etc. You will also 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. Lunch at hotel (instead of evening dinner). Afternoon free in Stockholm, with possibility to visit the famous Wasa Museum or take one of the popular canal tours. Overnight at your hotel.
Accommodation: Sheraton Stockholm Hotel

Day 10 STOCKHOLM - HELSINKI (B, D)

Guests continuing on the Baltic Cruise to Helsinki have morning free in Stockholm. Afternoon transfer from hotel to pier, for embarkation on a luxurious cruise ferry of the Silja Line. 17.00 hrs: Departure of cruise from Stockholm, sailing slowly down the lovely archipelago past numerous small islands. Dinner on board. 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

Day 11 HELSINKI - STOCKHOLM (B, D)
Enjoy your buffet breakfast as you sail into Helsinki. Spend a whole day in this exciting city on the Baltic, retaining your cabin on the ship. Morning 3 hours guided tour of Helsinki. Famous sights include the Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Park & Monument, Underground Temple, and much more. During the afternoon you can explore the busy market place or the many souvenir shops close to the harbour. Finnish crystal and leather goods are an excellent buy. 17.00 hrs: Embarkation for return cruise to Stockholm. Dinner and accommodation on board.

Accommodation: onboard Silja Line

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 hours 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 harbour 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. Overnight at your 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.

 ROB

 Back to Top

 Departure Dates 2008

 Guaranteed departures, 14 days

 English departures Tuesdays:

 June 17, 24 /

 July  01, 04, 08, 15, 18, 22, 29

 Spanish / Portuguese departures Fridays:

 July 11, 25

 Portuguese departures Fridays:

 June 13, 27 / Aug 08

 Prices in US Dollar

 Nordic Explorer, escorted tour, 14 days