15 day Spectacular Scandinavia and its Fjords escorted Insight Vacations tour

Inclusions

• 15 nights in first class hotels
• 14 buffet breakfasts, and 5 three-course table d'hote dinners or buffets plus tea and coffee
• Travel by luxury 40-seat coach with extended legroom
• Escorted by professional tour director
• Sightseeing & premium highlights including visiting Copenhagen's world famous Tivoli gardens, visit the Swedish galleon Vasa, tragically sunk on its maiden voyage in 1628 and take in the spectacular scenery of Geirangerfjord on your highlight cruise
• Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours

Itinerary

Day 1    Copenhagen at leisure
Welcome to Scandinavia! Then you are at leisure to relax and settle in. Hotel: Radisson Blu Royal.

Day 2    Copenhagen sightseeing
Meet Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid gazing wistfully across the harbour this morning, followed by a highlight visit inside the Danish Parliament Building (Christiansborg) to marvel at the opulent interior. See the Rosenborg and Amalienborg Palaces, and the Renaissance Stock Exchange.

Day 3    Odense excursion
Cross from Zealand to the town of Odense on the Island of Fyn. In the restored old district, the humble house where Hans Christian Andersen was born has been turned into a museum. Back in Copenhagen you have the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 4    Copenhagen Stockholm
First a brief view of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’s Castle’ at Elsinore before crossing over the Oresund to Sweden. On through the Skåne region (which gave its name to Scandinavia) past fertile farmlands strewn with tidy farms. Continue along the shores of Lake Vattern to the Swedish capital.  Hotel: Hilton Slussen.

Day 5    Stockholm sightseeing
Now join a local guide for your sightseeing tour. Visit the City Hall’s ‘Gold Room’ where the Nobel Prize banquets are held. Then continue into the medieval island heart of the city to view the cathedral, walk through the Old Town and see the Royal Palace. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 6    Stockholm - Sigtuna - Uppsala - Falun
Travel via Lake Mälaren to tiny Sigtuna, once the Viking capital and now boasting Sweden’s smallest City Hall. Then to the historic city of Uppsala, seat of Scandinavia’s oldest university. Visit the lofty Cathedral where the Swedish kings were crowned. Later, travel through rural Dalecarlia to the old historic mining town of Falun. Hotel: Clarion Collection Hotel Bergmästaren.

Day 7    Falun - Nusnas - Lillehammer
A scenic drive along the shores of Lake Siljan in the Dalarna region, brings you to Nusnas, to witness colourful wooden horses being made. Continue deep into the forested heart of Sweden. Cross into Norway and pass the Olympic ice skating rink called the ‘Viking Ship’ at Hamar, on your way to Lillehammer. Hotel: Rica Victoria.

Day 8    Lillehammer - Lom - Geiranger
Head northwest from Lillehammer amidst the countryside of Peer Gynt, immortalised by Ibsen. At Lom, visit the Norwegian stave church dating back to 1130. Continue along winding roads which pass waterfalls, rivers, ice-fields, lakes and snow-capped peaks in abundance. End your day in spectacular fashion with a spectacular cruise on the mirror-smooth waters of Geirangerfjord. Stay in the remote village of Geiranger, overlooking fjords & soaring mountains. Hotel: Union.

Day 9    Geiranger at leisure
A day for relaxation amidst the most breath taking scenery, which has been granted World Heritage status by UNESCO.

Day 10    Geiranger – Fjord Cruise – Fjærland
This morning, depart for the Bøyabreen Glacier for a photo stop before gaining a deeper understanding of your surroundings at the nearby Fjærland Glacier Museum. Then a scenic drive along the Sognefjord brings you to the ferry over to Laerdal at the head of the majestic fjord. Hotel: Lindstrom.

Day 11    Fjrdland - Flam Railway - Bergen
Magnificent Sognefjord is the world’s longest and deepes fjord, and you cruise upon its serene waters today. Now embark on a spectacular scenic journey on the Flam Railway, ascending from sea level to 3,000 feet. Your destination is the historic port of Bergen. Hotel: Radisson Blu Royal.

Day 12    Bergen sightseeing
The ancient Hanseatic port of Bergen still largely looks to the sea for its living, as evidenced by the colourful fish market, the largest in Scandinavia. After seeing the 13C Haakon’s Hall, there is time to explore all that this exciting town has to offer.

Day 13    Bergen - Oslo
Bid farewell to ‘the wooden city’ this morning travel east through the rugged landscape of the Hardangervidda. Cross scenic mountains and travel through ski-resorts on your way to the Norwegian capital of Oslo. Hotel: Radisson Blu Scandinavia.

Day 14    Oslo sightseeing
Your guided sightseeing tour passes the Royal Palace, as well as the spires and ramparts of Akershus Castle, the 14C fortress guarding the harbour. At Frogner Park view the controversial Vigeland Sculptures, before a highlight visit to the Viking Long Ship Museum. 

Day 15    Oslo
Tour finishes today in Oslo.

Departure Dates and Prices*

Please contact an RACQ travel consultant on 1300 096 166 to find out how to save on your Insight Vacations tour.

• Save 5% per person for early payment discount of 6 months
• Save 5% per person with frequent traveller discount
• Save up to 5% per person with 2nd tour discount

*Terms and Conditions

• Prices current as at 23 February 2012
• Prices are per person in AUD$ based on twin share
• Prices are subject to change (eg due to currency fluctuations)
• Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time
• Further conditions apply please see Insight Vacations Europe & Britain 2012 brochure