September

Day 1 • Depart USA
A delicious dinner and breakfast will be served during your trans-Atlantic flight. 

Day 2 • Arrival Bergen/Mt. Floyen
We arrive in Bergen and transfer to our lodging for the next two nights in this charming city. Following free time to rest or stroll along the many colorful harbor shops, we leave the center of Bergen for a trip on the funicular to Mt. Floyen, a unique lookout point over 1,000 feet above the sea. We'll enjoy a dinner at the Floyen Folke Restaurant before returning to our hotel in Bergen.

Day 3 • Bergen, Greig Homestead
Following breakfast this morning, we depart from our hotel via our private motorcoach for a tour of Bergen. First we'll drive past the city's colorful fish and flower market. Our next stop is at the monument to medieval life and trade, the old warehouses of the Hanseatic period. These old, wooden structures are long and narrow, and jammed so closely against each other that air and daylight can enter only through tiny slits. We then drive past the Haakonshallen, the medieval Viking Hall built in 1261 as a royal ceremony hall for the crowning of King Magnus. We continue past St. Mary's Church, the oldest building in Bergen, originally built in the Romanesque style of the early twelfth century. Last on our tour is Troldhaugen, the home of world known composer Edvard Grieg, which is now a museum. Grieg composed many of his best-known works here. His piano, notes and studios are still available for public viewing. We return to our hotel, where we spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. This evening we will be treated to the fabulous Fana Folklore performance including Norwegian food, dancing and music - an unforgettable evening.

Day 4 • Sogne Fjord Cruise, Flaam Railway & Balestrand
After breakfast, we depart Bergen passing beautiful lakes and rivers to Voss, the birthplace of Knute Rockne, the famous Notre Dame coach, and to the mountain station of Myrdal where we board the world-famous Flaam Railway, one of the most remarkable pieces of railway engineering in the world. Although it is only 12.4 miles long, it descends almost 3,000 feet in less than one hour to Flaam Station. Along the way, be sure to admire the breathtaking view over the Flaam Valley and the thundering sound of the waterfalls as we stop for photos. Lunch will be on our own. After free time in Flaam, we enjoy a modern fjord ferry ride on the Naeroy Fjord and the Aurlands Fjord, where we'll sail by cascading waterfalls, steep mountainsides and isolated hamlets to the lovely fjord village of Balestrand. Since the Viking days, it has served as a stopover for Norsemen traveling between Bergen and Oslo. Tonight we will have dinner at our hotel for the next two evenings, the Hotel Kviknes.

Day 5 • Glacier Horse Cart & Geiringer Fjord Cruise
Following breakfast at our hotel, our motorcoach drives through the tunnel constructed beneath the Jostedal Glacier to the tiny village of Fjaerland where we begin to explore the Briksdal Glacier, an arm of the largest glacier in northern Europe. Claimed to be the highlight of previous tours, we travel by horse and cart past powerful rivers, up the twisting road to the glacier. Later today we begin our cruise during colorful fall foliage along the world famous Geiranger Fjord, with its sheer rock walls and numerous waterfalls. We'll cruise past the Seven Sister falls, the "Suitor" and "Breidal Veil". Higher up is the abandoned cliff-top farm of Skagaflaa. We arrive at the popular little resort of Geiranger, disembark and check-in at the traditional Hotel Union for the next two nights. This family-run establishment began in 1897, at a time when several of the guests were European royalty. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy the amenities at the hotel, such as its magnificent garden, swimming pool or mini-golf. Others may wish to take a dip in the pool or relax in the saunas, Turkish steam baths or solarium. Dinner will be at the hotel.

Day 6 • Eagle's Road & Mountain Farm
We leave Geiranger after breakfast for an excursion on the spectacular Eagle's Road, which climbs with eleven hairpin turns. We'll stop at "The Eagle's Turn" to admire the magnificent view over the Geiranger Fjord with its many waterfalls and surroundings. We'll reach the road's highest point, Korsmyra, and then descend past the Eidsdal Lake to the village of Eidsdal on the Nordals Fjord. The highlight today will be a visit to a working mountain farm. We will view the many facets of this rugged life as explained by the workers themselves, who do the milking by hand and make brown and white cheese of goat milk. After we are served coffee and cakes on this summer farm, we return to Geiranger for free time to shop along the waterfront or simply appreciate the many qualities of our lodging. We'll enjoy a buffet dinner at our hotel.

Day 7 • Geiranger Mountain Road, Stave Church, Lillehammer
A morning departure from Geiranger will take us on Geiranger Mountain Road, which ascends some 3,300 feet with 20 hairpin turns and several bridges - making for an exciting journey. The panoramic mountain road provides many changes in scenery enroute to the beautiful Stave Church in Lom, an excellent example of combinations from the 12th and the 15th Centuries. Traveling southward through the lovely countryside, we will stop for a visit to the Winter Olympic village of Lillehammer. The stadium, ski jumps and charming pedestrian walk with shops and restaurants allow for a good break in our travels. Our lodging and dinner this evening will be in Oslo.

Day 8 • Oslo City Tour & Cruise
After breakfast we will have the morning free in Oslo. Perhaps take a harbor cruise, experience the Resistance Museum where history comes alive or visit Munch Museum housing the collection of Norway's most famous artist. Take a stroll along the main street, and enjoy the beauty of the "Studenterlunden" in the center of town, nestled between the National Theater and the "Storting," Norway's Parliament or walk to the Royal Palace. After lunch, our motorcoach will include a stop at beautiful Frogner Park with its world-renowned Vigeland Sculptures and the famous Holmenkollen Ski Jump We’ll also visit the impressive Viking Ships Museum. The tour will end at the pier where you will board the DFDS Seaways for an overnight cruise to Copenhagen. This modern ship has everything to make your journey a special one. Enjoy an unmatched view of the city as you sail away, a sumptuous buffet dinner and be sure to do some duty free shopping or take in a movie before retiring to your cabin.

Day 9 • Copenhagen Sightseeing & Trivoli Gardens
Enjoy breakfast on board the ship before a tour of wonderful Copenhagen. See Kongens Nytorv with its Royal Theater, the home of the Royal Danish Ballet, and continue to Nyhavn, a street well known for the variety of its nightlife. Your tour will then drive along the Langeline Promenade with a photo stop at the Little Mermaid of Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairytale. Cross the picturesque canal and arrive at Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Parliament. Pass by the beautiful old Stock Exchange and the Naval Church where many grand Royal events take place. Pass Amalienborg Palace, the Queens residence and we'll make a visit to Vor Frues Kirke, the Church of Our Lady. After lunch an excursion to North Zealand takes you through the Danish countryside, passing by the "Dyrehaven" Royal Deer Park. You will then proceed to Helsingoer (Elsinore), one of the oldest towns in Denmark. After lunch on your own at a local Danish Inn, continue to the world famous Kronborg Castle, the legendary home of Hamlet, Shakespeare's Prince of Denmark, set on the cliffs of Elsinore. Your next stop is Frederiksberg Castle, built by King Christian IV in the early 17th century. The rest of the afternoon is free. This evening we have a special dinner planned at the well-known Restaurant Nimb inside of Trivoli Gardens. After dinner, the evening free to explore this world famous amusement park with brass bands, lakes, fountains, beautiful flowers and arcades. Our lodging for the next two evenings will be at the lovely Hotel Strand in Copenhagen.

Day 10 • Copenhagen Canal, Free Time
Following breakfast this morning, we ride to Gammel Strand. We will embark on a canal boat tour providing the unique opportunity to see wonderful Copenhagen as sailors from around the world have seen her, from the water. The cruise will take us under the bridges and along the colorful canals of Copenhagen. This afternoon is free to explore Copenhagen's busy shopping district. 

Day 11 • Homeward
Following breakfast, we are transferred to Copenhagen International Airport for the first leg of our flight home.

Price per Person: $2888.00 double occupancy

Included: Airfare from Newark, breakfast and dinner daily, sightseeing as listed in itinerary, 4 and 5 star hotels, all transportation and guides.

Not Included: Gratuities to guides and drivers, air taxes, travel insurance.

copyright (Pilgrim Tours) 2001