Northern Highlights Norway plus Stockholm and Helsinki 12 Day Package

Price Per person double occupancy

Dates
Request a quote or call 800-322-0788 for more information.

Price Includes: Accommodation in centrally located first class hotels, Breakfast & dinner daily, 4 lunches, Guided tours of Stockholm , Copenhagen , Oslo and Helsinki, Baltic Cruise Stockholm-Helsinki-Stockholm in outside cabin, Luggage assistance at all hotels, Transportation by modern deluxe coach with reclining seats, All sightseeing and admissions as per itinerary

Deposit Required: $300 per person will reserve your place. A $100 service fee will be charged for cancellation at any time in addition to our normal payment and cancellation policy.

Day 1: ARRIVE OSLO

Transfer from Oslo Gardermoen Airport to hotel in connection with your flight arrival. Dinner and accommodation at Thon Hotel Opera, centrally located facing the new Opera House and close to the Oslo Fjord and Harbour. Your tour escort will meet you at 19.50 hrs in the hotel lobby.

Day 2: OSLO, ULVIK

After breakfast departure from Oslo, driving via Honefoss along the charming Halling Valley to the tourist resort town of Geilo. Buffet lunch at Bardola Mountain Hotel. After lunch cross the wild Hardanger Mountain Plateau to Fossli, stopping to view the thundering Voringsfoss Waterfall with a vertical drop of 180 m., the highest in Norway. Descend the amazing Mabodal 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 accommodation at Rica Brakanes Hotel, ideally located on the banks of the fjord.

Day 3: ULVIK, BERGEN

After buffet breakfast, start of scenic tour along the beautiful Hardanger Fjord, famous for its many fruit orchards, via the towns of Oystese and Norheimsund, arriving in Bergen around midday. Afternoon 2 hours tour of Bergen, including a visit to the popular Fish and Flower Market, the famous Bryggen Harbour with its gabled packhouses, and the old Hanseatic Quarter. You will also ride on the funicular to Mt. Floien, for the best views of the city and fjords way below. Dinner and accommodation at Radisson SAS Hotel Norge, centrally located on Ole Bull's Square, close to the pedestrian shopping streets and within walking distance of the old Bryggen harbour.

Day 4: BERGEN, FLAM, BALESTRAND

After breakfast departure from Bergen and drive via Dale to the town of Voss. Descend the Naeroy Valley, passing the Stalheim Canyon, to the fjordside village of Flam. Board your train for an exhilarating ride on the amazing Flam Railway to Myrdal, a masterpiece of engineering ascending 2.838 feet in less than one hour. The descent from Myrdal to Flam offers opportunities for photo shots of some exciting waterfalls and mountain scenery. After short rest in Flam, start of approx. 2 hours cruise by boat along the narrow Aurlands and Naeroy Fjords, both branches of the Sogn 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. After disembarking in Gudvangen at the head of the Naeroy Fjord, continue by coach across the Vika Mountains to Vangsnes, for the short ferry crossing to the beautiful resort of Balestrand. Dinner and accommodation at Kvikne's Hotel, superbly located on the banks of the fjord and surrounded by mountains.

Day 5: BALESTRAND, A DAY IN THE FJORDS

Day free in Balestrand, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the outstanding beauty and nature of the fjords. The day starts with a traditional Norwegian buffet breakfast in the hotel's elegant dining room. You may want to spend the morning relaxing on the hotel terrace, breathing in the fresh mountain air and enjoying the spectacular views. We can also recommend a visit to the local aquarium and art gallery, or you may prefer to rent a bike or rowing boat from the hotel, or even go on foot up to the nearest mountains. A walking tour of the village of Balestrand, with its historic buildings and other interesting sites can also be arranged. Dinner and accommodation at Kvikne's Hotel.

Day 6: BALESTRAND, GEIRANGER

After breakfast departure from your hotel by ferry from Dragsvik to Hella, followed by a scenic tour along the northern side of the Sogn Fjord to Sogndal. The tour continues by road to Fjaerland, passing under the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Europe, to the village of Skei at the northern end of beautiful Lake Jolster. Descend to the 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 views. Lunch will be served in a nearby mountain restaurant facing the glacier. After lunch the tour continues around the Nord Fjord 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.

Day 7: GEIRANGER, OSLO

From the top of the famous Serpentine Road, you have the opportunity to digest some amazing views of the fjord, before crossing the rugged Grotli Mountains to Lom, well known for its 14th century stave church. The tour continues via Lake Vaga, before descending the magnificent Gudbrands Valley to the popular tourist town of Lillehammer. Stop for lunch in Lillehammer. After lunch the journey continues alongside Lake Mjosa, 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.

Day 8: OSLO, STOCKHOLM

After breakfast departure from Oslo, continuing by coach towards the Swedish border. Cross into the attractive province of Varmland to arrive in the city of Karlstad on Lake Vanern, 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.

Day 9: STOCKHOLM

The day starts with a 4 hours 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 impressive 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 in the program, as our experience shows that whilst in Stockholm guests prefer to eat out at a restaurant of their own choice. Your tour escort will gladly advise and make table reservations for you.

Day 10: STOCKHOLM, HELSINKI

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 picturesque archipelago past numerous small islands. Dinner on board. Choice of entertainment, bars, shops and casino. Accommodation is in 2-berth outside cabins (seaside) with shower/WC. We recommend you to bring an overnight bag for this cruise, to avoid having to bring suitcases to and from your cabin.

Day 11: HELSINKI

Enjoy your buffet breakfast as you sail into Helsinki harbour. After disembarkation 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. Dinner and accommodation at the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel, another first class hotel centrally located.

Day 12: HELSINKI DEPARTURE

Buffet breakfast at hotel, followed by transfer to Helsinki Vantaa Airport to connect with your homebound flight.