A Scandinavian sojourn

Scandinavia, located in the northern part of Europe, consists of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland. The land is blessed with breathtaking natural surroundings.

Denmark is a small country made up of the Jutland Peninsula and over 400 islands. From the capital city of Copenhagen with its historical royal castles to the beautiful streets of Odense, birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark truly is a land of fantasy.

Norway is a beautiful country that boasts dynamic natural scenery. From the complex fjords carved from the earth by glaciers, the Aurora in the Arctic Circle, and the Midnight Sun in Nordkapp, Europe's northernmost point, Norway with its wide range of natural panoramas is truly the land of Mother Nature.

Sweden, with over 227,000 lakes with half the country covered in green woods, is aptly called the land of forests and lakes. Stockholm, the most beautiful city in the world; the world-famous Glass Kingdom located in the Smaland region in the south; and the world's most unusual hotel made entirely of ice located in north; makes Sweden a must-visit destination.

Finland’s vast forests, a unique archipelago and thousands of lakes present a striking mixture of wooded hills and waters. Finland beckons visitor to experience its mystical northern natural beauty and peacefulness.

Iceland is a potpourri of the marvels of Mother Nature such as icecaps, glaciers, spouting geysers, steaming solfataras, volcanoes, raging rivers, magnificent waterfalls, cavorting whales and a multitude of birds. Summers are surprisingly warm and winters not as cold as you might expect.

Scandinavia is simply superb, stunning and wholly inviting!


FOUR SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES
Helsinki/Stockholm/Oslo/Geilo/Bergen/Copenhagen
(7 nights/8 days)
Day 1 - Arrive Helsinki
Arrival in Helsinki. You are met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to familiarize yourself with this splendid city. Overnight stay in Helsinki.
Day 2 - Helsinki /Silja Line to Stockholm
In the morning is earmarked for a sightseeing tour of Helsinki during which you will see the historical centre and the diplomatic quarters, the Presidential Palace, City Hall, the Parliament Buildings, Finlandia Hall and the Opera House. Stop at Senate Square, the Sibelius Monument and the Temppeliaukio Church in the rocks before ending the tour at the city centre.
In the early afternoon it is time to board the Silja Line cruise ship for the crossing to Stockholm. Enjoy a Scandinavian buffet dinner on the ship. After dinner you can dance the night away in the nightclub, linger in the various shops, or enjoy the scenery. Accommodation on board the liner in comfortable 2-berth cabins.
Day 3 - Stockholm
Enjoy a sumptuous Scandinavian breakfast buffet before arriving in Stockholm, but make sure to be out on deck as the ship sails into the beautiful Stockholm harbour. With its 24,000 islands, the Stockholm archipelago is quite unique. Around 9.00 a.m. you dock in Stockholm, the Swedish capital. Disembark and go to your hotel to check in. Later go for a sightseeing tour. Stockholm is often called the “Beauty on Water” being built on 14 islands. See the City Hall (outside), constructed in the National Romantic style where each year on December 10th the Nobel price banquette takes place. See the Old Town, which is in direct contrast with today’s modern city centre.
The rest of the afternoon is free to wander around on your own. You have time to visit to the Vasa ship museum to see the warship Vasa – the only remaining, intact 17th century ship in the world.
Overnight stay in Stockholm.
Day 4 - Stockholm – Oslo
After breakfast go to the airport and fly from Stockholm to Oslo. Overnight stay in Oslo.
Day 5 - Oslo – Geilo
After breakfast go on the famous 'Norway in a Nutshell' trip. This unique tour takes you through some of the most magnificent scenery in and along the Norwegian Fjords!
Your first stop will be in Myrdal where you change to the special Flåm line, a masterpiece of engineering set in wild and wonderful countryside of high mountains and thundering waterfalls.
Dinner and overnight stay in Geilo.
Day 6 - Geilo – Bergen
After breakfast continue on the “Norway in a nutshell”
tour. In Flåm you board a boat that will take you on an about 2 hour’s tour on the Aurland fjord, an arm of the Sognefjord. This is one of the narrowest fjord inlets in Western Norway, surrounded by mountains up to 1800 m. Small farms lie dotted along the mountainsides. In Gudvangen you will be picked up by a bus that will take you to Voss where you change to a train that will take you to Bergen. On the way you will drive up the steep and spectacular Stalheimskleivane hairpin bends, from where you have a fantastic view of the Stalheim waterfall. Arrive in Bergen in the early afternoon.
Bergen is Norway's second largest city.
In the afternoon you are free to take an 8-minute ride to the top of Mount Fløyen (altitude 320 m) with a magnificent view over Bergen and the surrounding countryside. Overnight stay in Bergen.
Day 7 - Bergen - Copenhagen
Departure by air from Bergen to Copenhagen.
Go to your hotel and check in.
Copenhagen’s one-thousand-year history has been written by ambitious kings, inspiring artists and celebrated designers as is evident in its historical buildings, ancient streets, dozens of world-class museums and galleries.
Later go on a guided sightseeing tour of Copenhagen. Some of the fascinating sites include the new harbour of Nyhavn, the Royal Palace Amalienborg, the Gefion fountain and the wistful Little Mermaid. The rest of the afternoon is free to browse through the many fine shops throughout the city. Overnight stay in Copenhagen.
Day 8 - Copenhagen - return flight
Today it is time to say goodbye to Scandinavia. But there are options for you to see more of this delightful part of the world...

Rovaniemi in Finland
5 days / 4 nights
Rovaniemi is located at the confluence of Lapland’s mighty rivers Kemijoki and Ounasjoki.
It has always been a centre and a gateway to Finnish Lapland.
Rovaniemi has maintained contact with the wild and undisturbed surrounding countryside
and at the same time managed to develop a strong urban development.
Day 1 - Helsinki
Arrive in Helsinki and go to the hotel.
The afternoon at leisure to explore Helsinki on own. You should visit the famous market Square and get a feeling of the meeting point between the east and the west.
Overnight stay at a pleasant hotel in Helsinki.
Day 2 - Rovaniemi
In the morning go to the airport. Departure by air to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland. At the airport in Rovaniemi there will be a taxi to meet and take you to the hotel. In the afternoon visit Arktikum, a fascinating museum and science centre where you can learn about the people north of the Arctic Circle.
The rest of the afternoon is free to try various winter activities, such as skiing, skating and more. See below list of suggestions for activities.
Dinner and overnight stay at a nice hotel in Rovaniemi.
Day 3 - Rovaniemi
All day is at your leisure to discover Rovaniemi on your own.
Dinner and overnight stay at a nice hotel. In Rovaniemi.
Day 4 - Rovaniemi
All day is at your leisure to discover Rovaniemi on your own.
See below list of suggestions for activities.
Dinner and overnight stay in Rovaniemi.
Day 5 - Rovaniemi - Helsinki
After an early breakfast transfer to the airport and fly back to Helsinki.
Return in Helsinki with the possibility of one or more nights at a hotel and various sightseeing options.