Insight - Spectacular Scandinavia & its Fjords - Small Group (05/2024 - 08/2024) (SE941ZN19)

15 Days From Copenhagen to Oslo 
Tour Style: Regional Europe
Insight Brochure Price from $6,750.00
Brochures: Europe & Britain Premium 2023 v2, Europe & Britain Premium 2024 v1
Visits: Denmark, Sweden, Norway

---

Tour the Nobel Peace Prize banquet halls in Stockholm and ascend almost 1000-metres above sea level on the famous Flam railway, en route to Bergen. This 15-day tour of Scandinavia’s glassy fjords and sky-scraping mountains is a tonic for the soul as you journey from Sweden’s scenic farmlands to cosmopolitan Stockholm. Enjoy Uppsala sightseeing and meet Hans Odoo—a passionate local storyteller who’ll regale you with tales of Sweden’s first botanical garden, before you’re whisked away to a farm to table Falun dinner with fresh, locally-sourced produce. In Norway, set sail through the deep glassy waters of the Geirangerfjord, surrounding by towering ice capped mountains and lush green forests.
Choice Highlights

• Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Fjaerland: Visit the interactive Norwegian Glacier Museum, a Make Travel Matter experience. Experience an incredible journey through time at this interactive museum surrounded by striking glacial landscapes. Hear more about climate change and the natural environment in this spectacular national park centre. The Norwegian Glacier Museum is a leader in striving towards sustainability. The museum educates visitors about the climate crisis and what can be done to minimize impact. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Change. Alternatively, take a walk through the village of Fjærland with a Local Expert and hear about life between the fjord and the glacier.
• Fjaerland: Take a walk through the village of Fjærland with a Local Expert and focus on life between the fjord and the glacier.

Well-being

• : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
• : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
• : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
• : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Travel Director

• : "One thing I really love about showing guests about Norway is how people have lived and flourished for thousands of years in harsh, unforgiving yet, stunningly beautiful landscapes."
• : "I decided to become a Travel Director because I love the joy of discovery. When people see a place they've dreamed about, tasted something they've only read about, and hear the music and stories of a place they're exploring, we all share a joyful creation of lifelong memories."

Authentic Dining

• Copenhagen: Get to know your fellow travellers and Travel Director over a drink at your Welcome Dinner.
• Hardangerfjord: Hear all about the production processes and sample authentic apple cider at a traditional family-run fruit farm.
• Oslo: Scandinavian hospitality is matched with fine food and a glass of wine at your Celebration Dinner.
• Dining Summary: 2 Dinner with Wine (DW), 14 Breakfast (B), and 5 Dinner (D)

Top Rated Highlights

• Copenhagen: Make the most of the long summer nights at the glittering Tivoli Gardens, the world-famous entertainment park, full of fantasy, fun and charm.
• Copenhagen: With your Local Expert, view Christiansborg Palace and the cathedral where the Crown Prince of Denmark married Princess Mary. You'll also see Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Palace, the Renaissance Stock Exchange and the unusual Rundertaarn, which is the oldest functioning Observatory in Europe.
• Gothenburg: Learn about the region’s culture and nautical history with your Local Expert.
• Stockholm: With your Local Expert, visit Gamla Stan to see the cathedral where Swedish kings have been coronated and wander the narrow streets of the Old Town.
• Stockholm: With a Local Expert, step inside the City Hall where the fabulous Gyllene salen, the Golden Hall is covered by 18 million gilded mosaic tiles. You'll also see the BlÃ¥ hallen, the Blue Hall, where the Nobel Prize banquets are held.
• Sigtuna: Led by your Travel Director, see the tiny City Hall in the old Viking capital.
• Falun: Discover the city of Falun, located in the heart of Dalarna County. See the Falun Copper Mine and the Great Pit, a vast crater caused by an enormous mine collapse in 1687.
• Salen: Stop in this city known as the host to the world's oldest and longest cross-country ski race.
• Lillehammer: Explore the town where the 1994 Winter Olympics were held.
• Lom: Visit the Norwegian stave church dating back to 1158.
• Geiranger: Enjoy an orientation of Geiranger to learn more about this small village and the surrounding Fjords.
• Fjaerland: Take a walk through the village of Fjærland with a Local Expert and focus on life between the fjord and the glacier.
• Geiranger: Cruise along the deep, blue waters of majestic Geirangerfjord, surrounded by snow-covered mountains, gushing waterfalls and lush green vegetation.
• Fjaerland: Enjoy a photo-stop at the Bøyabreen Glacier.
• Leikanger: Learn about this quaint little coastal town from your Travel Director.
• Flam Railway: Journey on one of the world's steepest railways through tunnels that spiral in and out of the mountainside of the narrow FlÃ¥m Valley.
• Bergen: With your Local Expert, see the many colourful stalls of the lively Fish Market and marvel at the 13th century Haakon's Hall.
• Oslo: With your Local Expert, see Akershus Castle, Oslo Harbour and the Royal Palace.
• Oslo: Take a moment to contemplate the interesting Vigeland sculptures when you visit Frogner Park.

Make Travel Matter

• Gothenburg: Enjoy traditional Swedish fika, coffee and cinnamon roll, at a community café located inside an old public library. It hosts a variety of associations supporting the local community with courses, such as computer or language skills enabling people living in poverty to gain recognition in the job marketplace. This experience supports UN Sustainable Development 10: Reduced Inequalities.
• Fjaerland: Visit the interactive Norwegian Glacier Museum, a Make Travel Matter experience. Experience an incredible journey through time at this interactive museum surrounded by striking glacial landscapes. Hear more about climate change and the natural environment in this spectacular national park centre. The Norwegian Glacier Museum is a leader in striving towards sustainability. The museum educates visitors about the climate crisis and what can be done to minimize impact. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Change. Alternatively, take a walk through the village of Fjærland with a Local Expert and hear about life between the fjord and the glacier.

Insight Experiences

• Uppsala: Meet Hans Odoo, a passionate Uppsala local and storyteller, who will share the fascinating history of the Carl Linneaus Garden on a guided tour. You’ll learn about Sweden’s first botanical garden and its 1300 species of flora and fauna.

---

Insight Tour Itinerary

Day 1	Welcome to Copenhagen
	On arrival at Copenhagen airport, your transfer will leave for your hotel at 09:00, 12:00 or 15:00. Then you will be at leisure to relax and settle in. At 17:30, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers and enjoy drinks and a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner. In the evening visit the glittering lights and enchanting atmosphere of the world-famous Tivoli Gardens.
	Visits: Copenhagen
	Meals: Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Copenhagen.
Day 2	Wonderful Copenhagen
	A Local Expert will reveal the charm of Denmark's capital. Meet Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid gazing wistfully across the harbour and see Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Government. Continue to Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Palace, the Renaissance Stock Exchange and Copenhagen Cathedral, where the Crown Prince of Denmark married Princess Mary. View the unusual Rundertaarn and enjoy an afternoon at your leisure, relaxing or exploring at your pace. Perhaps take an Optional Experience into the picturesque Danish countryside to see the castles of North Zealand?
	Visits: Copenhagen
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Copenhagen.
Day 3	On to Gothenburg Relaxed Start
	Continue along Sweden’s west coast to the cosmopolitan port city of Gothenburg. On arrival, explore with your Local Expert and learn about the region’s culture and nautical history. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to enjoy traditional Swedish fika - a coffee and cinnamon bun - at a local community cafe.
	Visits: Copenhagen, Gothenburg
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Elite Plaza Hotel, Gothenburg.
Day 4	Scenic farmlands of Sweden
	Enjoy views of the patchwork of fertile farmlands, as you journey along the shores of Lake Vättern to the Swedish capital.
	Visits: Gothenburg, Lake Vattern, Stockholm
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Hilton Stockholm Slussen.
Day 5	Stockholm, City of Islands
	See the charms of Sweden's capital with your Local Expert. Wander the medieval streets of Gamla Stan and see the 13th-century cathedral. Visit the imposing City Hall to see its fabulous Gyllene salen, the Golden Hall, with its walls covered in 18 million gilded mosaic tiles, and the Blå hallen, the Blue Hall, where the Nobel Prize banquets are held. There's free time in the afternoon for you to explore at your own pace. Perhaps visit the fabulous Vasa Galleon, raised from Stockholm's harbour-bed in 1961 after sinking on its maiden voyage in 1628?
	Visits: Stockholm
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Hilton Stockholm Slussen.
Day 6	Sigtuna, Uppsala and Falun
	Travel to Sigtuna on the shores of Lake Mälaren, it was once the Viking capital and now boasts Sweden’s smallest City Hall. Continue to the historic city of Uppsala, seat of Scandinavia’s oldest university.  Meet Hans Odoo, a passionate local storyteller, who will share the fascinating history of the Carl Linneaus Garden on a guided tour. You’ll learn about Sweden’s first botanical garden and its 1300 species of flora and fauna. Travel to Falun, an old historic mining town. With your Travel Director see the Falun Copper Mine and the Great Pit, a vast crater created by an enormous mine collapse in 1687. In the evening, enjoy a delightful meal at a local restaurant, prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
	Visits: Stockholm, Sigtuna, Uppsala, Falun
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
	Accommodation: First Grand Hotel Falun.
Day 7	Lillehammer
	Travel along Lake Siljan to Mora, home to the infamous 17th-century witch trials. Continue to Salen, the starting point for the race. Continue deep into the forested heart of Sweden to reach Sälen, Sweden’s largest alpine destination. It is known as the starting point for the world’s oldest and longest cross-country ski race, Vasaloppet, a 90 kilometre track that has been challenging skiers since 1922. Cross the border to Norway and pass Hamar with its Olympic ice skating rink known as the Viking Ship. Journey along the shores of Mjøsa, Norway’s largest lake, to arrive at Lillehammer, home of the 1994 Winter Olympics.
	Visits: Falun, Lillehammer
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Scandic Victoria Lillehammer.
Day 8	Geiranger, Jewel of the Fjords Relaxed Start
	Journey northwest from Lillehammer, travelling through the countryside of Peer Gynt, immortalised by Ibsen. At Lom, visit the Norwegian stave church dating back to 1158. Continue along winding roads that pass waterfalls, rivers, ice fields, lakes and snow-capped peaks. For the next two nights you will stay in the scenic village of Geiranger, overlooking fjords and soaring mountains.
	Visits: Lillehammer, Lom, Geiranger
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
	Accommodation: Hotel Union Geiranger.
Day 9	Geiranger at Leisure Relaxed Start
	Enjoy a relaxed start and a day reserved for your leisure amongst the most breathtaking scenery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perhaps join an Optional Experience for an incredible scenic drive along the amazing Troll's Road? The road itself was a masterpiece of engineering when it was built over 70 years ago and the spectacular views will leave you speechless.
	Visits: Geiranger
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
	Accommodation: Hotel Union Geiranger.
Day 10	Fjærland and Fjordland
	After a relaxed morning, take a scenic cruise along the Geirangerfjord. Your travels continue to the Bøya Glacier for a photo-stop. Explore Fjærland with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the interactive Norwegian Glacier Museum at the foot of the Jostedal Glacier, the largest icecap in continental Europe. Alternatively, take a walk through the village of Fjærland with a Local Expert and hear about life between the fjord and the glacier. Then enjoy a scenic drive onto your historic fjord hotel in Leikanger. Delight in a dinner of fresh and locally sourced produce.
	Visits: Geiranger, Fjaerland, Leikanger
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
	Accommodation: Leikanger Fjord Hotel.
Day 11	The Flåm Railway to Bergen
	Cross the serene waters of magnificent Sognefjord, the longest fjord in Norway. Then embark on a spectacularly scenic journey aboard the Flåm Railway, ascending from sea level to 914 metres. Visit a family-run farm on the Hardangerfjord to hear how eight generations have farmed the land, producing fruit, berries and various jams, jellies, traditional spreads, cake and other delicious treats. Sample their fresh apple juice and homemade cider and enjoy a walk through the orchard. Travel on to your hotel in the historic port of Bergen.
	Visits: Leikanger, Flam Railway, Bergen
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
	Accommodation: Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, Bergen.
Day 12	The Hanseatic port of Bergen Relaxed Start
	A Local Expert introduces you to Bergen. The ancient Hanseatic port city still largely looks to the sea for its living, as evidenced by the picturesque and lively Fish Market, set in a charming location in the heart of the city. The market also has stalls selling a colourful variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, handicrafts and souvenirs. After seeing the 13th century Haakon’s Hall, there will be time to explore all that this exciting town has to offer. Perhaps you might like to visit the home of composer Edvard Grieg, before ascending Mount Fløyen by the only funicular in Scandinavia.
	Visits: Bergen
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, Bergen.
Day 13	Mountains and Fjords to Oslo
	Travel along scenic and varied landscapes to Oslo, drive past some of Norway's most picturesque ski-resorts. Leaving the seaside town of Bergen, your journey continues climbing up to elevations of 1200m (3930ft) offering moon like scenery and passing some of Norway’s ski resorts on the Hardanger Plateau. After returning to lower areas you’ll be driving among dense forests before reaching the capital city of Oslo.
	Visits: Bergen, Oslo
	Meals: Breakfast
	Accommodation: Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Oslo.
Day 14	Cosmopolitan Oslo Relaxed Start
	With your Local Expert, see the Royal Palace and the spires and ramparts of Akershus Castle, the 14th century fortress guarding the harbour. At Frogner Park, view the intriguing Vigeland sculptures. Exploe the area around the Opera House and see the strikingly modern architecture of the Bjorvika neighbourhood. In the evening, round off your Scandinavian adventure with a Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant. Over a glass of wine, toast to your travels with your newfound friends.
	Visits: Oslo
	Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
	Accommodation: Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Oslo.
Day 15	Out of Oslo
	Departure transfers arrive at Oslo airport at 07:15 and 10:15.
	Visits: Oslo
	Meals: Breakfast

---

Available Room Types: Single, Triple, Twin, Twinshare
Child: ages 5 to 17