Scandinavian Capitals & Majestic Fjords

Day 1  Overnight flight

Day 2  Stockholm

Ruijs Travel - Scandinavia - Sweden-Stockholm 2

Välkommen in Sweden! Meet your driver and tour escort at Stockholm Arlanda airport and transfer to the city center for an abbreviated sightseeing tour by coach. The capital of Sweden, is a vibrant, regal city, spread over fourteen main islands and surrounded by a huge archipelago with over 30,000 islands, islets and rock formations dotted in the Baltic Sea. During the sightseeing tour you will see amongst other things, the impressive City Hall (Stadshuset), the Royal Palace (Sveriges Kungahus), Stockholm Cathedral (Storkyrkan), and Riddarholm Church (Riddarholsmkyrkan). Check in at the hotel and have some time to relax before dinner.
Welcome dinner and overnight in Stockholm.

Day 3  Stockholm

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Following breakfast you will discover Stockholm from the water. During a narrated boat cruise you will  see the city’s many bridges, pleasant neighborhoods and main sights of the city. The inner city, Old Town, Södermalm, Lilla and Stora Essingen, the modern part Hammarby Sjöstad, and the green parks of Djurgården pass by while you enjoy a real Swedish coffee break called Fika, coffee with a cinnamon roll.  In Djurgården you will visit the Vasamuseet (Vasa Museum), here you can marvel the Vasa battleship, once the pride of the Swedish Imerial fleet. This majestic 64-gun vessel sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. After being on the seabed for 333 years, the mighty warship was salvaged. Today Vasa is the world’s only preserved 17th century ship. In the afternoon a local guide will take you on a walk through the atmospheric backstreets of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s charming Old Town. Remainder of the day at leisure to explore this vibrant city on your own. You might want to visit Skansen open-air Museum, the ABBA Museum, or shop for designer items in the Östermalm district. Overnight in Stockholm.

Day 4  Stockholm – Småland – Berg Locks – Jönköping – Toftaholm

Ruijs Travel - Scandinavia - Sweden-Smaland 4

Today you will leave Stockholm and your first stop will be Drottningholm Palace, listed as UNESCO’s World Heritage site. The palace is beautifully preserved , and home to grand formal rooms and surrounded by lovely landscaped gardens, including the elaborate Rococo Chinese pavilion. After the visit your journey continues through the beautiful Småland, a landscape of natural beauty and contrasts. The hunting and fishing tradition of this area has left their mark on the Småland food culture. Enjoy a typical Smörgåsbord lunch en route. You will make a stop at the imposing Bergs Slussar; the berg Locks situated in the Göta Canal. During high season,  thousands of boats pass along the Göta Canal and a real spectacle is to be seen;  the Carl Johan staircase, with its 7 connected locks raises or lowers the boats a full 18.8 meters between Lake Roxen and Berg Guest Harbour. On to Jönköping, an attractive town on the southern shores of Lake Vättern, Sweden’s second largest lake. Time permitting you will visit one of the three existing Match Museums in the world. After the stop in Jönköping you will travel onwards to your hotel in the Toftaholm nature reserve or near surroundings. Overnight in Toftaholm area.

 

Day 5  Toftaholm – Helsingborg – Helsingør – Kronborg Castle – Copenhagen  

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After breakfast your Scandinavian journey continues into Denmark. You will take the ferry from Helsingborg to Helsingør. Immortalized as “Elsinore” in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, Kronborg is one of the most important Renaissance castles in Northern Europe and UNESCO World Heritage listed. After the visit you will head for Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen. Upon arrival enjoy a guided city tour by coach and on foot. A local guide will show you the highlights of Copenhagen such as the Round Tower, Rosenborg Castle, the colourful harbour Nyhavn, the winter residence of the Swedish Royals – the Amalienborg, the Gefion Fountain and of course the statue of the Little Mermaid which is the symbol of Copenhagen based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale. Then continue onto the stunning Old Danish Stock Exchange, the Carlsberg Glypotek, and the Christiansborg for a walk in the governmental area. The guided tour ends at the Tivoli Gardens. Enjoy na evening at the famous amusement park of the city. At night, thousands of colored lights create a fairytale atmosphere. Overnight in Copenhagen.

Day 6  Copenhagen – Roskilde – night boat Copenhagen – Oslo

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Today enjoy an excursion to Roskilde, the city of the Vikings, Kings and Queens. You will make a leisurely stroll through this bustling market town, starting at Maglekilde, one of Roskilde’s natural springs. From here you will walk to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Roskilde Cathedral, for a visit. This unique church has been the burial place of Danish Royalty since the 15th century and is one of the earliest examples of gothic architecture in Northern Europe. Via the Roskilde Convent, you will walk to Lützhøfts Old Grocer’s Shop. The interior of the shop is fitted out as it looked around the 1920s, and goods typical of this period are for sale here. Afterwards you will visit Roskilde’s harbour and the Viking ship Museum. You will get an insight into the world of the Vikings and their era. The museum focuses on the Vikings’ maritime craftsmanship and their impressive ships. Time permitting, you will sail out on Roskilde Fjord in one of the traditional Nordic boats, their construction is based on the original Viking ships. Return to Copenhagen and catch the night ferry to Oslo. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 7  Oslo

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Following breakfast you will disembark and meet your driver and local expert guide. Enjoy a guided city tour by coach this morning. You will visit the Vigeland Park, also known as Frogner Park. Enjoy the extraordinary stone and bronze statues made by artist Gustav Vigeland. Then you will drive up to the Holmenkollen Ski jump where you will have a stunning view over the city. Afterwards you will enter the city centre Akershus fortress, the Royal Palace, the Town Hall and the Domkirken – Oslo’s Cathedral. Continue your way to the Norwegian Folk Museum, one of the world’s oldest and largest open-air museums. On the museum’s large, green grounds there are 160 buildings, including an Old Town and the Stave Church from Gol, built in the 13th century. In the afternoon check in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.                                                                                                  
Overnight in Oslo.

Day 8  Oslo – Flåmsbana – Flåm area

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After breakfast you will board a train and follow the Oslo-Bergen railway line, Norway’s most scenic route. Enjoy a journey past forests, alpine villages and exceptionally beautiful Hardangervidda plateau. Part of this route is the Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana), described as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. The train route runs from Flåm to Myrdal, through a rugged and imposing landscape with mountains, waterfalls and breathtaking views. Starting at sea level in the Aurlandsfjord, a tributary of the Sognefjord, up to the mountain station at Myrdal and back to Flåm.
Overnight in the Flåm area.

Day 9  Flåm – Nærøyfjord – Flåm – Bergen      

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Another mesmerizing day is on the program, full of natural beauty. This morning you will enjoy a boat cruise through the narrow and spectacular Nærøyfjord. This fjord is surrounded by steep mountains with snow- covered peaks that soar up to 1,800 metres above sea level. Waterfalls cascade down the mountains and picturesque villages dot the landscape. This area is one of the most beautiful fjord landscapes in the world and UNESCO World Heritage Listed with reason. This wonderful boat trip starts and ends in Flåm. Mid-afternoon you will leave Flåm and head for Bergen, the second largest city in Norway, an UNESCO World Heritage City and a European City of Culture. Check in at the hotel and enjoy a leisurely evening in enchanting Bergen.
Overnight in Bergen.

Day 10 Bergen

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Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and afterwards meet your driver and local guide for a guided city tour. Bergen became an important European city of trade in the 13th century. Today Bryggen is a reminder of the city’s importance as a part of the Hanseatic League, and has a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. A stroll through the back streets of Bryggen brings you back to the Middle Ages, as a lot of the traditional merchant houses are preserved or renovated. You will visit the open-air Old Bergen Museum. The museum is a reconstructed small town consisting of around 50 wooden houses dating from several different centuries. In the 19th century, Bergen was Europe’s largest wooden city, and its steep and densely built-up streets, squares and alleyways gave it a unique character. See how Bergen used to be like and how the people lived. Apart from the historic Bryggen you will also see the Bergenhuss Fortress, Håkons Hall also known as the Viking Hall and St. Mary’s Church. Afterwards you will take the Fløibanen – a funicular- up to Mount Fløyen to enjoy views of Bergen and it’s harbor. Farewell dinner and overnight in Bergen.

Day 11 Departure

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After breakfast depart to Bergen Flesland airport for your flight back home.