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A Majestic Scandinavian Experience Visit Norway & Sweden with Fr. Louis Lohan and Mrs. Paula Spears 10 Day Air & Land Package: September 14 – September 23, 2018 $4,963 per person based on two in a room ______Sept. 14th: Our Majestic Experience Begins
Today we begin our journey with an overnight flight across the Atlantic Ocean to one of the world’s most beautiful countries, Norway.
Sept. 15th: Welcome to Bergen [D]
Today we will arrive into Bergen Airport where we will be meet and greeted by our tour escort and transferred to Bergen, the second largest city in Norway. We journey into Bergen, glorious by location as it is charmingly placed between mountains and fjords. The city was founded i n 1070 and is the main capital of the fjord country. Seafaring Bergen has given the world two cultural icons -- playwright Henrik Ibsen and composer Edvard Grieg. Late morning, we will drive out to Troldhaugen, the home of Edvard Grieg and his wife. This typical 19th century residence also has a panoramic tower and large veranda overlooks Nordas Lake. We will visit the house where Greig spent his last 22 years, the museum, the graveyard, and the hut where he composed music.
After time for a light lunch (on own) at the Troldhaugen Café, enjoy a concert of Grieg’s music in a special concert hall (public concert at 1:00pm, subject to flight schedule). We will then proceed to our hotel to check-in and enjoy the remaining of the day is at leisure to explore the old city. We will meet later to share dinner at a local restaurant and toast to the start of this exciting tour. Overnight in Bergen. Group Travel Experts to
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Sept. 16th: Introducing Bergen [B]
Start the day off with a good breakfast to fuel up for a walking tour of Bergen with a local guide. A UNESCO World Heritage city with much to explore, ancient Bergen looms large in Viking sagas. Until the 14th century, it was the seat of the medieval kingdom of Norway. In 1360, the German Hanseatic League set up one of its import and export offices at Bryggen, dominating trade for almost 400 years. This history comes alive as we join our English-speaking guide for a walk along the historic Bryggen wharf and visit the Hanseatic Museum, in an old merchant house. Stroll through the narrow alleyways and overhanging galleries of a bygone era, from the lively Fish Market to the Bergenhus Fortress, with cafés and boutiques selling traditional and unique crafts. Perhaps climb Rosenkrantz Tower for a panorama of Bergen's seaport. We will then take a funicular trip to the top of Mt. Fløyen to enjoy a magnificent view of Bergen and its surroundings. After that introduction to Bergen, enjoy your day free at leisure and your pick of restaurant tonight. Overnight in Bergen.
Sept. 17th: Bergen to Oslo with Norway in a Nutshell [B/D]
After breakfast this morning, we will bid farewell to Bergen to embark on new adventures in Oslo, the capital of Norway said to offer a rare combination of city life with modern architecture, a vibrant and friendly social scene.
Journeying from Bergen to Oslo, we will take a legendary tour which takes you through Norway’s most breathtaking UNESCO-protected fjord and mountain scenery, as well as a trip on Europe’s top scenic rail journeys. Starting from Bergen, we will set out on a scenic travel by bus through charming villages and scenic nature landscapes, towards Gudvangen. From May-September the bus travels down the steep hairpin bends of Stalheimskleiva. The bus will arrive in Gudvangen, Group Travel Experts to
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where you continue the tour by taking a fjord cruise on the on the narrow Nærøyfjord and the magnificent Aurlandsfjord. The Aurlandsfjord is a picturesque fjord that offers stunning views, while the Nærøyfjord is a dramatic fjord surrounded by high mountains. Nærøyfjorden is one of the most narrow fjords in Europe and included on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
After your fjord cruise, we will arrive in the small village of Flåm, nestled in the innermost part of the Aurlandsfjord, where you will have some free time for lunch on your own. The tour continues by taking the legendary Flåm Railway which offers spectacular panoramic views to some of the wildest and most magnificent nature in the Norwegian fjord landscape. The Flåm Railway will arrive in Myrdal, where you will change trains to the Bergen Railway to continue through scenic mountain terrain to Oslo. We will arrive into Oslo train station to meet the coach and be transferred to the hotel for check-in. Relax in your surroundings before meeting the group for dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Oslo.
Sept. 18th: Welcoming Oslo [B]
Following breakfast this morning, we will set out to explore Oslo including a visit to the Resistance Museum located at the medieval Akershus Fortress. The museum documents Norway’s occupation during WWII and presents the story of Norwegians efforts at resistance. On the peninsula of Bygdoy, we will visit the Viking Ship Museum and view the ships dating to 800AD along with artifacts from the Viking age.
We continue into the heart of Oslo’s center to enjoy a walking tour with a local guide of this city famed for its innovative architecture. Marvel at City Hall’s colorful murals depicting the modern history of Norway and the location from where the Nobel Peace Prize announcement is made annually. When finished in the 1950s, Norway’s leading artists, including Edvard Munch, contributed to the interior Group Travel Experts to
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artwork. We will then return to the hotel by coach to enjoy the remainder of the day in Oslo as you please. Enjoy dinner on your own this evening to try a local restaurant. Overnight in Oslo.
Sept. 19th: Next Stop…Sweden [B/D]
Finish up your breakfast this morning as we depart Oslo and bid farewell to Norway as we set out to journey to the west coast of Sweden, to reach the lively streets of its second-largest city Gothenburg. Before leaving Oslo, we will visit the famous the Vigeland Sculpture Park containing a lifetime of work by Gustav Vigeland, considered Norway’s greatest sculptor. Spend some time to walk along the grounds and take pictures. We will then proceed on to Oslo train station where you will board your train to Gothenburg. Sit back and enjoy the ride into Sweden, renowned for its scenic beauty and wholesome living. Upon arrival into Gothenburg station, you will meet your coach to be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Relax before meeting for dinner at the hotel and enjoy your evening as you wish. Overnight in Gothenburg.
Sept. 20th: A Day Well Spent in Gothenburg [B]
After breakfast, we will meet our local guide for sightseeing tour of the city. Gothenburg founded in 1621 after King Gustav II, tiring of Danish raids, ordered a strong fortress built to secure Sweden's only western port. Gothenburg grew rapidly into the trading and maritime city envisioned by the King, and the East India Company became Sweden's first international trading company during the 18th century. Silk, tea, spices and porcelain, the luxury items of the era, were imported to Sweden from countries such as China, despite journeys often lasting more than a year.
We will cross the Alvsborg Bridge to Klippan for splendid views of the Archipelago and Alvsborg Bridge and Masthuggs Church for spectacular vistas of the city and port. Your next stop is the city center and Gtaplatsen, the cultural hub of Gothenburg, which is flanked by the Museum of Fine Arts, Concert Hall and Municipal Theater. Take a walk through the Group Travel Experts to
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Saluhallen, an indoor market that includes the famous Feskekörka fish market, which resembles a church. Its Gothic eaves belie its history as a place for 19th-century fishermen's wives to sell their family's wares.
We will then return to the hotel with the evening free at leisure. For an evening well spent, check out the beautiful waterfront, with all things nautical, from ships, aquariums and sea-related museums to the freshest fish. Overnight in Gothenburg.
Sept. 21st: On The Move to Stockholm [B/D]
After breakfast, prepare to bid Gothenburg farewell to embark on new adventures of the Swedish capital of Stockholm. We will be transfer to train station to board a non-stop train to the tranquil beauty of Stockholm, which is comprised of fourteen islands with over two thirds of the city consisting of water, forest or parks. Enjoy views of the Swedish countryside and mingle with local Scandinavians and other travelers aboard the train before arriving into the city in early afternoon.
Upon arrival into Stockholm station, meet the coach and a local guide to take in some of the surrounding sights and sounds. We will journey to Djurgarten Island to visit to Skansen, an open-air history museum depicting Swedish life and culture from the 19th century. Explore the grounds with rebuilt traditional cottages, farms and workshops. We will then continue onwards to reach and visit the Vasa Museum, displaying the 200 foot warship that sank on her maiden voyage 400 years ago. The ship was salvaged in 1961 and restored using nearly all original materials. We will then journey to our hotel for check-in and relax before meeting the group for dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Stockholm.
Sept. 22nd: Getting Acquainted with Stockholm [B/D] Begin the morning with breakfast and fuel up to take a guided walking tour through the cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan (Old Town), lined with cafes, antique shops, lanterns and museums. View Stockholm’s Cathedral, the Royal Palace, which is the largest castle in the world still in use by a king, and Stortorget Square, the heart of Old Town. Group Travel Experts to
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Enjoy free time in the city for lunch on own. This afternoon, enjoy a leisurely one-hour boat cruise on Lake Malaren to Drottningholm Palace, the former summer residence of the royal family and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the magnificently appointed state apartments and linger in the stunning Baroque gardens.
We then return to our hotel to get ready for a farewell dinner at a restaurant. Enjoy some hearty local food and reflect on the memories, friendships and magic created during our stay in Norway and Sweden! Overnight in Stockholm
Sept. 23rd: Homeward Bound [B]
With bags packed, meet your coach and escort for transfer to the airport for departure flight home.
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Tour Details
Day City Tour Description Entrance Included
Day 1 Bergen Arrival transfer to hotel with 3 hour tour Troldhaugen with lunch time concert
Day 2 Bergen Half day walking tour with local guide Hanseatic Museum
Round trip Floein Funicular
Day 3 Bergen to Oslo Norway in a Nutshell Tour Fjord Cruise
Visit village of Flam
Flam Railway to Myrdal
Bergen Railway to Oslo
Day 4 Oslo Full day sightseeing tour with local guide Resistance Museum
City Hall
Viking Ship Museum
Day 5 Oslo to Gothenburg Morning visit in Oslo with tour escort Vigeland Scultpure Park
Train Oslo to Gothenburg
Day 6 Gothenburg Half day city tour with local guide None
Day 7 Gothenburg to Half day Stockholm city tour with guide Skansen Stockholm Vasa Museum
Day 8 Stockholm Full day city tour with local guide Drottingholm Palace
1 hour boat cruise on Lake Malaren
Visit Gamla Stan
Day 9 Departure Departure transfer