YOUR O.A.T. ADVENTURE TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE® Fjord Cruise & Lapland: Norway, Finland & the Arctic 2022 Small Groups: 20-25 travelers—guaranteed! (average of 22) Overseas Adventure Travel ® The Leader in Personalized Small Group Adventures on the Road Less Traveled 1 Dear Traveler, For me, one of the joys of traveling is the careful planning that goes into an adventure—from the first spark of inspiration to hours spent poring over travel books about my dream destinations—and I can’t wait to see where my next journey will take me. I know you’re eager to explore the world, too, and our Fjord Cruise & Lapland itinerary described inside is an excellent way to start. As for Fjord Cruise & Lapland, thanks to your small group of 20-25 travelers (average 22) you can expect some unforgettable experiences. Here are a few that stood out for me: Gain insights into Sami and northern Lapland culture in Ivalo where a local guide will offer their perspective on the oppression of Europe’s last indigenous community during a visit to the Siida Museum. You’ll learn about the forced relocation of the Sami people in the 1800s and the challenges that face the community as they fight to preserve their time-honored customs. But the most moving stories of all are the ones you’ll hear directly from the local people. You’ll meet them, too, and hear their personal experiences when you visit the owners of a reindeer farm and learn about the important role they play in the Sami peoples’ daily lives. You’ll also have the rare opportunity to see how Europeans live above the Arctic Circle when you share a home- cooked meal with a local family. As you get to know your hosts, consider how their home and lifestyle differ from those of the Sami people. The way we see it, you’ve come a long way to experience the true culture—not some fairytale version of it. That’s why we don’t shy away from controversial topics, and why all our Trip Experience Leaders are “insiders” who live in the country. To ensure your adventure is truly unique, join the 85% of our travelers who choose to put their own personal stamp on their adventure by personalizing their experience. You can arrive early and stay later, add a pre- or post-trip extension, spend time in a Stopover city, or combine two or more trips. Plus, your itinerary offers ample free time so you can pursue your own interests. So now that the day has come when you can enjoy your Fjord Cruise & Lapland adventure, I hope you will relish the fun and anticipation that this O.A.T. Adventure Travel Planning Guide® will inspire. Should you have further questions, feel free to call our Regional Adventure Counselors at 1-800-955-1925. Warm regards, Harriet R. Lewis Vice Chairman Overseas Adventure Travel P.S. I thought our 3 most popular videos about Scandinavia would help you get inspired for the adventure ahead. Scan the QR code next to the video to watch. Smart Travels with Rudy Maxa: Norway, Finland, and the Arctic Great Railway Journeys of Europe: Oslo and Norway Oslo to Bergen SCAN ME SCAN ME SCAN ME Open the camera feature on your mobile device, and hover the lens over this code to scan it. A pop-up notification will take you directly to the video. 2 CONTENTS A Letter from Harriet Lewis ................................................................2 The O.A.T. Difference......................................................................4 The Freedom to Personalize Your Experience ................................................6 Grand Circle Foundation...................................................................8 The Leader in Solo Travel ..................................................................9 FJORD CRUISE & LAPLAND: NORWAY, Aboard Your Ship: Cabin Features, Dining & FINLAND & THE ARCTIC CIRCLE Services on Board ....................... 71 Your Adventure at a Glance: Havila Capella or Havila Castor............ 71 Where You’re Going, What it Costs, and What’s Included ..................... 10 ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS: Your Detailed Day-To-Day Itinerary ........ 12 CULTURE, ETIQUETTE & MORE Pre-Trip Extensions ...................... 35 The Culture of Scandinavia ............... 73 Post-Trip Extensions ..................... 40 Shopping: What to Buy, Customs, Shipping & More ........................ 85 Deck Plans .............................. 44 Dates & Prices ........................... 46 DEMOGRAPHICS & HISTORY ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION Norway................................. 88 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ Travel Documents & Entry Requirements. 47 88 Norway: A Brief History .................. 88 No Visas Required ....................... 47 Finland ................................. Rigors, Vaccines & General Health ......... 49 90 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 90 Vaccines Required ....................... 50 Finland: A Brief History .................. 90 Money Matters: Local Currency & Tipping Guidelines .............................. 52 Denmark ............................... 91 On Board Ship........................... 54 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 91 Denmark: A Brief History ................. 92 Tipping Guidelines....................... 55 Sweden................................. 94 Air, Optional Tours & Staying in Touch ..... 57 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 94 Optional Tours .......................... 58 Sweden: A Brief History .................. 94 Communicating with Home from Abroad . 59 Netherlands............................. 95 Packing: What to Bring & Luggage Limits . 60 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 95 Suggested Packing Lists .................. 62 The Netherlands: A Brief History .......... 96 Electricity Abroad ....................... 64 Climate & Average Temperatures .......... 67 RESOURCES Suggested Reading ...................... 98 Suggested Film & Video .................. 101 O.A.T. Health & Safety Measures.......................................................... 106 Notes.................................................................................. 107 Map ................................................................................... 111 3 EXPERIENCE THE O.A.T. DIFFERENCE in Scandinavia This adventure not only showcases iconic sights, but takes you beyond them to experience the culture through unique activities, engagement with the natural world, and authentic encounters with local people. Since our founding in 1978, O.A.T. has become America’s leader in personalized small group journeys on the road less traveled. SMALL GROUPS: 20-25 TRAVELERS LOCAL MODES OF TRANSPORTATION (AVERAGE OF 22)—GUARANTEED To see the world like the locals, you should The world feels more intimate and engaging travel like one. Our small group size allows when your experience of it is also personal us to take the roads and waterways that are and genuine. That’s why our groups never less traveled, and we often follow them using exceed 25 travelers. This gives you access to the same unique modes of transportation people and places larger groups simply can’t that the locals use—be it a canoe, a camel or a reach. More authentic interactions. Deeper vintage cab. bonds with your travel mates. Personal service from your Trip Experience Leader. Smoother UNIQUE LODGINGS transitions. And a far more satisfying Our lodgings reflect the local character, experience than any traditional tour offers. from smaller family-run hotels and historic manors to comfy inns. Occasionally, larger THE BEST TRIP EXPERIENCE LEADERS hotels closer to city centers are used. Wherever Your English-speaking, O.A.T. Trip Experience you stay, you’re assured fine comfort and Leader is a resident of the region you are visiting, hospitality. so you will get a true insider’s perspective that brings each place alive—the stories, food, OUR WORLDWIDE OFFICES customs, hidden treasures and more. With 36 regional offices around the world, we are perfectly poised to leverage our local AUTHENTIC CULTURAL CONNECTIONS relationships to deliver an excellent experience Engage with local people through visits to and value. During this trip, you’ll be supported farms, factories, markets, and artisans’ by our team in St. Petersburg. studios; school visits; Home-Hosted meals; and more. Explore Svolvaer, Norway with your Trip Experience Leader Learn about Sami culture in Ivalo, Finland 4 THE PILLARS OF DISCOVERY Enriching. Inspiring. Unforgettable. These features form the foundation of your Fjord Cruise & Lapland adventure. GRAND CIRCLE FOUNDATION (GCF) VISIT traditions and culture. We’ll learn about how GCF was established in 1992 to help change the Sami community has changed over time, people’s lives in the world where we live, work, faced hardships of disease and displacement, and travel. To date, we have pledged or donated and fought adversity as the only indigenous $200 million worldwide. people in the European Union. By investing in the places we explore— A DAY IN THE LIFE including local schools, cooperatives, or arts Do you ever wonder, “What would it be like centers—we hope to give locals the skills and to live here?” when you visit new lands? Let’s confidence they need to become leaders of find out during your O.A.T. A Day in the Life, an their generation and preserve their heritage for exclusive, immersive experience that places you many years to come. We’re proud to play a part in the heart of a community where you’ll meet in preserving precious locales like the Bryggen various people where they live, work, and play; waterfront district of Bergen, a living example visit