YOUR O.A.T. ADVENTURE TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE® New! Under the Midnight Sun: Sami Lapland, Norway & the Arctic Circle 2021 Small Groups: 8-16 travelers—guaranteed! (average of 13) Overseas Adventure Travel ® The Leader in Personalized Small Group Adventures on the Road Less Traveled 1 Dear Traveler, At last, the world is opening up again for curious travel lovers like you and me. And the O.A.T. New! Under the Midnight Sun: Sami Lapland, Norway & the Arctic Circle itinerary you’ve expressed interest in will be a wonderful way to resume the discoveries that bring us so much joy. You might soon be enjoying standout moments like these: There was something intangibly magical about Lapland. Maybe it was the midnight sun, the endless rugged tundra, or the welcoming nature of the Sami people. All I know is that there was a true sense of Arctic magic everywhere I went, especially when I met an indigenous Sami family on their reindeer farm. As we explored the farm, they introduced me to their way of life and traditions dating back thousands of years. I was saddened to hear that their ancient culture is under threat from two forces: the construction of an Arctic Railway through Sami territory and Sami youth deviating from their traditional lifestyle. You’ll hear about these challenges as well when you meet with a Sami family on their reindeer farm. In the regions I travel to around the world, the stories of the people who live and work there are the most distinct and poignant experiences. You’ll meet with a local educator in Oslo to hear about July 22, 2011—the harrowing terrorist attack on this city—and their personal account of this day. We’ll also delve into the opposing attitudes Norwegians hold towards the justice system. The way we see it, you’ve come a long way to experience the true culture—not some fairytale version of it. So we keep our groups small, with only 8-16 travelers (average 13) to ensure that your encounters with local people are as intimate and authentic as possible. It’s also why your O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader will be a resident “insider” who can show you the culture as only a local can. To ensure that your adventure is truly unique, put your own personal stamp on it. 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 until the day comes when you are off to enjoy your New! Under the Midnight Sun: Sami Lapland, Norway & the Arctic Circle 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. Love and peace, Harriet R. Lewis Vice Chairman, Overseas Adventure Travel P.S. For more inspiration, you can watch videos and slideshows from travelers like you at www.oattravel. com/traveler-moments. You can also share some of your own favorite moments by uploading your travel videos and slideshows directly onto the trip-specific pages of our website. USA Today “Best Tours” 10Best Readers’ Presented by Choice Awards Solo Traveler 2 CONTENTS A Letter from Harriet Lewis ................................................................2 The O.A.T. Difference......................................................................4 The Grand Circle Foundation...............................................................6 The Leader in Solo Travel ..................................................................7 UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN: ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS: SAMI LAPLAND, NORWAY & CULTURE, ETIQUETTE & MORE THE ARCTIC CIRCLE During Your Trip ......................... 64 Your Adventure at a Glance: Cuisine in Norway ....................... 67 Where You’re Going, What it Costs, Baltic Cuisine ........................... 69 and What’s Included .......................8 Shopping: What to Buy, Customs, Your Detailed Day-To-Day Itinerary ..........9 Shipping & More ........................ 71 Pre-Trip Extension ....................... 25 Post-Trip Extension ...................... 36 DEMOGRAPHICS & HISTORY Dates & Prices ........................... 40 Finland ................................. 74 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 74 ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION Historical Overview of Finland ............ 74 Norway................................. 75 Travel Documents & Entry Requirements. 41 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 75 No Visas Required ....................... 41 Historical Overview of Norway ............ 76 Rigors, Vaccines & General Health ......... 43 Denmark ............................... 77 Vaccines Required ..................... .. 44 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 77 Money Matters: Local Currency & Tipping Guidelines .............................. 46 Historical Overview of Denmark .......... 78 Estonia ................................. 80 Tipping Guidelines....................... 48 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 80 Air, Optional Tours & Staying in Touch ..... 50 Estonia: A Short History .................. 80 Optional Tours .......................... 51 Latvia .................................. 81 Optional Tours: Reserve Before You Go .... 52 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 81 Communicating with Home from Abroad . 52 Latvia: A Brief History .................... 82 Packing: What to Bring & Luggage Limits . 54 Russia . 83 Suggested Packing Lists .................. 56 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 83 Electricity Abroad ....................... 58 Russia: A Brief History ................... 84 Climate & Average Temperatures .......... 60 RESOURCES: SUGGESTED READINGS & MOVIES Suggested Readings ..................... 86 Suggested Movies ....................... 90 O.A.T. Health & Safety Measures.......................................................... 95 Notes.................................................................................. 96 Map ................................................................................... 99 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: 8-16 TRAVELERS LOCAL MODES OF TRANSPORTATION (AVERAGE OF 13)—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 16 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 reach. More authentic interactions. Deeper or a 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 hospitality. visiting, so you will get a true insider’s perspective that brings each place alive— OUR WORLDWIDE OFFICES the stories, food, customs, hidden treasures With 36 regional offices around the world, and more. we are perfectly poised to leverage our local relationships to deliver an excellent experience AUTHENTIC CULTURAL CONNECTIONS and value. During this trip, you’ll be supported Engage with local people through visits to by our team in St. Petersburg, Russia. farms, factories, markets, and artisans’ studios; school visits; Home-Hosted meals; and more. Hop aboard the vintage Flam Railway in Norway Delve into Sami culture in Lapland 4 THE PILLARS OF DISCOVERY Enriching. Inspiring. Unforgettable. These features form the foundation of your Midnight Sun adventure. GRAND CIRCLE FOUNDATION (GCF) VISIT unrepentant murders, like the one who GCF was established in 1992 to help change committed the terrorist attack. people’s lives in the world where we live, work, A DAY IN THE LIFE and travel. To date, we have pledged or donated Do you ever wonder, “What would it be like $200 million worldwide. to live here?” when you visit new lands? Let’s By investing in the places we explore— find out during your O.A.T. A Day in the Life, including local schools, cooperatives, or arts an exclusive, immersive experience that places centers—we hope to give locals the skills and you in the heart of a community where you’ll confidence they need to become leaders of meet various people where they live, work, their generation and preserve their heritage for and play; visit the neighborhood school; lend many years to come. We’re proud to play a part a hand with daily chores; and break bread with in preserving precious locales like the Bryggen our hosts. waterfront district of Bergen, a living example Perhaps you’ll join a local resident or of the glory days of the Hanseatic League, and community