Guaranteed departure. The Northern highlights include the breathtaking beauty of the Norwegian fjords, the Hanseatic city of Bergen as well as the capitals of Norway, Sweden and Finland.
The selected tour can commence in Oslo.
Transfer from Oslo Airport Gardermoen to your hotel. Dinner and accommodation at Thon Hotel Opera, centrally located close to the Oslo Fjord and the new opera house. Your tour escort will meet you at 19:50 hrs in the hotel lobby.
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from Oslo, driving via Hønefoss along the charming Halling Valley to the mountain village of Geilo. Buffet lunch at Bardøla Mountain Hotel. After lunch the journey continues across the wild Hardanger Mountain Plateau to Fossli, where you will make a stop to view the thundering Vøringsfoss Waterfall with a vertical drop of 180 metres, the highest in Norway. Descend the amazing Måbødal Canyon to the idyllic Hardangerfjord. After a short ferry crossing followed by a drive along the Ulvikfjord, a branch of the Hardangerfjord, you will arrive in the picturesque village of Ulvik. Dinner and accommodation at Rica Brakanes Hotel, ideally located on the banks of the fjord.
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning you will depart on a scenic drive along the beautiful Hardangerfjord, famous for its many fruit orchards, via the towns of Øystese and Norheimsund, before arriving in Bergen around midday. In the afternoon you will experience Bergen on a 2-hour sightseeing tour, including a visit to the popular Fish and Flower Market, the famous Bryggen Harbour with its gabled pack houses, and the old Hanseatic Quarter. A ride with Fløibanen cable car up to Mount Fløyen, will show you the best views of the city and the surrounding mountains and fjords. Dinner and accommodation at Radisson SAS Hotel Norge, centrally located on Ole Bull’s Square, close to the pedestrian shopping streets and within walking distance of the old Bryggen Harbour.
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from Bergen via Dale and Voss before descending the Nærøy Valley to the fjord village of Flåm. Board your train for an exhilarating ride on the amazing Flåm Railway to Myrdal, a masterpiece of engineering ascending 2.838 feet in less than one hour. The descent from Myrdal to Flåm offers opportunities for photo shots of some exciting waterfalls and mountain scenery. After a short rest in Flåm, board the sightseeing boat M/S Lady Elisabeth for a 2-hour cruise along the narrow Aurlands- and Nærøyfjord, both branches of the Sognefjord. From the sun deck or the comfortable lounge, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of cascading waterfalls, sheer mountain cliffs, snow-clad peaks, and a variety of wildlife. After arrival in Gudvangen, at the head of the Nærøyfjord, continue by coach across the Vika Mountain to Vangsnes, for the short ferry crossing to the beautiful fjord village of Balestrand. Dinner and accommodation at Kvikne’s Hotel, superbly located on the banks of the fjord and surrounded by mountains.
Breakfast at the hotel. This day is at your own leisure, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the outstanding beauty and nature of the fjords. The day starts with a traditional Norwegian buffet breakfast in the hotel’s elegant dining room. You may want to spend the morning relaxing on the hotel terrace, breathing in the fresh mountain air and enjoying the spectacular views. We can also recommend a visit to the local aquarium and art gallery, or you may prefer to rent a bike or rowing boat from the hotel, or even go on foot up to the nearest mountains. A walking tour of the village of Balestrand, with its historic buildings and other interesting sites can also be arranged. Dinner and accommodation at Kvikne’s Hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from your hotel by coach along the scenic route, passing under the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Europe, to the village of Skei. Descend to the beautiful Nordfjord, making a detour at Olden to visit the world-famous Briksdal Glacier. The journey up to the glacier will be made in open cars to give you the best of views. Afterwards a typical Norwegian lunch will be served in sight of the glacier. During the afternoon the tour continues via Loen and Stryn, to the picturesque village of Hellesylt. From here you will depart on a 1-hour ferry crossing along the spectacular Geirangerfjord, possibly the most impressive of all the Norwegian fjords. During the cruise you will pass close by magnificent waterfalls, such as the Bridal Veil and the Seven Sisters. Dinner and accommodation at the excellent Union Hotel, overlooking the Geiranger Fjord.
Breakfast at the hotel. From the top of the famous Serpentine Road, you have the possibility to digest the amazing view of the fjord, before crossing the rugged Grotli Mountains to Lom, well known for its stave church. The tour continues via Lake Vågå, before descending the magnificent Gudbrandsdalen Valley to the Olympic town of Lillehammer. Stop for lunch in Lillehammer. After lunch the journey continues alongside Lake Mjøsa, Norway’s largest lake, back to Oslo. Dinner and accommodation at Thon Hotel Opera.
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from Oslo by coach headed southeast towards the Swedish border. Drive through the attractive province of Värmland to Karlstad, where you will have lunch. Karlstad is located by Lake Vänern, Sweden's largest lake. After lunch the tour continues through a landscape of forests and sparkling lakes to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. Dinner and accommodation at Clarion Hotel Sign, a new first class hotel, centrally located.
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning you will go on a 4-hour guided sightseeing tour of Stockholm. Famous sights include the Royal Palace, Parliament Buildings, Cathedral, Royal Theatre, etc. You will also visit the enchanting Old Town (Gamla Stan) with its narrow cobbled streets and numerous antique shops. The highlight of the tour is a visit to the City Hall with its impressive Blue and Golden Halls, where the Nobel Prize banquet is held each year. The afternoon is at your own leisure in Stockholm, with possibility to visit the famous Vasa Museum or to go on one of the popular canal tours. Accommodation at Clarion Hotel Sign. Please note that dinner today is not included in the programme, as Stockholm offers a wide selection of restaurants to choose between. Your tour escort will gladly assist with table reservations.
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning is at your own leisure in Stockholm before the transfer from your hotel to the Silja Line terminal. At 17:00 hours you will depart from Stockholm, sailing slowly down the picturesque archipelago of numerous small islands. Dinner on board. During the cruise to Helsinki you have a wide choice of entertainment, bars, shops and casino. Accommodation is in a 2-berth outside cabin (seaside) with shower/WC. We recommend that you bring an overnight bag for this cruise, to avoid having to bring suitcases to and from your cabin.
Enjoy your buffet breakfast as you sail into the Helsinki harbour. A local guide will meet you at the harbour to take you for a 3-hour guided tour of Helsinki. Famous sights include the Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Park & Monument, Underground Temple, and much more. In the afternoon you can explore the busy market place or the many souvenir shops close to the harbour. Finnish crystal and leather goods are an excellent buy. Dinner and accommodation at the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel, another first class hotel centrally located.
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by transfer to Helsinki Airport Vantaa to connect with your homebound flight.