Compare Spectacular Scandinavia & its Fjords - Classic Group by Insight Vacations vs 11 Day Classic Scandinavia by Gate 1 Travel

Day 1: Welcome to Copenhagen

On arrival at Copenhagen airport, your transfer will leave for your hotel at 09:00, 12:00 or 15:00. Then you will be at leisure to relax and settle in. At 17:30, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers and enjoy drinks and a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner. In the evening visit the glittering lights and enchanting atmosphere of the world-famous Tivoli Gardens.

Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Copenhagen.

Dinner with Wine

Day 2: Wonderful Copenhagen

A Local Expert will reveal the charm of Denmark's capital. Meet Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid gazing wistfully across the harbour and see Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Government. Continue to Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Palace, the Renaissance Stock Exchange and Copenhagen Cathedral, where the Crown Prince of Denmark married Princess Mary. View the unusual Rundertaarn and enjoy an afternoon at your leisure, relaxing or exploring at your pace. Perhaps take an Optional Experience into the picturesque Danish countryside to see the castles of North Zealand?

Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Copenhagen.

Breakfast

Day 3: On to Gothenburg Relaxed Start

Continue along Sweden’s west coast to the cosmopolitan port city of Gothenburg. On arrival, explore with your Local Expert and learn about the region’s culture and nautical history.  Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Café Dickson. Enjoy traditional Swedish fika, coffee and cinnamon roll, at a community café.

Elite Park Avenue Hotel, Gothenburg.

Breakfast

Day 4: Scenic farmlands of Sweden

Enjoy views of the patchwork of fertile farmlands, as you journey along the shores of Vättern to the Swedish capital.

Hilton Stockholm Slussen.

Breakfast

Day 5: Stockholm, City of Islands

See the charms of Sweden's capital with your Local Expert. On Gamla Stan, start with the cathedral, the coronation palace of many Swedish kings and the Old Town, with some of the narrowest streets in the world and stroll through the courtyard of the Royal Palace. Visit the imposing City Hall to see its fabulous Gyllene salen, the Golden Hall, with its walls covered in 18 million gilded mosaic tiles, and the Blå hallen, the Blue Hall, where the Nobel Prize banquets are held. There's free time in the afternoon for you to explore at your own pace. Perhaps visit the fabulous Vasa Galleon, raised from Stockholm's harbour-bed in 1961 after sinking on its maiden voyage in 1628?

Hilton Stockholm Slussen.

Breakfast

Day 6: Sigtuna, Uppsala and Falun

Travel to Sigtuna on the shores of Lake Mälaren, it was once the Viking capital and now boasts Sweden’s smallest City Hall. Continue to the historic city of Uppsala, seat of Scandinavia’s oldest university.  Meet Hans Odoo, a passionate local storyteller, who will share the fascinating history of the Carl Linneaus Garden on a guided tour. You’ll learn about Sweden’s first botanical garden and its 1300 species of flora and fauna. Travel to Falun, an old historic mining town. With your Travel Director see the Falun Copper Mine and the Great Pit, a vast crater created by an enormous mine collapse in 1687. In the evening, enjoy a delightful meal at Banken Restaurant, prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

First Grand Hotel Falun.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Lillehammer

A scenic drive along the shores of Lake Siljan in the Dalarna region brings you to Nusnäs, home of the Dala horse. Meet the entertaining Olsson family who has passed the art of making wooden horses down through the generations and visit their workshop to witness a colourful wooden horse being made. Continue deep into the forested heart of Sweden to reach Sälen, Sweden’s largest alpine destination. It is known as the starting point for the world’s oldest and longest cross-country ski race, Vasaloppet, a 90 kilometre track that has been challenging skiers since 1922. Cross the border to Norway and pass Hamar with its Olympic ice skating rink known as the Viking Ship. Journey along the shores of Mjøsa, Norway’s largest lake, to arrive at Lillehammer, home of the 1994 Winter Olympics.

Scandic Victoria Lillehammer.

Breakfast

Day 8: Geiranger, Jewel of the Fjords Relaxed Start

Journey northwest from Lillehammer, travelling through the countryside of 'Peer Gynt', immortalised by Ibsen. At Lom, visit the Norwegian stave church dating back to 1158. Continue along winding roads that pass waterfalls, rivers, ice fields, lakes and snow-capped peaks. For the next two nights you will stay in the scenic village of Geiranger, overlooking fjords and soaring mountains.

Hotel Union Geiranger.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9: Geiranger at Leisure Relaxed Start

Enjoy a relaxed start and a day reserved for your leisure amongst the most breathtaking scenery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perhaps join an Optional Experience for an incredible scenic drive along the amazing Troll's Road? The road itself was a masterpiece of engineering when it was built over 70 years ago and the spectacular views will leave you speechless.

Hotel Union Geiranger.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Fjærland and Fjordland Relaxed Start

After a relaxed morning, take a scenic cruise through the Geirangerfjord. Your travels continue to the Bøya Glacier for a photo-stop. Explore Fjærland with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the interactive Norwegian Glacier Museum at the foot of the Jostedalsbreen, the largest icecap in continental Europe. Alternatively, take a walk through the village of Fjærland with a Local Expert and hear about life between the fjord and the glacier. Then enjoy a scenic drive onto your hotel in Leikanger. Delight in a dinner of fresh and locally sourced produce.

Leikanger Fjord Hotel.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11: The Flåm Railway to Bergen

Cross the serene waters of magnificent Sognefjord, the longest fjord in Norway. Then embark on a spectacularly scenic journey aboard the Flåm Railway, ascending from sea level to 914 metres. Visit a family-run farm on the Hardangerfjord to hear how eight generations have farmed the land, producing fruit, berries and various jams, jellies, traditional spreads, cake and other delicious treats. Sample their fresh apple juice and homemade cider and enjoy a walk through the orchard. Travel on to your hotel in the historic port of Bergen.

Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, Bergen.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12: The Hanseatic port of Bergen Relaxed Start

A Local Expert introduces you to Bergen. The ancient Hanseatic port city still largely looks to the sea for its living, as evidenced by the picturesque and lively Fish Market, set in a charming location in the heart of the city. The market also has stalls selling a colourful variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, handicrafts and souvenirs. After seeing the 13th century Haakon’s Hall, there will be time to explore all that this exciting town has to offer. Perhaps you might like to visit the home of composer Edvard Grieg, before ascend Mount Fløyen by the only funicular in Scandinavia?

Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, Bergen.

Breakfast

Day 13: Mountains and Fjords to Oslo

Travel along scenic and varied landscapes to Oslo, through some of Norway's most picturesque ski-resorts. Leaving the seaside town of Bergen, you will start heading inland among soaring mountains to reach the exceptional Hardangerfjord, also known as the Queen of the Fjords. Your journey continues climbing up to elevations of 1200m (3930ft) offering moon like scenery and passing some of Norway’s ski resorts on the Hardanger Plateau. After returning to lower areas you’ll be driving among dense forests before reaching the capital city of Oslo.

Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Oslo.

Breakfast

Day 14: Cosmopolitan Oslo Relaxed Start

With your Local Expert, see the Royal Palace and the spires and ramparts of Akershus Castle, the 14th century fortress guarding the harbour. At Frogner Park, view the intriguing Vigeland sculptures. Exploe the area around the Opera House and see the strikingly modern architecture of Bjorvika neighbourhood. In the evening, round off your Scandinavian adventure with a Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant. Over a glass of wine, toast to your travels with your newfound friends.

Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Oslo.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 15: Out of Oslo

Departure transfers arrive at Oslo airport at 07:15 and 10:15.

Breakfast