Regional Europe by Insight Vacations
Spectacular Scandinavia & its Fjords - Small Group
Tour the Nobel Peace Prize banquet halls in Stockholm and ascend almost 1000-metres above sea level on the famous Flam railway, en route to Bergen. This 15-day tour of Scandinavia’s glassy fjords and sky-scraping mountains is a tonic for the soul as you journey from Sweden’s scenic farmlands to cosmopolitan Stockholm. Enjoy Uppsala sightseeing and meet Hans Odoo—a passionate local storyteller who’ll regale you with tales of Sweden’s first botanical garden, before you’re whisked away to a farm to table Falun dinner with fresh, locally-sourced produce. In Norway, set sail through the deep glassy waters of the Geirangerfjord, surrounding by towering ice capped mountains and lush green forests.
Itinerary
Greetings to you, Copenhagen! Spend your afternoon at leisure to relax and settle in before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for drinks and a warm and friendly dinner. In the evening visit the glittering lights and enchanting atmosphere of the world-famous Tivoli Gardens.
A Local Expert will reveal the charm of Denmark's capital. Visit 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, Nyhavn 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?
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. The evening is at your leisure. Take a stroll along the leafy boulevards and enjoy dinner in one of the city’s many restaurants.
Enjoy views of the patchwork of fertile farmlands, as you journey along the shores of Lake Vättern to the Swedish capital. Stop at Grännaberget cafe for a Swedish Fika of coffee and freshly baked pastries, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience that helps preserving Sweden’s cultural heritage.
See the charms of Sweden's capital with your Local Expert. Wander the medieval streets of Gamla Stan and see the 13th-century cathedral. 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?
Travel to the historic city of Uppsala, the seat of Scandinavia’s oldest university. Meet Hans Odoo, a passionate local storyteller, who will share the fascinating history of the Carl Linnaeus Garden on a guided tour. You’ll learn about Sweden’s first botanical garden and its 1300 species of flora and fauna. Continue to the historic city of Uppsala, seat of Scandinavia’s oldest university. Travel to Falun, an old historic mining town. In the evening, enjoy a delightful Farm-to-Table dinner at a local restaurant, prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
With your Travel Director see the Falun Copper Mine and the Great Pit, a vast crater created by an enormous mine collapse in 1687. Later on in the morning travel along the shores of Lake Siljan to Mora, the home of Sweden’s infamous 17th-century witch trials. Continue deep into the forested heart of the country to reach Sälen, the starting point for the world’s oldest and longest cross-country ski race, Vasaloppet. This 90 kilometre race across the snow has been challenging skiers since 1922. Later cross the border into Norway and pass Hamar with its Olympic ice skating rink which resembles an upturned Viking ship. Journey along the shores of Mjøsa, Norway’s largest lake, to arrive at Lillehammer, home of the 1994 Winter Olympics.
Journey northwest from Lillehammer, travelling through the countryside of Peer Gynt, immortalised by Ibsen. At Lom, view 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.
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.
After a relaxed morning, take a scenic cruise along 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, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, the largest icecap in continental Europe at the foot of the Jostedal Glacier. 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 historic fjord hotel in Leikanger. Delight in a dinner of fresh and locally sourced produce.
Cross Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in Norway, extending over 200 kilometres and reaching depths of 1,308 m (4,291 ft). Then take the Flåm Railway, a feat of 20th-century engineering, through steep terrain, tunnels and waterfalls. Continue to Voss for a visit to Finnegarden Farm and discover how glacial soil and a cool climate shape the distinctive flavours of their traditionally crafted juices and ciders. End the day in Bergen, a former Hanseatic trading port with a rich maritime heritage and distinctive wooden architecture along its historic wharf.
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 ascending Mount Fløyen by the only funicular in Scandinavia.
Travel along scenic and varied landscapes to Oslo, drive past some of Norway's most picturesque ski-resorts. Leaving the seaside town of Bergen, 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.
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. Explore the area around the Opera House and see the strikingly modern architecture of the Bjørvika neighbourhood. In the evening, round off your Scandinavian adventure with a dinner at a local restaurant. Over a glass of wine, toast to your travels with your newfound friends.
Your Scandinavian exploration has come to an end.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 7 Dinner (D)
- 14 Breakfast (B)
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Fjaerland: Visit the interactive Norwegian Glacier Museum, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Embark on an incredible journey through time at this interactive museum surrounded by striking glacial landscapes. Hear more about climate change and the natural environment in this spectacular national park centre. The Norwegian Glacier Museum is a leader in striving towards sustainability. The museum educates visitors about the climate crisis and what can be done to minimize impact. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13
- Fjaerland: Take a walk through the village of Fjærland with a Local Expert and focus on life between the fjord and the glacier.
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Authentic Dining
- Copenhagen: Savour local specialities in Denmark's capital city during dinner with your Travel Director and fellow travellers.
- Falun: Savour a delightful meal at a local restaurant, prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
- Voss Municipality: In Voss, step onto the land of Finnegarden Farm, where Knut and his family cultivate organic apples and berries in the Hardanger tradition. Sample a seasonal juice or cider crafted in small batches using hand-pressed techniques. Learn how generations of farmers have shaped this fertile valley, and explore the link between sustainable growing methods and regional flavours.
- Oslo: Scandinavian hospitality is matched with fine food and a glass of wine during dinner at a local restaurant.
Insight Choice
- Fjaerland: Visit the interactive Norwegian Glacier Museum, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Embark on an incredible journey through time at this interactive museum surrounded by striking glacial landscapes. Hear more about climate change and the natural environment in this spectacular national park centre. The Norwegian Glacier Museum is a leader in striving towards sustainability. The museum educates visitors about the climate crisis and what can be done to minimize impact. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13
- Fjaerland: Take a walk through the village of Fjærland with a Local Expert and focus on life between the fjord and the glacier.
Insight Experiences
- Uppsala: Meet Hans Odoo, a passionate Uppsala local and storyteller, who will share the fascinating history of the Carl Linnaeus Garden on a guided tour. You’ll learn about Sweden’s first botanical garden and its 1300 species of flora and fauna.
Make Travel Matter
- Graenna: Enjoy a traditional Swedish Fika at Grännaberget cafe, the cafe of Gränna museum on the banks of Lake Vättern. Meet Mattias at his family-ran cafe hosted in this traditional 18th-century Swedish house for coffee and freshly baked pastries sourced from local farms and producers. The cafe supports the village museum in preserving traditional memorabilia and artefacts of the 18th century from the local area. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11
Top Rated Highlights
- Copenhagen: Make the most of the long summer nights at the glittering Tivoli Gardens, the world-famous entertainment park, full of fantasy, fun and charm.
- Copenhagen: With your Local Expert, view Christiansborg Palace and the cathedral where the Crown Prince of Denmark married Princess Mary. You'll also see Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Palace and the unusual Rundertaarn, which is the oldest functioning Observatory in Europe.
- Gothenburg: Learn about the region’s culture and nautical history with your Local Expert.
- Stockholm: With your Local Expert, visit Gamla Stan to see the cathedral where Swedish kings have been coronated and wander the narrow streets of the Old Town.
- Stockholm: With a Local Expert, step inside the City Hall where the fabulous Gyllene salen, the Golden Hall is covered by 18 million gilded mosaic tiles. You'll also see the Blå hallen, the Blue Hall, where the Nobel Prize banquets are held.
- Falun: Discover the city of Falun, located in the heart of Dalarna County. See the Falun Copper Mine and the Great Pit, a vast crater caused by an enormous mine collapse in 1687.
- Salen: Stop in this city known as the host to the world's oldest and longest cross-country ski race.
- Lillehammer: Explore the town where the 1994 Winter Olympics were held.
- Lom: View the Norwegian stave church dating back to 1158.
- Geiranger: Enjoy an orientation of Geiranger to learn more about this small village and the surrounding Fjords.
- Geiranger: Cruise along the deep, blue waters of majestic Geirangerfjord, surrounded by snow-covered mountains, gushing waterfalls and lush green vegetation.
- Fjaerland: Enjoy a photo-stop at the Bøyabreen Glacier.
- Leikanger: Learn about this quaint little coastal town from your Travel Director.
- Flam Railway: Journey on one of the world's steepest railways through tunnels that spiral in and out of the mountainside of the narrow Flåm Valley.
- Bergen: With your Local Expert, see the many colourful stalls of the lively Fish Market and marvel at the 13th-century Haakon's Hall.
- Hardangervidda: Pass through the National Park known for its beautiful arctic tundra.
- Oslo: With your Local Expert, see Akershus Castle, Oslo Harbour and the Royal Palace.
- Oslo: Take a moment to contemplate the interesting Vigeland sculptures when you visit Frogner Park.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
accommodation
| Name | Adults | Passengers |
|---|---|---|
| single room | Adults: 1 | Passengers: 1 |
| triple room | Adults: 1 - 3 | Passengers: 3 |
| twin room | Adults: 1 - 2 | Passengers: 2 |
| twinShare room | Adults: 1 | Passengers: 1 - 2 |