Denmark/Sweden/Norway Tour
July 18 - 29, 2012

Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen...as the old song goes.... is where our tour begins, including all the great sites of this famous city in Denmark. Visit Hans Christian Anderson’s home and see charming villages. Enjoy the rolling farmland of Jutland as you ferry to the largest port city in Sweden, Goteborg. Upon entering Norway, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as you journey thru majestic fjord country. Those of you with family from Scandinavia will love returning to your roots in your ancestral homeland. From Oslo, to Geiranger, through the mountains and ending in the charming fishing village of Bergen, there are few places on earth quite as spectacular as Norway. You are sure to love this picturesque tour through the beautiful countries of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway!

Day 1: Mpls-St. Paul / Copenhagen

Meet your tour director and other members of your group at JFK International Airport for your international flight. In-flight Meal Service

Day 2: Copenhagen

Upon arrival in Copenhagen, which is Scandinavia’s largest city, you are welcomed by your professional tour guide and board our air-conditioned luxury motor coach. We drive into the city of Copenhagen and enjoy an introductory tour before we check into the hotel. Those who wish to begin their sightseeing might like to walk down to the Nyhaven Canal, with its enticing cafes, it is a great place to get a cup of coffee or taste some of the Danish specialties. The main shopping street, Stroget, has tempting shops where the famous Danish porcelain and silver may be purchased. Our hotel is located within walking distance of Tivoli Gardens. There will be leisure time before our welcome dinner this evening. Meals: In-flight meal service, Welcome Dinner

Day 3: Copenhagen

After breakfast we begin our sightseeing tour of Copenhagen. First up is a visit to Christianborg Palace, located on Castle Island. It is here that Folketinget (Parliament), the Supreme Court and Royal Receptions Rooms are located. Next we visit Rosenberg Palace and see the Crown Jewels and other treasures of the Danish Royal family. On to Amailenborg Palace for a photo opportunity and hopefully to see the Changing of the Guard (which takes place about noon if the Queen is in). The palace, never open to the public, is where Queen Margrethe, her husband Prince Henrik and the Crown Prince Frederik live. After lunch we will visit other sights including the Geifon Fountain, the Little Mermaid who sits in the harbor since 1915, (based on Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale) Our Savior’s Church with its massive organ supported by two impressive stucco elephants, and more. Our last visit is to Carlsberg/Tuborg Brewery, where the famous beer is made, for a visit and tasting.

Free time later this afternoon for rest before we are off to Tivoli Gardens this evening. Tivoli is one of the world’s best known amusement parks! Its attractions include lakes, concerts, variety shows, pantomime, restaurants, cafes, galleries and other entertainment. We have included dinner at our favorite Tivoli restaurant, the Nimbs Restaurant, at 8:00 p.m. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner at Tivoli Gardens

Day 4: Copenhagen / Arhus

Leaving Copenhagen, we soon depart the Island of Zealand and drive onto the Island of Fyn. We cross over one of the world’s largest suspension bridges, the Storabelt or Big Belt Bridge, which cost over one billion dollars and was built in only four short years. We should arrive in Odense by 11:00 a.m. and make a short visit to the home of Hans Christian Andersen. Leaving here we cross the Little Belt waterway from Funen onto Jutland. The topography changes now to undulating hills, with barley, oats and a little wheat being grown here. Farmers do get a percentage of the electricity earned by the windmills we notice on their land.

Upon arrival in Arhus, we visit Den Gamle By, which is a fascinating collection of completely furnished old Danish town houses. There will be time to shop in the pedestrian area near our centrally located hotel before dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Arhus / Goteborg, Sweden

Departing Arhus this morning we drive into the area where many Christmas trees are grown for export. You will also notice many potato fields. Aquavit, the famous Scandinavian hard liquor that is always chased by a beer, is made in this area from local potatoes. Driving on to Frederikshavn, we ferry across the Kattegat to Goteborg, Sweden where we stay tonight. Goteborg has the largest harbor in Scandinavia and the biggest shipping companies have offices here. Half of Sweden is covered in forest and half in rolling farmland, which adds greatly to the economy. Two cars, the Volvo and Saab, are manufactured here. There is much shipbuilding and many iron mines.

Tonight we enjoy dinner on our own at the Liseberg Amusement Park. There are fun things to do and great places to eat. Take your pick! Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: Goteberg, Sweden / Oslo Norway

This morning we travel directly north, along the Swedish coastline to the border of Norway (110 miles). Crossing the Glomma River at Sarpsborg, you will notice the timber industry is flourishing. We visit a lumber mill that also manufactures small homes. After lunch we continue our journey into Oslo.

We travel through a number of tunnels as we enter Oslo and drive along the Oslofjord. We make our way to our hotel in Oslo, where we have dinner and stay for the night.

With proof of people living in Oslo since 1000 A.D., this capital city of Norway is one of the oldest communities in the region. It has also burned down several times, only to be rebuilt again and again. It is the head of government and also one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in. King Harald and Queen Sophia live in a palace right outside of the city. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Oslo / Lillehammer

Today enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Oslo. We have included drive-bys of the American Embassy, Akershus Fortress, the Royal Palace and the Nobel Peace Prize Building. Then we will visit:

After our city tour of Oslo, we head up the road to Lillehammer, where we stay for the night. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Lillehammer / Otto / Loen

We begin our tour of Lillehammer at the location of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Upon arrival we can visit some of the Olympic sites and even take a ride up the ski lift. From Lillehammer we drive a very scenic road via Otto and continue on to the tiny fjord village of Loen. Tonight we have dinner and overnight at the luxurious Hotel Alexandra, situated right on the fjord. It is the most beautiful spot in Norway! Meals: Breakfast, Buffet Dinner

Day 9: Loen / Stalheim

Leaving Leon we drive first to Skei, where shopping opportunities await us at the Audhild Viken’s Weaving Workshop. Then we proceed to Fjaerland, Sogndal and along the Sognefjord to Hella. We ferry across the mighty Sognefjord from Hella to Vangsnes, then board our motorcoach for the Stalheim Hotel. Here, dinner is served at the most beautiful spot in all of Norway! Now, we may have said that before, but wait until you see this. It’s incredible! Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Stalheim / Flam / Bergen

Descend the thrilling hairpin bends of the Stalheim Road. We then board a ferry at Gudvangen for a dramatic cruise on the Naeroy and Aurland Fjords to Flam. Here we board the Flam Railway, ranked as one of the top ten train rides in Europe. Within 15 miles ascend 1800 ft. to Myrdal. Here we are reunited with our motor coach and we proceed to Bergen. We stay in Bergen the next two nights. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11: Bergen

Today our local guide joins us for the famous sights of Bergen. There are about a quarter of a million people living here, where there are fisheries, a commercial fleet, oil, gas, and other oil products that come from the North Sea. This makes for a thriving economy, little unemployment, and no slums or street people. Sights you will see include:

Our farewell dinner will be out in the countryside at the Fana Mountain area. This will be a traditional Norwegian meal with dancing and music, portraying a rural community’s way of celebrating a festive occasion. We have cause to celebrate our wonderful tour of Norway! Meals: Breakfast, Fana Folklore show Farewell Dinner

Day 12: Bergen / USA

We transfer to the airport for our flight via Oslo back home. Meals: Breakfast, In-flight Meal Service

Tour includes:
Airfare from JFK
Services of a professional tour manager throughout
Surface transportation by luxury motorcoach throughout
10 nights accommodations, lst class/Superior tourist based on double occupancy
Daily huge Scandinavian breakfasts
Meals as Noted
Cruise: Gudvangen-Flam – Flam Railway
All domestic ferries in Norway for coach and passengers according to the program
All Sights, Entrance Fees and Admissions as noted
City tour in Copenhagen
City tour in Oslo
City tour in Bergen

NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE
International Airline Taxes
Fuel surcharge if imposed by the airlines
Tips to the motor coach driver, local tour guides, and tour manager
Passport, Travel Insurance, and all items of personal nature