18 Day Scandinavian Land of the Midnight Sun tour

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1 18 Day Scandinavian Land of the Midnight Sun tour Return International airfares Domestic Alta Oslo flight 15 nights deluxe twin share accommodation Breakfast daily plus 8 dinners Professional tour manager All rail tickets as per itinerary Geiranger Fjord Cruise. In-depth sightseeing as per the itinerary #1 Online Travel Company in Australia Webjet Approved Guides Webjet Crafted Itineraries Always Includes Flights No Hassel Easy Booking Process Day 1: Australia - - Stockholm Depart Australia today to begin your incredible summer Scandinavia adventure! Day 2: Stockholm Arrive in Stockholm and make your own way to your centrally located hotel. We recommend the Arlanda express train which takes you from Arlanda Airport to the city centre. The platform is easily accessible underneath the arrival terminals. Departures every 15 minutes (for most of the day). Travel time is 20 minutes. Tonight there is an opportunity to meet with your Tour Manager and fellow travellers to hear about our exciting adventures to come, over a welcome drink. 14 July July 2017 Day 3: Stockholm (B) This morning enjoy a 3 hour sightseeing tour of Stockholm including the main highlights of the city; entrance to City Hall, a walking tour of the old town, Gamla Stan, and finally marvel at the view from the top of the Kaknas Tartnet (TV Tower). After, the rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the Swedish capital. Optional Tour: Royal Canal Tour Enjoy a 50min boat trip around Djurgarden, home to historical buildings, monuments, museums and galleries. OR (only 1 option can be chosen) (B) - Breakfast / (L) - Lunch / (D) - Dinner Flight Cruise Train Optional Tour: Under the Bridges of Stockholm canal tour (2hrs) - This guided boat sightseeing tour takes you under fifteen bridges in Stockholm and pass through a lock that connecting the Baltic Sea & Lake Mälaren OR (only 1 option can be chosen)

2 Optional Tour: Boat cruise Drottningholm (2hrs) - Board boat and sail to the world heritage site Drottningholm, the private residence of the Swedish Royal Family. Includes entry. Day 4: Stockholm Ostersund (B) This morning we depart Stockholm, and spend most of the day travelling by land to Ostersund. Ostersund, situated on the shores of Lake Storsjon, is widely known for its gastronomic heritage, national events, cultural attractions and magnificent nature. The most well known landmark of Östersund is the national romantic city hall. It is 51 meters tall and contains 136 rooms. It is the greatest constructional symbol of the National Romantic architecture in Östersund. The city hall looks almost like a fortress and affiliates especially to the local art of Jämtland. On arrival the evening is then at leisure. Day 5: Ostersund - - (Arctic Circle) Jokkmokk (B,D) Today we will enjoy a very special train journey on the Inlandsbanan the Inland railway. This full day journey departs early morning from Ostersund and we travel North, to the Arctic Circle, arriving in Jokkmokk in the evening. This unique train journey will show the many sides to inland Sweden. We will encounter Swedish people, culture, animals, food and one-of-a-kind nature, you won t find elsewhere. Along the way, there are short stops for rare natural or cultural sights and a couple of longer stops where meals can be purchased. Day 6: Jokkmokk - Kautokeino (B,D) Today we travel by long distance by coach, travelling across two borders. First the Finnish border, past the city of Gallivare, famous for its ore mining. A short distance further is the Norwegian border where the Sami town of Kautokeino is located. The Sami are the northernmost indigenous people of Europe, and the attractions on the Norwegian tundra all reflect Sami history, heritage and life today. No wonder, as nine out of 10 people here are Sami. Most people here have Sami as their first language, and the area

3 is officially bilingual. Nomadic reindeer herders have lived here for hundreds of years, and the traditional lifestyle is still very much alive. Day 7: Kautokeino Honningsvag & North Cape (B,D) On the way to the northernmost point of Europe, we pay a visit to a traditional silversmith, and cross the rugged mountains at Alta. Further on we pass the summer territory of the Sami reindeer herds, and later arrive in Honningsvag. Honningsvag is the nearest port to the North Cape - at N, only 2,000 kilometres from the Geographical North Pole. In the evening, we travel out to the North Cape where we witness an unforgettable view of the Arctic Ocean. Dinner is included at the North Cape, and later a glass of sparkling wine, caviar and a certificate of the milestone! Day 8: Honningsvag - Alta (B,D) In the early afternoon, we take a Bird Safari to one of the bird nesting areas (2 hrs + driving). We drive to Gjesvaer and take a boat tour to Gjesvaerstappan Nature Reserve. To set foot on the islands is not allowed, however from the boat you can observe one of Norway s largest groups of puffins and kittiwakes. The puffins, easily recognisable by their colourful bill, nest in holes in the grassy hills. The nesting period, from April to September, teems with life in the air and on land. Mighty White-Tailed Eagles can be seen hovering overhead as they hunt for prey. Guillemots, Razorbills, Cormorants, Arctic Skuas, Fulmars, and Gannets are also part of the flourishing bird life at Gjesvaerstappan. In the midafternoon we depart from Honningsvag and drive south again, this time via Skaidi, to Alta. Optional Tour: King Crab Safari Instead of the bird safari, you can choose to partake in an unforgettable king crab safari (3.5hrs). We take you deep sea rafting to the Sarnesfjord, and after the catch, go ashore and cook the crabs into a incredible meal in a Lavvu camp. Day 9: Alta - - Oslo (B) After check out, this morning is at leisure, until we transfer to the airport for an afternoon flight to Oslo. On arrival to Oslo airport, the group is transferred by private coach to the hotel.

4 Oslo, the capital of Norway, sits on the country s southern coast at the head of the Oslofjord. It s known for its green spaces and museums. Many of these are on the Bygdøy Peninsula, including Viking Ship Museum, with Viking ships from the 9th century! Day 10: Oslo (B) This morning we meet a local English speaking guide and enjoy a 3 hour panoramic sightseeing tour of the Norwegian Capital, Oslo. Highlights will include a walk on the Oslo Opera House, a visit to Holmenkollen Ski Jump, and a view of the famous Vigeland Sculpture Park. After return to the hotel where to rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Optional Tour: Evening cruise on the Oslo Fjord (3hrs) - Board a traditional sailing ship and enjoy the calm waters of the Fjord while enjoying a delicious seafood buffet Day 11: Oslo Geiranger (B,D) Today we depart Oslo and travel long distance by coach to Lillehammer, entrance to Maihaugen, one of the largest open air museums in Norway. We continue into the mountains and fjords of Norway, travelling via Otta and stopping in Lom, to view the Lom Stave Church. We continue through the Ottadalen and (weather permitting) stop at Dalsnibba, Europe s highest fjord view by road before arriving in Geiranger. You would have to be exceptionally blasé if you failed to be impressed by this astounding creation of Mother Nature, emphasised by the will of man to maintain a foothold on the steep mountain sides and glean a living here. The deep blue UNESCO protected Geiranger fjord is surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains and lush green vegetation. Day 12: Geiranger (B,D) This morning, enjoy a spectacular fjord cruise on the Geiranger Fjord, sail past the Seven Sisters, the Suitor, and the Bridal Veil waterfalls on this stunning cruise. Disembark in Helleylt and travel to Strande where we cross the Fjords again to Liabygda, then continue to the incredible Trollstigen (Troll Road). You will be engrossed by the winding roads and unforgettable views.

5 Day 13: Geiranger Balestrand (B,D) Today the journey continues in the fjords of Norway and first stop is at Briksdal Glacier, where we will enjoy a return journey on the Troll cars, and view this incredible Glacier. After some free time, we continue via Skei, and Sogndal until reaching the Sognefjord, one of the longest and deepest in Norway. We cross the fjord on a short local ferry journey between Hella and Dragsvik, before reaching Balestrand. Balestrand has so much to offer. Its history tells many stories, from famous kings and German Kaisers which are beautifully preserved in many of Balestrand's houses, sights and places. Day 14: Balestrand - - Bergen (B) This morning we have an early start! We board the 4 hour fast ferry from Balestrand to Bergen, which departs from just outside the hotel early morning, and takes us through the Sognefjord, reaching Bergen at approximately midday. On arrival to Bergen, we disembark and enjoy a 4 hour tour the town of Bergen. Pass St. Mary s Church & Haakon Hall. Walk around the colourful and picturesque fish markets and old Hanseatic wharf at Brygge. Visit Troldhaugen, the home of Norway s most famous composer Edvard Grieg ( ). Troldhaugen consists of the Edvard Grieg Museum, Grieg s villa, the hut where he composed music and his gravesite. Day 15: Bergen - - Voss (B,D) This morning a porter service collects bags at 6:30am (1 bag per person), and delivers them to the hotel in Oslo. Please prepare an overnight bag for our stay in Voss. Today we will experience the start of a 2 day Norway in a Nutshell tour. This legendary tour takes us through Norway s most breath-taking UNESCO protected fjord and mountain scenery and on Europe s top scenic rail journey. We transfer by coach to the Bergen railway station and embark on the Bergen Railway to travel to Voss arguably one of the best train journeys in the world! On arrival, it is a short walk to our historic hotel. On check-in relax before we enjoy a farewell dinner.

6 Day 16: Voss - Flam - - Oslo (B) Today we continue our Norway in a Nutshell tour. We board a local coach and travel the steep hairpin bends of Stalheimskleiva before reaching Gudvangen. In Gudvangen, we board a fjord cruise along the narrow and dramatic UNESCO protected Naeroyfjord, before reaching the picturesque village of Flam. From there we travel on the Flam Railway (Flamsbana), a spectacular train journey that offers a panoramic view of some of the wildest and most magnificent nature in the Norwegian fjord landscape. In Myrdal, a mountain station, we change trains and re-board the Bergen Railway. Late in the evening we arrive into Oslo and make the short walk to our hotel. Day 17: Oslo - - Australia (B) After breakfast, check out of your hotel for your onwards journey. Make your own way to the airport to board your flight. We hope you have enjoyed your Scandinavian experience! Day 18: Australia Arrive home today Please note: some flights might arrive home 1 day later