Day 1 - Stockholm
Arrive in Stockholm and transfer to your hotel. Meet your group and tour manager at the welcome meeting at 6:30 pm in the hotel lobby. Overnight Stockholm. (D)
Day 2 - Stockholm Sightseeing
A guided sightseeing tour presents the beauty of Stockholm today. Enjoy a look at the modern architecture and the contrasting Gamla Stan (the Old Town), with its narrow streets. We take a traditional Swedish 'fika', or coffee break, relaxing over a hot drink and slice of home-made cake. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Stockholm at leisure. Perhaps learn about Scandinavian maritime history at the Vasa Museum or visit Skansen, the world’s very first open-air museum. Overnight Stockholm. (B)
Day 3 - Inland to Östersund
Departing Stockholm, we head inland by InterCity train to Östersund, nestled on the shore of beautiful Lake Storsjön, Sweden's fifth-largest lake. On arrival, we check-in at the Clarion Grand Hotel, which is located right near the train station. Take the rest of the day at leisure to enjoy this city, which offers museums, beautiful architecture and serene waterside views. Overnight Östersund. (B, D)
Day 4 - The Inlandsbanan & Lapland
We leave Östersund and head north, traveling towards the untamed wilderness of Swedish Lapland. The train makes several scenic stops along the way, presenting the beauty of Sweden. Our journey on the Inlandsbanan tourist train takes us through a landscape of crystal clear lakes and towering forests, crossing the Arctic Circle into the “Land of the Midnight Sun.” On arrival, we visit the Inlandsbanan Museum before getting a real taste of Lapland with a visit to a Sami village in Slagnas. After mingling with reindeer and learning about the local traditions, we transfer to Arjeplog for the evening. Dinner this evening is at our hotel and is served Scandinavian style, around an open fire in a tiipii. Overnight Arjeplog. (B, D)
Day 5 - Crossing the Arctic Circle
We continue our adventure through the north as we travel by coach to Jokkmokk. Crossing the Arctic Circle is a true milestone of this journey and it is celebrated as such with a ceremony. As we arrive and check-in at the Hotel Jokkmokk, the evening is at leisure to relax. Overnight Jokkmokk. (B, D)
Day 6 - The Ofoten Railroad to Narvik
Take in Sweden’s breathtaking mountains, traversing steep slopes and marveling at the sheer drops to the fjords below, aboard one of the world's most northerly railroad lines, the Ofoten Railroad*. The journey takes us on a northerly route to Narvik, a beautiful Norwegian city with a colorful harbor and an imposing mountainous backdrop. We stay at the Thon Hotel Narvik. Overnight Narvik. (B, D)
Day 7 - Explore Narvik
Today we explore Narvik, visiting the town's war museum to learn about the pivotal role Narvik played in the Second World War. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight Narvik. (B)
*Please note: you will need to take an overnight bag with you as your main luggage is transported to Stiklestad.
Day 8 - The Polar Express
Today we travel to Fauske via coach, and upon arrival, we board our train to Verdal. This memorable journey takes us along the incredible Nordland Railroad on the “Polar Express.” Magnificent fjords and bristling forests surround the tracks, and stunning scenes of wild Norway are on full display. As we arrive in Verdal this afternoon, check-in at the Scandic Stiklestad and enjoy the serenity of this quaint region. Overnight Verdal. (B, D)
Day 9 - Stiklestad
This morning we travel to Stiklestad, the site of one of Norway’s most famous battles and the place where King Olav met his death in 1030. A guided tour presents the immense history of this destination. Following our tour, we enjoy lunch and then admire the rugged Norwegian coastline as we travel by coach to Trondheim. Our southbound concludes this evening as we arrive at our hotel, the Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel. Overnight Trondheim. (B, L, D)
Day 10 - Explore Trondheim
Today includes a guided tour during which we'll visit the Old Quarter, Bakklandet, Nidaros Cathedral, and the Royal Residence. The afternoon is free for you to continue exploring one of the oldest cities in Norway. Overnight Trondheim. (B)
Day 11 - The Rauma Railroad
A spectacular journey through the magnificent, contrasting landscapes of Norway aboard the 71-mile Rauma Railroad lies ahead today. We follow the course of the emerald-colored River Rauma for much of the journey; the tracks following the river as it winds around the hillsides and below jagged mountain peaks. As we climb over rounded mountain plateaus, impressive vistas across unspoiled national parklands stretch into the distance. As we disembark the train, a motorcoach takes us to Geiranger for a two-night stay at the Union Hotel Geiranger. This hotel stands at the head of the Geirangerfjord, one of Norway's most spectacular sites. Overnight Geiranger. (B, D)
Day 12 - Geirangerfjord Boat Cruise
We are surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the spectacular Geirangerfjord as we cruise through the serene, deep water. Looking up, the steep sides of the fjord seem to tower over the boat. In the sunshine, this UNESCO World Heritage site is alive with color and contrasts - the lush greens of the trees clinging to the rock contrasting with the deep blue water and the brilliant white of the snow-capped peaks in the distance. When it rains, countless waterfalls appear from nowhere, flowing majestically and crashing down into the water below. After our cruise, enjoy a scenic drive from Hellesylt to Geiranger, passing Hornindalsvatnet Lake and Stryn. Overnight Geiranger. (B)
Day 13 - Through the Fjords to Flåm
We leave Geiranger by coach this morning and continue our scenic voyage through Norway's incredible fjord country en route to Flåm. We travel through valleys hemmed in by lofty mountains and along steep-sided fjords, every bend in the road offering a new and interesting perspective. We stop in Kaupanger to visit the town's stave church. Built in the 12th-century, this wooden church is famous for its 22 staves--the most in any stave church--and is a Norwegian Cultural Heritage Site. As we reach Flåm at the head of the Aurlandsfjord, enjoy spectacular views and rural serenity of the Fretheim Hotel. Overnight Flåm. (B, D)
Day 14 - The Flåm Railroad to Bergen
A memorable excursion aboard the Flåm Railroad takes us up into the mountains along one of the steepest lines in the world. As we travel through the mountain range, the rail line twists and turns to accommodate the extreme terrain. We reach the end of the route at Myrdal and return to Flåm, where we board the express boat for an afternoon journey along Norway's longest and deepest fjord, Sognefjord. Navigating coastal islets and skerries, we end the day in Bergen. After checking in at the Thon Rosenkrantz, the evening is yours to relax. Overnight Bergen. (B)
Day 15 - Bergen
Today we are treated to a guided tour of Bergen and enjoy a look at a number of the town’s most significant sites. One of the highlights of the tour is Bryggen, the Old City, which boasts UNESCO World Heritage designation. Here we see the wharf and the surrounding historical buildings. Bergen itself is nestled beneath seven hills and is surrounded by fjords; the views as we make our way through the city are simply spectacular. After our tour, we enjoy a seafood lunch at Bergen Fish Market. The remainder of the day is yours to continue your discoveries of this eclectic city. Overnight Bergen. (B, L)
Day 16 - The Bergen Railroad to Oslo
We leave Bergen by train and embark on a magnificent journey on Northern Europe's highest railroad line, the Bergen Railroad. The train climbs high above the tree line and crosses through some of the most remote areas of western Norway before descending through pastures to the elegant city of Oslo. After checking in at the hotel, spend some time enjoying the sites of the city before rejoining the group for your Farewell Dinner. Overnight Oslo. (B, D)
Day 17 - Tour Conclusion
Your Arctic adventure concludes after breakfast this morning. A group transfer is provided to Oslo Airport for flights departing after 2 p.m. (B)
Destination & Sightseeing
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