We’ll venture deep into the heart of Scandinavia to discover the countries of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. The Nordic region’s natural beauty is truly something to behold and its rugged landscapes are arguably some of the most scenic on earth. During our exploration of Scandinavia, we’ll visit historic towns, taste Scandinavian cuisine, and most importantly, meet the warm-hearted Nordic people.
DAYS 1/2—WELCOME TO SWEDEN!
After arriving explore Uppsala, the original Viking capital of Sweden. Take in all the sights on a guided walking tour of this historic city, including the Carolina Rediviva Library and its impressive medieval cathedral. After lunch, travel to the quaint town of Sigtuna, located on Lake Malaren and known for its well-preserved all-wood houses. Later, we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner together as we make new friends. L,D
DAY 3—UPPSALA/SIGTUNA
After a restful evening, take a guided sightseeing tour of the beautiful harbor city of Stockholm, a metropolitan area that blends medieval and modern. Our tour will feature views of the Royal Palace from Old Town where you’ll have free time to explore and enjoy lunch on your own. Our last stop of the day is the famous Vasa Museum that highlights the Vasa warship from 1628. This evening, you’ll have time to dine at a local restaurant and take a stroll through the charming city streets. B
DAY 4—VARNAMO/FAMILY FARM VISIT
We depart in the morning to travel through Sweden’s fabulous countryside to Varnamo, located just south of Lake Vattern. En route, we visit with a Swedish family on their farm. Following a traditional Swedish lunch, travel to your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening of free time. B, L
DAY 5—DANISH RIVERIA/KRONBORG CASTLE
Today, we ride the ferry to Denmark! On our travels, we’ll explore portions of the “Danish Riviera”, including a stop at the 16th century Kronborg Castle - the UNESCO World Heritage Site made famous by Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Continuing our drive, we’ll stop in the Helsingor area to meet a wonderful farm family. After arriving in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, we’ll settle into our hotel for the next two nights. B, L, D
DAY 6— COPENHAGEN
Enjoy time on your own this morning to explore the National Museum of Denmark, stroll along the harbor area, or perusing the area’s quaint shops and restaurants. This afternoon, we’ll regroup for lunch followed by a city tour to visit The Little Mermaid sculpture, the Gefion Fountain, the palace of the Danish Royal Family, The National Library, and more. Afterwards, enjoy free time at Tivoli Gardens, a charming old fashioned amusement park dating back to 1843. B, L
DAY 7—ROSKILDE/DFDS SHIP TO NORWAY
Today, we continue our travels to Roskilde for a visit to the famous Viking Ship Museum. Here you’ll explore their exhibitions and living workshops before enjoying lunch on your own. This evening, we embark our ship for an overnight crossing to Norway. B, D
DAY 8—OSLO
Wake up this morning in Oslo, the oldest of the Scandinavia capitals with a history dating back 1,000 years. Enjoy a narrated tour of the capital and see the world-famous Vigeland Park, Oslo Opera House, and more. After a day of exploration, we enjoy dinner together at our hotel. B, D
DAY 9—STALHEIM
Today we travel charming country roads to a traditional Norwegian mountain farm on our way towards Stalheim. Old traditions and new ways of operating show how the mountain farm life has changed over the years. We’ll also visit one of the beautiful Stave churches in Norway before continuing to Stalheim located high on the mountain with sweeping views of the Nærøy valley. B, L, D
DAY 10—FLAM/AURLAND FJORD CRUISE
This morning we venture on the Flam Railway! With twisting tunnels that spiral in and out of the Nordic mountains, the Flam Railway reflects the most daring and skillful engineering in railway history. This afternoon, we cruise from Flam to Gudvangen amid spectacular scenery of Aurland and Næroy Fjords. B, D
DAY 11—HARDANGER/BERGEN
Today we travel to the Hardanger Fjord area, known as “Norway’s Garden”, for the temperate climate and rich soil that produces an amazing array of fruit trees. We’ll stop at the Hardanger Juice and Cider factory for a guided tour of the farm and some tasty samples. On our way to Bergen, we’ll take the funicular to Mount Fløien for amazing and delicious dinner. B, D
DAY 12—BERGEN
This morning explore Bryggen, one of Norway’s main attractions known for its colorful wooden houses. The pier “Bryggen” was built after the great fire in 1702 and is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. We will also see the local Fish Market before our visit to the famous Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg`s home, Troldhaugen, for a guided tour. Afterwards, we return to Bergen for an afternoon at our leisure before a delectable farewell dinner at the historic wharf. B, D
DAY 13—RETURN HOME
After fond farewells, return home with memories of our scenic adventures through Scandinavia. B
Quality Accommodations
Nights 2-3: Elite Plaza, Stockholm
Night 4: Hooks Herrgard, Varnamo
Nights 5-6: Comfort Hotel Vesterbro, Copenhagen
Night 7: DFDS Ship
Night 8: Comfort Hotel Borsparken, Oslo
Nights 9-10: Stalheim Hotel, Vossestrand
Nights 11-12: Thon Hotel Orion, Bergen
Dates:
Sep 2-14, 2024 SOLD OUT
Price Per Person:
Double $5,497
Single $6,205
Pre-/Post Tour Hotel:
$198/night
Depart/Return:
Chicago, IL
Inclusions:
Round-trip airfare from the U.S.
Professional, English speaking Tour Director
Welcome Reception and meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Fees and tips for included attractions and meals
Luggage handling at most hotels
Free bottled water on coach
24-hour emergency call service
Arrival Time
Schedule your flight to arrive at Chicago O'Hare Int'l Airport 9:00 a.m. on Day 1.
Departure Time
Schedule your flight home from Chicago O'Hare Int'l Airport after 11:00 p.m. on Day 13.
Airport Transportation / Vehicle Parking
Our Pre and Post hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to and from Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Free parking is offered during the tour at our hotel in Chicago with a Pre or Post night booked.
Walking Distance
To fully enjoy your CTD vacation, you should be in good physical health and understand there are times when a good deal of walking is involved in our tours. Those who have difficulty walking may not want to take this trip or should discuss their personal situation with their doctor before deciding. You should be able to walk at a steady pace for a mile at a time for a daily total of three to four miles per day and be able to manage steps to board/de-board the motorcoach several times a day. In addition, many US and European airports require lengthy walks to get from ticketing counters to your departure gate. Due to the lack of proper facilities at some of the farms, ranches, and off-the-beaten-path sites we often visit, we are unable to accommodate walkers and wheelchairs.
We are finding that larger European cities are closing their historic districts to motor traffic. This, of course, adds to the amount of walking involved when visiting a city (sometimes on uneven and/or cobblestone walkways). In addition, you should know that you may be required to exit the motorcoach at each stop because local law often does not allow travelers to remain on the motorcoach while it is parked for a scheduled stop.
Average Temps
High of 65°, low of 50°
Currency
Norwegian & Danish Krone (Norway and Denmark), Swedish Krona (Sweden)
Time Zone
GMT-5 (6 hours ahead of New York)
Hotel Amenities
Hair dryers, TV/cable, telephone, and spa services are available.
Additional Information
A total of three mailings are sent to assist you in preparing for your tour, including information sent upon receipt of your reservation.
A valid US Passport is required for travel to/from the United States.
Land Tours begin one day later. Airport transfers are not included with Land Only Tours.
Dress on tour is casual. Comfortable walking shoes are needed.
Travel Protection Available
