| DAY 1: Tuesday July 15
Departure from U.S.A. (D on flight)
Today, depart from O’Hare International Airport to Stockholm, Sweden. Or request international departure from the city of your choice, dependent upon availability.
DAY 2: Wednesday, July 16
Stockholm (B on flight, D)
Arrive Stockholm in early morning. Begin your Adventure with a tour of Stockholm. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city from Fjellgatan Street, visit City Hall, the Wasa Ship Museum, and Gamla Stan (old Town). Free time this afternoon. Of interest on your own: Shopping, or see the crown jewels at the royal palace or visit one of the many wonderful museums. Dinner and overnight at the Clarion Collection Hotel Tapto or similar.
DAY 3: Thursday, July 17
Stockholm - Uppsala - Avesta - Sundborn - Rättvik (B,
D)
Today drive north to Uppsala (Uppland). After a photo stop at the magnificent Uppsala Cathedral, continue to Gamla Uppsala, site of Viking burial mounds established in the 6th century. At Avesta see the worlds largest Dala horse weighing in at 67 tons. In the village of Sundborn (Dalarna) tour the home and studio of beloved artist Carl Larsson. Continue along the shores of Lake Siljan to Rättvik. Dinner and overnight at Hantverksbyn/Vidablick Hotel.
DAY 4: Friday, July 18
Rättvik - Nusnäs - Mora - Torsby (B, D)
This morning visit centuries old Rättvik church, the many small wooden buildings near the church were once used to stable horses in the cold winter. At Nils Olsson’s Dala horse factory in Nusnäs watch skilled craftsmen hand carve a Dala Horse in a matter of minutes. Drive to Mora to tour of the impressive home of renowned artist Anders Zorn, friend and compatriot of Carl Larsson. Travel to Torsby for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5: Saturday, July 19
Torsby - Oslo (B, D)
Today you leave Sweden driving to Oslo the capital of Norway. Enjoy lunch on your own at the Aker Brygge shopping area on the waterfront. An afternoon tour of Oslo includes the Kon Tiki museum, the Viking ship museum, and the amazing Vigeland Sculpture Park. Dinner and overnight at the Thon Hotel Europa.
DAY 6: Sunday, July 20
Oslo - Lillehammer - Fagernes (B, D)
Travel to Lillehammer, Norway. Enjoy time for lunch or shopping in this busy mountain town, home to the 1994 winter Olympics. At the amazing ski jump built right into the side of the mountain, you can ride the ski lift to the little shop at the top of the mountain. Continue west through the majestic Norwegian landscape to the town of Fagernes for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7: Monday, July 21
Fagernes - Borgund - Flåm - Fjords - Stalheim (B,
D)
This morning visit the impressive Borgund stave church. Built in approximately 1180 this beautiful building is one of the largest and best preserved stave churches in Norway. Travel the back roads to Flåm to embark on a spectacular fjord cruise to Gudvangen through high glacier-sculpted mountains and deep green water on the Nærøyfjord and the Aurlandsfjord. From Gudvangen venture to the historic Stalheim Hotel along the breathtaking Stalheim Canyon Road for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8: Tuesday, July 22
Stalheim - Bergen (B, D)
This morning depart for the delightful west coast city of Bergen stopping in Voss to view the Knute Rockne memorial. Upon arrival in Bergen, a guided tour includes: the old Hanseatic quarter, the home of composer Edvard Grieg, and more. Free time after the city tour. Of interest on your own: Old Bergen, the unique Leprosy Museum, the fish market. Dinner and overnight at the Grand Hotel Terminus.
DAY 9: Wednesday, July 23
Bergen - Overnight cruise to Hirtshals, Denmark (B,
D)
Free time this morning. Of interest: Take a ride on the Funicular Railway to the top of Mt. Fløyen to take in the spectacular view of Bergen. Early afternoon departure aboard the M/S Princesse Ragnhild for the overnight cruise to Hirtshals, Denmark. Delicious buffet dinner on board.
Day 10: Thursday, July 24
Hirtshals - Råberg Mile - Aalborg - Århus (B,
D)
Morning arrival at Hirtshals, Denmark. Drive to Råbjerg Mile, the moving sand dune, to see the steeple tower of the centuries old church of St. Lawrence, now buried under the encroaching sands. Travel south to tour Voergård castle (1580), one of Denmark’s most beautiful renaissance buildings. Time for lunch and shopping in Aalborg before continuing south to Århus for dinner and overnight.
DAY 11: Friday, July 25
Århus - Silkeborg - Billund - Odense (B, D)
After breakfast, drive to Silkeborg to visit 2400 year old Tollund man at Silkeborg museum. Travel through the Danish mainland of Jutland to visit the original Legoland Park at Billund. With exhibits built out of more than 35 million lego bricks, enjoy the “Wonders of the World” all in one place. There are also museums, restaurants, and shops for your pleasure. Truly something for everyone. After lunch on your own, travel to the island of Fyn to Odense to visit the Hans Christian Andersen Museum. Free time to visit the quaint shops. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Knudsens Gaard.
DAY 12: Saturday, July 26
Odense - Copenhagen (B, D)
This morning depart for “Wonderful Copenhagen”, a tour of the city includes, the Little Mermaid, Amalienborg Palace and more. Free time this afternoon to explore or shop. Of interest on your own: the Glyptotek, the National Museum, shopping on the Strøget, Copenhagen’s famous walking street. This evening enjoy a delicious dinner at world famous Tivoli Gardens, the world’s oldest amusement park. Free time after dinner. Overnight at Scandic Hotel Sydhaven or similar.
DAY 13: Sunday, July 27
Copenhagen - Malmö - Ystad - Kåseberga - Karlshamn (B,
D)
Return to the Kingdom of Sweden this morning, crossing the Öresunds bridge into Malmö Sweden. In Ystad, settled in the early 12th century as a fishing village, you can see some of the more than 300 half-timbered buildings from the 16th century still in use and thriving. At Kåseberga visit Ales Stenar, the mysterious stone ship settings, believed to have been erected around 500 B.C. In the coastal town of Karlshamn, view the “Emigrant Statue”, honoring Swedish emigrants to America in the mid-nineteenth century. Dinner and overnight at the First Hotel Carlshamn in Karlshamn.
DAY 14: Monday, July 28
Karlshamn - Kalmar - Orrefors - Kosta Boda - Eksjö (B, D)
Travel to Kalmar to tour 800-year old Kalmar castle, once a vital defense on the Danish border. Demoted in the 1700’s to a prison, and storage for salt and grain, Kalmar Castle is now the most well-preserved Renaissance castle in northern Europe. Enter the “Crystal Kingdom”, where you will visit the crystal factory, museum and factory “seconds” store 266 year-old Kosta Boda glass works. In late afternoon, visit Eksjö for a walking tour of the 17th century “Old Town” area. Dinner and overnight at Ullinge Wärdshus Country Inn outside of Eksjö.
DAY 15: Tuesday, July 29
Eksjö - Gränna - Rökstenen - Stockholm (B,
L, D)
This morning travel to Gränna on the shores of Lake Vättern to visit the Gränna polkagris (peppermint candy) factory/candy shop. Just outside of town at Gränna glassworks enjoy a delightful glassblowing demonstration by one of the master glassblowers. Travel to Rök to view the Viking Age rune stone Rökstenen. Following a delicious luncheon cruise on the Göta Canal, continue to Stockholm for dinner and overnight at the Clarion Collection Hotel Tapto.
DAY 16: Wednesday, July 30
Stockholm (B, D)
Today is a free day. Settle into your room to rest or venture out to explore. Visit museums, go shopping or enjoy a stroll on the walking street. Your guide will be available with suggestions and information. For those who wish to return to the hotel at dinner time, the dinner buffet will be available at our hotel at no extra charge. Overnight at the Clarion Collection Hotel Tapto.
DAY 17: Thursday, July 31
Departure for U.S.A. (B, Lunch on flight)
Transfer to Arlanda Airport for departure at 10:35 am to the U.S.A. |
