Grand Arctic Circle Explorer 2012 

We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar to Brussels in Standard Premier Class, with a light meal and drinks served during the journey. We continue by train across Belgium and Germany to Bremen, where we spend one night at the Maritim Hotel. On Day 2 we travel (Standard Class) via Hamburg to the port of Puttgarden, where we join the train ferry for the crossing to Rødby in Denmark. From here we continue to Copenhagen, for a two night stay at the Imperial Hotel. (Day 1-E,D; Day 2-B,D)

Our morning sightseeing tour features the magnificent Amalienborg Palace, a large octagonal palace, surrounded by four identical rococo palaces, one of which is home to the reigning monarch, Queen Margrethe II. We also visit the Little Mermaid statue and enjoy a cruise in the colourful canal area of Nyhavn, once the hub of the port where sailors from around the world frequented the many bars. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure. (B)

Today we join the X2000 train (Standard Class) for the direct service to Stockholm. On arrival in Sweden's capital city we transfer to the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel for two nights. On Day 5 we begin with a sightseeing tour of the fascinating city including the Royal Palace, the cathedral and the narrow streets of Gamla Stan (the Old Town), a perfect way to get your bearings in Sweden's splendid capital. Your afternoon is free to explore the city at leisure. Skansen, the oldest open-air museum in the world, gives a fascinating insight into how the Swedes used to live and is well worth a visit, as are the parks that cover as much as a third of the city. (Day 4-B,D; Day 5-B)

Today we head inland by InterCity train (Standard Class) to Östersund, nestled on the shore of Lake Storsjön, Sweden's fifth largest lake. Here we stay for one night at the Best Western Gamla Teatern. (B,D)

Today we take the Inlandsbanan tourist train around lakes and forests to Lapland. The train makes stops along the way for passengers to buy food and take photographs. After crossing the Arctic Circle into the 'Land of the Midnight Sun' we enjoy a light dinner with local Sami specialities before transferring to the Hotel Jokkmokk. (B,D)

Transferring through Laponia to Gällivare, we continue on the Ofoten Railway to Narvik on one of the most northerly lines in the world. The scenery on this route is truly spectacular as we pass sheer drops down to fjords and dramatic mountains. We spend two-nights at the Quality Hotel Grand Royal. (B,D)

Today you are free to explore Narvik, an ice-free seaport 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle. One of the most important sights in Narvik is its Red Cross War Memorial Museum which documents the wartime occupation of Narvik by the Germans and the bitter air and sea battles that took place for control of the harbour and the iron ore supplies. Also worth a visit is the Ofoten Museum, housed in the old NSB Railway Administration building, which features exhibitions relating to local cultural history including the construction of the Ofoten Railway. (B)

Today we begin with a coach journey along the coast and a beautiful ferry crossing. At Fauske we continue by train, leaving the Arctic Circle before arriving in Trondheim. We spend two nights at the Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel. Founded in the 10th century, atmospheric Trondheim is one of the oldest cities in Norway and is full of history. (B,D)

Today is free for you to explore Trondheim at leisure. As well as discovering the city's broad avenues, old warehouses and pretty timber dwellings, you could visit the Ringve Museum, featuring a fascinating collection of musical instruments from all over the world, and the Ringve Botanical Gardens. (B)

We leave Trondheim by train for Dombås, where we join the 71 mile long Rauma Railway, for a journey through jagged mountain peaks to Åndalsnes. From here we transfer to Geiranger by coach for a two-night stay at the Hotel Union Geiranger. The Geirangerfjord is spectacular and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and on Day 13 we enjoy the beautiful scenery during a morning boat cruise. (Day 12-B,D; Day 13-B)

Departing by coach we continue to Flåm, where we overnight at the Fretheim Hotel. On Day 15 we enjoy a superb excursion on the Flåm Railway, taking us up into the mountains along one of the steepest lines in the world. We reach the end at Myrdal and return to Flåm, from where we board the express boat for an afternoon journey along Norway's longest and deepest fjord, Sognefjord. We end the day in Bergen, and spend two nights at the Radisson Blu Hotel Norge. (Day 14-15-B,D)

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Bergen at your own pace. Bryggen, the old city, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Fløibanen Funicular Railway affords great views of the city. Leaving by train on Day 17 we take a magnificent journey on Northern Europe's highest railway line, the Bergen Railway. The train climbs high above the tree line across some of the most remote areas of western Norway before descending to the elegant city of Oslo, where we overnight at the Thon Hotel Opera. (Day 16-B; Day 17-B,D)

You have a day at leisure in Oslo, before we transfer to the port and board the overnight ferry to Frederikshavn in Denmark. Perhaps visit one of the attractive city parks or the elegant Royal Palace. Oslo also offers plenty of museums, including the Viking Ship and Maritime Museum, the Folk Museum and the (Edvard) Munch Museum. (B)

On arrival in Frederikshavn we disembark and join the train (Standard Class) to Hamburg, where we spend two nights at the Maritim Hotel Reichshof. We enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Hamburg on Day 20 and in the afternoon you are free to explore at your own pace. A proud hanseatic city, explore Hamburg's maritime heritage, admire its Alster lakes and surrounding parks, or perhaps visit the world's largest model railway. (Day 19-B,D; Day 20-B)

We depart Hamburg and travel in First Class via Cologne to Brussels. Here we join the Eurostar to St Pancras, with a light meal and drinks served before our arrival. (B,E)

E = Eurostar meal, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday