Days 1-2 - The delights of Stockholm
We depart from London to Stockholm, where we spend two nights at
the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, close to the city centre and the
historic Old Town. We enjoy a sightseeing tour of the modern city
and the narrow streets of Gamla Stan (the Old Town). Day
2 is free to explore Stockholm, a beautiful city spread
across fourteen islands facing the Baltic Sea. (Day 1-D;
Day 2-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. Here we stay for one night at the Best
Western Gamla Teatern. (B,D)
Day 4 - The Inlandsbanan, Arctic Circle and Lapland
We leave Östersund and head north, travelling through some of
Sweden's most glorious scenery as we head to the untamed wilderness
of Lapland, making several stops at beauty spots along the way. 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'. We get a
real taste of Lapland with a light dinner of local Sami
specialities before transferring to the Hotel Jokkmokk.
(B,D)
Day 5 - The Ofoten Railway to Narvik
Today we enjoy a journey on one of the most northerly railway
lines in the world, the Ofoten Railway. We travel through
Sweden's breathtaking mountains into Norway, traversing steep
mountainsides, with sheer drops to the fjords below. We arrive in
Narvik, where we stay at the Quality Grand Royal Hotel.
(B,D)
Days 6-7 - A day at leisure and south to Trondheim
Your day in Narvik is free to spend as you choose. On
Day 7 we admire the rugged shores of Norway as we
follow the coastline south to Trondheim. The first part of our
journey is by coach to Fauske, including a scenic ferry crossing.
In Fauske we board the train for a journey that delivers almost
continuous panoramic views of beautiful, untouched wilderness,
crossing the Arctic Circle along the way. Late this evening we
arrive in Trondheim for two nights at the Radisson Blu Royal Garden
Hotel. (Day 6-B; Day 7-B,D)
Day 8 - Trondheim
Today you are free to explore the atmospheric city of Trondheim,
one of the oldest cities in Norway. As well as discovering the
city's broad avenues, old warehouses and pretty timber dwellings,
you could visit the Ringve Museum which features a collection of
musical instruments from all over the world.
(B)
Day 9 - The Rauma Railway
Today we join the 71 mile long Rauma Railway for a
spectacular journey through magnificent, contrasting landscape. We
navigate the same course as the emerald waters of the River Rauma
for much of the journey, the tracks following the river as it winds
around the hillsides below jagged mountain peaks. As we climb over
rounded mountain plateaus we are treated to awesome views across
the expansive, unspoiled national parks that stretch into the
distance. We transfer by coach to Geiranger for a two-night stay at
the Union Hotel Geiranger. The hotel stands at the head of the
Geirangerfjord, one of Norway's most spectacular sites, more
incredible at first hand than you could have imagined from any
photograph. (B,D)
Day 10 - Geirangerfjord boat cruise
Today we enjoy the beautiful scenery of the spectacular
Geirangerfjord by boat. As we cruise along the serene, deep water,
the steep sides of the fjord seem to tower over the boat. In
sunshine, this UNESCO World Heritage site is alive with colour and
contrasts - the lush greens of the trees clinging to the rock
contrasting with the deep blue water; the perfect blue sky
contrasting with the brilliant white of the snowcapped peaks in the
distance. When it rains, the fjord can defy logic and become even
more spectacular; countless waterfalls appear from nowhere, flowing
majestically over exposed rocky outcrops and crashing down into the
water below. (B)
Day 11 - Through the fjords to Flåm
We leave Geiranger by coach this morning, continuing our scenic
voyage through Norway's incredible fjord country. 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,
every mountain pass delivering us into a new, beautiful valley. We
reach Flåm at the head of the Aurlandsfjord and stay at the
Fretheim Hotel. (B,D)
Days 12-13 - The Flåm Railway and beautiful Bergen
We enjoy a superb excursion on the Flåm Railway on
Day 12. Our rail journey takes us up into the
mountains along one of the steepest lines in the world, twisting
and turning sharply and regularly as the railway line does its best
to accommodate the extreme terrain. 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. Navigating coastal islets and skerries, we end the day
in Bergen, where we stay for two nights at the Radisson Blu Hotel
Norge, located in the heart of the city. On Day 13
you are free to spend the day at leisure exploring Bergen at your
own pace. (Day 12-B,D; Day 13-B)
Day 14 - The Bergen Railway to Oslo
We leave Bergen by train for 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 through pastures
to the elegant city of Oslo. We stay at the Thon Hotel Opera, close
to the city centre. (B,D)
Day 15 - Oslo to London
The final morning of the holiday is free to spend at leisure in
Oslo, taking in the sights and sounds of the city at your own pace.
We depart for the airport in the afternoon for our return flight to
London. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your
holiday
