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Grand Tour of Scandinavia

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4.2 stars(8 reviews)
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The Nordic rail adventure of a lifetime

You are viewing the 2021 itinerary. Select your departure year
20212022
17 days Sold out
Flexible Booking

Book your 2021 holiday before 31st January and you can transfer your holiday for free - no questions asked. T&C's apply

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2021 Tour code: ACJ21

About the tour

Majestic mountains and heavenly Norwegian fjords combine with the tranquil landscapes of Sweden on an epic journey that includes every great Scandinavian rail experience. On this exciting 17-day holiday, we visit the fascinating cities of Stockholm, Trondheim, Bergen, and Oslo, also travelling beyond the Arctic Circle to the 'Land of the Midnight Sun.'

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Days 1-3 - London, Stockholm and Östersund

We fly* from London Heathrow to Stockholm for 2 nights.

On Day 2, we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Stockholm that takes us to City Hall, the Royal Palace, Ostermalm, Långholm, the Royal Djurgården, and the Old Town. We take a traditional Swedish 'fika', or coffee break, relaxing over a hot drink and slice of home-made cake. This afternoon is at leisure.

We depart Stockholm on Day 3, taking the InterCity train to Östersund, nestled on the shore of beautiful Lake Storsjön.

*Please note: you will need to take your luggage from the UK with you on your flight, as opposed to it travelling via our luggage transfer service.

Includes
  • Day 1 - Dinner
  • Day 2 - Breakfast
Arriving in Stockholm
Day 4 - The Inlandsbanan and Lapland

We leave Östersund and head north to Sorsele today, travelling through some of Sweden's most glorious scenery as we head towards the untamed wilderness of Swedish Lapland. Our journey on the Inlandsbanan tourist train takes us through a landscape of crystal clear lakes and towering forests, towards the 'Land of the Midnight Sun'. On arrival, we make a visit to the Inlandsbanan Museum before getting a real taste of Lapland with a visit to a Sami village in Slagnas. From here we transfer to Arjeplog, where we spend the night. Dinner tonight is served Scandinavian style, around an open fire in a tipi.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
The Inlandsbanan
Days 5-8 - Crossing the Arctic Circle and the Ofoten Railway to Narvik

Today, we travel by coach to Jokkmokk, crossing the Arctic Circle on our way.

After a free morning on Day 6, during which entrance to the local Sami museum is included, we enjoy a journey on one of the world's most northerly railway lines, the Ofoten Railway†, seeing Sweden's breathtaking mountain scenery segue into iconic Norwegian landscapes.

We arrive into Narvik which we explore on Day 7, visiting the town's war museum to learn about the pivotal role Narvik played in the Second World War.

Day 8 is spent travelling to Fauske via coach. On arrival in Fauske, we board our train to Verdal which takes us along the incredible Nordland Railway on the 'Polar Express'. We travel past awesome fjords and bristling forests, disembarking in Verdal and spending the night in Stiklestad.

†Please note: you will need to take an overnight bag with you as your main luggage is transported to Stiklestad

Includes
  • Day 6-7 - Breakfast, Dinner
Norway's fjords
Days 9-10 - South to Trondheim

This morning we take a guided tour of Stiklestad, the site of King Olav's death in 1030. After lunch, we travel by coach along Norway's rugged coastline south to Trondheim. Late this evening we arrive in Trondheim, Norway's Viking capital.

Day 10 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.

Includes
  • Day 9 - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 10 - Breakfast
Trondheim
Day 11 - The Rauma Railway

Today we join the 71-mile-long Rauma Railway for a spectacular journey through magnificent, contrasting landscapes. We navigate the same course as the emerald waters of the River Rauma for much of the journey, the train tracks following the river as it winds around the surrounding hillsides. As we climb over rounded mountain peaks and smooth plateaus, we are treated to awesome views across the expansive, unspoiled national parks that stretch into the distance.

On arrival into Åndalsnes, we transfer by coach to Geiranger, travelling via Trollstigen for a 2 night stay at the Union Hotel Geiranger. The hotel stands at the head of the Geirangerfjord, one of Norway's most picturesque sites.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Raumabanen Railway
Day 12 - Geirangerfjord boat cruise

Today we enjoy the beautiful scenery of Geirangerfjord by boat. As we cruise along the serene waters, the steep sides of the fjord tower over our boat. Afterwards, we take a scenic drive via Hellesylt back to our hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Geiranger
Day 13 - Through the Fjords to Flåm

We leave Geiranger by coach, continuing our scenic voyage through Norway's incredible fjord country. We travel along valleys hemmed in by lofty mountains and along steep-sided fjords, every bend in the road offering a new perspective. We pause en route at Dalsnibba viewing point and Kaupanger stave church. We reach Flåm at the head of Aurlandsfjord, our base for the night.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Flåm
Day 14 - The Flåm Railway to Bergen

Today we enjoy a superb excursion on the Flåm Railway. Our rail journey takes us up into the mountains along one of the steepest lines in the world, twisting and turning regularly as the railway does its best to accommodate the extreme terrain. We reach Myrdal and make the return journey to Flåm, where we board a luxury eco boat for a cruise across Sognefjord with a difference. After disembarking, we make our way by coach to Bergen.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Flåm Railway
Days 15-17 - Bergen, Oslo, and London

Today we are treated to a guided walking tour of Bergen, a harbour city surrounded by 7 striking mountains and noted for the wonderfully preserved medieval buildings of its Bergenhus district. We stop for a delicious seafood lunch at the picturesque fish market, before taking a coach tour of Bergen's dramatic bridges.

We board the train to Oslo on Day 16, making the journey on Northern Europe's highest railway line, the Bergen Railway. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel. 

On Day 17, we transfer to the airport for our flight* back to London Heathrow.

*Please Note: you will need to take your lugggage back to the UK with you on your flight as opposed to it travelling via our luggage transfer service.

Includes
  • Day 15 - Breakfast
  • Day 16 - Breakfast, Dinner
  • Day 17 - Breakfast
Bergen

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Please note: This may be suitable for reduced mobility passengers, please call for further information.

Hotels

Hotel Hornavan, Arjeplog

Hotel Hornavan, Arjeplog

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Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, Bergen

Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, Bergen

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Fretheim Hotel, Flåm

Fretheim Hotel, Flåm

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Union Hotel, Geiranger

Union Hotel, Geiranger

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Hotel Jokkmokk, Jokkmokk

Hotel Jokkmokk, Jokkmokk

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Thon Hotel, Narvik

Thon Hotel, Narvik

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Thon Hotel Opera, Oslo

Thon Hotel Opera, Oslo

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Clarion Hotel Grand Ostersund

Clarion Hotel Grand Ostersund, Ostersund

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Scandic Stiklestad

Scandic Stiklestad, Stiklestad

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Scandic Continental Hotel

Scandic Continental Hotel, Stockholm

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Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel, Trondheim

Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel, Trondheim

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Trains

Bergen Railway
Flåm Railway
Inlandsbanan
Nordland Railway
Ofoten Railway
The Raumabanen Railway

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Inclusive Luggage Upgrade
Flight upgrades
London Hotels
UK rail connections

Reviews

4.2 stars4.2 / 5 · 8 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (2)
  2. 4 stars
    (6)
  3. 3 stars
    (0)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Mr D Higgins

5 stars

Submitted 18 Jul 2019

This was an absolutely brilliant tour, which we thoroughly enjoyed, in spite of some early morning starts and late evening finishes! The Tour Manager was just great and a real fund of knowledge at every stage of the tour. She was well informed and was able to keep us very well advised along the way, as well as keeping the whole trip on schedule.

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mrs E Longbottom

4 stars

Submitted 21 Jul 2018

2 hotels not up to scratch. Specially the one in Marvin which was poor. We would have liked more time in Marvin - but not in that hotel.

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mrs R Walker

4 stars

Submitted 10 Sep 2017

I've already given my feedback twice.

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mrs M Morgan

4 stars

Submitted 10 Sep 2017

I enjoyed the experience, & would recommend it, My only comment as said in the follow up questionaire is that I paid a hefty single person supplement, but most of my accomodation was in small rooms with a single bed & I feel these should not incur a supplement. I felt that the two set meals were poor and without adequate choice.

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mr A Mason

5 stars

Submitted 09 Aug 2017

The holiday met our expectations although we enjoyed the Norway section the most. Our tour Manager was very efficient and ensured everything ran smoothly.

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mr C Harries

4 stars

Submitted 23 Jul 2017

Porterage and storage of luggage onto trains became an issue for clients of our age group. The Flam to Bergen day needs to be reviewed as the evening hotel meal was served much too late and so my wife missed her meal.

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Show all 8 reviews
Grand Tour of Scandinavia

The Nordic rail adventure of a lifetime

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