Scenic Scandinavia and its Fjords

Day 1 | Welcome to Copenhagen

Embrace the enchanting Danish capital that inspired Hans Christian Andersen to share tales of mermaids, queens and ugly ducklings with the world. Spend the day discovering the quintessential hygge found throughout its charming streets before joining your Local Specialist for a fascinating sightseeing tour of the iconic sights of Copenhagen. The Amalienborg Palace Quarter takes centre stage as you admire its 18th century façades and equine statue of King Frederik V at its centre. We'll see the Christiansborg Palace and the Neoclassical Cathedral before paying tribute to the tragic Little Mermaid who was willing to give up her life in the sea to become human, followed by a light supper with your Travel Director and travel companions.

Meals: Dinner

Hotel: AC by Marriott Bella Sky

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Day 2 | Explore Historic Copenhagen

Enjoy time to explore on your own, strolling through the city's streets, or embrace your inner child in Europe's oldest amusement park, the Tivoli Gardens. You could choose instead to join an Optional Experience visit to the idyllic fishing village of Dragør with its maze of alleyways and tiny yellow-walled thatched cottages in the old Danish style.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: AC by Marriott Bella Sky

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

North Zealand Riviera and Castle Tour - With your Local Specialist, enjoy the quaint scenery of the Danish Riviera’s conservation heritage route, as you pass through ancient fishing villages and modern marinas. Gain an introduction to coastal life in Scandinavia before continuing to the magnificent Frederiksborg Castle, a palatial residence built by the royal family in the 17th century.

Green Hills and Hygge - First, a visit to the top of Copenhagen’s modern mountain, with the best views over the Baltic city. As Danes enjoy their summer skiing, we will learn about the vision behind this amazing project: the building, architecture and sustainability of the hill and its power plant inside. Then, to one of Denmark's best preserved places, the fairy-tale village of Dragør, with its thatched cottages, cobbled streets and pretty working harbour. You’ll wander passed colourful houses, learn a little of the history, feel the Danish hygge and enjoy a taste of traditional Danish specialities during dinner.

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Day 3 | Journey Past Stunning Scenery to Randers

Leave Copenhagen bound for the Danish island of Funen and the city of Odense, birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. This afternoon our journey continues across the pastoral landscapes of the Jutland Peninsula to Randers, with its cosy half-timbered merchant houses and narrow medieval streets. Tonight, you'll stay at one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories – Hotel Randers, one of the most established hotels in the area, stylishly decorated with original artwork.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Randers

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Day 4 | Set Sail for Stavanger

Set sail from Hirtshals to the port of Kristiansand in Norway. Drive north past fjords, lakes and forests to the port city of Stavanger, one of Norway's oldest settlements – its heritage still evident in the beautifully preserved wooden buildings that date back to the 18 century.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Clarion Hotel Energy Stavanger

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Day 5 | Onwards to Colourful Bergen

Norway's spellbinding natural landscapes provide an inspiring backdrop for our island hop from Stavanger. Arriving in Bergen this afternoon, we delve into the city's Hanseatic heritage, enjoying an orientation tour past the 13th-century Haakon's Hall, the bustling fish market and colourful Bryggen Quarter. This evening, you will Connect With Locals over dinner at a special Be My Guest experience, visiting the Øvre-Eide farm, worked for five generations by the same family.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Thon Orion

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Discover the Vikings - Just outside Stavanger lies the Hafrsfjord, home to a big Viking settlement. On its original site, houses from the iron age have been rebuilt and this is where we will have a guided visit and taste some Viking snacks. From here we head to the monument Sverd i Fjell (Swords in Rock), made of Viking swords found across the country to form three swords fixed into the ground symbolising peace, unity and freedom. This is where Harald Fairhair gathered Norway into one kingdom in the 9th century.

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Day 6 | Bergen Your Way

Enjoy a full free day in the cultural centre of Bergen.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Thon Orion

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Best of Bergen - Explore the lost village of Telavåg, a stronghold for the Norwegian resistance during World War II, destroyed when the German army discovered the villagers’ support for the resistance fighters. Here, you will taste local Norwegian Svele before journeying back to town and taking a funicular railway up the hillside for stunning views of Bergen from the panoramic platform.

An Evening in Paradis - Leave Bergen for a short drive to Paradis, a paradise for the people who live there as it's one of the most desirable suburbs of the city. Enjoy a walk around the English-style garden of the historic Gamlehaugen Castle, home to the Royal family when they are in Bergen. Then we drive to a popular Paradis restaurant for a delicious dinner featuring selected Norwegian specialities.

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Day 7 | Enjoy the Spectacular Flåm Railway and on to Leikanger

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Leikanger

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Fjords and Mountains - Enjoy a relaxing cruise along the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord with its towering mountains and fabulous scenery. This stunning fjord landscape with waterfalls, snow capped mountains and tiny villages has inspired painters for hundreds of years.

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Day 8 | Continue to Geirangerfjord

Norway's incredible glacier countryside surrounds us as we skirt the immense Nordfjord on the way to Geiranger – its deep blue waters surrounded by majestic snow-capped peaks and lush green landscapes, which we will have an opportunity to explore. Tonight’s stay places you in the heart of Geirangerfjord, a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Havila

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Fjordland Farm Cultural Experience - Visit a traditional working farm set amid the glorious scenery of the Sognefjord, surrounded by craggy mountains with views across the longest and deepest fjord in Norway. Get to know a typical Scandinavian family, and something about their day-to-day lives. Learn a little of both the history, which dates back to Viking times and present-day traditions. We'll also sample the local homemade delicacies.

Dalsnibba and the Majestic Geirangerfjord - You’ll enjoy views of the fjord from the famous hairpin bends along the Dalsnibba Pass, before we sail down Norway's most famous fjord. UNESCO listed, the Geirangerfjord is home to tiny farms, the Bridal Veil and Seven Sisters waterfalls, which you’ll discover as we explore.

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Day 9 | A Day at the Breathtaking Geirangerfjord

Spend a full day admiring this spectacular natural wonder. Cascading waterfalls tumble down sheer cliffs into the glacial waters below, which you can explore by kayak or boat, soaking up the crisp, clean mountain air. Consider an Optional Experience to the Trollstigen and see Norway's most famous mountain road, travelling past steep mountain slopes, tumbling cascades and fertile valleys. After a day in intoxicating natural surrounds, we dine in our hotel this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Havila

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Trollstigen Explored - Join us on one of Norway's most spectacuilar drives - the path of the Trolls. A masterpiece of Norwegian engineering, Trollstigen is rugged mountain scenery at its finest.

* This optional is seasonal.

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Day 10 | Venture to Historic Lom and Lillehammer

A scenic drive from Geiranger past high peaks brings us to Lom, the gateway to the Jotunheimen Mountains. Here we will Dive Into Culture and visit a 12th-century wooden stave church, adorned with Runic inscriptions, paintings and carved dragon figures that are said to protect it against evil. We continue through the Gudbrands Valley, the inspiration for Ibsen's 'Peer Gynt', before arriving in Lillehammer, the proud host of the 1994 Winter Olympics. This evening before dinner, consider a walk along Storgata or visit the open-air museum at Maihaugen.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Scandic Hafjell

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Treasures Of Lillehammer - Explore Lillehammer's heritage on a guided visit to the charming open-air museum of Maihaugen, located on the hills above the Olympic Town. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER(R) Experience, step back in time to experience what life was like in Norway centuries ago and understand how the unique Nordic lifestyle has shaped Norwegian culture through the ages. You’ll also visit the extraordinary Olympic ski jumping arena and take in the wonderful panoramic views down over the town and Lake Mjøsa. When available, a ride in the chairlift to the top of the ski jump will be included. This experience directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

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Day 11 | On to Oslo

See the unusual Olympic ice arena beside the lake at Hamar as we travel to Norway's cultural capital, Oslo. Join a Local Specialist who will share the city's iconic sights, including views of the medieval fortress of Akershus, the Opera and 19 -century Royal Palace. We visit the fascinating Vigeland Sculpture Park, before spending the rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy a leisurely coffee in the Aker Brygge District or explore the nation's rich seafaring heritage.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Scandic Solli

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Norwegian Maritime Explorers - Norwegians have been exploring the world's oceans for generations. The 19thcentury polar exploration ship Fram sailed to the Antarctic and then to the Arctic more than a hundred years ago. At the pole, Amundsen raised the new Norwegian flag. Join us at the Fram ship as we learn about its icy journeys. This spirit of adventure is followed by another, as we visit the world renowned Kon-Tiki raft that crossed the Pacific with Thor Heyerdahl.

Inspiration and Innovation - We start at the Nobel Peace Center where the world's most influential peacemakers come to life, followed by a step in to the future as we walk the roof of the 21st century architectural marvel of the Oslo Opera house. Experience the power of ideas and the beauty of design with two unforgettable Oslo landmarks.

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Day 12 | Journey to Stockholm

You'll cross the border into Sweden today and continue via Karlstad on Lake Vänern, the largest lake in the European Union. Passing Örebro, we arrive in the islandringed capital of Stockholm for a two-night stay. Tonight perhaps consider an Optional Experience to the beautiful and atmospheric Old Town - Gamla Stan.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Clarion

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Old Town and Dinner - Discover beauty and history combined during a walk in the fairy tale Gamla Stan, where little has changed since the 16th and 17th centuries. Then enjoy delicious Swedish cuisine in a popular local restaurant, with a drink included.

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Day 13 | Discover Beautiful Stockholm

Meet our Local Specialist this morning for a sightseeing tour of the waterside City Hall and see the medieval Storkyrkan, Riddarholm Church and the Royal Palace at the heart of Stockholm's quaint Old Town. The rest of the day is free to explore as you wish. Join your fellow travellers and Travel Director for dinner this evening to toast to an unforgettable Scandinavian adventure.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Clarion

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:

Maritime Stockholm - Dive into the fascinating story of Stockholm’s relationship with the sea. Our Local Specialist will explain the age of Viking exploration and the fish and fur trade before a real life encounter with the past on a visit to the 17th century Swedish royal warship Vasa. Magnificently restored after spending three centuries on the sea floor, she now occupies a state of the art, purpose-built home designed to preserve her well into the future. A unique and unmissable experience.

Royal Fika and the Magical Underground - Start with a leisurely drive out to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Drottningholm Palace, the official residence of the Swedish royal family. Here you will sample traditional Swedish cinnamon buns and coffee before exploring the magnificent gardens with your Local Specialist. Afterwards you will return to Stockholm on the 'Stockholms tunnelbana' the city's subway, which has been described as the world's longest art exhibit, where you'll be introduced to some extraordinary and creative works of art.

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Day 14 | Farewell Scandinavia

Our epic journey has come to an end. Bid Stockholm and your newfound friends a fond farewell.

Meals: Breakfast