A ruggedly beautiful region of mountains, fjords and glaciers, Scandinavia has delightfully long summer days, pleasantly low key cities, unspoiled fishing villages and a number of rich historic sites. On this 28 Day tour, discover the wonders of Scandinavia and then make your way to Amsterdam for a spell binding cruise aboard one of our luxury river ships.
Day 1. Copenhagen
Arrive in Copenhagen today, and be transferred to your hotel.
Enjoy a Welcome Reception tonight with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Day 2. Copenhagen Sightseeing
This morning, enjoy a tour of Copenhagen including the famous Little Mermaid and Amalienborg Palace, the prime residence of Princess Mary’s Danish Royal Family. Enjoy refreshments of coffee and Flødeboller, a traditional confectionary of chocolate and meringue, and tonight enjoy a
special dinner at Brasseri Nimb in Tivoli. This award-winning Scandinavian restaurant changes menus each month to make the most of seasonal ingredients.
Day 3. Copenhagen, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning, continue exploring Copenhagen with three great touring options. Explore Rosenborg Castle, which houses some of Denmark’s greatest cultural treasures, visit the famous Carlsberg Brewery, or take a tour of the city’s winding canals. Then, transfer to the airport for your included flight to Oslo. On arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy a Welcome Reception.
Day 4. Oslo Sightseeing
This morning after breakfast, a guided sightseeing tour will take you to Oslo’s most famous sights, including the Vigeland Sculpture Park. Afterwards, visit the enlightening Nobel Peace Centre, where you can experience and learn about the various Peace Prize Laureates and their activities as well as the remarkable history of Alfred Nobel. Continue to the Viking Ship Museum to see the fascinating displays featuring the large Viking ships Oseberg, Gokstad and Tune. Then visit the Holmenkollen Ski-jump. Tonight, enjoy a delicious dinner of regional specialities with your fellow travellers.
Day 5. Oslo, Lofthus
Today you’ll journey to Lofthus, Norway’s largest fruit-growing village. Here, the views are simply stunning - the fjord and the hills stretching towards the Folgefonna Glacier have inspired artists for centuries. After checking in to your hotel, indulge in a delicious dinner this evening.
Day 6. Lofthus, Bergen, Dine Around Dinner
Today depart Lofthus and begin the picturesque journey to Bergen. On the way, disembark your coach and board a cruise across Hardangerfjord, the third largest fjord in the world. Admire the spectacular natural beauty, wildlife, various nearby glaciers and grand waterfalls. The cruise ends at Kandal, a village located on the northern side of Hardangerfjord. From here, re-board your coach and continue to the charming city of Bergen. On arrival, check in to your hotel and settle in. Then tonight, enjoy a choice of dining experiences in Bergen.
Day 7. Bergen, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning, embark on a tour of Bergen including a trip to the famous fish market. Then continue to nearby Troldhaugen, the home of composer Edvard Grieg, now a living museum comprising an exhibition centre. This afternoon, choose your touring activity. Perhaps take the funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen with spectacular views of the city framed by the sea, fjords and mountains. You may choose to tour the exhibitions at the Bergen Art Museum, or discover local marine life at the aquarium. This evening is then at your leisure.
Day 8. Bergen, Flåm, Balestrand
This morning after breakfast, board your coach and travel to Flåm, perched at the very tip of Randsfjorden between rocky slopes and the still water of the fjord. Then travel to nearby Myrdal Station to embark on one of the world’s steepest narrow gauge rail journeys aboard the Flåm Railway. Absorb stunning views as you descend into Flåm Valley toward Sognefjord. See rivers that cut through deep ravines, waterfalls cascade down the side of steep, snow-capped mountains and mountain farms clinging dizzily to sheer slopes. Afterwards, enjoy a cruise over Nærøyfjord, recently declared a World Heritage-listed site. Cross Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in the world before arriving in Balestrand.
Day 9. Balestrand, Fjærland, Briksdal Glacier
This morning set out on a ferry from Balestrand to Fjærland and take in the amazing views of the Jostedal Glacier behind the fjord as you approach the town. After the ferry ride, board a coach for the journey to Briksdal. Continue to Briksdal Glacier in Jostedal Glacier National Park. The powerful glacier swoops down from a height of 1,200m to the lush, narrow Briksdal Valley - a beautiful sight that attracts 300,000 visitors from all over the world each year. Discover the glacier up close, then return to Briksdal for lunch.
Day 10. Balestrand, Lillehammer, Dine Around Dinner
After breakfast this morning, you’ll set out on the journey to Lillehammer, visiting the Stave Church on the way. Then arrive in Lillehammer, also located on the shores of Lake Mjøsa. Lillehammer gained international recognition in 1994 when it played host to the Winter Olympic Games.
Visit the town’s open air museum. Choose your dining experience this evening.
Day 11. Stockholm
Today, the journey continues as you travel by coach into Sweden. Take in the pretty landscapes as you continue to its clean and vibrant capital, Stockholm. After checking in to your hotel, enjoy some time at leisure to settle in and relax. This evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at Ulla Windbladh, an historic inn offering traditional Swedish cuisine and beautiful dining rooms.
Day 12. Stockholm Sightseeing
This morning join your local guide for a city tour of Sweden’s capital, including Stockholm City Hall, where the Nobel Peace Presentationis held, and the famous Vasa Ship Museum. The remainder of the day is then yours at leisure to explore further.
Day 13. Stockholm, Amsterdam
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and fly to Amsterdam. On arrival transfer to the hotel and have time to explore Amsterdam.
Day 14. Amsterdam
After breakfast, enjoy free time then transfer to your river ship.
Day 15. Amsterdam, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today select your activity from our three options, including a canal tour, a visit to the Van Gogh Museum or a Wetlands Safari tour. Later, stop for a photo at Rembrandt’s Windmill.
Day 16. Düsseldorf, Cologne, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today, choose your excursion in Düsseldorf. Perhaps travel to Venlo and explore the displays on show at the 2012 Floriade Horticultural World Expo†. Alternatively, visit Maastricht. Then, cruise to Cologne and take a guided tour, including the spectacular Gothic Cathedral.
Day 17. Rüdesheim, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today cruise through the Rhine Gorge and arrive in Rüdesheim, where you have a choice of activities.
Day 18. Freudenberg, Wertheim, Freedom of Choice Touring
In Wertheim, perhaps embark on a guided bicycle tour, take a walking tour, or go for a paddle on the Tauber River. Afterwards, enjoy a private tour of the hilltop Wertheim Castle and a sparkling glass of Sekt.
Day 19. Würzburg, Rothenburg - Kitzingen, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today, you may like to embark on a tour taking in the Residential Palace. Alternatively, visit medieval Rothenburg. This evening, enjoy a special wine tasting event in Kitzingen.
Day 20. Bamberg
Travel to the World Heritage-listed city of Bamberg for a guided tour. Visit a traditional Bamberg Beer Haus and enjoy a local brew compliments of APT. Cruise to Nuremberg.
Day 21. Nuremberg, Freedom of Choice Touring
In Nuremberg today, choose your activity. Take a World War II tour, a medieval tour, or explore by Segway.
Day 22. Regensburg Freedom of Choice Touring
Arrive in Regensburg today, and choose from three touring options.
Day 23. Passau, Freedom of Choice Touring, Linz
This morning arrive in Passau and choose your touring option.
Day 24. Melk, Freedom of Choice Touring, Dürnstein
Tour Melk Abbey, then perhaps take a guided bicycle ride to Dürnstein. Or, cruise to Dürnstein for a walking tour.
Day 25. Vienna, Dine Around Dinner
Enjoy a tour of Vienna. This evening, choose from three tantalising dining options.
Day 26. Vienna, Freedom of Choice Touring
Enjoy your second day in the Austrian capital with a choice of touring options. Visit Schönbrunn Palace for a tour, explore the impressive collection of artwork at the city’s Fine Arts Museum or see the Hofburg Crown Jewels at the Imperial Treasury. Alternatively, you may like to take an excursion to nearby Bratislava in Slovakia, for a tour taking in the key Communist landmarks of the city.
Day 27. Budapest
Arrive in Budapest for a tour. Visit the Hungarian State Opera House for a private tour, a glass of champagne and a private recital. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner and twilight cruise.
Day 28. Disembark Ship, Depart Budapest
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
