Day 1 - Stockholm

Upon arrival transfer to hotel by private car with driver.

Overnight at Nobis Hotel or similar in 1 Superior dbl. room

Hotel Nobis:

With a location in two historic late 19th-century buildings on Norrmalmstorg square in the city centre of Stockholm, Nobis Hotel is a 201 room hotel offering every convenience and service any business and/or pleasure traveler could ever call for, in an environment of casual elegance. Nobis Hotel has been designed for optimal function, beauty, comfort and atmosphere by world renowned Swedish star architect Claesson Kovisto Rune, in a style of contemporary and beautiful yet timeless and classic, durable elegance, mainly in natural materials of superior quality, subtly influenced by the colors, moods and features of the Swedish Royal Capital.

More than 800 square meters of public spaces, Caina, an Italian restaurant, Bistro, serves Italian dishes, The Gold Bar & Lounge - “Stockholm’s new living room”, Fitness centre & Sauna. Included in all rooms: Free access to Fitness centre & sauna, Free high-speed wireless internet in the entire hotel, 24-hour concierge and room service, minibar & in-room safe (sized for laptops) with electrical socket, Hairdryer, bathrobe and slippers, Climate control/AC.

At Nobis Hotel, you are at the heart of Stockholm, with the best restaurants, shops, museums, sights, attractions and nightclubs within easy reach.

Day 2 - Stockholm

Breakfast at hotel

Meet and greet your private car with driver and English speaking guide for a 7 hrs tour

STOCKHOLM HIGHLIGHTS WITH A ROYAL TWIST (7 HRS)

This northern city is one of the most stunning capitals in the world. It is situated on 4 islands and is surrounded by water so clean that you can swim and fish right in the heart of the city.  This makes it a real Beauty on Water.

Stockholm is also the gateway to the archipelago, a world of 24.000 islands, rocks and skerries, and Lake Mälaren with its castles, picturesque small towns and beautiful countryside. A sightseeing tour of Stockholm will include city districts such as Södermalm, Kungsholmen, Djurgården and famous sights as the Royal Palace, Parliament Buildings, the Cathedral etc.

You will also visit the enchanting Gamla Stan (Old Town) with its narrow cobbled streets and numerous antique shops.  The highlight of the tour is a visit to the City Hall, built in 1923, with its famous Blue and Golden Halls where the Nobel Prize Banquet is held each year.  

Vasa is a Swedish warship that was built from 1626 to 1628. The ship foundered and sank after sailing less than a nautical mile (ca 2 km) into its maiden voyage on 10 August 1628. It fell into obscurity after most of its valuable bronze were salvaged in the 17th century. After it was located again in the late 1950s in a busy shipping

lane just outside the Stockholm harbor, it was salvaged with a largely intact hull in 1961. It was housed in a temporary museum called Wasavarvet ("The Wasa Shipyard") till 1987 and then moved to the vasa museum in Stockholm.

Drottningholm

Drottningholm Palace is on UNESCO's World Heritage List. It the best-preserved royal castle built in Sweden during the 1600’s and it is representative of all European architecture that was to follow.

The castle was built by architect Nicodemus Tessin the Elder and was clearly inspired by French architecture, and since its construction many royals have left their mark on the palace.

Hedvig Eleonora, Lovisa Ulrika and Gustav III left powerful examples of their style, especially in the decor of the reception rooms.

Hedvig Eleonora state bedchamber (pictured left) was at the heart of their reception rooms in the 1600’s and was created by the country's foremost artists and craftsmen. There is also a series of rooms decorated for Gustav III during the 1700’s which includes the Chinese saloon, a very chic trend at that time.

World Heritage Drottningholm

In 1991 Drottningholm was included on UNESCO's World Heritage list of sites of outstanding universal value to humanity. The World Heritage Committee's citation reads:

"Drottningholm Palace - palace, theater, Chinese pavilion and gardens - is the best preserved example of a royal castle built in the 1700’s in Sweden and is representative of all European architecture of that time, built with Versailles as a model and source of inspiration."

The royal family moved into the Drottningholm Palace in 1981. Today the castle remains the primary residence of the King and Queen. The rooms in the castle's southern section are reserved for the royal couple.  

Entrance to City Hall, Vasa Museum and Drottningholm is included

Overnight at Nobis hotel in 1 superior dbl. room

Day 3- Stockholm

Day free at leisure in Stockholm

Overnight at Nobis hotel in 1 superior dbl. room

Day 4 - Stockholm - Copenhagen

Breakfast at hotel

Transfer to train station

08:21-13:23 Train Stockholm – Copenhagen

Upon arrival transfer from airport to hotel in private car with driver (Mercedes E)

Overnight at Kong Arthur hotel or similar in 1 dbl. superior rooms

Kong Arthur Hotel:

With its back to the city, its front pointing towards a beautiful string of lakes and with four stars above the door, the family-run Hotel Kong Arthur sits majestically above the hustle and bustle of the city. The style is antique with a twist; with its roots dating all the way back to 1882. The facilities are however, yet all modern and the welcome so warm and genuine, that you will immediately feel right at home.

The Hotel has 107 fully equipped rooms, 24 hours room service, a cozy bar and 4 restaurants: A Spanish tapas restaurant, a Japanese Sushi bar, a traditional Italian restaurant and finally a glass covered breakfast restaurant overlooking an idyllic patio. Hotel Kong Arthur has conference facilities for up to 40 participants and car parking facilities.

Afternoon free at leisure

In the evening entrance to Tivoli garden.

You cannot visit Copenhagen without entering the Tivoli Gardens.

The park was built in the mid-nineteenth century, and retains the charm of the old times. This is not a park for those who seek big adrenaline rush. Its attraction is perhaps in combining the old and current, and providing a space for everyone, to young and old. The gardens and paths create a special romantic atmosphere, maybe because of the retention of the nineteenth century.  And of course, Tivoli is fun and for fun.

Day 5 - Copenhagen

Breakfast at hotel

10:30 Meet and greet your private car with driver (Mercedes E) and English speaking guide for a 5 hours tour of Copenhagen:

COPENHAGEN: WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL CAPITAL CITY (5 HRS)

Your introduction to Copenhagen starts with its heart – centuries old buildings surround canals, royal palaces and the spine of Copenhagen which is the pedestrian precinct of “Strøget.” There is an incredible range of architecture within a small area, renaissance, medieval, baroque, Dutch style and the ultra modern architecture with glass and steel. The drive will also take you past the world-famous Tivoli Gardens, the inspiration for Walt Disney, before driving by Christiansborg Palace, built on the site of the earliest fortifications of the city dating back to 1167, and now the seat of the Danish Parliament.

Then we continue to Nyhavn, a picturesque canal with atmosphere. Nyhavn is one of the oldest parts of the Copenhagen harbour and dates back to 1673.

We pay an outside visit to Amalienborg Palace, the royal winter residence located on a spacious, octagonal Palace Square and comprising four separate, but linked mansions. One is the residence of the Queen; the second is the residence of the heir to the throne; the third accommodates visiting royals and the fourth houses the administrative offices of the throne.  

 No visit to Copenhagen is complete without paying a visit to our Little Mermaid. She is one of Copenhagen's most famous attractions; she has lost her head on numerous occasions; and she is the main character in one of Hans Christian Andersen's most famous fairy tale. Since 1913, the statue of the Little Mermaid has been visited by millions of tourists from around the world. The much loved fairy tale about the little mermaid who falls in love with a human prince and is willing to give up her life in the sea was written by the famous Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen, and first published in 1837. When the Danish brewer, Carl Jacobsen, attended a performance of ballet master Hans Beck’s “The Little Mermaid” in 1909, he was so thrilled with the performance, particularly by leading prima donna Ellen Price, that he ordered a statue to be raised in honour of the story. As a result, in 1913 the Little Mermaid was unveiled to the City of Copenhagen on 23 August 1913 by Carl Jacobsen.

We now visit Gefion Fountain

The Gefion Fountain is the biggest monument in Copenhagen and a great tourist attraction. Created by Anders Bundgaard and inaugurated in the year 1908 in celebration of Carlsberg Brewery's 50th birthday. The fountain is located in the Churchill Park next to the beautiful area of the old Citadel of Copenhagen and the English Saint Alban's Church. The main figure of the fountain is the powerful Nordic goddess Gefion. And the story behind the fountain comes from the Nordic mythology, where the Swedish king Gylfe offered Gefion as much of Sweden as she could plough in one day and one night. So, to get the most out of it, Gefion turned her four sons into big strong oxen and harnessed them to a plough. And then they ploughed. And they ploughed. All day and all night. So deep in the ground, that when the time expired, Gefion could lift up the land and drop it into the sea between Sweden and Funen Island in Denmark. And that was how Zealnad was founded. The legend says that the huge hole, Gefion and her four sons left in Sweden, is where the lake Vänern is now located.

Last stop is a visit to Rosenborg Castle, home of the Danish crown jewels and stunning example of the Dutch Renaissance style so successfully adopted by King Christian IV

(1588 – 1648).

Entrances to Rosenborg Castle included .

15:30 Car and guide end at pier

Check in to DFDS in 1 outside 2 berth cabin

16:30 Overnight cruise from Copenhagen to Oslo by DFDS in outside cabin

Time to relax and enjoy a night on board DFDS. Onboard you will experience high standard and comfort, while you are enjoying a delicious meal in one of the nice restaurants, dancing the night away in the nightclubs or going for a swim in the pool area.

Day 6 - Oslo

Breakfast on board DFDS

10:00 Upon arrival meet and greet your private car (Mercedes E) at pier for a 6 hrs tour of Oslo:

OSLO CONTRASTS; HIGHLIGHTS, MODERN ART AND ARCHITECTURE (6 HRS)

Meet and greet your private coach with driver and English speaking guide for a 6 hrs tour

Oslo highlights are many: The University;  Stortinget, where the Norwegian Parliament sits; the Royal Palace at the end of Oslo's main street Karl Johan's Gate, named after the king who built the palace. Other buildings are the National Theatre in Baroque style, but with the interior in Rococo style with a touch of Art Nouveau; the Cathedral, Our Saviour's Church, was inaugurated in 1697; the City Hall from 1950, where the Nobel Peace Prize is presented each year on the 10th of December.

Visits at the Viking Ships Museum housing the three Viking Ships from Oseberg, Gokstad and Tune. The museum also houses impressive finds from these and other Viking burials which include small boats, richly carved sledges and wagons, textiles, harnesses, tools and kitchen utensils.

We also take a walk around the stunning Vigeland Sculpture Park which has no less than 212 of Gustav Vigeland's bronze and granit sculptures and several wrought iron gates. There are over 600 figures depicted in the 212 sculptures and gates.

we continue to Telthusbakken and Damstredet.

The two small roads Damstredet and Telthusbakken are found just below the medieval church Gamle Aker kirke. This is a charming and pictoresque part of town with well-preserved and inhabited wooden houses from the late 18th and early 19th century.

The allotment gardens on the south side of Telthusbakken give the area a countryside atmosphere.

As a contrast we continue to the new vibrant area Tjuvholmen

Tjuvholmen serves as a window to European contemporary architecture. This new neighbourhood is characterized by an intriguing architectural diversity and exceptional outdoor areas, all brought together by the master plan of one of Norway's most acclaimed architects, Niels Torp. Among Norwegian architects who have contributed to the project are Kristin Jarmund, MAD, Kari Nissen Brodtkorb, Jensen & Skodvin og Lund Hagem. International contributors include Danish Schmidt Hammer Lassen, Finnish Gullichsen Vormala, and Italian superstar Renzo Piano, who is behind the new Astrup Fearnley museum.

The Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art moved into a brand new building at Tjuvholmen on 29 September 2012.

The new museum building is designed by renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano. It consists of two buildings: one for the museum's own collection and one for rotating exhibitions.

As the new space allows Astrup Fearnley to present works from its collection on a permanent basis, artists such as Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Charles Ray, Richard Prince, Matthew Barney, Bruce Nauman, Robert Gober and Cindy Sherman will be on permanent display right in the centre of Oslo.

The new museum is beautifully situated at the tip of Tjuvholmen, with the Oslo Fjord and Tjuvholmen Sculpture Park as its closest neighbours.

Entrance to Viking Ship Museum and Astrup Fearnly museum is included.

16:00 Car and guide end at hotel

Overnight at Continental Hotel

Hotel Continental

Hotel Continental is a hotel in Oslo, Norway, that opened in 1900.

The background story of the Continental is like an old fairytale, about a young couple, who through their hard work and entrepreneurship created a monument that will live for many years. It all started in Sweden in 1860, with the birth of Caroline Boman. Her family was poor, and instead of emigrating to America, something that was customary at the time, she crossed the border from Sweden to Christiania, now Oslo Norway in 1887, where she got a job as a cook. Four years later, she married Christian Hansen, who was from Oslo and worked as a waiter.

Hotel Continental and Theatercaféen opened in 1900, right after the opening of the National Theatre. The business was originally owned by Foss Brewery, but was run by different tenants who all had to give up. Caroline and Christian Boman Hansen took over the lease in 1909, and within only three years they were able to purchase the establishment.

In 1932 and 1961 respectively the hotel and restaurant was expanded, and now occupies a whole block centrally located in the center of Oslo. Through four generations the same family has built and developed the hotel and the restaurants into what the establishment is today. Elisabeth C. Brochmann is the current and fourth generation owner. In 1985 she took over the daily operations from her mother Ellen Brochmann.

The Hotel Continental offers 155 individually furnished rooms, many of which are newly renovated. The hotel is a 5 star property of high international standard, and is the only Norwegian member of The Leading Hotels of the World.

The renowned restaurant Theatercaféen is part of the establishment. This newly renovated wiener-café is listed on the New York Times list of the world’s most famous Vienna-styled cafes. Eik Annen Etage is the hotel’s gourmet restaurant. Hotel Continental has an extensive art collection, and in the lobby bar “Dagligstuen” there is a large collection of prints by Edvard Munch. In addition, the hotel has conference and banqueting facilities with the capacity of up to 300 guests.

Day 7 Oslo- Flåm

Breakfast at hotel

Transfer to station and take out tickets at NSB office

08:05 train from Oslo to Myrdal

12:44 Arrival Myrdal

13:27 Train Myrdal to Flåm

The Flaam Railway is one of Norway's major and most spectacular tourist attractions. The train journey provides some of Norway's wildest and most magnificent scenery. On the 20 km-long train ride, you can see rivers that cut through deep ravines, waterfalls cascading down the side of steep, snow-capped mountains and mountain farms clinging dizzily to sheer slopes. The Flaam Railway makes a photo stop at the beautiful Kjosfossen waterfall

14:25 Arrival Flåm

Walk to Fretheim Hotel, Flåm.

Check in to hotel in 1 double room with Balcony

Frethiem Hotel

Fretheim Hotel is a delightful white wooden building at the head of an inlet of the Sognefjord. The hotel is rich in tradition dating as far back as 1870, a tradition which we believe to be essential to preserve, while at the same time respecting the importance of adapting to modern times.

At the end of the 1800s, Fretheim Hotel was a large farm that would house wealthy English Lords who came here to fish for salmon in the Flåm river and to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The hotel was built primarily in a Swiss style, and its growth and development over the years has coincided with the increase in the numbers of tourists and travelers, initially on the Bergen Railway and more recently with the popularity of the Flåm Railway. Today the hotel stands out as an  architecturally and historically exciting building, where the venerable older quarters exist in perfect harmony with the newer additions built in 2000. In 2012, the hotel became a member of Historic Hotels and Restaurants, a membership-based business organization consisting of hotels and restaurants housed in Norwegian heritage buildings.

Day 8 - Flåm - Gudvangen

Breakfast at hotel

Check out of hotel

10.00-14.00 Tour in Flåm by Kayak (Public tour)

 Spend about 30 minutes before the trip outfitting, and explaining safety and kayaking instructions. Kayak, paddle, spray-skirt, jacket, pump and paddle-float are included. We paddle for about 1 hour out to Fronnes and we then spend about 1,5 hours on land. The hiking leg is quite easy and we generally take only about 20 minutes. This combination tour with the kayak and short hike are an ideal way to experience the Fjords of Norway. This trips suits everyone, and no kayaking experience is necessary.

Fronneset is a place of historical importance with grave mounds from the Viking era, and as we follow a winding path along a wild river we pass amazing waterfalls and bubbling lagoons. We will have a break on land with a hike and a possibility to go swimming in the lagoon, so bring a swimsuit and a towel. There is time for a snack however this is not provided, so do bring a small snack and something to drink. Bring sensible walking shoes for the hike.

After returning to Flåm, pick luggage at Fretheim hotel.

15:10 Boat Flåm – Gudvangen

Fjord cruise to Flåm (part of Bergen in a nutshell)

The boat tour between Flåm and Gudvangen takes offers you beautiful views of precipitous mountains, mighty waterfalls and small homesteads that cling to the mountain sides. Along the way you can see Aurland, the centre of the municipality with the stone church from the 1200's. You pass by the village of Undredal, which hosts one of the world's smallest churches. Way up on the mountain side lies the Stigen homestead, whose name comes from the fact that people had to use ladders (Nor. stige) to get there. Soon you will also reach the Nærøyfjord, a minor fjord branching off from the Sognefjord, which is the world's narrowest fjord at only 250 meters at its narrowest point. The Nærøyfjord was also added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2005. From here you can view the majestic Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in the world. The fjord is framed by mountaintops of up to 1800 metres. In the early summer the waterfalls roar over the mountain sides and breaks in a white foam when the water hits the fjord.

17:30 Arrival Gudvangen

Check in to Gudvangen Fjortell

The name Gudvangen means “Gods place by the water” and in the Viking era it was an important market place and communication centre. During the “black plague” in the 12th century all inhabitants of Gudvangen died, and it took several hundred years before life returned to Gudvangen (according to the old church records).

In 1647 ad, a government minister called Hannibal Seierstedt started the Royal Mail route between Oslo and Bergen. The mail was brought from Oslo over the Filefjell to Lærdal and then on to Gudvangen, Voss and Bergen. Gudvangen then became a natural resting point for both postal workers and travelers. Due to the Nærøyfjord icing over in the extreme winter months, a primitive road to Bakka was constructed, where the mail was then brought over the fjord by boat. The mail the continued its journey by foot to a place called Styvi, where today you will find Norways smallest working post office. The post was then taken by boat to Lærdal and then further with horse and cart to Oslo.

Overnight at Gudvangen Fjordhotel in 1 dbl room

The Fjordtell has been completely designed and constructed by local artists, from the bedroom furniture to the free-standing fireplace and dramatic wrought-iron stairway in the lodge. It has been built in two parts to accommodate those passing through the area as well as those who wish to come for a peaceful holiday

Day 9 - Gudvangen - Bergen

Bergen in a nutshell continued

Coach to Voss

Train to Bergen

Upon arrival transfer to hotel by private car with driver

Overnight at Clarion Hotel Havnekontoret in 1 superior dbl. room

Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret is centrally located at the historic, Bryggen wharf in Bergen. This beautiful hotel is close to the city's array of shops and restaurants. You will find many attractions at a comfortable distance, as the Fish Market, Fløibanan and the city's famous aquarium.

Day 10 - Bergen

Meet and greet your private car with driver and English speaking guide for a 6 hrs tour:

BERGEN CITY TOUR (6hours)

Bergen may perhaps be a relatively small city (population of 260,000) however it is overflowing with history (the first settlement here was over 900 years ago), culture, incredible nature, gourmet restaurants and cosy cafés.

Bryggen, the ancient Hanseatic Wharf, which is one of the best known European dwelling places from the Middle Ages, comprises a maze of characteristic wooden buildings with pointed gables facing the harbour. This unique architectural gem is now listed by UNESCO as one of the world's most significant examples of the history and culture of a medieval settlement. Bryggen thrives today as a honeycomb of painter’s and craftsmen’s workshops, plus access to the interior of some of the buildings themselves where history has been preserved as it was originally.

From here you have a short distance to the Fløi Funicular – and after a short ride of about 7 minutes you arrive at the summit of where you have breath taking views of Bergen, with its seaward approach, it’s fjords and islands. From the heights of Fløyen, you can really see the diversity of this historical town and its surrounding area.

You now leave the city to visit the Fantoft Stave Church. The old stave church at Fantoft, originally built in Fortun in Sogn in 1150 and moved to Fantoft in 1883, burnt down in June 1992. Fantoft Stave Church has been rebuilt, completed in May 1997, just as it was before the fire.

Finally you visit visit Troldhaugen the home of the very famous composer Edward Grieg and his private concert hall. Troldhaugen was the home of Edvard Grieg and his wife Nina.

The Villa was built in 1885, and the couple lived there the last 22 summers of Edvard Grieg’s life. Troldhaugen became a museum in 1928 and includes Grieg’s Villa, the composer’s hut and the Grieg couple’s gravesite as well as a modern museum building and the concert hall Troldsalen, a chamber music hall seating 200 people. Troldsalen is the centre of the museum’s extensive concert activities and has excellent acoustics.

Edvard Grieg referred to the Villa as his “best opus so far”. The ground floor of the house is open to the public and consists of a Memory Room filled with objects from key events in Grieg’s life, the original spacious dining room, a veranda and a sitting room where you can explore Grieg’s very own Steinway piano from 1892. The instrument is still playable and is often used for concerts, sometimes even recordings.

The richly ornamented veranda was turned into an enclosed winter garden in 1906 and a stained glass window could then be inserted just above the balcony door. The red rose ornament adds a poetic touch to the villa, which in its idiosyncratic way expresses the taste and spirit of Nina and Edvard Grieg.

In the house, constant visitors and noise from the kitchen interrupted the absolute quiet Grieg needed in order to work. This is why he in 1891 had the composer’s hut built down by the lake, so he could be alone with his musical ideas.

Entrance fee to Fløi Funicular, Fantoft Stave Church and Troldhagen is included.

Overnight in a Superior Double room at Clarion Hotel Havnekontoret, breakfast and taxes included

Day 11 - Departure

Transfer from hotel to airport in private car with driver.