Scandinavia

Wednesday 27 August

Depart Auckland on Emirates to arrive in Dubai. Change planes and continue on to Stockholm.

Thursday 28 August

Arrive Stockholm midday and transfer to your centrally-located hotel.  Afternoon at leisure before a welcome dinner. 

Friday 29 August

Our city sightseeing tour includes some of Stockholm’s most fascinating attractions, passing through areas such as Sodermalm, Kungsholmen, Djurgarden and the city centre. Enjoy either the ABBA museum or VASA museum (where you will see the warship Vasa sank on her maiden voyage in Stockholm 1628 and was salvaged in 1961). Afternoon free.

Skanseen is the world’s first open air museum, founded in 1891.  Here you can stroll around historical buildings dwellings where locals in period dress mix with visitors.

Saturday 30 August

Morning free. Around midday, travel by coach to Skaensen with time to stretch your legs and enjoy lunch (own expense) before arriving in Stockholm Harbour. Sail out of Stockholm past many tiny islands as the sun sets. 

Sunday 31 August

Arrive in Tallinn Harbour mid-morning then depart on city coach tour that includes the recreational area of Kadriorg - Pirita, ending with an early afternoon hotel arrival. After checking-in, enjoy a walking tour of the relaxed atmosphere of the ‘Old Town’.

Monday 01 September

After breakfast, depart by coach to Lahemaa National Park to learn about the diverse Estonian cultural history and enjoy the bays, forests, limestone cliffs and huge boulders of the nature reserve of the Gulf of Finland.   Take a short ‘Beaver Trail’ walk to see how these mammals live, then visit German manor houses dating back to the 18th century and the village of Käsmu with its historic museum. Return to Tallinn for dinner.

Tuesday 02 September

Transfer to the port for a fast ferry to Finland’s capital Helsinki. Transfer to our hotel with the afternoon free to explore this seafaring city. 

Wednesday 03 September

Today’s city tour includes Helsinki’s neo-classic buildings as well as the modern architecture from some of the 20th Century’s most famous architects.  Visit the ‘Church in the Rock’, Senate Square and end at the harbour market place where a tasty but inexpensive fish lunch may be bought. Some free time this afternoon.

Thursday 04 September

This morning fly north to Ivalo and coach to Inari.  Late afternoon visit a reindeer herder to see how a present-day Lapp family live and experience a traditional Sami dinner.

Friday 05 September

Today we walk to the nearby Museum and enjoy a visit of this UNESCO sponsored museum featuring life in Lapland and the Sami people. Afternoon is free to shop and explore this quaint town.

Saturday 06 September

An early morning start to travel north past 1000’s of lakes to join the Norwegian Coastal Voyage ‘Hurtigurten’ by lunchtime.  Our new generation ship is the MS Nordkapp.  First call at Vardø, the easternmost town of Western Europe; the Batsfjord and Berlevag en route for Hammerfest.

There is an air of history about the Norwegian Coastal Voyage which has been part of their heritage for more than 100 years. Nowadays, the Norwegian Coastal Voyage is a charming combination of first-class passenger ship and community working ship with locals and tourists joining and leaving at most ports along this vast coastline.  Enjoy a panoramic view of ever-changing, breath-taking scenery from the comfort of a deckchair or a chair in the lounge. There is always something happening… without much really happening at all.  The ships travel at 16 knots, which means that you always have time to enjoy the journey, to make new friends and to relax and take in the wonders of this wonderful voyage.

Sunday 07 September

Today we arrive at the most northerly town in the world – Hammerfest.  The ship then steams south, arriving at Tromsø just before midnight, in time to enjoy the nightlife for a couple of hectic hours.

Monday 08 September

The Vesteralen and Lofoten Island groups are among the most beautiful locations on the voyage.  The Coastal ship leaves Harstad in the early hours of the morning.  See the Rosøyrenna channel, where the clear sea-green waters flow over the shallow sand banks and impressive bridges brush the ship’s funnel and link the islands to the mainland.  Small clusters of houses along the shores of the straits add a little colour to the landscape.  Arrive at Stamsund early in the evening with a host of wonderful memories.  The journey continues on via Vest Fjord to Bodø.

Tuesday 09 September

After leaving Ørnes, the route weaves between islands, through narrow straits.  Mountains tower in the background.  Cross the Arctic Circle today.  The last port of call is Rørvik.

Wednesday 10 September

Early this morning you’ll awake to find yourself in Trondheim.  Before noon, the Coastal ship ploughs throuigh the Trondheim Fjord again, steaming south to the salt cod town of Kristiansund.  In the evening call at Molde, a town of traditional white-painted wooden houses.

Thursday 11 September

Ahead of you lies several hours of Vestland scenery; the mouth of the Sognefjord and the beautiful archipelago approaching Bergen.  Arrive Bergen early afternoon and transfer to a centrally located hotel for a two-night stay.  

Friday 12 September

This morning’s city tour of Bergen, a 930 year old city with areas of cobbled streets and a famous fish market will highlight the history of Bergen. An optional funicular ride to the top station of Mt Fløyen above the city to enjoy the panoramic vista is available. Rest of day free.

Saturday 13 September

This morning depart Bergen by coach on the start of two days of wonderful scenery and varied transport.  The journey to Voss is about an hour.  Continue to Gudvangen then cruise the fjords to Flåm.  We stay in Flåm overnight to enjoy this special corner of the Aurlandsfjord.

Sunday 14 September

The train journey through the countryside on the Flåm railway from the fjord to the mountain station of Myrdal at an average gradient of 55% is a must-do.  Change trains at Myrdal - sit back and enjoy the journey over the Hardangervidda mountain range, passing through many tunnels and harsh scenery in comparison to the fjords. On arrival in Oslo, transfer to your central hotel for two nights.

Monday 15 September

A morning city tour of the small capital of Norway (750,000).  Inclusions are Vigeland Park, the City Hall, Bygdøy to see the Viking ships and a choice of either the Polar ship the Flam, or the Kon-Tiki museum. The afternoon at leisure.  

Tuesday 16 September

Morning free to shop in this designer city with an afternoon boarding of the overnight ferry to Copenhagen.  

Wednesday 17 September

Arrive in Copenhagen this morning, followed by a city tour that includes the Amalienborg Palace and the Little Mermaid in the  harbour. Check into your hotel. Afternoon at leisure before the farewell dinner.

Thursday 18 September

A midday transfer to the airport for your flight home OR other European destinations. Please ask us for details.

Friday 19 September

Morning arrival in Dubai. (Option of an extended stay available). Relax in a transit hotel room before a morning departure for flight to Auckland

Saturday 20 September

Arrive Auckland.