DAY 1 : UK - Copenhagen.
Fly to Copenhagen where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for two nights. (D)
DAY 2 : Copenhagen.
Compact and friendly, Denmark's buzzing capital is Scandinavia's largest city and is crowned by the delightful Nyhavn Canal quayside with its colourful wooden houses and waterside cafés. The city's cobbled streets are packed with famous sights such as the Tivoli Gardens amusement park and the famous Little Mermaid statue. See some of the highlights on your included orientation drive. An optional tour of Zealand's castles is also available. (B)
DAY 3 : Copenhagen - Odense - Frederikshavn.
Today, cross the Storebaelforbindelsen Bridge to the delightful island of Funen and enjoy a visit to Odense, Hans Christian Andersen's home town. Later, head across the Little Baelt waterway to the Jutland peninsula for one night in Frederikshavn. (B, D)
DAY 4 : Frederikshavn - Gothenburg - Oslo.
Begin the day with a leisurely two-hour ferry ride from Frederikshavn, across the Kattegat, to the famous port of Gothenburg, Sweden's second largest city. After an orientation drive, cross the border into Norway, and onwards to the capital city of Oslo for one night. (B)
DAY 5 : Oslo - Telemark area.
Set at the head of a vast fjord, Oslo has many fine buildings, museums and monuments, conveniently centred around Karl Johan's Gate. This morning, the included sightseeing tour, with a local guide, will introduce you to highlights such as Akershus Castle, a 14th-century fortress built to defend Oslo from Swedish invasion. Other highlights are the City Hall, National Theatre, Parliament, Royal Palace and the Broadcasting House. You will also take a guided walk through the Frogner Park and admire Gustav Vigeland's sculptures, representing the different stages of life. This afternoon, travel to the Telemark area for one night. (B, D)
DAY 6 : Telemark area - Vemork - Bergen.
Often called 'Norway in Miniature', this region of Norway is an area of outstanding natural beauty, with serene countryside set amidst sparkling fjords. Enjoy a scenic drive to Rjukan for a visit to Vemork, famed for its former heavy water plant blown up by the British and Norwegian 'Heroes of Telemark' during World War II. A visit to the Vemork Museum is included. Later, drive amidst the valleys, rugged gorges and imposing mountains of the Telemark region, before boarding a ferry at Utne and crossing the Hardangerfjord to Kvanndal. Next stop is the charming city of Bergen, where you will stay for two nights. (B)
DAY 7 : Bergen.
Known as the 'gateway to the Norwegian fjords' and the 'city of seven hills', charming Bergen was the birthplace of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg and the original capital of Norway. Bursting with history, culture and picture-postcard charm, it sits dotted amongst the steep, surrounding mountain slopes creating an amphitheatre effect around the harbour front. There are plenty of sights and optional activities including the brightly painted Hanseatic merchants' houses of Bryggen Wharf, an open-air museum and a funicular railway to the summit of Mount Floeyen, whose peaks provide spellbinding views over the city and the surrounding seascape. (B)
DAY 8 : Bergen - Sognefjord cruise - Fagernes.
Today, enjoy a memorable cruise on Sognefjord, Norway's longest and deepest fjord, where breathtaking panoramas unfold before you in an ever-changing vista of staggering beauty and you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the 'away-from-it-all' atmosphere. Later, drive to Fagernes for one night. (B, D)
DAY 9 : Fagernes - Lillehammer - Karlstad.
Head through the stunning mountain and lakeland scenery to Lillehammer, which boasts Europe's biggest open-air museum, dedicated to Norwegian art and architecture. After a stop on the shores of beautiful Lake Mjosa, continue through Värmland's unspoiled wilderness of forests and lakes to the town of Karlstad. Having been almost totally destroyed by fire in 1865, Karlstad was rebuilt along modern lines, with broad avenues and large parks. (B)
DAY 10 : Karlstad - Mariefred - Stockholm.
Journey to Stockholm via Bofors pausing en route in Mariefred for a photo stop at Gripsholm Castle, an idyllic fairytale castle on the shores of Lake Mälaren. With its unique layout, Stockholm is a beautiful city spread across 14 islands between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. This evening why not explore the Swedish capital on an optional excursion? (B)
DAY 11 : Stockholm.
Dotted with winding, age-old alleyways, pretty squares and lovely architecture, Stockholm is perhaps the most beautiful of the Scandinavian capitals. Today's included guided sightseeing tour takes in the imposing City Hall with its mosaic-decorated Golden Hall, and the quaint cobbled streets of Gamla Stan medieval old town amongst other sights. (B, D)
DAY 12 : Stockholm - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)