Best of Scandinavia 2013

Highlights

• 12 Meals (8 breakfasts and 4 dinners)
• Airport transfers when air is provided by Mayflower
• $50 in Mayflower Money

Description

Welcome to Sweden

Once home of the Vikings, today's Sweden is a captivating mix of old and new. Stockholm, Sweden's capital, is the very epitome of a vibrant cosmopolitan center, a city alive with world-class art museums, cutting-edge fashion boutiques and sizzling night life. Remarkable architecture abounds, exemplified in the dazzling City Hall, site of the Nobel Prize reception, with its glittering gold walls and stunning colored-glass mosaics.

But even in this thrilling center of culture, you'll find traces of Sweden's fabled past. In the Gamla Stan, the city's Old Town, medieval Stockholm comes to life in this beautifully preserved historic district.

Optional Excursion: The Royal Canal and Vasa Warship Museum

Enjoy a one-hour cruise along the shady canal of Djurgarden, and then visit the remarkable Vasa Warship Museum, built around a restored 17th-century warship that sank in Stockholm's inner harbor.

Oslo – Where Culture and Nature Meet

It's hard to say what is more stunning in Oslo: its glorious urban cityscapes or towering mountains and pristine countryside. Explore the amazing granite and bronze artworks of the Vigeland Sculpture Park. Travel back in time while visiting the amazing Viking Ships Museum. Catch a glimpse of the regal and impressive Royal Palace. All these pleasures await, plus the bustling trade of a thriving port city.

The Awe-Inspiring Fjords

Any visit to Norway would be incomplete without a cruise through the world-famous Sognefjord as well as Naerøey Fjord. Carved out over centuries by waves of majestic glaciers, the fjords are a testament to the awe-inspiring power of nature. The emerald green cliffs of the fjord sweep sharply down to glittering waters, where you just may glimpse a sight of seals as they sun themselves on flat, warm rocks.

In the heart of this rugged countryside, the historic Stalheim Hotel offers a stunning panoramic perspective of astounding fjordland views. For nearly 200 years, artists, painters and poets have drawn inspiration from the awe-inspiring majesty of this remarkable natural spectacle.

Breathtaking Railway Journeys

One of the best ways to take in the wonders of Scandinavia is aboard one of the several scenic railways that traverse this breathtaking countryside. Passengers take in dizzying vistas that open out on all sides as they speed from Oslo toward Myrdal, a remote mountain station located 3,000 feet above sea level. Famous for its remarkable panoramic views, Myrdal is the stepping off point for yet another glorious train ride on the world-renowned Flåm Railway. Descending 3,500 feet during a 13-mile journey into mountainous countryside, passengers glimpse wild rivers that cut through deep ravines, waterfalls cascading down sheer cliffs, and mountain farms clinging perilously to steep slopes.

The Rich Historical Heritage of Bergen

The second largest city in Norway, Bergen offers a fascinating mix of history, culture and natural beauty. A UNESCO World Heritage City, Bergen proudly preserves its rich past, seen in the timbered 15th-century houses, centuries-old warehouses built by seagoing merchants, and a charming labyrinth of cobblestone streets. Nearby, you'll find Troldhaugen, the former home and estate of one of Norway's most famous sons, composer Edvard Grieg.

Wonderful Copenhagen

A bustling metropolis, Copenhagen offers a mix of Old World grandeur with the excitement of a thriving modern cultural center. Parks and green spaces are everywhere, and canals and waterways crisscross its streets, recalling the city's seagoing roots.

The city is alive with such sites as Tivoli Gardens, one of the world's oldest pleasure parks; and Christiansborg Palace, home to the Danish Parliament and the Royal Theater. Fans of literature make a pilgrimage to the statue of The Little Mermaid, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairytale, while shoppers enjoy browsing the quaint boutiques along the famous Stroget, Copenhagen's renowned pedestrian district.

Optional Excursion to North Zeeland

Enjoy a scenic drive to Helsinor, one of the oldest towns in Denmark, and nearby Kronborg Castle, legendary home of Prince Hamlet. Your tour also includes views of Fredensborg Castle and an included visit to Frederiksborg Castle.

Day-by-Day

Accommodations

Lodging

Days Two and Three

Clarion Sign, Stockholm, Sweden

Day Four

Hotel Clarion Royal Christiania, Oslo, Norway

Day Five

Stalheim Hotel, Stalheim, Norway

Days Six and Seven

Augustin Hotel, Bergen, Norway

Days Eight and Nine

Scandic Copenhagen Hotel, Copenhagen, Denmark

Dates & Rates

Please note additional cost for flight between Bergen, Norway and Copenhagen, Denmark is $200 and will be booked through Mayflower Tours.

Call for air rates and schedules from your city to Stockholm, Sweden and from Copenhagen, Denmark

Destination Map