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Tour Code: ZQ
Tour Length: 10 days
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SCENIC NORWAY
Day 1 - (Fri.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight. Day 2 - Arrival in Oslo, Norway. (Sat.) Welcome to the land of fjords, lakes, and mountains, of thundering waterfalls and gleaming glaciers, of Viking tales and long summer days. You have arrived in one of the world's most beautiful countries, inhabited by hardy, friendly people with ready smiles. Today you may want to rest or start exploring lively Oslo. At 6 p.m. meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink hosted by your Tour Director. Day 3 - Oslo - Lillehammer. (Sun.) Motor north and, after a picture stop at Eidsvoll where the country's democratic constitution was signed in 1814, proceed along lovely Lake Mjøsa. Via the iceskating center of Hamar you reach Lillehammer, proud host of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Time here for lunch and a leisurely walk along Storgata. In the afternoon visit the unique MAIHAUGEN OPENAIR MUSEUM. A Local Guide explains the rich collection of ancient Gudbrandsdal farms, sod-roofed dwellings, workshops, tools, and weapons. (FB,D) Day 4 - Lillehammer - Loen. (Mon.) A spectacularly scenic day starts with a morning drive through the wide Gudbrandsdal Valley, the lush dairy and timber land of Ibsen's drama Peer Gynt. Shoot your pictures of the lonely stave church of Lom, then climb above the tree line to 5,000 feet, the culminating point on your itinerary. Admire the breathtaking panoramic view from the Dalsnibba lookout above Geirangerfjord. In the afternoon enjoy a one-hour CRUISE past the famous "Seven Sisters" cascade. Dock at Hellesylt and head south via Lake Hornindal to peaceful Loen. (FB,D) Day 5 - Loen'Stalheim. (Tue.) Follow the shoreline of the innermost branch of Nordfjord to Utvik, then cross the mountains to the serene Våtedalen Valley and pristine Lake Jølster. The mountain scenery gets more rugged as you approach the tunnel underneath Jostedalsbreen, Europe's largest glacier. Stop at the Brævasshytta to view one of the mighty tongues which radiate from the main glacier into the surrounding valleys. Next, visit Fjaerland's excellent NORWEGIAN GLACIER MUSEUM to satisfy your curiosity about one of nature's most impressive features and watch a thrilling five-screen film. In the afternoon, you're in for a real treat. Enjoy a two-hour CRUISE on spectacular Sognefjord. Land at Gudvangen and continue to Stalheim, high above the majestic Nærøydal Valley. (FB,D) Day 6 - Stalheim - Bergen. (Wed.) This morning, pass Tvindefoss Waterfall and see the popular lakeside resort of Voss before arriving in pretty Bergen. During your orientation tour hear about its 11th-century origins and its association with the Hanseatic League. Afternoon at leisure. Stroll through the colorful fish market and the narrow lanes of ancient Bryggen, and ride the funicular up to Mount Fløyen. (FB) Day 7 - Bergen - Telemark. (Thu.) Cross Hardangerfjord by FERRY from Kvanndal to Utne and drive through the orchards along Sørfjord, whose tranquil splendor inspired Grieg's Morning Mood. More scenic delights: thundering Låtefoss, the star among waterfalls, and the wild Hardangervidda mountain plateau where Fridtjof Nansen prepared for his polar expeditions. Along the northern shore of Lake Totak into rustic, unspoiled Telemark. (FB,D) Day 8 - Telemark - Oslo. (Fri.) Look forward to VEMORK, scene of the daring sabotage action celebrated in The Heroes of Telemark. Learn all about the dramatic events of 1943 from your Local Guide, and also gain an insight into the technology of hydroelectric power generation, one of the pillars of Norway's economy. Leave the narrow Rjukan Valley via Lake Tinnsjø, where saboteurs sank a ferry loaded with heavy water, dashing Nazi hopes of winning the race for the atomic bomb. Before returning to Oslo in the afternoon, admire HEDDAL STAVE CHURCH, the largest of the country's remaining medieval wooden churches. (FB) Day 9 - Oslo. (Sat.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the National Theater, Parliament, and the Royal Palace. Stroll through magnificent FROGNER PARK with Gustav Vigeland's 193 extraordinary bronze and granite sculptures and visit the modern CITY HALL. In the afternoon an optional excursion to see relics of Norway's glorious seafaring past is available. Tonight, celebrate the success of your journey with a farewell dinner at your hotel. (FB,D) Day 10 - (Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB) |
