Norway, Sweden & Denmark

Day 1:                                  New York - JFK/ Copenhagen, Denmark
Meet your tour manager and fellow travelers at New York’s JKF International Airport for your nonstop flight to Copenhagen, Denmark.  In-flight meal service 

Day 2:                                  Arrive Copenhagen, Denmark / Malmo, Sweden
Welcome to Denmark – ranked the Happiest Country on Earth!  Upon our morning arrival, we are greeted by our Swedish guide, who will be with us throughout Denmark and Sweden.  Board our luxury motorcoach and spend a bit of time in Copenhagen to see the Little Mermaid, a bronze statue created in 1913 by Edvard Eriksen, based on Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale. Next we Leave Denmark and journey to Malmӧ, Sweden, by crossing the Øresund Strait via the futuristic, nearly five mile long Øresund Bridge which merges into the two-and-a-half-mile underwater Drogden Tunnel.  Out at sea there are fields of wind turbines churning out clean energy.  Malmӧ is the third largest city in Sweden and has an urban population of about 300,000 inhabitants.  Our restaurant for lunch gives us a chance to try the famously delicious Swedish Meatballs. Next stretch your legs on a brief city tour, where we walk along their bustling pedestrian promenade, with cafes and restaurants spilling out into the streets, which are dotted with modern sculptures and lush flower arrangements.  The highlight in the background is the Turning Torso, a spectacular 54-story apartment skyscraper, designed by genius architect Santiago Calatrava to look like a human body in motion.  Overnight in the city center.  In-flight meal service, Lunch, Dinner 

Day 3:                                  Malmӧ, Sweden / Farm in Staffanstorp, Skåne, Sweden
Skåne (Scania County) is Sweden’s southernmost region and one of northern Europe´s primary agricultural areas with vast fields, lush forests, and lakes teeming with fish.  This area features an oceanic climate producing about 22 inches of annual precipitation along with cool summers and snowy winters.  Here we visit a grain farm near the town of Staffanstorp, northeast of Malmö.  Our farmer host is Emil Sällvik, who lived and worked for two years in the United States.  Emil invites us into his typical Scandinavian house and shows us his fertile fields and his shed full of farm equipment.  He joins us for lunch in a charming rural restaurant, the Staffantorps Gästis. Tonight there is time to explore Malmö on your own.  Meander along the waterfront or enjoy dinner in one of the many bars and restaurants in the city’s square, only steps from our hotel.  Breakfast, Lunch 

Day 4:                                  Malmӧ, Sweden / Copenhagen, Denmark
This morning we return across the Øresund Bridge to Copenhagen.  See the Christianborg Palace located on Castle Island, with its Folketinget (Parliament) and famous Royal Reception Rooms.  Next we head to Nyhavn (New Harbor) which is a 17th-century waterfront, canal and entertainment district. Take in views of the brightly colored townhouses, bars, and cafes lining the streets as our boat cruises through the canals. Learn fun facts about the area as our guide points out interesting sights. After free time for lunch, we visit Our Savior’s Church, with its iconic corkscrew spire and massive organ supported by two impressive stucco elephants. We see the guards outside Amalienborg, home of the Danish royal family and stop to admire the Gefion Fountain.  Tonight enjoy dinner at the hotel.  Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 5:                                  Copenhagen / Aarhus, Denmark
Departing Copenhagen we cross one of the world’s largest suspension bridges, the Storabelt or Big Belt Bridge, constructed in 1988-1998 at a cost over $1 billion dollars.  In Odense, we visit a museum dedicated to the famous storybook author, Hans Christian Andersen. Free time for lunch and to enjoy this charming little town on foot.  Continuing on, we cross another waterway onto Jutland.  The topography now changes to rolling hills.  Barley, oats and wheat are grown in this area with many windmills dotting the landscape.  Denmark is the world leader in wind power technology and in 2018 they produced a whopping 43 percent of their electricity with wind power.  In Aarhus we visit an Open-Air Museum, Den Gamle By, which presents a living picture of Denmark’s bygone era.  These authentic buildings depict Danish life in a variety of time periods, including pre 1900s, 1920s and 1970s.  Stroll down the lanes between these 75 houses, which were relocated here from all over Denmark.  Explore the fully furnished homes, have a chat with the “locals”, or stop at the bakery for a piece of cake made from a traditional recipe.  Dinner and overnight in Aarhus. Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 6:                                  Aarhus, Denmark / Uddevalla, Sweden
Today’s journey takes us through an area where Christmas trees are grown for export.  Also notice the many potato fields.  Aquavit, the famous Scandinavian hard liquor that is always chased by a beer, is distilled here from local potatoes.  In Frederikshavn we board a ferry across the Kattegat to Gӧteborg, Sweden, the location of Scandinavia’s largest harbor.  The world’s largest shipping companies maintain offices here.  Vast parts of Sweden are covered in forests and about half of the landscape is rolling farmland.  The Volvo and Saab automobiles are manufactured here, with shipyards and many iron mines adding greatly to Sweden’s economy.  We continue north about an hour to the small town of Uddevalla, with its population of just over 30,000. After dinner you may want to take a stroll on the boardwalk along the large lake next door. Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 7:                                  Uddevalla, Sweden / Farm / Oslo, Norway
Continuing north, we journey along the Swedish coastline to Oslo where we cross Norway’s longest and largest river, the Glomma, and travel through a number of tunnels and along the Oslofjord.  South of Oslo we visit a grain farm.  We are welcomed into his charming home and tour around the fields. Late afternoon we arrive in Oslo, Norway’s capital and known to be one of the most expensive cities in the world, which is also the region’s oldest community dating back to 1000 A.D.  The city has burned down several times, only to be rebuilt again and again.  Breakfast, Lunch, Light Dinner

Day 8:                                  Oslo
See the famous sites of Oslo, including the old American Embassy, Akershus Fortress, the Royal Palace and the Nobel Peace Prize Building.  Explore the waterfront, Bygdoy, and the famous Vigeland Sculpture Park, depicting the cycle of human life, carved in large pieces of stone.  Inside visits are included at the Viking Ships Museum, with its three seaworthy 9th century Viking ships, and the Kon Tiki Rafts Museum, where you see original rafts built and sailed by Thor Heyerdahl from Peru to Polynesia in 1947.  You will be intrigued by the stories of these people braving the high seas for months on primitive bamboo rafts.  At the Fram Museum we see an icebreaker ship used for Arctic Expeditions by Fridjof Nansen in 1893 and by Roald Amundsen in 1910.  People always really enjoy these interesting museums.  Breakfast, Light Dinner 

Day 9:                                  Oslo / Lillehammer/ Otta
This morning we depart for Lillehammer, the site of the 1994 Winter Olympics, located in the Trondelag of Norway, meaning “mid-Norway region.”  Pure water, fresh air, and warm summer nights make this area the perfect paradise.  Ride to the lofty top of this monstrous ski jump for a wonderful view of Lillehammer and its picturesque setting (pending ski lift is operating.)  Visit the quaint shops and find a bite to eat in this charming little town.  Later we continue northeast through lovely scenery until we near Jotunheimen National Park, where we stay the night in a historical mountain hotel tucked in the mountains.  The buildings are over a century old and still maintain sod roofs, but have been modernized for your comfort.  Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 10:                                  Otta / Geirangerfjord / Loen, Norway
En route to the Geirangerfjord we pass through awe inspiring landscapes.  Drive up the Dalsnibba Mountain range and descend on a breathtaking switchback road to the picturesque village of Geiranger, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most popular spot in Norway.  Have your cameras ready!!  The magnificent Geirangerfjord is surrounded by steep, jagged snow-covered mountain peaks from which thundering waterfalls plunge into the crystal-clear waters of the fjord.  Here we take a ferry to Hellesylt and continue on to the tiny village of Loen.  Dine and overnight at the Hotel Alexandra situated at the end of the Nordfjord.  The views are almost as spectacular as the sprawling buffet!  Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 11:                                  Loen / Vossestrand, Norway
Leaving Loen we drive first to Skei, where shopping opportunities await us at the Audhild Viken’s Weaving Workshop. We proceed to see one of Norway’s natural Glaciers in Fjaerland, before continuing to Sogndal and along the Sogne Fjord to Hella, where we ferry across the mighty Sognefjord to Vangsnes.  Visit the Hopperstad Stave Church, a medieval wooden Christian church that may be shrouded in myth, but it is nonetheless reckoned to be one of the oldest of the stave churches, probably dating from around 1140.  Traveling craftsmen with experience and expertise transformed the timber into the building’s constituent parts, perhaps as many as 2,000 separate pieces.  Tonight we stay in a quaint mountain hotel.  Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 12:                                  Vossestrand / Flam / Bergen, Norway
“All aboard” the Flam Railway for travel from Voss to Myrdal.  Named one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, you are sure to catch views of stunning Norwegian landscapes.  We make a train connection and continue to the village of Flam, nestled in the innermost part of the Aurlandsfjord.  Enjoy time for lunch and visiting the Flam Railway Museum before boarding our ferry to Gudvangen.  Relax on this picturesque cruise through the impressive Aurlandsfjord and to the end of the Næroyfjord, where the village of Gudvangen is located.  Continue west to Bergen, for two nights.  Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13:                                  Bergen, Norway
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with about a quarter million people endeavoring in the fishing, oil, and gas industries from the North Sea.  This makes for a thriving economy and little unemployment.  Our guide shows us the most prominent sights of Bergen including the famous waterfront with its fish and flower market, the Old Bridge, and St. Mary’s Church, built in 1170 with its Baroque lectern and life-size statues of the twelve disciples.  Tonight we enjoy a special farewell dinner at the Øvre-Eide Farm situated at beautiful Jordal Lake.  You will love a tour around this unique place and the special food grown and cultivated right here on their farm.  Discuss farming practices in Norway, especially the government subsidies.  People are always surprised to learn about the support offered to the Norwegian farmer.  Pose for a picture with our hosts who are dressed in their traditional Norwegian costumes and relish the calm atmosphere of this serene place.  Enjoy the company of your new found friends on this last evening, reminisce about the places you have been, the majestic scenery you have seen, and the many new things you have learned!  Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 14:                                  Bergen, Norway / USA
This morning we say farewell to beautiful Norway as we board our flight to the USA.  Connect with your domestic flight home.  Breakfast, In-flight meal service 

Rupiper Tours reserves the right to make minor adjustments to the itinerary if necessary