YOUR TOUR INCLUDES: Touring and services on an exclusive basis by private 53 seat A/C motorcoach. Roundtrip airfare from Denver (economy class). Porterage for one piece of luggage at airports, hotels, and on train (except in restricted areas). Welcome and assistance upon arrival. All airport transfers. Accommodations in First Class Hotels. All rooms with private facilities. Daily enhanced continental breakfast. Meals specified in itinerary. Touring and sightseeing as specified in itinerary. Professional English-speaking Tour Manager/Director as specified.

YOUR TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE: Passport and visa fees. No visas required for U.S. citizens on this tour. Items of a purely personal nature such as: extra beverages with meals, room service, telephone calls, personal expenses, etc. Meals not specified in itinerary. Airport taxes, facility and security fees (PFC’s) as presently levied. Travel Insurance – including trip cancellation and interruption – Highly Recommended

DAY 01 MAY 19 FRI
DEPART FROM THE UNITED STATES
Depart Denver by overnight flight to USA for Stockholm.

DAY 02 MAY 20 SAT
ARRIVAL STOCKHOLM (D)
On arrival at Arlanda Airport in Stockholm, you will be met by your tour director and transferred by private motorcoach to your hotel The rest of the day is free in Stockholm, Sweden's old capital. The city has been called by some the most beautiful city in the world. This is, of course, open to debate, but few will deny that it is a handsome and civilized capital with a natural setting that would be hard to beat anywhere. Of course it's been called the "Venice of the North."
Dinner and overnight at HOTEL SCANDIC CONTINENTAL

DAY 03 MAY 21 SUN
IN STOCKHOLM (B)
A city tour this morning will introduce you to the sights of Sweden's capital, situated on fourteen islands. Included in your tour are an inside visit to the famous City Hall, with its elegant Golden Hall, site of the Nobel Prize Banquet, a visit to the Old Town with its cobble-stone streets and medieval buildings, and the 13th-century Cathedral. Then, take a short walk past the Royal Palace and the Stock Exchange before rejoining the coach to go to the Southern Island where you have a splendid view over the city and the harbor. Next, proceed to the park island of Djurgaarden, an area that was formerly a royal hunting preserve. Djurgaarden is today the most sought-after location in Stockholm. Visit the unique Vasa Ship Museum with the fascinating warship, Vasa, built in 1628. It sank in Stockholm harbor on its maiden voyage and was raised in 1961 with a wealth of stores, guns, fittings, and sculptures. Now restored, it gives a remarkably complete view of naval life in the early 17th century.

The tour will end at your hotel. The rest of the day is free to wander and explore on your own. Laced with canals and bridges, unique in its blend of tradition and innovation, Stockholm has a charm and sophistication all its own. Some of Scandinavia's finest museums are found here.
Overnight at your hotel. HOTEL SCANDIC CONTINENTAL

DAY 04 MAY 22 MON
STOCKHOLM/NIGHT TRAIN/GAELLIVARE (B,D)
Most of this day is free in Stockholm to continue your explorations and, perhaps, to do some shopping. The first shopping stop should be at Nordiska Kompaniet, known as the NK Department Store, Stockholm's finest department store. It has a superb collection of international and Swedish products chosen for the highly selective shopper. Their gift shop, the "Very Swedish Shop", has items that could be your best souvenirs. Just across the street from NK are two big shopping malls, the PK House and the Gallerian, Stockholm's longest covered street. You will find most things inGallerian - exciting toys, glittering jewelry, antiques and much, much more. For lunch you may choose to select your favorite dishes at one of the restaurants in the Gallerian. Close to Gallerian is Aahlens City, another large department store.

This afternoon travel through the suburbs of Stockholm along the shores of Lake Malaren to the Royal Palace of Drottningholm, the present residence of the Royal Family. Dating from the mid-17th century, this palace has magnificent interiors, art and Gobelin tapestries. Afterwards, take a walk through the English and French gardens. Our tour will end the rail station where we will depart at 5:30pm on the overnight express train. (Please see note at bottom of Tour Conditions following itinerary for information on train berths.)

Cold Dinner will be served on board in the restaurant car.
Heading north, the train will make short stops in the towns of Uppsala, Gaevle and Aange.
Overnight on board TRAIN TO GAELLIVARE

DAY 05 MAY 23 TUE
GAELLIVARE/KARASJOK (B,D)
Breakfast plate served in the restaurant car this morning.
Your train will make a 20 minute morning stop in the town of Boden. Continue your ride northwards, and before arrival in Gaellivare you pass the Arctic Circle!

9:36am. Arrive in the town of Gaellivare (pop. 25,000) the center of a mining region with ore reserves estimated at 400 million tons (with an iron content of 60-70%). The principal mine is Malmberget, about 4 miles out of town. The nearby Ailik Mine is Sweden's largest producer of gold. Silver and copper are also mined here. Depart directly from the rail station by private motorcoach and continue northward to Karesuando. En route, drive across the Muoino River, the borderline between Sweden and Finland, to Karesuvanto in Finland.

Our drive continues through Finnish Lapland to Enontekio, an important reindeer herding region which has been inhabited by Sami from time immemorial. Proceed further across the Finnish-Norwegian border and through Norwegian Lapland to the Lapp village of Kautokeino, Norway's largest and most sparsely populated municipality. This scenic region of low ridges, wide river valleys and endless fishing waters is one of the most important centers of Lapp culture. The traditional trade of the municipality is reindeer herding. The Northern Lapp Institute, the Lapp Educational Council and the Lapp Technical School are all located here. Here you can shop for some fine wooden handicrafts and exquisite jewelry.

Continue your drive across the barren Finnmarksvidda Mountain Plateau to the Lapp village of Karasjok. The municipality of Karasjok is Norway's second largest in size, but with only 2900 inhabitants. In addition to the Sami population, Karasjok has a Finnish and a Norwegian population as well. The main occupations are reindeer herding, agriculture and hunting/fishing. The people also have a long and rich tradition in many different handicrafts. Much effort has been put into the establishing of new industries.
Dinner and overnight at HOTEL RICA KARASJOK

DAY 06 MAY 24 WED
IN KARASJOK (B,D)
You will have today to explore more of Karasjok and to learn more about the Sami Culture.
This morning we will make a visit to The Sami Collections, an Open Air Museum, for a guided tour .
Later we visit the Old Karasjok Church from 1807, the oldest building in the whole county of Finnmark We learn more about art and handicraft with visits to the Sami Artist’s Center and to Stroemseng Knifesmith. The Stroemseng Family has made Sami knives for four generations.

After lunch on your own, visit the Samiland Center, Sapmi, built in typical Sami architecture where you will find a number of local artists including silversmith, knife smith, textile designer, stone polisher's workshop and other handicrafts. You can also see a new multimedia show and do gold panning.

This evening enjoy a typical Sami Dinner in a modern version of "goahti" or "gamme" (a turf hut) where you will sit on reindeer skins around an open fire.

DAY 07 MAY 25 THU
KARASJOK/KIRKENES/DEPART COASTAL STEAMER (B,L,D)
This morning we continue to drive across the barren Finnmarksvidda Mountain Plateau and follow the banks of the Tana River to travel along the Norwegian-Finnish border. The chief source of income in this area is fishing, hunting and reindeer herding. We arrive at the village of Tana where we will drive across the Tana River, perhaps the best salmon river in Norway. Our drive continues along the Varanger Fjord to Kirkenes, a modern industrial town above the Arctic Circle located at the border to Russia. This mining town was rebuilt after excessive damages from World War II. Today it remains a major source of iron ore for Norwegian industry.

This afternoon you begin a journey which will live in your memory as one of the travel highlights of a lifetime! At 12:45pm you depart from Kirkenes onboard one of the Millenium ships, the M/S “Midnatsol”. This new generation of the coastal fleet, boasts modern cabins, large lounges including a 300 seating top deck panorama lounge and, of course, an excellent restaurant and bars. (Please see Reservation Form attached for cabin upgrade information.) Lunch will be served after departure from Kirkenes.

This afternoon you will sail on Varanger Fjord and pass the town of Vadsoe with a population of 6000. The town is the administrative center of the county of Finnmark and a busy port, shipping fish and fish products. The ship continues along the wild and barren Norwegian Arctic coastline.

4:00pm. Arrive in the town of Vardoe, (pop.3000), located on an island and connected to the mainland by Norway's first underwater tunnel which was opened in 1982. This tunnel is nearly 2 miles long. Vardoe is Norway's easternmost town and the only one situated in the Arctic climate zone. In the beginning of the 1900's, Vardo was Norway's largest fishing station, with significant trade with Northern Russia. During World War II most of the town was laid in ruins, but was rebuilt as a typically Norwegian fishing village.

During the one hour stop in Vardoe you might like to see the Vardohus Fort which was built to prevent Russian raids of Northern Norway. In the center of the town you will also be shown Vardo's only tree, a Rowan, which is the pride of the town. To protect the tree from the bitter cold, the villagers construct a house around it every winter.

5:00pm. Sail from Vardoe further along Norway's Coastline on the Arctic Ocean.
Enjoy dinner on board.

8:30pm Make a brief port of call in the fishing village of Baatsfjord.
During the night your ship will make brief port of calls in fishing villages like Berlevaag, Mehamn and Kjoellefjord.

DAY 08 MAY 26 FRI
ON BOARD (B,L,D)
All meals on board. Today your ship will call at Honningsvag, Havoysund and Hammerfest.
5:45am Arrive in Honningsvaag, a small fishing port on the island of Mageroy. The island is considered to be the most northerly outpost of Europe. Honningsvaag is called the "Gateway to North Cape".

Today we can offer a 6 ½-hour optional excursion to North Cape and Hammerfest: ($120 est. cost p.p.)
This morning leave Honningsvaag by private motorcoach for a morning excursion to North Cape. Drive across the Arctic Mageroy Island to North Cape, a 1000 ft cliff falling into the Arctic Ocean, which symbolizes the last outpost of the European continent.

Enjoy breakfast at new North Cape Hall overlooking the Arctic Ocean.
After breakfast return to Honningsvaag and sail by ferry to Kaafjord. Drive along the shores of the Porsanger Fjord and through the Olderfjord Valley to Skaidi, and further along the Reppar Fjord and across the Kvalsund Bridge to Kvaloy Island. Drive to Hammerfest (pop. 7500), the world's northernmost town. The town has been an important trading center for over 200 years. During World War II, the Germans used Hammerfest as a naval base. In October 1944, the Germans evacuated all the inhabitants and razed the town to the ground. Today the town is one of Norway's most important fishing harbors.

12:45pm. Rejoin the ship and sail from Hammerfest further southwards with ports of call at Oeksfjord and Skjervoy.

11:45pm Arrive at the town of Tromsoe, the "Capital of the Arctic" (pop 46,000) founded in 1250 as a trading and fish export center. Today it is often called the "Paris of the North". The downtown area with its wooden buildings and bustling life in summer, makes it a very attractive and colorful city. Tromsoe is also the home of the world's northernmost university with over 14,000 students.

You will have time to explore Tromsoe on your own at midnight. Remember that the Midnight sun is visible until July 24 in Tromsoe. Return to your ship for the 1:30am departure from Tromsoe and continue your cruise.
Overnight on board.

DAY 09 MAY 27 SAT
ON BOARD (B,L,D)
All meals on board. Today your ship will call at Harstad, Risoyhamn, Sortland, Stokmarknes, Svolvaer, Stamsund and just after midnight at Bodoe.

8:00am arrival in Harstad (22,000 inhabitants), a modern industrial and cultural center of the region.
Harstad has North Norway's largest dairy and meat processing factories. The harbor is alive with the activity of foreign trawlers and supply vessels for the new oil rigs in the North Atlantic.
Harstad arranges a popular annual North Norway Music Festival in July.

We can today offer the following 4 ½ hour optional excursion: ($60 est. cost.)
Depart directly from the pier by private motorcoach for a brief city tour of Harstad. Then proceed to the old Gothic Trondenes Church dating back to 1250, one of Norway's oldest stave churches.
After the visit continue along the shores of Kvae Fjord to Refsnes .Sail by a modern ferry across the Gulles Fjord. Coffee and cakes will be served onboard. Disembark in Flesnes and drive past the center of Sigerfjord and the across the 3000 ft long Sortland Bridge to the small town of Sortland (pop. 4000). Enjoy a short orientation tour of Sorland before you rejoin your ship.

Continue your sailing through the Toppsund Sound before heading across the Andes Fjord and through the narrow Risoysund Sound. To sail past the Vaesteraalen and Lofoten Islands is a dramatic adventure. High, rugged mountains form the backdrop for colorful fishing villages and pleasant beaches. There will be a port of call at the town of Stokmarknes on the island of Langoy before your ship heads into the Raftsund Sound, 5 miles long, connecting the Vesteraalen Islands with Lofoten. On the west side of the sound you will sail into the narrow, rocky opening that gives access to the wild and famous Troll Fjord. Behind the Troll Fjord you can see the snow-covered Higravtinder (3908 ft) and the jagged Trolltindan (3429 ft) rising above the Trollfjordvatn, a mountain lake 2 miles long that are almost always frozen. Sail along the wildest part of the Lofoten Wall. Make a short stop in Svolvaer, the capital of Lofoten. This evening we can offer the following optional excursion:

Leave Svolvaer by private motorcoach for a short drive to Henningsvaer, one of the largest fishing villages. It is often referred to as the "Venice of Lofoten". Henningsvaer is built across a number of smaller islands. The village is connected by a protective breakwater which provides a fine harbor. In the olden days when the fishing fleet was gathered it was possible to walk from deck to deck from one side of the harbor to the other. Visit the gallery of one of Norway's most famous living artists. .See Karl Erik Harr's paintings portraying ocean scenes. A special slide show has also been arranged. Then continue through the impressive Lofoten landscape to the fishing village of Stamsund where you will board your ship again.

7:30pm Sail from Svolvaer and sail along the Lofotveggen (the Lofoten Island Wall). At a distance the Lofoten Islands appear to be a continuous jagged wall rising right up from the sea. The average elevation of the mountain chain is 750 meters (3300 ft). The Lofoten Islands do not consist of mountains alone. A varied landscape includes skerries, beaches, narrow valleys, fishing ports and agricultural villages all located in the same area. Enjoy this impressive cruise on The Coastal Steamer. Arrive in Stamsund, one of the principal fishing villages in the Lofoten Islands which has been built up around the family business of J. M. Johansen. Stamsund is the home port of many of the Lofoten trawler fleets.

9:30pm. Sail from Stamsund across the Vest Fjord. The annual Lofoten fishing at the Vest Fjord is called the worlds largest cod fishing event. During the peak year of 1947 over 20,000 fishermen participated and caught a total of 300 million pounds of fish. You will enjoy this midnight sun cruise.

1:30am. Arrive in Bodoe (population 32,000), an important port and town for the county of Nordland.

4:00am Depart Bodoe.
Overnight on board.

DAY 10 MAY 28 SUN
ON BOARD (B,L,D)
All meals on board. Today your ship will call at Oernes, Nesna, Sandnessjoen, Broennoysund and Roervik. Continue your scenic coastal voyage between Bodoe and Helgeland. Cruise past countless islands and skerries protecting the Helgeland coast against the assaults of the ocean. On the islands you will find tiny isolated communities of tenant farmers, birds perched undisturbed on jagged rocky cliffs and schools of fish swimming in crystal-clear waters. This sparsely populated area gives one a sense of exploring unchartered waters, yet, along this coastline has been found the oldest human settlement in Norway and new finds are constantly being made. Among the men who shaped the course of Norway's history and who lived in this area are the Vikings Oyvind the Scald, Haarek of Tjoetta, Asbjoern Selsbane and the poet Parson Petter Dass. Sail along the unique scenic coastline of Helgeland.

At Mel Fjord you will cross the Arctic Circle. Here you will also see the Hestmannen (Horseman's Peak), a mountain famous in local fairy tales. Your ship will call at scenic town of Sandnessjoen (pop. 7,500), overlooking the Seven Sisters Mountain Peaks. Sail further past the Alstahaug Parsonage. Here lived the poet, Parson Petter Dass (1647-1708), whose poems still echo with a graceful ring. From a distance you can see the Alstahaug Church, which dates from the 11th century.

You will also sail past the War Memorial Churchyard dedicated to the memory of more than ten thousand East European prisoners killed during World War II. Buried here are over one thousand of the 2,578 men killed when the German prison ship Rigel sank, one of the largest such tragedies in history (1,508 lives were lost when the Titanic sunk). From your coastal cruiser you can see the island of Tjoetta, renowned in Viking history. It was the home of Haarek, one of the men who slew the great King Olav.

5:00pm. Your ship will make a short call at the town of Broennoysund (population 3,000). Then sail past the Torghatten Island (the Market Hat), an incredible cliff shaped as a hat with a large hole through it. In the evening sail across the border between the Nordland and Nord Trondelag Counties.

9:30pm. Make a call at Roervik, a modern fishing town.
Overnight on board.

DAY 11 MAY 29 MON
ON BOARD (B,L,D)
6:30am. Arrive in Trondheim, the natural metropolis of mid Norway. The city still maintains a unique status, being the location of the national shrine, Nidaros Cathedral, as well as the Govenor's Palace, Stiftsgarden. The city is a pulsating center and one of nature's gems. Situated on the fjord, it is surrounded by forested hills, while the Nid River with its bridges and harbors penetrates the central areas of the city. Trondheim has a long history of tradition stemming from the Viking period.

Optional 2-hour morning tour of Trondheim including Nidaros Cathedral, the largest in Norway. This Cathedral was built on the site where King Olav the Saint was buried in 1030. Before returning to your ship you will have a view over Trondheim from the "Utsikten" view point. ($35 est. cost)

10:00am. Depart Trondheim and sail past the 17th century Munkholmen Fortress. The fjord narrows as you sail past Stadsbygd. You will sail past Reinskloster Monestary at Rissa. In her novel, Kristin Lavransdatter, Sigrid Unset describes the life of the nuns at the convent. Lady Inger of Austraat was patroness of the convent in the early 16th century. Sail past the 17th century Austraat Castle.

To the west of Austraat lies Oerlandet with its rich farmland. At the tip of Oerlandet, the Norwegian Air Force has established a major airbase. At the mouth of the Trondheims Fjord, you will see Agdenes Fortress which was occupied by German naval forces in 1940.

Make your way between the island and the mainland of Hitra. The interior of the area is low, marshy and sparsely populated. Fishing communities are scattered along the coast. In the late 1970's the breeding of salmon and sea trout have became an important source of income to the islands of Hitra and Froya. Sail past the flat landscape of the island of Smoela with its highest point, only 200 feet. To the east you will see the contrasting shapes of the islands of Tustna and Stabben rising nearly 3000 feet above sea level. Cast a glance out at the open sea and observe the Grip lighthouse whose beams light up reefs and islands with such strange sounding names as "The Devil", "the Killer" and "the Priest". The tiny community of Grip consisted of approximately 100 people in weather-beaten houses surrounding a tarred stave church. Occasionally waves have swept over the island and in 1640 and 1820 only the church was left standing. In 1974 the last inhabitants vacated this small desolate community.

Lunch onboard ship.

5:00pm. Arrive in Kristiansund (pop 18,000), beautifully situated facing the open sea. In 1691 the Dutchman Jappe Ippes settled in Lille Fosen and set up the clip fish industry. The industry flourished after the first year and soon merchants from Scotland and England began to settle down in the new town. Today countless ships make their way to the Mediterranean with their treasured "bacalao". Kristiansund developed into a charming little town with picturesque wooden houses and narrow twisting alleys. In 1940 the town was bombed and over 700 homes were destroyed by fire. Most of the old wooden buildings disappeared but were replaced by new ones which have faithfully preserved the character of the town.

Kristiansund is built on three islands, Kirkelandet, Innlandet and Nordlandet. Bridges link the islands together but local launches still buzz around the harbor as "street cars" and give the town its unique charm. After a short call in Kristiansund continue your journey by the coastal steamer across the Hustadvika. This passage calls for careful navigation as the belt of reefs and islands is only 2 miles wide and frequently the channel runs within a stone's throw of the breakers.

Pass Hustad which is mentioned in the Sagas as the royal manor where King Oystein died in 1122. Continue past the fishing village of Bud and through the Julsundet Sound before turning into the Molde Fjord.

9:30pm. Arrive in Molde. Protected against northerly and westerly winds, Molde lies at the foot of the hills facing a fjord which opens out to a magnificent panorama of 87 snow-capped peaks. The city is often called the "City of Roses" because of the wide variety of flowers and plants which generally flourish in much warmer climates. Molde (pop. 21,000) was founded in 1742. In 1940, two-thirds of the town was destroyed by German bombers. Today Molde is an important administrative center for the county and a bustling town with diversified industries.

Midnight call at Aalesund, a typical seaport, surrounded as it is by ocean and harbors on almost every hand. The sound (sund) that gives Aalesund its name thrusts its way into the heart of the town, making boats and sea an intergral part of the scenery. Aalesund was founded in 1848 and has today a population of about 35,000. The town was razed by fire in 1904 and was rebuilt in the contemporary Jugendstil, a style of architecture which gives the center of town a highly distinctive appearance.

0:45am. Sail from Aalesund.
Overnight on board.

DAY 12 MAY 30 TUE
ARRIVE BERGEN (B,L)
This morning the ship will call at the coastal towns of Maaloy and Floroe.

2:30pm. Arrive in the old Hanseatic town of Bergen. Assistance at pier and depart directly from the pier by private motorcoach and local English speaking city guide for a 3-hour city tour of Bergen. First drive past Bergen's colorful Fish and Flower Market and continue along that world-famous monument to medieval life and trade, the old warehouses of the Hanseatic period in the 14th and 15th centuries, today called Bryggen or The Quay. The old wooden warehouses, long and narrow, jammed so closely against each other that air and daylight can enter only through tiny slits, are both the acme of picturesqueness and a working model of life in bygone times. They are still used for storage and offices, and you will also find here a number of stores and art and craft centers.

Then drive past the Haakonshallen, the medieval Viking Hall built in 1261 as a royal ceremony hall for the crowning of King Magnus. The Hall is still used today for many royal ceremonies and special occasions. Drive past the St. Mary's Church, the oldest building in Bergen, originally built in the Romanesque style of the early 12th Century. It was extended in the Gothic style in the 14th Century and is famous for its Baroque pulpit.

Finally, visit Troldhaugen, the home of the world known composer Edvard Grieg, which now has become a museum. The home is located at Hop, five miles from Bergen and is situated in beautiful surroundings overlooking the Nordaas Lake. Grieg composed many of his best-known works here, and he and his wife are buried here. Grieg's studio, his piano, and his notes, are all to be seen. The tour will end at your hotel.
Dinner on your own tonight.

Overnight at HOTEL FIRST MARIN

DAY 13 MAY 31 WED
IN BERGEN (B)
The day is free in Bergen. You will visit during the yearly Bergen International Festival. In 2006 it is 100 year’s since the famous writer Henrik Ibsen’s death and a number of Ibsen’s productions will be performed. Tickets to the different events can be pre-booked.
Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 14 JUNE 01 THU
BERGEN/ULVIK (B,D)
Leave Bergen in the morning by your private motorcoach and drive along the shores of the beautiful Soer Fjord and along the Vosso River, one of the finest salmon rivers in Norway. Make a brief stop in the small village of Evanger. The first Norwegian-American Senator, Knute Nelson was born in Evanger in 1809. His statue proudly stands in the village

We continue further along the Vangsvatnet Lake to the resort town of Voss, the commercial center of the Hardanger region and the birthplace of Knute Rockne, the famous Notre Dame coach.

Leave Voss and continue past the scenic Tvindefoss Waterfall and along Lake Oppheim to Stalheim. Then descend the hairpin curves of the famous Stalheim Canyon Road and through the Naeroydal Valley with rainbow-dancing waterfalls and sugerloaf mountains to Gudvangen.

Sail from Gudvangen on a modern ferry on the impressive Naeroy Fjord. Sail for a more than 2 hour cruise on Naeroy fjord and further into the Aurland Fjord, both arms of the Sogne Fjord,the longest and deepest in the world.

Sail past cascading waterfalls, isolated hamlets, and steep mountain sides, a photographer's dream.
Arrive in the small fjord village of Flaam.
Time for lunch on your own in Flaam.

Depart on the world famous Flaam Railway ascending more than 2900 feet in less than one hour. Enjoy the breathtaking view over the Flaam Valley and the thundering sound of waterfalls as you pass by. Change train at Myrdal Station.

Depart Myrdal by express train on the scenic Bergen Railway back to Voss. Continue from Voss with your motorcoach past the Skjervefossen Waterfall and further to the charming fjord village of Ulvik, one of the most famous of the fjord resorts in the Hardanger Fjord area. The village nestles at the head of its own little fjord with terraced farms climbing the steep hills. Wolves, or "ulv" in Norwegian, used to roam this area, hence the name Ulvik. You are in the heart of Norway’s best fruit growing district. The Cistercian monks were the first to exploit the mild summer climate for fruit growing in Hardanger - probably as early as the 12th century. One of our century's apple growers was Olav H. Hauge, one of Norway's foremost modern poets. Check-in at your first class fjord hotel that has welcomed visitors to Ulvik for more than 140 years. The hotel is located in a garden right on the shores of the Ulvik Fjord, a side fjord of the Hardanger Fjord, Norway’s second largest fjord.
Buffet dinner and overnight at HOTEL RICA BRAKANES

DAY 15 JUNE 02 FRI
IN ULVIK (B,D)
This morning perhaps take an optional tour by seaplane above the Folgefonn glacier.
In the late morning meet your local Ulvik guides for a tour of Ulvik and the surroundings. Ulvik is in the heart of a rich cultural landscape, which is best explored by foot. First, visit the Ulvik wooden Church with its rich decorations and pulpit from the 16th century. Then proceed on your guided walk of Ulvik that has long traditions in handicraft. Visit the Vevstua” (The loom center) and see the production of hand-woven- tapestries, rugs and other articles. Then visit “ Husflidstova” the craft center in Ulvik where local producers of arts and crafts can sell their works. Then, visit the Brakanestunet Center for art and see paintings by local artists.

This afternoon drive to Osa, a small hamlet situated 6 miles from the center of Ulvik which can be reached either by bus or by boat. Even though it has only 27 inhabitants, Osa can offer a whole range of interesting things to see and do, in a most striking scenery. Our first visit is to the Hjadlane Gallery for contemporary art where we will meet the artists Lars Polden and his wife. After this visit proceed to the unique Stream Nest, a sculpture originally created for the Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, which was later brought here by the Sandøy family. The Sandøy family also started up Osa Mineral Water, where they bottle what has been documented to be the cleanest water in Europe. They now export water to many part of the world including the USA.

Then make a stop at a traditional Hakestad fruit farm and meet the owner Tor Hellesnes who will give you an introduction to present day life on a farm and the production of apple-cider. A taste will be served as well. Return to your hotel. Buffet dinner and overnight.

DAY 16 JUNE 03 SAT
ULVIK/OSLO (B,D)
This morning drive to Bruravik and sail by ferry across the Eidfjord to Brimnes.and drive further to the fjord village of Eidfjord.

We ascend through tunnels, along almost vertical rock faces and hairpin curves of the Maaboedalen Canyon Road and make a stop at Fossli. From here there is a magnificent view of the Voeringfoss Waterfall, where the Bjoreia River plunges vertically 600 ft. into a narrow rock basin filled with a dense mass of spray and a marvelous play of colors cascades into the gorge below. Voeringsfossen Waterfall is one of Europe's largest. Drive along the Bjoreia River and drive across the wild and barren Hardangervidda, a mountain plateau of 2900 sq. miles lying at a height of between 3300 and 4600 ft. With its many lakes and a meager covering of pasture, it provides grazing for large herds of reindeer. There are also about one hundred hill dairy farms in the region. The scenery of Hardangervidda, above the tree line, is barren and desolate but very impressive. Proceed to the well-known resort center at Geilo.

Leave Geilo and continue further through the farm-dotted Hallingdal landscape with lakes, silvery rivers and ancient farms on sloping hillsides.

Continue past villages like Gol and Nesbyen and along the Hallindalselva River in the Hallingdal Valley and glittering Lake Kroederen to the town of Hoenefoss. Then we take a short drive to Norway's largest glassworks, the Hadeland Glassworks, established in 1762. First, visit the Glass Hut where you will see skilled craftsmen transform molten glass into works of art. We also suggest a visit to the Glass Museum with its historical collection of over 600 pieces of glass artifacts. Here you will have the opportunity to shop for a wide variety of glass items at bargain prices.

Continue along the shores of beautiful Tyri Fjord Lake before you ascend the Sollihoegda Mountain Pass and further past the center of Sandvika to Oslo, Norway's old capital.
Dinner and overnight at HOTEL BRISTOL

DAY 17 JUNE 04 SUN
IN OSLO (B,D)
This morning leave your hotel by private motorcoach and a professional city guide for a 3-hour city tour of Oslo. The first stop is Frogner Park with its Vigeland Sculpture Park where 175 sculptures are arranged over 75 acres. These granite sculptures depict all phases of human life.

Then ascend the Holmenkollen hills to the famous the Holmenkollen Ski Jump. The view over Oslo and the Oslo Fjord is a delight. You will also drive past the Royal Palace and through Oslo's main street, Karl Johan, with the Parliament, the medieval fortress of Akershus and the busy port to the City Hall. Oslo's richly decorated "Raadhuset" was finished in 1950 and Norway's leading artists all contributed to what was an avant garde thrill in its day. The tour ends at your hotel.

The rest of the afternoon is free. Perhaps take a harbor cruise, experience the Resistance Museum where history comes alive or visit Munch Museum housing the collection of Norway's most famous artists. Take a stroll along the main street, Karl Johan, and enjoy the beauty of the "Studenterlunden" in the center of town, nestled between the National Theater and the "Storting", Norway's Parliament. Take a short walk to the Royal Palace or ride on the clean, modern subways. There's so much to see and do in this lively city.
This evening we will go to a local restaurant for our Farewell Dinner.
Overnight at HOTEL BRISTOL

DAY 18 JUNE 05 MON
DEPART OSLO (B)
After breakfast your private coach will arrive to transfer you to the Gardermoen International Airport for the return flight to the USA.

Your tour of Scandinavia has come to an end. During the past sixteen days you will have met new people, made new friends, and experienced the unmatched beauty of Scandinavia

For more information, contact Ellie Leinaweaver.

Your Adventure Awaits