THE GREAT ESCAPE
Your Great Adventure
- Includes
- Itinerary
- Tour Highlights
- Gallery
- Hotels
What's included
Till Dec 2024
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- International air ticket
- Others not mentioned
Your travels will reveal the storybook beauty and colorful history of Scandinavia. On this Scandinavian trip, you’ll discover the truth behind the beloved fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, hop aboard one of Europe’s most exciting train journeys and learn about farm life near Bergen.
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
- Day 6
- Day 7
- Day 8
- Day 9
- Day 10
- Day 11
- Day 12
- Day 13
- Day 14
Welcome to Copenhagen
Embrace the enchanting Danish capital that inspired Hans Christian Andersen to share tales of mermaids, queens and ugly ducklings with the world. Spend the day discovering the quintessential hygge found throughout its charming streets before enjoying an orientation drive at 17:00 followed by a light supper with your Travel Director and travel companions.
Explore Historic Copenhagen
Join a Local Specialist today for a fascinating sightseeing tour of the iconic sights of Copenhagen. The Amalienborg Palace Quarter takes centre stage as you admire its 18th century façades and equine statue of King Frederik V at its centre. We'll see the 17th century Stock Exchange, Christiansborg Palace and the Neoclassical Cathedral before paying tribute to the tragic Little Mermaid who was willing to give up her life in the sea to become human. Enjoy time to explore on your own, strolling through the city's streets, or embrace your inner child in Europe's oldest amusement park, the Tivoli Gardens.
Journey past Stunning Scenery to Randers
Start the day with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Amager Fælled, a small neighbourhood of Copenhagen. With a local guide, visit this nature reserve threatened by urbanisation and support a local organisation working to protect this area. Leave Copenhagen bound for the Danish island of Funen and the city of Odense, birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. This afternoon our journey continues across the pastoral landscapes of the Jutland Peninsula to Randers, with its cosy half-timbered merchant houses and narrow medieval streets. Tonight, we stay at one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories – Hotel Randers, one of the most established hotels in the area, stylishly decorated with original artwork.
Set Sail for Stavanger
Set sail from Hirtshals to the port of Kristiansand in Norway. Drive north past fjords, lakes and forests to the port city of Stavanger, one of Norway's oldest settlements – its heritage still evident in the beautifully preserved wooden buildings that date back to the 18th century.
Onwards to Colourful Bergen
Norway's spellbinding natural landscapes provide an inspiring backdrop for our island hop from Stavanger. Arriving in Bergen this afternoon, we delve into the city's Hanseatic heritage, enjoying an orientation tour past the 13th-century Haakon's Hall, the bustling fish market and colourful Bryggen Quarter. This evening, we Connect With Locals over dinner at a special Be My Guest experience, visiting the Øvre-Eide farm, worked for five generations by the same family.
Bergen Your Way
Enjoy a full free day in the cultural centre of Bergen or perhaps have lunch in the fish market.
Enjoy the Spectacular Flåm Railway and on to Sognefjord
We drive east to the popular ski resort of Voss, where we'll board a train ascending over 2800 feet (860 m) above sea level. Dive Into Culture on one of the world's most exciting train journeys, through the Flåm Valley past the Kjosfossen Falls and legendary forest spirit who dances there to lure men into the mountains. Later, arrive in Sognefjord, the 'King of the Fjords', where we will stay overnight at the Sognefjord Hotel located on a peninsula stretching into the deep waters of the fjord. Step straight from your hotel into the great outdoors and soak up the breathtaking views.
Continue to Geirangerfjord
Norway's incredible glacier countryside surrounds us as we skirt the immense Nordfjord on the way to Geiranger – its deep blue waters surrounded by majestic snow-capped peaks and lush green landscapes, which we will have an opportunity to explore. Tonight, we stay on the shores of the fjord at one of Trafalgar's most spectacularly located hotels.
A Day at the Breathtaking Geirangerfjord
Spend a full day admiring this spectacular natural wonder. Cascading waterfalls tumble down sheer cliffs into the glacial waters below, which you can explore by kayak or boat, soaking up the crisp, clean mountain air. Consider an Optional Experience to the Trollstigen and see Norway's most famous mountain road, travelling past steep mountain slopes, tumbling cascades and fertile valleys. After a day in intoxicating natural surrounds, we dine in our hotel this evening.
Venture to Historic Lom and Lillehammer
A scenic drive from Geiranger past high peaks brings us to Lom, the gateway to the Jotunheimen Mountains. Here we will Dive Into Culture and visit a 12th-century wooden stave church, adorned with Runic inscriptions, paintings and carved dragon figures that are said to protect it against evil. We continue through the Gudbrands Valley, the inspiration for Ibsen's 'Peer Gynt', before arriving in Lillehammer, the proud host of the 1994 Winter Olympics. This evening before dinner, consider a walk along Storgata or visit the open-air museum at Maihaugen.
On to Oslo
See the unusual Olympic ice arena beside the lake at Hamar as we travel to Norway's cultural capital, Oslo. Join a Local Specialist who will share the city's iconic sights, including views of the medieval fortress of Akershus, the Opera and 19th-century Royal Palace. We visit the fascinating Vigeland Sculpture Park, before spending the rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy a leisurely coffee in the Akker Bryge District or explore the nation's rich seafaring heritage.
Journey to Stockholm
We cross the border into Sweden today and continue via Karlstad on Lake Vänern, the largest lake in the European Union. Passing Örebro, we arrive in the island-ringed capital of Stockholm for a two-night stay. Tonight perhaps consider an Optional Experience to the beautiful and atmospheric Old Town - Gamla Stan.
Discover Beautiful Stockholm
We meet our Local Specialist this morning for a sightseeing tour of the waterside City Hall and see the medieval Storkyrkan, Riddarholm Church and the Royal Palace at the heart of Stockholm's quaint Old Town. The rest of the day is free to explore as you wish. Join your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner this evening to toast to an unforgettable Scandinavian adventure.
Farewell Scandinavia
Our epic journey has come to an end. Bid Stockholm and your newfound friends a fond farewell.
Tour Highlights:
~Explore Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm with a Local Specialist
~Discover Odense, Stavanger, Bergen, Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord, Flåm and Lillehammer
~Visit the Stave Church in Lom, Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo and Stockholm's City Hall
~View the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen and Haakon's Hall in Bergen
~See Hamar Olympic ice arena and Oslo's Royal Palace
~Scenic Train Ride through the Norwegian countryside to Flåm
