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1 ROVANIEMI, FINLAND.
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to start
exploring Rovaniemi. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow
travellers.
2 ROVANIEMI.
A whole day to enjoy the capital of Finnish Lapland. For hundreds of
years it was famous for exporting furs and salmon to the world's rich
and powerful. Unfortunately, the town was totally destroyed during World
War II. The new town, which you'll visit this morning, was designed by
Alvar Aalto in the shape of reindeer antlers. Sights include Lappia
Hall, the Town Hall, the new modern church with its intriguing frescoes,
and the Arctic Centre. Afternoon at leisure or join an optional
excursion to find out more about Lapland. (B)
3 ROVANIEMI - TAMKAVAARA - SAARISELKA.
As you cross the Arctic Circle (66 degree 31 minutes N), you are in
incomparable, unspoiled Lapland, land of reindeer and the midnight sun.
Stop at the Santa Claus Workshop with a chance to meet Father Christmas
himself. North to Sodankyla where you see the charming Vanha Kirkko,
Lapland's oldest wooden church dating back to the 17th century. At
Tankavaara visit the Gold Museum and try panning for gold if you wish.
Overnight in Saariselka, on the edge of the virgin wilderness and part
of Finland's major national park. It is the largest winter sport centre
in Finland and a paradise for hikers and mountain bike lovers in summer.
(B,D)
4 SAARISELKA - HONNINGSVAG, NORWAY.
Via Ivalo you cross into Norway for a visit to the fascinating Sapmi
Park. Further into Norway and across the beautiful Porsangenf jord to
Honningsvag on the island of Mageroya, Home to 4,000 people and 5,000
Reindeer. Tonight, one of the highlights of this tour is the included
drive to North Cape, Europe's last northern outpost, on a sheer cliff
rising 1,000 feet from the Atlantic ocean. From May 11th to July 31st,
if the sky is clear, you'll see the midnight sun rolling just above the
horizon! (B,D)
5 HONNINGSVAG - COASTAL CRUISE - HAMMERFEST - ALTA.
One of the highlights of this tour is today's fjord cruise from
Honningsvag to Hammerfest. You will enjoy some of Norway's most
beautiful coastal and mountain scenery as you cruise southwards.
Disembark at Hammerfest and drive to Alta, situated at the mouth of the
world's richest salmon river, for an overnight. (B,D)
6 ALTA - NARVIK.
Continue your unforgettable journey south along the stunning shoreline
of Norway. The road meanders along Kvaenangenfjord and Lyngenfjhord. You
are now in the Troms Province, still way beyond the Arctic Circle but
with a climate mild enough to allow very successful farming. Stop for
pictures at the thundering Malselvfossen Waterfall. Hear about fierce
World War II battles as you approach Narvik, rebuilt after near total
destruction. (B)
7 NARVIK - MO.
Visit Narvik's War Museum and relive how Norwegian troops, with the help
of their allies, showed the world that the Nazi war machine was not
invulnerable. Entre Nordland; not far from Mo you cross the Arctic
Circle again and are back in a world where the sun rises and sets every
day of the year. Overnight in the little town of Mo I Rana. (B)
8 MO-MOSJOEN - TRONDHEIM.
On the agenda today: the ancient octagonal church of Mosjoen; the
spectacular Laksforsen Waterfall; the forests and rivers of Namsdalen
Valley; and vistas of Trondheimsfjord, the World War II hideout of the
German battleship Tirpitz. (B,D)
9 TRONDHEIM - ROROS.
Spend this morning getting to know something about Norway's
third-largest city, also known as the "Gateway to the North." The main
sight in town is the Nidarosdomen, the most famous cathedral in Norway.
In the afternoon, travel southeast through some fine alpine scenery to
Roros, not far from the Swedish border, for an overnight. (B,D)
10 ROROS - LAKE FEMUND - MORA AREA, SWEDEN.
Grand mountain scenery and beautiful Lake Femund are part of today's
journey south on the way to Mora. In the heart of the Dalarna region,
the most typical and unspoiled countryside in Sweden. (B,D)
11 MORA - UPPSALA - STOCKHOLM.
Continue your scenic drive skirting Lake Siljan and its typical
Dalarnian shoreside villages. A short stop in the university city of
Uppsala, then just a few more miles before reaching Sweden's capital,
Stockholm, for an overnight. (B)
12 STOCKHOLM - BALTIC SEA CROSSING - HELSINKI, FINLAND.
Stockholm is perhaps the most beautiful of the Scandinavian capitals.
The effect of its crystalline waters flowing through the city's
intersecting canals gives a luminous appearance to palaces, castles, and
parks. Sightseeing includes the City Hall and other landmarks. The
afternoon is free for your own exploration. In the evening, embark on
the Silja Line ferry to Helsinki. On board you can enjoy music, dancing,
and shopping. (B)
13 HELSINKI.
After breakfast on board, disembark for your city sightseeing tour with
a Local Guide. Highlights will include the City Hall and Parliament
House, the Presidential Palace, the monumental railway station, and the
great Lutheran Cathedral. An afternoon of leisure or for some individual
exploring. (B)
14 HELSINKI.
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
