FOCUS ON SCANDINAVIA

Denmark, Norway, Sweden

ITINERARY:

1 COPENHAGEN, DENMARK.
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the Danish capital. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)

2 COPENHAGEN.
Day at leisure in Hans Christian Andersen's friendly city. See some of the more famous sights on your included orientation drive. An optional tour of Zealand's castles is also available. (B)

3 COPENHAGEN - FREDERIKSHAVN.
After breakfast, start the journey northwards, enjoying the drive across the new Storebeltsforbindelsen Bridge, which will connect you to the fairytale island of Funen. Via Odense, Hans Christian Andersen's home, and the Little Belt waterway, head for Frederikshavn on the rural Jutland peninsula for an overnight. (B,D)

4 FREDERIKSHAVN AREA - OSLO, NORWAY.
A pleasant two-hour ferry ride from Frederikshavn across the strategic Kattegat to Gothenburg, Sweden's thriving second-largest city and one of Europe's major seaports. From here, follow the inland route and cross into Norway. Evening arrival in Oslo. (B)

5 OSLO - TELEMARK AREA.
Vistas of Akershus Castle, the 14th-century fortress guarding the harbour, are a highlight on the included morning tour that features the soaring City Hall, National Theatre Parliament, Royal Palace, Broadcasting House, and Gustav Vigeland's stark sculptures of people and animals in Frogner Park. In the afternoon, drive through the Telemark region to your overnight hotel. (B,D)

6 TELEMARK AREA - BERGEN.
Take the scenic route this morning for a visit to Vemork, where the heavy water plant was blown up by a commando unit of British and Norwegians known as the Heroes of Telemark. Visit the Vemork Museum, then proceed through the Telemark region with its lakes, winding valleys, and rugged gorges backed by towering mountains. En route, a picture stop at the 500- foot Latefoss Waterfall, then ferry across the Hardangerfjord from Utne to Kvanndal. Continue to Bergen, Norway's picture-perfect Hanseatic seaport. (B)

7 BERGEN.
Built on seven hills with the fjords on one side and 1,000-foot Mount Floyen on the other, Bergen was the home of composer Grieg. The optional sightseeing excursion takes in the main sights. (B)

8 BERGEN - SOGNEFJORD CRUISE - FAGERNES.
More spectacular scenery as you drive towards the Sognefjord, where you embark for a breathtaking cruise on one of Norway's most mighty fjords. Today may well be the highlight of your journey. Overnight in Fagernes. (B,D)

9 FAGERNES - LILLIEHAMMER - KARLSTAD, SWEDEN.
First to Lillehammer of Olympics fame. See the highlights of this famous winter sports resort on the included visit. Then, great scenery: green valleys, shimmering lakes, and towering mountains. Drive towards Gjovik and, after a stop, motor along beautiful Lake Mjosa and continue through Varmland's unspoiled wilderness of forest and lakes to Karlstad. (B)

10 KARLSTAD - MARIEFRED - STOCKHOLM
Leave Karlstad this morning and head east towards Stockholm via Alfred Nobel's Bofors, the ancient garrison town of Orebro, and modern Eskilstuna, world famous for its stainless steel. Just before reaching Stockholm, stop in Mariefred to view the Castle of Gripsholm. The Swedish capital's beauty is due to its unique setting on 14 islands between Lake Malar and the Baltic. Join the optional evening outing. (B)

11 STOCKHOLM.
This is perhaps the most beautiful of the Scandinavian capitals, because the crystalline waters that flow through its intersecting canals give a luminous appearance to palaces, castles, and parks. Your included city sightseeing takes in all the highlights. (B,D)

12 STOCKHOLM.
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)