Today, depart from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth or Auckland to Oslo, Norway.
Fly with airlines such as Lufthansa, Swiss International, Austrian Airlines, Finnair plus any codeshare partners (subject to availability).
Welcome to Oslo. Upon arrival, please make your own way from the airport to the hotel.
In the evening you will meet the rest of the group and your guide at the welcome dinner.
After a leisurely breakfast, meet the group in the lobby of the hotel for an Oslo grand city tour including Vigeland Sculpture Park, Historical Museum, Oslo Opera house, Holmenkollen Ski Jump and more. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Please note: luggage will be collected in the evening and transported to Bergen. It is recommended to bring an overnight bag for the 1 night trip via Flåm.
After an early breakfast, you will start the ‘Norway In a Nutshell’ tour. You will catch the morning train to Myrdal where you will change trains for the famous Flåm Railway, with spectacular fjord views all the way to the spectacular tiny village of Flåm.
Overnight: Flamsbrygga Hotel, Flam or similarThe day starts with the ferry from Flåm to Gudvangen, passing through the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord. From Gudvangen the journey continues by bus. Waterfalls line the road as you weave your way through the valley to Voss. There you will board a train for the last leg of the “Norway in a Nutshell” journey, arriving in Bergen in the afternoon. The rest of the day will be at leisure.
Overnight: Clarion Admiral Hotel, Bergen or similarAfter a relaxing morning, you will take a walking tour of Bergen, including St Mary’s Church, Håkon’s Hall and the UNESCO World Heritage listed Bryggen, before heading to Troldhaugen, the home of Norway’s most famous composer, Edvard Grieg. The tour concludes at Bergen pier, where you will board the Hurtigruten ship for your voyage along Norway’s beautiful coastline.
Overnight: Hurtigruten MS Cruise Ship (see Important Information for ship details)Navigate skerries and islands before reaching Ålesund, renowned for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture. Leaving Ålesund you will head north towards Trondheim.
Overnight: Hurtigruten MS Cruise Ship (see Important Information for ship details)Arrive early in the morning at the former Viking capital of Trondheim. With plenty of time to explore this captivating city, why not take in the sights? The Nidaros Cathedral is a breathtaking 11th century church that dominates the small historic city centre and is built over the burial site of King Olav II, who became the patron saint of the nation and is the traditional location for the consecration of new kings of Norway.
Overnight: Hurtigruten MS Cruise Ship (see Important Information for ship details)Today is a day to remember as you will cross the Arctic Circle in the morning and the hunt for the Aurora Borealis will begin. The coastline is made up of traditional fishing villages with majestic mountain backdrops. Sail into the Lofoten archipelago, with its impressive 1,000 metre-high Lofoten Wall on the horizon.
Overnight: Hurtigruten MS Cruise Ship (see Important Information for ship details)After a morning stop in Finnsnes, the ship continues to Tromsø, a major cultural hub above the Arctic Circle, and famed as a viewing point for the Northern Lights. The city’s historic centre is distinguished by its centuries old wooden houses. The 1965 Arctic Cathedral, with its distinctive peaked roof and soaring stained-glass windows, dominates the skyline.
Overnight: Hurtigruten MS Cruise Ship (see Important Information for ship details)Honningsvåg is 2000km from the geographical North Pole and one of the northernmost towns in Europe. The nearby North Cape Plateau is a must-visit 300m cliff that plunges into the sea where the only dry land between you and the North Pole is the rugged Svalbard Archipelago.
Overnight: Hurtigruten MS Cruise Ship (see Important Information for ship details)Admire the dramatic coastal vistas as the ship approaches Kirkenes, where you will disembark. Enjoy a short drive through Kirkenes, before arriving at Inari, the Sami capital (the traditional reindeer herding nomads of Scandinavia), where you will visit the newly renovated Siida Sami Museum (entrance included). Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before continuing to Saariselkä.
Overnight: Santa’s Hotel Tunturi, Saariselka or similarAfter breakfast at the hotel, the day is at your leisure to explore the small village or choose to try the toboggan near the hotel or one of the many optional excursions (not included). This evening you will be transferred to a reindeer farm. Feed the family’s reindeer in the nearby paddock, maybe with the Northern Lights above, and practise your lasso skills under your host’s expert tutelage. Enjoy a 45 minute reindeer sleigh ride (weather permitting).
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading south towards Rovaniemi, a quaint town in northern Lapland known as the official home of Santa Claus. On the way make a short stop at the small town of Sodankyla, and the Sodankyla Old Church. Then visit the Santa Claus Village, where you will have free time to explore. Later, you will travel to Sinetta where you will spend the night in a glass igloo and enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Arctic Snowhotel & Glass Igloos:
The glass-roofed igloos provide you with the opportunity to sleep beneath the starry skies and the Northern Lights. Even though you will be so far north, it can never be guaranteed to see the Northern Lights. However, sleeping under a 360º glass roof definitely multiplies your chances of seeing the renowned Aurora Borealis. Each igloo is extremely well heat insulated to ensure guests are not bothered by the cold on even the coldest of nights. The temperature is actually just the same as in a normal hotel room. The roof of the igloo is made from electrically heated glass, which means the glass will not cool the space; rather it maintains evenly distributed warmth while melting all the snow and ice off the roof to give you an excellent view of the sky. In addition, the igloo has underfloor heating. The beds in the igloo are motorised, which makes it possible for you to easily adjust the optimal position for sleeping and viewing the skies.
Today you will visit a husky farm and learn about the life and training of these unique Arctic dogs. After lunch, enjoy one of the highlights of the trip, a 45 minute Husky Safari. See the dogs up close and personal, visit the kennels to get a feel for how the dogs are prepared to be amazing athletes. The enthusiastic dogs will then happily transport you down a beautiful forest trail for an unforgettable experience.
Afterwards, there will be time to mingle with the dogs and have a snack by the fire (dog sledding will be dependent on snow conditions).
Free day to explore Rovaniemi or participate in one of the many excursions payable on tour, including one last opportunity to experience the northern lights on an evening safari (not included).
Overnight: Original Sokos Vaakuna Hotel or similarToday you will be transferred from the hotel to Rovaniemi train station and head into Helsinki, Finland’s capital.
Overnight: Scandic Grand Marina, Helsinki or similarAn early start with a full-day excursion to the medieval town of Tallinn in Estonia. Take the ferry followed by a combined bus and walking tour of the city. Stops will include the baroque Kadriorg Park and the seaside district of Pirita. Walk through the winding, cobblestoned streets of the old town continuing to Toompea Castle, home to the Estonian parliament. Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Dome Church before enjoying some free time before boarding the ferry to return to Helsinki. Tonight, enjoy a special farewell dinner.
Overnight: Scandic Grand Marina, Helsinki or similarToday after breakfast at the hotel, say your goodbyes to the crew and your fellow travellers after a trip to remember!
Once arrived, please make your own onward travel arrangements.
Please note:
Some flights may arrive on day 21.
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