Arctic Circle - 18 days land only

The best vacation for those who’ve always wanted a chance to experience the midnight sun. This 18-day trip starting in Copenhagen gives you the three popular capitals of Oslo, Helsinki and Stockholm, along with beautiful scenery in Finland’s magnificent lake district, pine forests and Lapland, and a visit to Norway’s North Cape Hall. Cross the Arctic Circle into the unspoiled land of reindeer and the midnight sun for a visit to the Santa Claus Workshop. An overnight Baltic Sea crossing from Stockholm to Helsinki and a cruise on the fjords add to your experience, and a farewell dinner is included in Oslo. For those who are looking for the real Scandinavia, this is a dream come true.

Day 1
Arrival in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Thu.) Time to rest or start exploring Denmark’s capital. At 6 p.m. meet your traveling companions for a welcome drink hosted by your Tour Director.
Day 2
Copenhagen. (Fri.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Church of Our Savior and the Stock Exchange on the way to Christiansborg Palace, where you visit the ROYAL RECEPTION ROOMS. Snap picures of Amalienborg Palace and of the LITTLE MERMAID statue. Tonight visit TIVOLI GARDENS, the city’s colorful amusement park. (FB)
Day 3
Copenhagen-Stockholm, Sweden. (Sat.) From Elsinore beneath Hamlet’s Kronborg Castle take a FERRY to Helsingborg. Then motor through the Swedish Lake District past industrial towns such as Jönköping, the world capital of the safety match industry, and Linköping, Saab headquarters, to Stockholm. (FB)
Day 4
Stockholm. Night Ferry to Finland. (Sun.) Sightseeing features the Royal Palace, Riddarholm Church, and the festive blue and gold chambers in the CITY HALL. In the late afternoon board your luxurious ship for the overnight BALTIC SEA CRUISE to Finland. (FB)
Day 5
Helsinki. (Mon.) A Local Guide shows you the City Hall and Parliament House, the Presidential Palace, the monumental railroad station, and the great LUTHERAN CATHEDRAL. Drive to the Olympic Stadium and the SIBELIUS MONUMENT and stop at the HELSINKI OPEN AIR MARKET. (FB,D)
Day 6
Helsinki-Lahti-Kuopio. (Tue.) Today pass Järvenpää, Sibelius’ hometown, on your way to the international ski resort of Lahti and its three enormous ski jumps. Then via the magnificent lake area and Jyväskylä to Kuopio. The main attractions here are the sweeping panorama from PUIJO TOWER and a pretty market square. (FB,D)
Day 7
Kuopio-Iisalmi-Oulu-Rovaniemi. (Wed.) North, past sparkling lakes and dark pine forests to the university town of Oulu and to modern Rovaniemi, the “Gateway to Lapland.” (FB,D)
Day 8
Rovaniemi. (Thu.) Orientation includes Lappia Hall, the library, and the Town Hall, all created by the world-renowned architect Alvar Aalto, who redesigned the city after its destruction during World War II. Next visit the modern CHURCH with its intriguing altar fresco depicting the struggle between good and evil in a Sami context, followed by the interesting ARCTIC CENTER. (FB,D)
Day 9
Rovaniemi-Saariselkä. (Fri.) As you cross the Arctic Circle (66°31’N), you are in incomparable, unspoiled Lapland. For four days you will be in the land of the midnight sun. If you are up at midnight and the sky is clear, you can see the midnight sun shining over the horizon. Stop at the SANTA CLAUS WORKSHOP with a chance to meet Father Christmas himself. North to Sodankylä to see the charming Vanha Kirkko, Lapland’s oldest wooden church dating back to the 17th century. Overnight in the ski resort of Saariselkä, on the edge of Finland’s major national park. (FB,D)
Day 10
Saariselkä-Inari-Honningsvag, Norway. (Sat.) Via Ivalo to Inari. Visit the fascinating SAMI MUSEUM and learn about Sami life and folk art. Into Norway and across the beautiful Porsangen Fjord to Honningsvag on the island of Mageroya, home to 4,000 people and 5,000 reindeer. Later today’s highlight: drive to the North Cape, Europe’s last northern outpost, and visit spectacular NORTH CAPE HALL on a sheer cliff rising 1,000 feet from the Atlantic Ocean. (FB,D)
Day 11
Honningsvag-Alta. (Sun.) Today board the famous COASTAL EXPRESS LINER and cruise for five hours along one of the many scenic fjords. Today’s destination is Alta, see its 6,000-year-old ROCK CARVINGS depicting the life of fishermen, farmers, and hunters of a bygone era. (FB,D)
Day 12
Alta-Narvik. (Mon.) The road south meanders along Kvaenangenfjord and Lyngenfjord. You are now in the Troms Province, still way beyond the Arctic Circle, but with a climate mild enough to allow very successful farming. Hear about fierce World War II battles as you approach Narvik, rebuilt after near total destruction. (FB,D)
Day 13
Narvik-Mo. (Tue.) 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. CRUISE across the scenic Tysfjord and enter 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. (FB,D)
Day 14
Mo-Trondheim. (Wed.) Today’s agenda: a picture stop at the ancient octagonal church of Mosjöen; the spectacular Laksforsen Waterfall; the forests and rivers of Namdalen Valley; and vistas of Trondheimsfjord, the World War II hideout of the German battleship Tirpitz. (FB,D)
Day 15
Trondheim-Dombas. (Thu.) Orientation of the city where Norway’s kings were crowned includes the magnificent Gothic NIDAROS CATHEDRAL. Then rugged Tröndelag and thrilling vistas of the Dovrefjell high plateau and the Rondane Mountains on the way to Dombas. (FB,D)
Day 16
Dombas-Lillehammer-Oslo. (Fri.) South through the Gudbrandsdal Valley, celebrated in Ibsen’s Peer Gynt. In Lillehammer enjoy a visit with a Local Guide of the MAIHAUGEN OPEN-AIR MUSEUM (mid-May to mid October). Proceed along Lake Mjösa to Oslo. (FB)
Day 17
Oslo. (Sat.) Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the National Theater, Parliament, and the Royal Palace. Highlight visits: FROGNER PARK with Gustav Vigeland’s famous stark sculptures and the ornate CITY HALL. Later you have a chance to join an optional excursion to the relics of a glorious seafaring past. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate the success of your vacation. (FB,D)
Day 18
Tour ends. (FB)
Meals:
17 full Scandinavian breakfasts (FB); 12 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome drink in Copenhagen and a farewell dinner in Oslo
City Highlights:
COPENHAGEN Welcome drink; guided sightseeing; Little Mermaid; visit the Royal Reception Rooms in Christiansborg Palace; Tivoli Gardens ELSINORE Ferry crossing with a view of Hamlet’s Castle STOCKHOLM Guided sightseeing; visit the City Hall SWEDEN-FINLAND Overnight cruise Stockholm-Helsinki in first-class two-berth cabins with private facilities HELSINKI Guided sightseeing; Sibelius monument; visit the Lutheran Cathedral and the Open-Air Market KUOPIO Ascend the Puijo Tower ROVANIEMI Orientation; visit the main church and the Arctic Center ARCTIC CIRCLE BORDER Visit Santa Claus Workshop INARI Visit the Sami Museum HONNINGSVAG Visit the North Cape Hall HONNINGSVAG-HAMMERFEST Cruise on the Coastal Express Liner ALTA Visit the 6,000-year-old rock carvings NARVIK Visit the War Museum; cruise across Tysfjord TRONDHEIM Orientation drive; visit the Nidaros Cathedral LILLEHAMMER Guided visit of the Maihaugen Open-Air Museum OSLO Guided sightseeing; visit Frogner Park and the City Hall; farewell dinner