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DAY 01: Home – Oslo
Arrival in Oslo, the Norwegian capital, according to the flights schedule.
DAY 02: Oslo - Hamar (120 km)
Meet your guide for a 3 hours city sightseeing. Sights of interest in Oslo are the Viking Ship Museum, the Fram Polar Exploration Museum and the Vigeland Sculpture Par.
We also recommend a visit at the Holmenkollen Ski Jump. Drive north past Minnesund and continue along Lake Mjosa, Norway’s largest lake, to the Olympic town of Hamar. In Hamar we recommend a visit at the Viking Ship, the speed skating arena from the 1994 Winter Olympic Games.
DAY 03: Hamar - Roros - Trondheim (460 km)
Drive to Elverum and continue in northern direction along Norway’s longest river, Glamma, to Roros. Roros, which was formerly called Bergstad (Mountain City), is a historic copper-mining town. In 1984 UNESCO added the town to its World Heritage List. We recommend a visit at the Roros Church, the Roros Museum (the Olavs Mine) and a walk around the historic town. Continue through Gauldalen Valley via Storen to Trondheim. Sights of interest are the Nidarosdomen Cathedral, where all Norwegian kings have been crowned, the Bishop’s Palace, the Old Town and the Royal Stiftsgarden Mansion.
Dinner and accommodation at Rica Hell Hotel, outside the city centre.
DAY 04: Trondheim - Sandnessjoen (480 km)
Drive in northern direction to Steinkjær and Grong. Just after Grong it is possible stop and visit the Salmon Museum. Continue through the mountainous region of Helgeland and along the Namsen River filled with salmon, to reach the town of Mosjoen, in sight of the famous Seven Sisters mountain range. Drive along the Vefsnfjord to Sandnessjoen.
DAY 05: Sandnessjoen - Bodo (340 km)
Drive over Leirosen, short ferry crossing Levang - Nesna, continue along the beautiful Ranafjord to Mo i Rana. From there travel through the Dunderlandsdalen valley to the Arctic Circle. Possibility to visit the Polar Circle Centre. About 35 km south of the city centre of Bodo you will have the chance to see the Saltstraumen, one of the strongest currents in the world. Within a time frame of 6 hours a massive 372 million cubic meter of sea water passes through a 150 meter wide and 31 meter deep passage. The speed of the stream is estimated to be up to 22 knots or 40 km per hour, and it is about 3 km long. Continue to the maritime city of Bodo, home of the Norwegian Air Museum, containing famous veteran planes from military and civil aviation.
DAY 06: Bodo - Lofoten - Harstad (280 km)
Ferry crossing from Bodo to Moskenes.
Arrival in Moskenes, located on the southern point of the Lofoten islands. Here you can see the “Lofot Wall”. This mountain wall rises out of the sea and is considered as one of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe.
Drive from Moskenes to Napp, where you will cross the Nappstraumen tunnel to Lilleidet. Continue to Henningsvær, one of the most picturesque fishing villages, before arriving in Svolvær the capital of Lofoten. Drive to Fiskebol for a short ferry crossing from to Melbu.
Continue along the scenic route through the Vesterålen islands, via Stokmarknes to Sortland. Sortland is the main town in Vesterålen. Even out on these islands you can see the green stripe of agricultural land which stretches from the coast to the mountain range further inland. The names of the small fishing villages in this area are from the Iron Age, such as: Hov, Bo and Vik. Continue to Flesnes for a ferry crossing to Refsnes.
Drive along the Gullesfjord to Harstad. Harstad is a central meeting point for the islands which cluster around Norway’s largest island, Hinnoya. If enough time, sights of interest is the Trondenes Church, dating from around 1250, the Adolf Canon and Harstad Church, a magnificent modern construction boasting unique architecture, stained-glass windows and a beautiful alter piece.
DAY 07: Harstad – Coastal Express – Tromso (Ferry)
Departure for a beautiful cruise with spectacular views, on the Coastal Steamer from Harstad to Tromso. Arrival in the magnificent town of Tromso, the largest Norwegian town north of the Arctic Circle.
Afternoon free for personal discovery of this lively town, which has more pubs per capita than any other town in Norway, and which is called (rather sarcastically) “Paris of the North” by the locals.
We recommend a stroll along Sjogata, which houses a line up of shops and merchant’s houses from 1830, a visit to the Northern Lights Planetarium for a simulated glimpse of the northern light, a winter-only phenomenon, or a visit to the world’s northernmost botanical garden.
DAY 08: Tromso - Honningsvag – North Cape (570 km)
Short drive from Tromso to Breivikeidet. Ferry crossing from Breivikeidet to Svendsby. Continue to Lyngseidet for another ferry crossing from Lyngseidet to Olderdalen. During this crossing you will have a wonderful view of the Lyngen Alps. Drive from Olderdalen along the coast to Alta and continue on the Road of the Midnight Sun to Honningsvag, the northernmost city of Norway.
Excursion to the North Cape Plateau. The North Cape Plateau is the northernmost point of Europe, and the goal of your journey. From here you can admire the panoramic views of the open wide expanse of the Arctic Ocean, and perhaps have the opportunity to see the Midnight Sun.
DAY 09: Honningsvag - Karasjok - Saariselka (430 km)
Drive back via Kafjord and along the Porsangerfjord to Lakselv. Lakselv claims to be the site of the world’s northernmost winery, Bio Nordkapp. Continue on the Reindeer Road to Karasjok, the capital of the Sami people. In Karasjok we recommend a visit at the Sapmi, a cultural centre for the Sami people. Here you can experience the Sami people’s way of living, their mythology, handicrafts and food.
Cross the boarder to Finland, the land of the thousand lakes, at Karigasniemi. Drive along the beautiful Lake Inari, which is a holy place for the Sami people. The lake has more than 3000 small islands. Continue to Saariselka.
DAY 10: Saariselka - Kuusamo (380 km)
Drive through the Finnish part of Lappland, to Sodankyla. Here we recommend a stop at the church from 1689. Continue via Kemijarvi to the friendly and untouched region of Kainuu, next to the Russian boarder, to Kuusamo.
DAY 11: Kuusamo - Jyvaskyla (570 km)
Drive along the Russian boarder via Kajaani, past the lake Oulujärvi, to Kupio, before arriving in Jyväskyla late in the afternoon. Jyväskyla, which is situated at the end of Lake Päijänne-Sees, is the cultural and administrational centre for central Finland, as well as the home town of the famous architect Alvar Aalto.
DAY 12: Jyvaskyla - Helsinki – Turku (450 km) - Stockholm
Continue the drive south through this wonderful region of vast, pure, beautiful lakes to Lahti, where you can visit the Ski museum. Then direct drive to Helsinki, the capital of Finland.
Meet your guide for a 3 hour city sightseeing tour. Sights of interest are the senate square, the city hall, the Orthodox Church, the parliament building, the rock church and the monument of Sibelius. After the city sightseeing in Helsinki, about 2 hours drive west to Turku, the old capital of Finland.
Departure with a ferry of the Viking Line Company to Stockholm.
DAY 13: Stockholm
Meet your guide for a 3 hour city sightseeing tour. Sights of interest are a tour through the old town Gamla Stan, this part of Stockholm dates back to the 13th century and is famous for its winding, cloistered streets, boutiques and small restaurants. Next to Gamla Stan is the Royal Palace; possibility to see part of the castle. We also recommend a visit at the City Hall (Stadshuset), Skansen Open Air Museum and the Vasa Ship Museum. Afternoon at your own disposal for personal discovery and shopping.
DAY 14: Stockholm
Start your homeward journey according to the international flight schedule.
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