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Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Helsinki, Finland

 

Day 2: Arrive Helsinki After arriving in the Finnish capital, the “white city of the north,” this morning, we’re free to explore on our own or rest before tonight’s welcome dinner at the hotel. D

Day 3: Helsinki A morning tour introduces us to Helsinki, a spacious urban center built in the early 19th century. We see both its neo-classic and contemporary influences as we pass the city’s highlights: gracious Market and Senate squares, Government Palace, the incredible underground Temmpliako (Rock Church), dramatic Sibelius Monument, and Finlandia Hall, with its rich façade of Carrara marble. This afternoon is at leisure; perhaps to visit the National Museum of Art, shop for some of Finland’s renowned art glass, or ferry to a nearby scenic island. B

Day 4: Helsinki/Ivalo This morning we fly north to Ivalo, homeland of Finland’s native Sami (Lapp) people. After some free time here, we visit the interesting Sami ­Mu­seum. Tonight’s dinner is at a Sami reindeer farm. B,D

Day 5: Ivalo/Kirkenes Today we travel through Finnish Lapland and some truly remarkable unspoiled natural scenery on our way to Kirkenes, on Norway’s border with Russia. We’re above the Arctic Circle now, where the sun doesn’t set from mid-May to late July, and where we board our Coastal Ship, both a first-class passenger vessel and a working ship, for the 1,250-mile voyage from above the North Cape to Bergen. B,L,D

Day 6: Coastal Voyage – Hammerfest Sailing southward today we see dramatic scenery that constantly changes: small fishing villages and large towns, lush fields and barren outcroppings, dense forests and resplendent fjords. Our Coastal Ship makes many stops (34 in all), some for just a few minutes to unload cargo and passengers; others for us to disembark and explore on our own or on an optional shore excursion. Today we visit Hammerfest, the world’s northernmost town and a busy fishing port that was completely rebuilt after being burned to the ground by the Germans in 1944. B,L,D

Day 7: Coastal Voyage – Lofoten Islands Today we see some of the loveliest scenery of our voyage as we sail through classic cod and herring fishing grounds past the Lofotens. This chain of hilly islands is punctuated by many inlets and fjords whose rock walls rise dramatically to more than 3,000 feet. We also pass the scenic Raftsundet straits. B,L,D

Day 8: Coastal Voyage – Arctic Circle Crossing Continuing southward we cross the Arctic Circle – a milestone for any adventurous traveler. It’s north of this imaginary line around the earth that the summer sun never dips below the horizon, creating the phenomenon of the Midnight Sun. This afternoon we pass the imposing Seven Sisters Mountains. B,L,D

Day 9: Coastal Voyage – Trondheim This morning we have a few hours to spend in Norway’s third largest city and first capital. A highlight here is 11th-century Nidaros Cathedral, Scandinavia’s largest medieval building and coronation site of kings and queens. B,L,D

Day 10: Coastal Voyage – Bergen By now it’s clear why this is called “the world’s most beautiful voyage” – and still more remarkable scenery lies ahead. We sail past magnificent Sognefjord before reaching Bergen, the country’s second largest city. Here our Coastal Voyage ends, but the charms of Bergen await. This afternoon’s city tour includes the home of composer Edvard Grieg, the lively fish market, the colorful Hanseatic merchants’ quarter of Bryggen, and 16th-century Bergenhus fortress. B,L

Day 11: Bergen We have a free day to spend in this delightfully walkable town. Possibilities include the Bergen Aquarium or the Mount Floyen funicular for outstanding views. B

Day 12: Bergen/Flaam Railway/Geilo A morning train ride to Myrdal takes us through quintessential Norwegian countryside: bottomless fjords, shimmering lakes, towering mountains, tiny villages. In Myrdal we board the Flaam Railway, an engineering marvel, for a thrilling hour-long excursion through 2,000-foot deep Flaam Valley. The train hurtles through 20 tunnels that spiral in and out of mountains, past the mighty Kjosfossen Waterfall, and across the Flaam River. After lunch in the resort town of Flaam, we board a local ferry bound for Gudvagen, along the way cruising stunning Sogne­fjord. Late this afternoon we reach the mountain village of Geilo, where we spend the night. B,L,D

Day 13: Geilo/Oslo Today we travel by coach to Oslo, one of the world’s largest capital cities in area – and certainly among the prettiest, sitting at the north end of Oslofjord and surrounded by gentle forest-covered hills. This afternoon’s city tour includes the granite and bronze works of Vigeland Sculpture Park, part of the city’s beloved Frogner Park. B

Day 14: Oslo There’s so much to do on a free day in the oldest of the Scandinavian capitals. The Norwegian Folk Museum features an authentic Old Town and various buildings portraying different aspects of traditional life. Thirteenth-century Akershus Fortress houses the poignant Museum of the German Resistance. The Viking Ship Museum offers a fascinating window on the past; the Munch Museum displays an important collection of works by Norway’s greatest artist; and the National Gallery is a well-regarded fine arts museum. Tonight we bid “skal” to Norway at a farewell dinner. B,D

Day 15: Depart for U.S. An early morning flight brings us to Helsinki, where we board our flight for New York and home. B

Included

Tour Price Includes

• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities
• 13 nights’ accommodations: 5 nights aboard First Class Coastal Ship; 8 nights in Deluxe, Superior First Class, First Class, and unrated hotels
• 29 meals: 13 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 dinners
• Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
• Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
• Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
• Luggage handling for one bag per person
• Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
• $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next Odysseys Unlimited tour ($200 after three tours)

Dates and Prices

2009 Tour Dates & Prices

Prices Reflect $300 Savings	Sep 7 Sep 9 Sep 15	May 9 Aug 24 Aug 29	May 19 Aug 13 Aug 15+	Jun 2 Jun 13* Jun 24 Jul 2, 11 Jul 25 Aug 4
New York	$3,695	$3,895	$4,395	$4,695
Boston, Wash, DC	$3,995	$4,195	$4,695	$4,995
Atlanta, Char, Chi, Detroit, Miami, Orlando, Tampa	$4,095	$4,295	$4,795	$5,095
Cincinnati, Cleve, Dallas, Den, Hou, Los Angeles, Minn	$4,195	$4,395	$4,895	$5,195
Phoenix, Port (OR)	$4,295	$4,495	$4,995	$5,295

 

Please call if your city is not listed or for land only prices. Prices are per person based on double occupancy in an inside cabin. Single travelers please add $1,395 Sep; $1,795 all other dates. Your $375 deposit is fully refundable up to 95 days before departure. All 2009 tour prices above are guaranteed.

Upgrades to outside cabins: Cat L (Decks 2 or 3 with porthole) – $395 ($695 single); Cat N (Decks 3 or 4 with window) – $495 ($895 single); Cat P (Decks 5 or 6 with window) – $695 ($1,295 single)

* Accommodations in Geilo will be at the Vestlia ­Resort; + accommodations in Bergen will be at the First Hotel Marin

An overnight stay at the Sheraton JFK Airport Hotel (upon departure or return) is available for $135 (single supplement $95). Depending on flight schedules, certain U.S. departure cities may require an overnight stay at your expense.

Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight: $2,295 per person May, Sep; $1,895 all other dates. Airline taxes and departure fees of $392 per person (subject to change) and port charges and cruise line fees of $113 per person (subject to change) will be listed separately on your invoice.

Hotels

Hotels & Ratings

Day Itinerary Hotel Rating 1 Depart U.S. for Helsinki 2-3 Helsinki Radisson SAS Plaza Sup. First Class 4 Ivalo Hotel Ivalo Not rated 5-9 Coastal Voyage Coastal Ship First Class 10-11 Bergen Radisson SAS Norge Sup. First Class 12 Geilo Highland Hotel First Class 13-14 Oslo The Grand Hotel Deluxe 15 Depart Oslo for U.S.

Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference. Unrated hotels may be too small, too new, or too remote to be listed.