October 7-19
We experienced the cities, culture, wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, most of all the delicious foods of Scandinavia on a beautiful and comfortable Motor Coach. We began our journey in the world's oldest Kingdom, Denmark.
We started in it's capitol Copenhagen. This is the busiest place for bicycle transportation I have ever seen.
Next, a stop in Odense, Hans Christian Andersen’s home town. Then we traveled through the Jutland peninsula to reach Frederikshavn. We crossed the Kattegat Channel by ferry to Gothenburg, Sweden, and continue back into Norway for an overnight in Oslo. Here we spent time sightseeing Norway’s capital, the National Theater, Parliament, Gustav Vigeland’s sculpture park, and much more.
Now onto the scenic Telemark region where downhill skiing was revolutionized. This is also a region that played a huge part in WWII. The Norwegian resistance sabotage the Vemork Norsk Hydro plant that the Nazi's were producing Heavy Water to make a nuclear bomb. the resistance destroyed the Hydro Plant and later sank the only Ferry that crossed Tinnsjo lake in the town of Rjukan so transfer shipment could not be completed. The views become more and more stunning as you cross the Hardangerfjord by ferry to arrive in Bergen, home of composer Edvard Grieg.
After two nights in this fascinating city, we were able to enjoy a cruise on the amazing, spectacular Sognefjord, where the mountains meet the sea, simply put in one word this cruise was... "BREATHTAKING". Now on to Fagernes, Lillehammer of Olympics fame, and through the landscapes to Karlstad. We stopped at Gripsholm Castle in the beautiful little town of Mariefred.
Next stop is Stockholm, the Swedish capital set on 14 islands with Canals, Palaces, the Vasa Museum, Parks and so much more. Here we received guided sightseeing tours to show off the highlights by a local guide who has lived here her entire live. This was a perfect ending to this exciting trip.