Best of Scandinavia

Today you’ll depart the USA on your overnight flight to Stockholm, Sweden.

Upon arrival you are greeted by a representative of Mayflower Cruises & Tours and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy this remarkable Scandinavian city. This evening, join your Tour Manager and fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at the hotel. Meal: D

After breakfast, enjoy a Stockholm city tour. Once home of the Vikings, today’s Sweden is a captivating mix of old and new. This capital city is the very epitome of a vibrant cosmopolitan center, alive with world-class art museums, cutting-edge fashion boutiques and sizzling night life. Remarkable architecture abounds, exemplified in the dazzling City Hall, site of the Nobel Prize reception, with its glittering gold walls and stunning colored-glass mosaics. But even in this thrilling center of culture, you’ll find traces of Sweden’s fabled past.

In the Gamla Stan, the city’s Old Town, medieval Stockholm comes to life in this beautifully preserved historic district. This afternoon, explore the city on your own or choose an optional excursion of The Royal Canal and Vasa Warship Museum. This excursion includes a one-hour cruise along the shady canal of Djurgarden and a visit to the remarkable Vasa Warship Museum, built around a restored 17th-century warship that sank in Stockholm’s inner harbor. Meal: B

Following breakfast this morning, bid farewell to Stockholm and depart for Oslo, Norway. Upon your late afternoon arrival in Oslo, you’ll learn why it’s hard to say what is more stunning: its glorious urban cityscapes or towering mountains and pristine countryside. The remainder of the day is free for you to experience Oslo on your own. Meal: B

On this morning’s city tour, your local guide will walk you through Vigeland Sculpture Park as you discover the amazing granite and bronze artwork. Catch a glimpse of the regal and impressive Royal Palace. All these pleasures await, plus the bustling trade of a thriving port city. After the tour, transfer to the Oslo train station for one of the best ways to view the wonders of Scandinavia: aboard a scenic railway that traverses this breathtaking countryside. Dizzying vistas open out on all sides as you speed from Oslo toward Myrdal, a remote mountain station located 3,000 feet above sea level. Famous for its remarkable panoramic views, Myrdal is the stepping off point for yet another glorious train ride on the world-renowned Flåm Railway. Descending 3,500 feet during a 13-mile journey into mountainous countryside, passengers glimpse wild rivers that cut through deep ravines, waterfalls cascading down sheer cliffs, and mountain farms clinging perilously to steep slopes. In the heart of this rugged countryside, the historic Stalheim Hotel offers a stunning panoramic perspective of astounding fjordland views. For nearly 200 years, artists, painters and poets have drawn inspiration from the awe-inspiring majesty of this remarkable natural spectacle. Meals: B, D

This morning after breakfast, you’ll get a final view of the Naerøey Valley before transferring by coach to Flåm for embarkation of a cruise through the world-famous Sognefjord and Naerøey Fjords. Carved out over centuries by waves of majestic glaciers, the fjords are a testament to the magnificent power of nature. No visit to Norway would be complete without views of the emerald green cliffs of the fjord sweeping sharply down to meet glittering waters. You just may glimpse a sight of seals as they sun themselves on warm rocks. After the cruise, meet your coach in Gudvangen where you’ll continue on the journey to Bergen. Meal: B

Today you’ll enjoy an included city tour of Bergen, the second largest city in Norway. Bergen offers a fascinating mix of history, culture and natural beauty. A UNESCO World Heritage City, Bergen proudly preserves its rich past, seen in the timbered 15th-century houses, centuries-old warehouses built by seagoing merchants, and a charming labyrinth of cobblestone streets. Nearby, you’ll visit Fantoft Stave Church, an example of unique wooden Medieval architecture. Characterized by the ‘staves’ (thick wooden posts), these traditional churches were constructed without the use of nails or glue, but relied on the expertise of local craftsmen creating joints to hold the structure together. Once housing more than 1000 stave churches, only 28 remain in Norway today. The remainder of the day is free to explore this charming city on your own. Meal: B

Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Copenhagen. Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour of this bustling metropolis. Copenhagen offers a mix of old-world grandeur with the excitement of a thriving modern cultural center. Parks and green spaces are everywhere, and canals and waterways crisscross its streets, recalling the city’s seagoing roots. The city is alive with such sites as Tivoli Gardens, one of the world’s oldest pleasure parks; and Christiansborg Palace, home to the Danish Parliament and the Royal Theater. Fans of literature make a pilgrimage to the statue of The Little Mermaid, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairytale, while shoppers enjoy browsing the quaint boutiques along the famous Stroget, Copenhagen’s renowned pedestrian district. Meal: B

This day is yours to experience Copenhagen and all of its charm. Or join us for an optional excursion to North Zealand. You’ll enjoy a scenic drive to Helsinor, one of the oldest towns in Denmark, and nearby Kronborg Castle, legendary home of Prince Hamlet. Your tour also includes views of Fredensborg Castle and an included visit to Frederiksborg Castle. Tonight join your Tour Manager and fellow travelers for a Farewell Dinner at the hotel. Meals: B, D

Following breakfast at the hotel, bid farewell to Scandinavia with memories of life enriching experiences as you transfer to the Copenhagen airport for the flight home. Meal: B