SCENIC WONDERS OF NORWAY

Day 1

ARRIVE IN OSLO, NORWAY (D)

Our Adventure in Norway begins today in Oslo. As you arrive, our WAI representative will meet you and help you arrange transportation to our hotel in the heart of the city. Many of Oslo's highlights, including the Royal Palace and National Museum of Art, Architecture, and Design, are just a few steps from our hotel. Since travelers are arriving throughout the day, the only group activity is a “Get Acquainted” dinner this evening at the hotel.

Day 2

ACTIVITIES IN OSLO (B)
Oslo Heritage Walk - 10 km, rated 1+

Today's walk takes us through the thought-provoking statuary of sculptor Vigeland in Frogner Park, along the picturesque Oslo Fjord, through medieval Akershus Fortress, and up the busy pedestrian shopping mall to the Royal Palace. Along the way take advantage of the opportunity to explore the excellent Norwegian Resistance Museum (World War II)! This afternoon we visit two icons of Nordic life - the Viking Ship Museum (three 1000-year old ships) and the Fram Museum (showcasing the uniquely designed vessel sailed by Roald Amundsen to conquer the South Pole).

Day 3

OSLO - LÆRDAL (B,D)

Today's highlight is one of the most outstanding rail trips in Europe. Following a scenic drive through rural Norway by coach, the Flåm Train takes us through the steep, narrow Flåm Valley past mountain-studded vistas and snow-fed waterfalls to the shores of Aurlandsfjord.We meet our coach in Flåm for a short drive through Europe's longest tunnel into the tiny village of Lærdal.

Day 4

LÆRDAL - BERGEN (B,D)

Another amazing day of Norwegian scenery begins with a ferry ride through Aurlandsfjord into the sheer-walled Nærøydalen Fjord - Norway's narrowest. Nærøydalen Fjord is actually a tiny branch off of Sognefjord - Norway's largest. We dock at Gudvangen, completing a portion of the famed “Norway in a Nutshell” route, and continue to Bergen for a two-night stay.

Day 5

ACTIVITIES IN BERGEN (B)
Beautiful Bergen Walk - 11 km, rating not available

Bergen was a member of the Hanseatic League, a German-based medieval trading consortium dominant throughout Northern Europe. Remnants of its illustrious past can still be seen in the Bryggen (the trading center) and along the waterfront. Bergen is a great strolling town, and, after our morning walk, you'll have the balance of the day free to explore and wander. Visit the Hanseatic Museum, meander through Gamle Bergen (Old Bergen), and stop by the fish market for some fragrant photo fun!

Day 6

BERGEN - GEIRANGER (B,D)

We continue our journey by crossing the massive Sognefjord and driving along the high country through the breathtaking panoramas of the Sognefjell Mountain Road. We stop for lunch in Lom, where you'll have the option to visit one of the less than 30 remaining medieval wooden stave churches.The afternoon drive takes us to Geiranger, where our hotel sits on a promontory above the fjord by the same name.

Day 7

ACTIVITIES FROM GEIRANGER (B,D)
Briksdalbreen Glaciers and Waterfalls Walk - 6 km, rated 3+ (unsanctioned)

Today offers another scenic high-water mark of the trip.This morning's drive takes us through fabulous fjordland scenery to Briksdal for a walk to the crystal-blue face of the glacier. From Briksdal,more scenic driving along gem-like fjords and through pristine forests brings us to Geirangerfjord.Here we share an unforgettable cruise beneath looming cliffs and bursting waterfalls up one of Norway's most spectacular fjords.

Day 8

GEIRANGER - GALA (B,D)
Isfjorden Mountains & Fjords Walk - 10 km, rated 2+

We continue today through more eye-popping scenery along the Golden Route, including Trollstigen (Stairway of the Trolls) and the Eagle's Road. Midway through the day, we'll stop in Isfjorden to walk with our friends in this quiet Norwegian hamlet. From Isfjorden, our route takes us south through the placid Gudbrandsdalen Valley to a country inn overlooking a lake in the hills of Gala.

Day 9

GALA - LILLEHAMMER (B,D)
Olympic Lillehammer Walk - 10 km, rated 3

A short drive this morning takes us to lovely Lillehammer, site of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Upon arrival, we'll begin a walk that features the ski jump, Olympic complex, a lovely forest path along a waterfall-studded stream, and the traditional neighborhoods of Lillehammer. Afternoon options include visiting the Maihaugen Open-Air Folk Museum or enjoying the pedestrian shopping zone.

Day 10

LILLEHAMMER - OSLO (B,D)
Olympic Hamar Walk - 10 km, rated 3

After a pleasant drive south along Lake Mjøsa, Norway's largest, we participate in our last Norwegian walk in Hamar. Our route features the sites of this second 1994 Olympic venue and offers more uniquely Norwegian walker hospitality. Following the walk, our coach continues south to the capital.We arrive late this afternoon with time for one more chance at the pedestrian shopping mall before tonight's Farewell Dinner.

Day 11

OSLO - USA (B)

The Adventure comes to a close this morning with a drive to the Oslo Airport. Images of beautiful Norway will forever linger in our minds' eye, inviting us to return and explore more of the history, scenery, and culture of this captivating Nordic nation.

Day 1

OSLO - SMÖGEN, SWEDEN (B,D)
Smögen Maritime Stroll - 4 km, rated 2 (non-sanctioned)

From Oslo, our route takes us through rolling hills and pastoral farmland into maritime Sweden.Our destination is the quaint fishing village of Smögen, a delightful collage of diverse fishing craft, perky cafes and shops, and colorful wooden homes nestled among the granite bedrock outcroppings or perched on stilts along the water.

Day 2

SMÖGEN - ROSKILDE, DENMARK (B,D)
Göteborg Gardens & Glens Walk - 10 km, rated 3

Following breakfast, we continue to Göteborg, Sweden to meet our friends for a walk on the outskirts of town that wanders through suburban neighborhoods, quiet forests, and superb botanic gardens. Leaving Göteborg, we cross the Øresund by ferry to the Danish island of Zealand arriving in Roskilde, the ancient capital of Denmark and our home for the next three nights.

Day 3

ACTIVITIES IN ROSKILDE (B)
Wonderful Copenhagen Walk - 10 km, rated 1+

Wonderful Copenhagen is today's focus, with a walk that shows off a wonderful walking city, including Amalienborg Palace, Strøget (mile-long pedestrian shopping street), the Little Mermaid statue, and more 17th century copper roofs than anywhere else in Europe! Afternoon and evening options include (admissions not included) exploring Tivoli Gardens, the well-known playground of the Danes, shopping on Strøget, a canal and harbor cruise, or relaxing back at our hotel in Roskilde.

Day 4

ACTIVITIES FROM ROSKILDE (B,D)
Deer Park Forest & Seashore Walk - 10 km, rated 1

Today's walk is a lovely route through small villages, along the shore of the Baltic Sea, and into the Deer Park nature preserve, a medieval royal hunting ground that still provides sanctuary for descendants of the king's deer.We'll spend the afternoon meandering through North Zealand with stops to view two of the country's most renowned castles: imposing Frederiksborg Slot, established in the mid-16th century; and Kronborg Slot (also called Elsinore Castle), famous as the setting for Shakespeare's classic tragedy Hamlet.

Day 5

ROSKILDE - USA (B)

Our journey through Sweden and Denmark seems too short, providing only a sampling of the charms of these delightful Scandinavian countries. Yet the perspective gained from these additional days in Scandinavia is invaluable, and we return home with a clearer understanding of the soul of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.