Fjords, fortresses and fabulous food — Scandinavia has it all! Sail past Denmark’s famed Elsinore Castle, hike to Hågasån Fort, explore Sweden’s sensationally scenic Weather Islands by kayak or Zodiac and take in Hidra Island’s Tanum UNESCO World Heritage site, home to the enigmatic Vitlycke Rock Carvings and a fascinating Bronze Age farm. Use all of your senses in Oslo — take photos in sculpture-studded Vigeland Park, perhaps ski jump at Holmenkollen and sample local produce and delicacies at Mathallen market. Your Scandinavian voyage is as active or leisurely as you choose. Maybe you’ll just want to do as the natives do in summertime — slow down and enjoy the long daylight hours with pub visits, waterfront strolls and magnificent views.
Note: The original Lindblad cruise that this itinerary is based on is no longer available. However, a similar trip is offered by Crystal Cruises, from June 21 to July 7, 2019.
Our itineraries are for your inspiration. Please contact a travel advisor to customize this itinerary to fit your needs.
Awaken this morning in the heart of Norway's western fjordlands, considered one of Europe's greatest natural attractions. Deep in the Hardangerfjorden — the fourth-longest fjord in the world — cruise beneath staggering cliffs, snow-dusted mountains and rolling valleys dotted with tiny settlements. From our quiet anchorage, head out with our naturalists to explore the area on a variety of Zodiac, kayak and hiking excursions.
Enjoy a leisurely morning at sea as we sail along Norway's southern fjords. Arrive on the shores of Flekkefjorden, and go for an afternoon hike on Hidra, a lush island steeped in a rich maritime history dating back to before the Vikings. Visit the World War II-era Hågasån Fort, stroll past quaint wooden houses and cruise in a Zodiac through the scenic channel that splits the island in two.
Sail back down the Oslofjorden and anchor outside the attractive coastal town of Risør to experience the "town of wooden houses," protected on Norway's heritage list. Risør has not only preserved its old wooden buildings, but it has also taken care of the archipelago. Zodiacs ferry us to Stangholmen skerry for a walk to the lighthouse, and perhaps a unique experience kayaking near one of the "potholes" or small lagoons.
Enjoy a relaxing outdoor seafood lunch on Stangholmen, with a Norwegian folk revival musical performance.
Cruise up the epic Oslofjord to discover the delights of Norway's cosmopolitan capital. Visit the Fram Museum and learn about the early Norwegian polar expeditions, or take a private backstage tour of Oslo's newest landmark, the Opera House, with its white sloping marble roof rising directly from the fjord. Spend the afternoon taking photos at Vigeland Park, training your lens on more than 200 life-size human figures by native sculptor Gustav Vigeland.
Since food is at the core of any culture, opt to join a cooking
class at the Mathallen gourmet food market to learn to cook Norwegian
specialties.
Journey across the Skagerrak Strait to Sweden's westernmost archipelago: the Väderöarna, or Weather Islands. This seascape of rugged islets, skerries and picture-perfect villages has some of the most stunning scenery in Scandinavia. Set out by kayak or Zodiac to encounter seal colonies and an array of seabirds. Dock at Grebbestad, where you can bike or you will be driven to the evocative Bronze Age rock carvings in Tanum, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Summer in Sweden is a special time, so arrange a traditional
Swedish dinner on shore to savor the long hours of daylight.
Dotted with yellow and red clapboard houses, Skagen is perched along windswept dunes at the northern tip of Denmark. Explore this charming fishing village, and delve into the history of the Skagen Painters — a community of Scandinavian artists who settled here beginning in the late 19th century, drawn by the town’s magnificent landscapes and remarkable light. Discover rich birdlife with our naturalists, or bike along the peninsula's white beaches. Cap off the day with a taste of the famous "Skagen Sild," a special herring dish that is best enjoyed with a cold Danish beer.
Skagen is perfect for a cycling jaunt. Grab a bike and head out along the
beaches. Be sure to visit the Sand-Buried Church, a whitewashed building dating from the 14th century that has been covered by sandy dunes. Peeking out above the land is the church tower; while the body of the church was demolished, it is said that floor, the altar and the baptismal font are still there, under the sand.
Arrive in Copenhagen
and take a short drive through the city on your way to the airport, or extend
your stay at Andrew Harper's post-cruise hotel in Copenhagen, Hotel d'Angleterre.
Contact a travel advisor to book your custom itinerary. Fill out the form or call (630) 734-4610.
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