Thu, 03 May 2012
Finland Frolics!
Husky sledding, snowmobiling, and viewing the Northern Lights, is what Jo from Taber Holidays got ...
Read more![]() |
Day 1
ARRIVE COPENHAGEN
Met on arrival and transferred to your hotel.
1 night COPENHAGEN - Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel (HB)
Day 2
COPENHAGEN
Morning 3 hours guided tour of the city. Famous sights include the Royal Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace (Danish Parliament Buildings), Gefion Fountain, Nyhavn and the famous Little Mermaid. Afternoon free for exploring this fairytale city. Dinner during the evening at Tivoli Gardens (included).
1 night COPENHAGEN - Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel (BB)
Day 3
COPENHAGEN - OSLO
Morning free in Copenhagen. Afternoon transfer by coach from hotel to DFDS Seaways terminal for your overnight cruise ferry to Oslo, departing at 1700. Enjoy your first Scandinavian smörgäsbord dinner as you cruise gently up the Kattegat.
1 night ONBOARD - 2 berth outside cabin (HB)
Day 4
OSLO
Arrival in Oslo at 0915 followed by 3 hours guided tour of the Norwegian capital visiting the world-famous Viking Ships, the Polar exploration ship Fram, and the impressive Vigeland Sculpture Park followed by an excursion to Holmenkollen for a birdseye view of the city and fjord far below.
1 night OSLO - Thon Hotel Opera (HB)
Day 5
OSLO - ULVIK
Morning departure driving via Hønefoss along the charming Halling Valley to the mountain resort of Geilo. Buffet lunch at Bardøla Høyfjellshotel. After lunch cross the wild Hardangervidda Plateau to Fossli, stopping to view thundering Vøringsfoss Waterfall with a vertical drop of 180m., the highest in Norway. Descend Måbødal Canyon to the idyllic Hardangerfjord. Short ferry crossing followed by drive around the Ulvikfjord to the picturesque village of Ulvik.
1 night ULVIK - Brakanes Hotel (HB)
Day 6
ULVIK - BERGEN
Morning scenic tour along the beautiful Hardangerfjord, famous for its many fruit orchards, via the towns of Øystese and Norheimsund, arriving in Bergen around midday. Afternoon 2 hours tour of Bergen, including a visit to the popular Fish and Flower Market, the famous Bryggen Harbour with its gabled packhouses, and the old Hanseatic Quarter. You will also ride on the funicular to Mt. Fløien, for the best views of the city and fjords below.
1 night BERGEN - Radisson Blu Hotel Norge (BB)
Day 7
BERGEN-FLÅM-BALESTRAND
Morning departure to the town of Voss. Descend the Nærøy Valley, passing the amazing Stalheim Canyon, to the fjordside village of Flåm. Board your train for an exhilerating ride on the Flåm Railway to Myrdal, a masterpiece of engineering ascending 2838 feet in less than one hour. After a short rest in Flåm, take a 2 hours cruise by boat along the narrow Aurlands and Nærøy fjords, both branches of the Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in the world. Enjoy spectacular scenery including cascading waterfalls, sheer mountain clifs, snow-clad peaks and a variety of wildlife. Disembark in Gudvangen at the head of the Nærøyfjord then continue by coach across the Vik Mountains to Vangsnes for the short ferry crossing to the beautiful resort of Balestrand.
1 night BALESTRAND - Kvikne's Hotel (HB)
Day 8
BALESTRAND - A DAY IN THE FJORDS
Day free in Balestrand, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the outstanding beauty and nature of the fjords.
1 night BALESTRAND - Kvikne's Hotel (HB)
Day 9
BALESTRAND - GEIRANGER
Morning departure by coach passing under the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Europe, to the village of Skei. Descend to the beautiful Nordfjord, making a detour at Olden to visit Briksdal Glacier (the journey to the glacier will be made in open cars). A typical Norwegian lunch will be served in sight of the glacier. During the afternoon the tour continues via Loen and Stryn, to the picturesque village of Hellesylt. From here you take a one hour's cruise along the spectacular Geirangerfjord passing magnificent waterfalls such as the Bridal Veil and the Seven Sisters.
1 night GEIRANGER - Union Hotel (HB)
Day 10
GEIRANGER - OSLO
From the top of the famous Serpentine Road, you have a magnificent view of the fjord before crossing the rugged Grotli Mountains to Lom, well known for its 14th Century stave church. The tour continues via Lake Vågå, before desccending the magnificent Gudbrands Valley to the popular resort of Lillehammer. Lunch in Lillehammer followed by a lovely journey alongside Lake Mjøsa, Norway's largest lake, back to Oslo.
1 night OSLO - Thon Hotel Opera (HB)
Day 11
OSLO - STOCKHOLM
Morning departure from Oslo, continuing by coach to the Swedish border. Cross into the attractive province of Värmland to arrive in the city of Karlstad on Lake Vänern, the largest in Sweden. Lunch in Karlstad before continuing through a landscape of forests and sparkling lakes to reach the Swedish capital during late afternoon.
1 night STOCKHOLM - Clarion Hotel Sign (HB)
Day 12
STOCKHOLM
The days starts with a 4 hours guided tour of the city. Famous sights include the Royal palace, Parliament Buildings, Cathedral, Royal Theatre, etc. You will also visit the enchanting Old Town (Gamla Stan) with its narrow cobbled streets and numerous antique shops. The higlight of the tour is a vist to City Hall with its famous Blue and Golden Halls, where the Nobel Prize banquet is held each year. Afternoon free in Stockholm, with possibility to visit the famous Vasa Museum or take one of the popular canal tours. Evening free to explore.
1 night STOCKHOLM - Clarion Hotel Sign (HB)
Day 13
STOCKHOLM - HELSINKI
Morning free in Stockholm. Afternoon transfer from hotel to pier for embarkation on Silja Line's cruise ferry departing at 1700. Sail slowly through the lovely archipelago passing. Dinner on board.
1 night ONBOARD - 2 berth outside cabin (HB)
Day 14
HELSINKI
After disembarkation there is a 3 hours guided tour of Helsinki. Famous sights include the Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Park and Monument and the Underground Temple. Afertoon free in Helsinki.
1 night HELSINKI - Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (HB)
Day 15
HELSINKI DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel before transfer to Helsinki Vantaa Airport for return flight to the UK.
Day: Saturdays from London Heathrow
Guaranteed Dep. Dates: 30 June, 7, 14, 21 & 28 July 2012
Duration: 14 nights
N. B. Alternative airports available for departure.
Thon Hotel Opera is centrally located almost on the platform of the Airport Express Train at Oslo Central Station. The hotel consists of 434 rooms the majority offering a view over either the fjord or the city. All rooms are well equipped in accordance with today’s modern standards. The hotel also offers a fitness centre with sauna and sun-bed facilities. There is a lobby bar which also offers a range of light refreshments and snacks and a full service restaurant serving breakfast, a lunch buffet and á la Carte dinner service.
Beautifully positioned hotel with excellent amenities. Indoor heated swimming pool with sauna, steam bath, small gym and library to ensure you get the most out of your stay. This grand hotel has lovely gardens overlooking the fjord which makes leaving the hotel almost impossble! There is a spacious dining room serving excellent cuisine, and evenings can be spent in the lounges and bars. All rooms have TV, mini-bar and telephone and lifts to all floors. Boat hire available from reception.
Located in the heart of the city adjacent to the popular city park, Lille Lungegåardsvann. Housing the city's premier seafood restaurant, the hotel offers beautifully renovated guest rooms which come with excellent amenities such as Free high-speed Internet access. The perfect base for exploring Bergen, the hotel is within walking distance to the historic Maria Church, Rosenkrantz Tower, Håkan's Hall as well as the city funicular to Mount Fløien, an area that seduces visitors with its breathtaking views over Bergen and the Atlantic Ocean. Perfectly situated, the hotel is an easy 5 - 10 min. walk to these top attractions: Bergen's fish market, the city funicular to Fløien, Maria Church, Håkan's Hall and Rosenkrantz Tower.
At Kvikne's the best traditions of innkeeping go right back to 1752. The Kvikne family, who still own the hotel today, took over in 1877 and a continuous process of development has been going on from that day to this.
The hotel was built in the "Swiss" style. Much new building, reconstruction and extension has gone on since, but none of it has altered the special character of this place. Kvikne's is a modern hotel with old world charm and atmosphere and with 200 guest rooms is one of the largest tourist hotels in Norway. The hotel is graced with an extensive collection of artworks and antiques, which give it its special style. The list of prominent guests is a long one. Keiser Wilhelm II of Germany was a frequent guest in Balestrand. Royalty, emperors, presidents, prime ministers, film stars and artists from many countries can be found on the guest list.
There are a number of different room categories available at the hotel. Taber Holidays use as standard rooms on a high floor in the New Wing of the hotel with a view of the gardens and fjord. These rooms have twin beds, a seating area, desk, TV, telephone and bathroom with bath/shower and WC. A small number of twin rooms are also available in the Old Wing of the hotel which are simply and traditionally furnished in keeping with the old style of the hotel and have a view of the fjord. These rooms are available at a supplement. The Old Wing also has a small number of Junior Suites which have a separated seating area and bedroom and a view of the fjord. Please ask our reservations staff for applicable supplements.
The hotel serve a traditional Scandinavian buffet for dinner with a broad selection of cold meats, fish and salad along with a number of hot dishes featuring meat, fish and vegetarian options. A large buffet breakfast is also served.
The hotel has extensive lounges in the old building with wonderful views of the fjord and a cosy bar next door to the reception desk.
The perfection location for having fjords and mountains at your doorstep. Family run hotel since 1897 and now managed by the 3rd and 4th generation of the Mjelva family. The hotel has a turkish bath, sauna, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, outdoor hot tub and solarium. All rooms with shower/wc, internet and cable TV. The roof garden has its own dance area, barbecue area and outdoor swimming pool. Also nearby are minigolf and play areas for children.
Stockholm's largest hotel is located in the heart of Stockholm city adjacent to the Central Station and Arlanda Express facing the Norra Bantorget Square. The hotel is brand new, built in 2008, and is a spectacular building dominated by granite and glass, leaning over the square reflecting the green park. The hotel has a wonderful Aquavit Grill & Raw Bar, contributed by Marcus Samuelsson of New York’s Aquavit restaurant. The eighth floor of the hotel holds Selma CitySpa+ where you can indulge yourself in the sauna, gym, spa with a spa treatment and/or in the heated outdoor pool, all with a fantastic view of Stockholm. All rooms are non-smoking and have TV, telephone, hair dryer, Internet access and some of the most comfortable beds we have ever slept in in the whole of Scandinavia! Lift to all floors.
One of the most conveniently located hotels in Helsinki city centre with abundant choice of activities and entertainment. The Finnish National Gallery and Helsinki's best shoppng centre are also within walking distance of The Radisson Blu Royal Hotel. All of the rooms offer premier amenities that include air conditioning, coffee and tea provisions, Free high-speed, wireless Internet access, a marble bathroom and Super Breakfast Buffet. In the evening guests at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel can enjoy one of the best Helsinki restaurants without leaving the hotel, at the Michelin-rated Grill It! which boasts some of the best steaks, Arctic prawns and chocolate cake in the city!
View our Terms & Conditions for this tour.
To book call 01274 875 199 or