Scandinavia and Its Fijords

From: Dorothy Garner - Oct 19, 2003
 
Scandinavia and Its Fijords
Sept. 4-19, 2003
The tour was arranged by Sign-n-Tour & Travel with  Insights Vacations
 
Day1- Overnight flight.
Day 2-On Sept. 4, a group of 36 deaf travelers , from NJ, Calf., Ind.,Mich., MT., MD.,S.C., NY., N.C., New Mexico, Seattle-WA.,Colorado, Delware , included 2 interpreters flew and arrived at our Copenhagen hotel with welcome drink and dinner, then afterward we were taken to visit the fabulous Tivoli Gardens, a sight of beauty by night .
 
Day 3-Next day we drove down to the waterfront to admire Hans Christian Anderson's Little Mermaid gazing across the harbor, then on to visit Christiansborg to see the Rosenborg Palace, the Amalienborg Palace and the Stock Exchange. Later most of us went on a optional tour to the castle of North New Zealand.Every thing was so amazing and many interest stories.
 
Day 4- We crossed from Zealand to the Island of Fyn over the new bridge to visit the home of Hans
Christian  Anderson in the lovely old town of Odense with it's picturesque half timbered buildings, then we the Garden of Denmark with its beautiful countryside and rich farmlands. We arrived to the port of Frederikshavn for the night and a highlight dinner.
 
Day 5-We departed Denmark over the water to Gothenburg , major port and second city of Sweden,we passed fertile fields with neat farmhouses along the shore of Lake Vattern.
 
Day 6- Stocklom, we visit the awesome City Hall's Gold Room where the Nobel Prize banquet are held.It is  so beautiful in and outside, compare to the USA. We visit an Old Town to see the Royal Palace. The highlight of our visit to one of Europe"s greatest attractions ,was the Wasa Galleon , a 17 th century naval vessel
 
Day 7- We travel to tiny Sigtuna, once the Viking capital and is boasting Sweden's smallest City Hall. We visited the cathedral where the Swedish Kings were crowned. Then on to the ski resort of Falun for the night.
 
Day 8 We took a scenic drive along the shore of Lake Siljan. We stopped at a colorful wooden horse factory, handmade by carving. Then crossing into Norway, we passed  the Olympic ice skating rink called the Viking Ship  on our way into Lillehammer.
 
Day 9- We visited the open air museum to see old Norway's rural life come alive, homes made from logs, roofs made from dirt, barks and grass, very interest about Viking life. On our way to Norwegian Fjordland, a world of soaring mountains, icy glaciers and rivers and falls that cascade  thousands of feet into  the valleys below and vistas of lakes and snowcapped peaks to Lom where we stopped to visit a 12 th century stave church. Our hotel for 2 nights overlooking the awesome  Fjords and mountains in Geiranger 
 
Day 10- A day of relaxing and some of us went on a excursion to the Trolls' road and then visit to a power plant. and several stops for some outstanding photographs.
 
Day 11- We began our day with a highlight cruise on Geirangerfjord with its mirror smooth waters passed towering cliffs and waterfalls.Then on through glaciers country and a beautiful drive along the Sognefjord,
then over night stay in the Fjordland
 
Day 12- Sognefjord is Norway's longest and deepest Fjord and we cruise upon its magnificent waters.We embark on a spectacular journey on the Flam Railway taking us up from sea level to 3,000 feet with beautiful view of mountains and roaring waterfalls. We arrived at our hotel in the historic port of Bergen for 2 nights.
 
Day 13- Bergen is an ancient port , still looks to the sea for its living, with bustling fish markets, the largest in Scandinavia,  the rest of day was at leisure to shop , explore. It was a beautiful day. There were many old building still  in use for varies shops that is  near the shipping port. Our hotel was located in the areas which was easy for us to walk and shop.
 
Day 14- We drove over scenic mountains and through ski-resorts on our way to the Norwegian capital , with severals stops for photos ,to Oslo for 2 nights.
 
Day 15- We visit the Akershus Castle and the Royal Palace then a visit to the famous Frogner Park to view the  Vigeland Sculptures, then a special visit to the Viking Long Ship Museum which was   huge and beautiful . We had our farewell dinner at a Norwegian restaurant in the mountain. We gave our tips to the driver-guide and interpreters for the wonderful job they did for us  and said our good byes and words of appreciation for our last night together and good byes to  new and old friends.
 
( Scandinavia has over Thousands of lakes and over thousands of tunnels used by train and cars which are 1-3 miles long, deep into the mountains ) It is like we are going through caves. Amazing work which took a long time to built. So many ( hairpin curves going up and down mountains that took our breaths away and the great skill of our driver in control of a large bus.) All our meals that were included , were fabulous with mostly , seafood, pork and chickens, too many to count and  tempted desserts and ice creams, not too sweet like American food. A very tasty Cherry wine was served to us at vary time by our guide and driver at special  areas outside our bus , to view the cities before we arrived at the restaurant for dinner.
 
Day 16- Most all of us thought Norway was number 1 on our tour list as the most awesome, enjoyable and  highlight of our trip and will be the most memorable trip of a  lifetime. We all departed for our flight to USA , tired and glad to be home. There is more to say about this trip, as  space is limited...
 Article by Dorothy Garner / Sign-n-Tours & Travel / dotgarner@juno.com  / Oct. 10-2003
  Next tour is South American in March-2004/ I hope you enjoy reading this article.