September 2019 Departures • 21 Day Copenhagen to Oslo Escorted Tour • Solo Traveller Friendly
21 DAY IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF VIKINGS

$12,687 from per person | Copenhagen to Oslo
2, 6 & 9 Sep 2019 departures | Great tour for solo travellers*
Leisurely 2 and 3 night stays | Small group size from just 10 to 28 | Genuinely inclusive, no additional on tour costs | Character hotels in superb locations | Designed for Australians & New Zealanders | ‘My Time’ guaranteed
Currently save $400 per couple – savings reflected in pricing.
Visit and see the classic Scandinavian sights such as Bergen, the Flam Railway and Geiranger. Now add unique highlights such as iconic Pulpit Rock, lovely Stavanger, the incredible Atlantic Road, and the glorious Lofoten Islands. Sleep in historic ‘Rorbuer’ fisherman’s cabins over the Reine Fjord, visit an enormous Viking Longhouse, follow the Troll’s Road and take a power boat out to see Jules Verne’s ‘Maelstrom’. This is the real Norway!
Due to popular demand, a new departure date has been added – 6 September 2019.
Highlights
• Stay 2 nights in the heart of Copenhagen
• Cruise or hike the iconic Pulpit Rock
• Explore the UNESCO listed Bryggen wharf
• Ride on the Fløibanen funicular up Fløyen mountain
• Stay 2 nights in beautiful Balestrand on the shores of the Sognefjord
• Ride on the world famous, scenic Flam Railway
• Cruise down the UNESCO Geiranger Fjord
• Drive over the famous Troll’s Road
• Drive the length of the Atlantic Ocean Road, voted the world’s most beautiful drive!
• Stay 3 nights in the scenic Lofoten Archipelago
• Sleep in ‘Rorbuer’ fisherman’s cabins set on stilts over the Reinefjorden – voted Norway’s prettiest fjord
• Enjoy an afternoon cruise on a Hurtigruten ship from Bodø to the Lofoten Islands
• Visit Bygdøy peninsula, Norsk Folkemuseum and the Viking Ship Museum* Discover the benefits of travelling solo on this tour –

The Company of New Friends
On this tour, these tour there are usually 4 or 5 solo travellers on average on each departure, so you probably won’t be the only person on your tour travelling on your own. Since all your fellow travellers are friendly, easy-going and from a similar culture (mostly from Australia and New Zealand), it’s easy to make new friends. Knowing that most of the tour group will be Aussies definitely helps people feel more comfortable when travelling by themselves.
Everything is taken of care for you

When you’re planning to travel independently, there’s an intimidating number of tasks to complete, such as organising transport from stop to stop, booking accommodation and planning your itinerary. If you’re departing alone, this can all seem even more overwhelming! This is all taken care of for you. Plus, your tour manager is an invaluable resource when it comes to recommending where to go and where to eat. This is especially helpful when you’re travelling by yourself because you don’t have someone else to help you make these decisions! And because these tours are so inclusive, more than half the dinners are included, with usually the first night on tour dinner included giving you time to make friends to dine with.
Affordable single supplements

Offering very reasonably priced single supplements; it costs less than $100 per day additional on most tours. This guarantees you get your own single room while travelling. Alternatively, you’re welcome to elect to share with a person of the same gender. If a match isn’t available, you will be accommodated in your own room and the single supplement cost will be waived.
Spacious rooms for Solo Travellers
When you elect to pay the single supplement, in most hotels you will be offered double rooms for single use. This means as a solo traveller, when travelling on tour you will mostly have a room to yourself with either a double bed or two twin beds.
Pricing
Dates in May, June & August 2019 have all sold out
2 – 22 September 2019 **SPACE LIMITED**
$12,678 – per person twin share
$15,634 – single per person
6 – 26 September 2019
$12,787 – per person twin share
$15,774 – single per person
9 – 29 September 2019
$13,287 – per person twin share
$16,534 – single per person
Inclusions
• ALL excursions, scenic drives, sightseeing and entrances as described
• Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager
• Travel in a first class air-conditioned touring coach
• 20 nights specially selected hotel accommodation
• Hotel porterage (1 bag per person)
• 33 Meals – including breakfast daily (B) and 13 dinners (D)
• Welcome drink in Copenhagen, Viking soup in Lofoten
• Hand Selected Albatross Experiences – Lofoten RIB boat ride, drive the Atlantic Ocean Road, Viking Longhouse, Pulpit Rock cruise
• Local guides as described in the itinerary
• ALL tips to your Tour Manager, Driver and Local Guides
• Free WiFi on most coaches and at hotels
• Albatross Travel App and ‘On Tour’ Travel Map
• Albatross Memories Photobook- Airfares are not included. We can organise flights for you, ask us about out competitive airfare pricing.
Itinerary

Day 1: Copenhagen welcome
Your tour commences this evening in Copenhagen. Join us tonight for a welcome drink before dinner. *9 September departure stays at Hotel SP34. Meals: D Hotel: Radisson Blu Scandinavia HotelDay 2: Nyhavn colourful wharf and Amalienborg Palace
With a local guide we enjoy a panoramic tour of Copenhagen including sights such as the Little Mermaid, Christiansborg Palace, Amalienborg Palace and Nyhavn’s colourful wharf. Your afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore this wonderful city. Meals: BDay 3: Stavanger and 3 massive Viking words
After flying directly to the beautiful city of Stavanger (saving 2 long days driving!) we stop at Sverd i fjell – a massive monument of three gigantic Viking ‘Swords in the Rock’. Commemorating Norway’s unification into one kingdom in 872, they symbolise peace, unity and freedom. Later we have ‘My Time’ exploring Stavanger’s delightful cobblestoned old town, wooden wharf and the colourful houses along the Øvre Holmegate. We stay two nights in Stavanger. Meals: BD Hotel: Radisson Blu AtlanticDay 4: Lysefjord scenic cruise and world-famous Pulpit Rock
As a highlight we enjoy a scenic cruise down the Lysefjord, one of Norway’s most breathtaking fjords, to the Vagabond’s Caves and one of the world’s most iconic sights – Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock). For those that enjoy a good walk we have something special! Instead of taking the Pulpit Rock cruise, we can arrange for you to hike to the top and stand on that gigantic rock slab overhanging the fjord. A magnificent experience and the views on top are sensational! Your afternoon is at leisure exploring Stavanger’s cafes, shops and excellent museums. Meals: BDay 5: Driving through Fjordland to Bergen

Following the scenic coastal route to Bergen we hop between lush green islands on bridges and ferries. Hugging the scenic shores beside deep fjords, we arrive into the famous Hanseatic city of Bergen, where we stay two nights in the heart of the old town. Meals: BD Hotel: Radisson Blu RoyalDay 6: Bergen’s Bryggen and funicular up Fløyen mountain
This morning we are joined by a local guide for a walking tour of this historic town and the old terraced houses of the UNESCO listed Bryggen on Vågen Harbour. We have also included a ride on the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen to take in the magnificent views over Bergen. The rest of your day is ‘My Time’ – it is a pleasure exploring this historical port city. Meals: BDay 7: Flam Railway, Viking homestead and 800 year old Hopperstad Stave church
A fabulous day ahead! Catching the train, we cross the undulating hills of Hordaland, through Vossevangen, to Myrdal where we ride on the world famous, scenic Flam Railway. After a stop beside the massive Kjosfossen (waterfall) we follow the picturesque valley to Flam. Next, at Gudvangen on the tip of the Nærøyfjord a local guide will show us around a recreated Viking village, complete with craftsmen and local characters. Later, we take the dramatic Vikafjellsvegen high road across the Stølsheimen plateau. At Myrkdalsvegen a colossal waterfall crashes right next to a hairpin bend. Following a photo stop, we soon reach Vik and
visit the 800 years old Hopperstad Stave church, one of the oldest in Norway. Crossing the massive Sognefjord by ferry, we reach beautiful Balestrand set right on the fjord shores. This is the real Norway, far from the crowds, where we stay two peaceful nights. Meals: BD Hotel: Kviknes HotelDay 8: Swiss villas, Viking mounds and ‘My Time’

A very leisurely start. A local guide will join us to take us on a short walking tour through the historic village, passing authentic wooden Swiss style character villas, small Viking mounds and a classic English church with a leprosy history. The rest of the day is entirely free in a perfect location. ‘My Time’ to relax, enjoy local walks, hire a bike or maybe visit The Cider House orchard and brewery? Meals: BDDay 9: Bøyabreen Glacier and Geiranger Fjord cruise
After visiting the Fjordland Glacier Museum we enjoy a stop by the mighty Bøyabreen Glacier on the edge of the Jostedalsbreen National Park. Departing from Hellesylt we enjoy a wonderful cruise down the UNESCO listed Geiranger Fjord, passing the famous Seven Sisters waterfalls to charming Geiranger where we stay the next two nights. Meals: BD Hotel: Hotel Union GeirangerDay 10: ‘My Time’, waterfalls, walks and the Dalsnibba Skywalk
There is so much to see and do. Opposite the hotel is the Geiranger Museum and there is a waterfall walkway right into town. Maybe hike or catch a taxi up to the rustic restaurant cabin at Westerås, with its panoramic dining terrace. For the more energetic the Storseterfossen waterfalls are a must – here you can even walk on a rocky terrace inside, behind the falls. Late afternoon, when all the crowds have gone, we drive up the Dalsnibba Pass to visit the incredible Geiranger Skywalk – Norway’s highest lookout with exceptional views across the snow covered mountain tops. Meals: BDDay 11: The Eagle’s Road, the famous Trollstigen and Andalsnes

Winding up a dozen hairpin bends of the Eagle’s Road we stop at Ørnesvingen lookout where the waterfall has been diverted over the cliff edge on a glass shelf. After a farewell look far down onto the fjord and Geiranger we then experience the zig zag walkway that snakes its way over the Gudbrandsjuvet gorge. Next… the world famous Trollstigen or ‘Trolls Road’. From the lookouts we gaze down on the amazing hairpin bends and the route we will soon follow down the valley, and to the craggy mountains above – folklore tells us these are Trolls turned to stone by sunlight. After a lunch stop at Andalsnes we continue to Molde. Dinner tonight is in our hotel restaurant with stunning views directly over 200 peaks. Amazing! Meals: BD Hotel: Scandi SeiletDay 12: The stunning Atlantic Ocean Road and German bunkers
Travelling through Elnesvågen (home of Jarlsberg cheese) we reach Bud. Here we make a fascinating visit deep down inside the WWII German artillery bunkers – an essential part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall defence. Now it is time to experience one of the world’s greatest drives as we follow the entire length of the Atlanterhavsveien – the Atlantic Ocean Road. Voted ‘the most beautiful coastal drive in the world’, this stunning route criss-crosses islands and skerries with sweeping bridges, passing incredible scenery as it winds its way up to Kristiansund. After an enjoyable lunchtime at leisure in the old port amongst the wooden sailing vessels, we return to Molde. Your evening is at leisure. Meals: BDay 13: Trondheim and Nidaros Cathedral
This morning we continue north to visit Norway’s 3rd largest city, Trondheim. Dating back to the 11th century this photogenic town has colourful warehouses along the waterside, pedestrianised walkways and the striking Nidaros Cathedral – the world’s northernmost medieval cathedral. We have included entrance and a guided visit. Meals: B Hotel: Scandic BakklandetDay 14: Bodø and the fabulous Lofoten Islands

Crossing the Arctic Circle, we take a short flight north to Bodø (avoiding 3 days of driving!). After lunchtime at leisure in the town, we board one of the famous Hurtigruten ships to enjoy an afternoon cruise past scenic islands and skerries, into the wonderful Lofoten Archipelago. Disembarking at Stamsund, we drive south through incredible scenery to Reine where we stay the next three memorable nights in historic fisherman’s cabins. Meals: BD Hotel: Historic Rorbuer CabinsDay 15: A RIB boat ride to the ‘maelstrom’
Here, in the most western part of the Lofoten archipelago, at the mouth of dramatic Reinefjorden, we stay in the village of Reine, set with an almost unbelievable backdrop of the majestic Lofoten peaks rising from the Arctic Ocean. After time to explore we board RIB boats (Rigid Inflatable Boats) to experience a ride to the tip of the Lofoten archipelago to see sea eagles and visit the giant Moskstraumen – the huge maelstrom whirlpool featured in Jules Verne’s ‘20,000 Leagues under the Sea’. The rest of your day is free. ‘My Time’ to explore your sensational location, maybe on foot or hire a bike? Kayakers – you might like to join an escorted kayaking trip up the sensational, placid Reinefjorden. No experience is necessary, and it is an incredible experience! Meals: BDDay 16: ‘Å’, Flakstad Fisherman’s Church and Nusfjord
At the end of the road south we find the pretty harbour town called simply ‘Å’. This beautifully preserved village contains a number of heritage buildings, cafés, museums and shops and the Lofoten’s oldest working bakery. Their cinnamon buns are famous and certainly worth queuing for! Later we visit Flakstad’s tiny Fisherman’s Church, built to honour the hundreds of sailors and fishermen from the local communities who have perished or been lost in the unforgiving sea. At our next stop we explore the ‘time capsule’ fishermen’s village of Nusfjord with its old-fashioned village store, preserved sawmill, forge and cod-liver oil workshop. As a finale, on our way home, we take a break on Sakrisøy Island with its fish drying racks and seafood delicatessen. Meals: BDDay 17: Henningsvaer and Viking Soup in a Longhouse
The scenery is breathtaking as we follow the coast road to the iconic harbour town of Henningsvaer. With time to explore, make sure you check out the unusual soccer stadium carved into the island rocks. Later we visit the amazing Lofotr museum with its Viking Longhouse, relics and treasures. 1,200 years ago, the Lofoten Islands were heavily populated by Vikings and this enormous Longhouse is the biggest ever discovered. A local guide will take us through the authentically reconstructed rooms, where costumed characters re-enact the ancient Viking community life, with its arts and crafts and throne rooms. On the lake you will see some longboats. After enjoying a bowl of steaming, traditional Viking lamb soup, we continue to Leknes Airport to board a plane for the brief flight to Tromsø, capital of the North! Meals: BD Hotel: Radisson Blu TromsoDay 18: Arctic Cathedral, the fascinating Polar Museum and ‘My Time’

First stop will be at the Ishavskatedralen – the Arctic Cathedral, standing high over the Tromsø Sound. Later we visit the fascinating Polar Museum depicting the achievements of the great explorers and the harsh life of the early hunters and trappers. The rest of the day is at leisure. Meals: BDay 19: Flight to Oslo and ‘My Time’
We catch a flight to Norway’s capital, Oslo. Your hotel is located right in the heart of town and after checking in you will have free time to explore the nearby sights at leisure. There is a long, lively pedestrian mall. Akershus Castle and the Royal Palace are nearby. Make sure you visit the pretty port lined with excellent cafés, bars and restaurants. Meals: B Hotel: Thon Hotel OperaDay 20: Norsk Folkemuseum and the mighty Viking longboats
This morning we will visit Frognor Parkland to wander amongst hundreds of the artist Vigeland’s amazing giant sculptures. Next, on the Bygdøy peninsula, we visit the fascinating Norsk Folkemuseum where dozens of historic regional dwellings, houses, buildings and even villages have been saved, brought in and reconstructed. As a finale we see the mighty Viking longboats and treasures in the Viking Ship Museum. The remainder of your day is at leisure in Oslo. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. Meals: BDDay 21: Oslo
Your tour ends today after breakfast. Meals: B
Three dates available in September 2019 (May, June & August dates have all sold out)
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