Norway- Land of the Midnight Sun

1. Flight

2. Arrive Oslo
Arrive in Oslo and check into your downtown hotel.  The rest of the day is free enjoy the main street with colorful charm.  A welcome dinner awaits this evening.
Included Meals: Dinner

3. Oslo
Explore this exciting city with sights including Frogner Park, with its renowned Vigeland Sculptures.  Visit to the Viking Ship Museum, where the 2,000 year old ships and artifacts from the Viking-era make history come alive.  See the medieval fortresses of Akershus, the Royal Palace, and the busy port, and a stop at Oslo’s City Hall.  R&J Tours has arranged for you to enjoy some leisure time here in Oslo.  Perhaps take a harbor cruise, experience the Resistance Museum at Akershus Fortress, or visit the Munch Museum, housing the collection of Norway’s most famous artist.  Take a stroll along the main street of Karl Johan, a short walk to the Royal Palace, or go for a ride on a streetcar.  You are free to choose from the many restaurants for dinner this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast

4. Oslo to Lofthus
After breakfast at the hotel visit the Hadeland Glassworks established in 1762.  We begin our scenic journey into some of Norway’s most beautiful scenery.  Scenery includes, farm-dotted landscapes with brilliant blue lakes, rushing rivers, and impressive waterfalls.  Motor through tunnels, along sheer rock walls, and around hairpin turns.  Our magnificent journey ends in the fjord village of Lofthus.  R & J Tours has chosen one of the best hotels in Norway perfectly set on the fjord with snow-capped mountains as a back drop.  Dinner is served at the hotel this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Ullensvang Hotel

5. Lofthus to Bergen
Explore the village or to soak up the scenery this morning!  Depart this afternoon by ferry on the Hardanger Fjord to the fjord village of Kvanndal.  Here we board our coach and motor through charming villages, along the shores of the fjord with sweep mountains looming.    Arrive in Voss where we will board our train for the small fjord village of Flaam.  Enjoy some free time in the village before we board the Flaam Railway, ascending more than 2,900 feet in less than one hour. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Flaam Valley and the thundering sound of waterfalls as you pass. Travel along the Sogne Fjord with cascading waterfalls, isolated hamlets, and steep mountain sides.    Experience spectacular scenery as we continue to Bergen. Your lovely hotel offers a grand location on the Bryggen and walking distance to the fish markets!  Dinner is served at the hotel this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Hotel First Marin

6. Bergen to On Board
A free morning is given to enjoy this delightful city at your leisure.  Perhaps take an optional trip with the cable car to Mount Floyen for a breathtaking view of this seafaring town, make a visit to some of the many museums, or just take a nice quiet stroll through the old cobble-stoned streets of Bergen.  Later, sightsee Bergen, Norway’s second largest city with a lovely location set on the water.  Sea trade has been a large part of Bergen’s 900 year old history and you will see the colorful fish markets and learn about it’s history.  Visit the Hanseatic Waterfront and the Hansa Museum.  See St. Mary’s Church, famous for its Baroque Pulpit before we visit Troldhaugen, the home of Edvard Grieg.  Grieg composed many of his best known works here.  This evening we board our Coastal Steamer Ship for a 6 night cruise to the land of the mid-night sun.  Enjoy a light dinner on the ship.  
Included Meals:  Breakfast, Light Dinner

7. Torvik to Kristiansund
When you awake, the ship will be crossing Stadthavet and heading for Torvik. You’ll have time to stroll around the beautiful Art Nouveau town of Alesund. Sail into the scenic Stor Fjord past the village of Stranda and then into world famous Geiranger Fjord (only offered on September tour) with its sheer rock walls and numerous waterfalls including Seven Sisters, Breideal Vail ad more.  R & J Tours has included a overland motorcoach tour that motors along spectacular Eagles Road”  which climbs eleven hairpin turns.  Visit a large summer farm at Herdalssetra under the mighty mountain Heregga.  Here they keep traditions alive as they do the milking by hand and make brown and white cheese of goat milk.  Enjoy coffee and lefse here at the farm.  Arrive in Molde, with it’s magnificent panorama of 87 snow-capped peaks.  Enjoy dinner at a local favorite restaurant before we continue by ship to Kristiansund.  Spend the night on board your Coastal Steamer.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

8. Trondheim to Rorvik
You’ll arrive in Trondheim early this morning, where you’ll have ample free time to explore this historic and colorful town. Take a stroll through the streets, past the charming harbor, or cross the old city bridge to see the restored wooden buildings in Bakklandet.Depart Trondheim and sail past the 17th century Munkholmen Fortress, Reinskloster Manor and Austraat Castle.  Ship sail past many islands and skerries before arriving in Rorvik, a modern fishing village.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

9. Ornes to Svolvaer
You’ll have passed the Arctic Circle before you are fully awake. Now in the land of the Midnight Sun, the ship will follow the mighty Borvass Mountains on its way into Bodoe, with one of the largest airforce bases in Northern Europe. Then you’ll sail out to sea, crossing Vestfjord in the direction of the dramatic Lofoten Islands, where farming and fishing have always been the basis of the economy.  Arrive in Stamsund, the principal fishing village of the islands and home to many of the Lofoten trawler fleet.  Arrive in Svolvaer with time to take an evening stroll before we continue north through the beautiful, narrow Raftsund Strait and passing the majestic Trollfjord.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

10. Harstad to Skjervoy
The ship will call at Harstad at breakfast time. Norway’s largest dairy and meat processing factories are located in Harstad and the harbor is alive and well.  Sail across Vaags Fjord and enter Solbergs Fjord with a sight of Bjaroy Island.  The Viking Tore Hund founded the vast fortunes of the Bjarkoy family trading with the Lapplanders and the Carelians.  A short call in Finsnes, an old trading center before continuing through Vagsfjord and Malangen before starting its approach to Tromso, the “Capital of the Arctic” founded in 1250 as a trading and fish export, today it is often called the “Paris of the North”  Take time to stroll the charming downtown with its colorful wooden buildings and bustling life.   A brief stop in Skjaervoy will be made late tonight.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

11. Hammerfest-Kjoellefjord
Early this morning we call on Hammerfest, the world’s northernmost town, with its wooden buildings painted in Norwegian style.  The town’s history includes world war 11, where the German’s used it as a naval base.  Today the town is one of Norway’s most important fishing harbors.  In the Finnmark region, nature has created an austere, more dramatic landscape. You’ll see both fishing villages from days gone by and lively fishing ports bustling with activity. Some may want to join an optional overland tour to the North Cape Plateau.  Each year thousands of tourist visit this attraction to see the Midnight Sun. The ship will head for Havoysund and Finnmark, before turning east across Austhavet toward the well-known fishing villages of Kjollefjord and Mehamn.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

12. Kirkenes to Oslo
Enjoy breakfast as we cruise along the Finnmark Coastline.  Visit Vadsoe a busy port before we arrive at Kirkenes, the journey’s northern terminus. We’ll catch a flight to Oslo for a two night stay.  Dinner is served at the hotel this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Hotel Bristol

13. Oslo to Home
Today we catch our flight for home with memories of “The World’s Most Beautiful Voyage.”

Price Per Person (Call for Pricing)
Cabin Type:            
L-2  (lowest deck with porthole)
N-2  (Deck 3 with full window)
P-2   (Deck 5 with full window)
*Round Trip Airfare Included
-Senior Passengers discount (67 years or over):
Take $100.00 off per person

Deposit Per Person: $200 at reservation & full payment 60 days prior to departure.
Optional Travel Insurance (approx.)
$270 Double (per person)/ $305 Single
Departure & Airport Taxes: Airport tax
not included and will be added to final payment.