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2008
TOUR OF NORWAY
AUGUST
15-30.
 Here is an overview of our upcoming tour of Norway. You will get an
extended view of spectacular scenery, of their communities and of their
culture. You will travel by ship from north of the Arctic Circle, south
along the west coast, through the Lofoten Islands, in the fjords snuggled
between rugged mountains with spectacular waterfalls and tall pines. You will
travel by modern tour bus over narrow mountain roads, experiencing a car ferry
and going through tunnels. You will overnight in comfortable settings in
remote rural areas and in bustling cities, but always with a full tasty
breakfast of eggs, breads, cereals, cheeses, cold meats, pickled herring and
of course coffee, tea, milk and juices. You will have many cultural
experiences to better appreciate this old country, one that has the highest
standard of living in the world.
Along on this tour we
will have geologist, ecologist and hydrologist Roger Kuhns. He is currently
involved in over a dozen conservation development projects throughout the
United States and Canada, and has worked in more than 40 countries. He will
discuss topics of interest in his fields of expertise, plus conduct a field
trip when we are in mining territory. Roger is also a song writer and
entertainer and will share one of his monologues with us.
In addition you will
have the possibility to pick up some Norwegian geography, history and folklore
on the way. This is the planned schedule:
August
15: Take off from your choice of
airport.
August
16: Arrive in Tromsø after going
through customs and changing plane in Oslo. Tromsø is the biggest city north
of the Arctic Circle. The first church was built here in 1252. It received
city status in 1794. It boasts of 50000 people plus having the northernmost
university in the world.
August
17: We will take it easy
and relax in the morning, and do some sightseeing in the afternoon;
visiting the Arctic museum Polaria, the famous church Ishavskatedralen (Arctic
Ocean Cathedral), and a cable car ride to a great view point of the city, the
ocean and the islands before we board the Coastal Steamer in the evening.
August
18 and 19: These two days we relax cruising south along the most spectacular
coastline of Norway. The ship stops on a regular basis to deliver mail and
freight for people living on the coast. Roger will do a talk on board each of
these days.
August
20: This morning we arrive in the
medieval city of Trondheim, founded in 997. Our coach for the rest of the tour
will pick us up where the ship docks. First we will visit the Ringve Mansion
– the country’s National museum for music and musical instruments, then
the beautiful Nidaros Cathedral, built on St. Olav’s grave, the medieval
Archbishops Palace and the Crown Jewel museum.
August
21: From Trondheim we head south
east to the mining town Røros, founded in 1644, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Here we have a local guide to show us this historic town and copper mine.
August
22: We do not travel far today. We
go to a great mountain resort. Here you will have a chance to get out in the
field for a hike under Roger’s leadership, or on your own.
 August 23: Now
we head west to Åndalsnes, situated on the Romsdalsfjord. From here we are in
the right position to start climbing the mountain going up the Trollstigen
(the Trolls Path) with 11 breathtaking hairpin turns and beautiful waterfalls.
August
24: After traveling the west coast
rugged mountains we head south easterly into the Gudbrandsdalen valley with
all its tradition and folklore. This will be a day of many Kodak moments. By
the hotel we stay at this night we will visit a stave church built around year
1100 and Fossheim Stone centre – a geological museum and silversmith
workshop.
August
25: Today we go to the Olympic City
of Lillehammer, the “capitol” of Gudbrandsdalen. Before we get there we
stop for lunch at a friend of mine. The oldest building on her farm was built
in 1773. We will stop to see the Olympic ski jump. If you want some added
excitement I will be happy to take you to the Olympic bobsleigh run and you
can do the run in a wheeled bob! The evening will be filled with folklore and
music.
August
26: Lillehammer has a fantastic outdoor museum, Maihaugen, one of the biggest and most
important museums of farming culture in Norway. There are also indoor exhibits
showing the history of the country as well as an outdoor city exhibit.
August
27: On the way to Oslo we stop at
the Eidsvoll Mansion where the Norwegian Declaration of Constitution was
signed May 17, 1814. Norway’s Capitol City is more than 1000 years
old. On the way in to the city we will enjoy a meal in a private home – my
daughter’s.
August
28 and 29: Two of the musts in Oslo are the Viking Ship Museum and the
Vigeland Sculpture Garden. There are many more sights to see and you can pick
and choose according to your interest.
August
30: Return to the USA
Cost: $4100 per person based on double occupancy.
Single room addition (hotels and Coastal Steamer): $1100.
Based
on my best estimation of the currency exchange.
Cost
includes:
All
land travel
Coastal
Steamer
12
breakfast -
5 lunches -
13 dinners
Admission
to sights mentioned above
Lectures
on geology
Does
not include:
Drinks
with the meals other than coffee or tea.
Airfare.
You need airfare from your choice of airport to Tromsø with a return from
Oslo. Arrival Tromsø August 16, departure Oslo August 30. The reason airfare
is not included is that many travelers have frequent flyer miles they prefer
to use, and most travelers can get a better price with less travel time going
directly to the destination rather than meeting a group at a chosen airport. I
will be happy to help you book your air ticket if you so desire.
Travel
Insurance
Tip
for driver
Sign-up Deposit: $1500 per person
Deadline for sign-up: April 15, payment
in full by June 1.
Group size: Minimum 25 |
