Washington and Lee University
We invite you to discover the diverse beauty of Scandinavia, both on and off the beaten path. From the cosmopolitan capitals of Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo to Norway's magnificent fjord country, we'll come to understand why many regard the Nordic countries as the loveliest region of Europe.
We'll begin in the Danish capital of Copenhagen with a welcome dinner at festive Tivoli Gardens. Highlights of the city include Rosenborg Palace; the popular Little Mermaid statue; Christianborg Palace, seat of the Danish Parliament; and the Danish Stock Exchange. After an overnight ferry to Oslo, we'll travel by coach to Lofthus, located on Hardanger Fjord. Here the snow-capped mountains and pristine fjords encourage our exploration of Norway's fjordland. We'll visit the mighty Voeringfoss waterfall, tour a salmon farm, and stop at a local orchard, where we'll meet the family who runs it.
To experience Norway in a nutshell, we'll travel by ferry and coach to Gudvangen, where we hop on another ferry for a voyage to Flam. From there, we'll board the Flam Railway on a thrilling hour-long excursion through 2,000-foot deep Flam Valley. We'll also explore charming Bergen and view some of Norway's finest vistas at Geirangerfjord, including stunning views from the summit of Mount Dalsnibba (alt. 4,500 feet). In Lillehammer, the famed ski resort that hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics, we'll stay in the quaint village of Peer Gynt Vegen. When we arrive in Oslo, we'll tour the city and visit both the Norwegian Folk Museum and the Viking Ship Museum, which houses the well-preserved remains of wooden ships that crossed the ocean in search of new lands more than 1,000 years ago.
Once in Sweden, we'll head to Tallberg in the Dalarna district to visit a workshop where craftsmen carve the famed Dala wooden horses. We'll tour the Swedish-style home of the artist Carl Larsson and explore Uppsala with its 13th-century cathedral, coronation site of Swedish monarchs. Our tour concludes in Stockholm, which spreads across 14 islands connected by 57 bridges. We'll tour historic Gamla Stan, the medieval Old Town, and enjoy a festive farewell dinner. Scandinavian Odyssey will be limited to 24 travelers, so early reservation is encouraged.
Download the complete itinerary and registration form (.pdf)