Scandinavia

Jewish tours to Scandinavia.
This tour takes you to some of the most beautiful and unspoiled places in Northern Europe as well as world class cities such as Stockholm & Copenhagen. From rushing fjords to evergreen forests, from thermal pools and saunas to the charms of the Tivoli Gardens, Scandinavia has it all. With a clean and safe environment, friendly outlook (Denmark saved its Jews during WWII), and legendary Viking past, this part of the world offers you the unique combination of comfort and awe. This year we are adding Iceland – a place of awesome natural wonders that has found its rightful place on many Travel Top-Ten lists.

Day 01 Wednesday Departure USA.
Departure on your flight to Stockholm.

Day 02 Thursday Arrival to Stockholm.
Upon arrival, you are greeted with a warm “Velkommen.” Transfer to Sweden’s grand and scenic capital, built on fourteen Islands. Stockholm is amazingly situated where Lake Malaren merges with the Baltic Sea. After a short orientation tour, check in at your beautiful hotel in the heart of Stockholm. Remainder of the day at leisure. In the evening enjoy a Welcome dinner. Hotel.

Day 03 Friday Stockholm.
Breakfast. Our sightseeing this morning will introduce the very best of Stockholm. Visit the world-class City Hall, famous for the Nobel Banquets that are celebrated each year (remember when Isaac Bashevis Singer made his speech in Yiddish?). Later, continue to the hilly area of southern Stockholm for an impressive panoramic view of the city. Enter the Old Town for a walk in the quaint, narrow alleys and streets – in time to see the march of the Royal Guards at the Palace. Continue past the impressive Dramaten Theater, seat of famous Swedish drama traditions, to Raoul Wallenberg Square, commemorating the Swedish hero who devoted his life to saving Jews during the Holocaust. Next, a Jewish Tour of Stockholm as we enter the nearby Great Synagogue and Jewish Community Center, where we will learn the history of Jews in this land. Lunch is served during the tour. Remainder of day at leisure. You may choose to stroll along charming, lively streets, stopping here and there to people-watch. Hotel.

Day 04 Saturday Stockholm.
Breakfast. Our morning tour will begin at the outstanding Vasa Ship Museum, where the ill-fated 17th century vessel sunk on its maiden voyage – sadly, only a few hundred feet from the shipyard. Now, this luckless vessel functions as a beautifully preserved specimen of the days of fabled Scandinavian seafaring. Tour the museum before we drive to the Milles Garden on the outskirts of the city. This inspiring sculpture garden is dedicated to the Swedish artist Carl Milles, who for 20 years taught in the USA. En route back to the Hotel, pass the former Olympic Stadium and the elegant residential area of Ostermalm. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening, visit famous Skansen and tour this charming place with its panoramic views of Stockholm. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 05 Sunday Stockholm – Oslo.
Breakfast, followed by transfer to the express train bound for Oslo, Norway. The train will zip us past Sweden’s great forested land and countless lakes. Arrival in Oslo, Norway’s little but important capital. During the tour, visit the famous Viking Ship Museum with 1,000-year-old ships, the dramatic Vigeland Sculpture Park and the Holmenkollen Ski jump high above Oslo, offering breathtaking vistas of the city below. Continue to our Grand Hotel situated in the best part of town. This hotel was a favorite hangout for artist and writers such as Henrik Ibsen. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 06 Monday Oslo.
Breakfast. Our Jewish Tour of Oslo begins with a visit to the small but touching Jewish Cemetery, as well as a look at the Holocaust Monument. Continue to Akershus, the Historic Fortification of Oslo (Epcot has a restaurant with the same name), for a visit to the dramatic displays at the Norwegian Resistance Museum. Later, visit the charming Oslo Synagogue and Jewish Community Center, where Lunch will be served. Though the Jewish Community is the youngest and smallest of the traditional Scandinavian communities, the visit will impress you and you will have the chance to meet with some of its members. After Lunch, remainder of the day at leisure. Hotel.

Day 07 Tueday Oslo – Stalheim.
Breakfast. This morning, drive to the town of Honefoss and board an Express Train which will journey through gentle, forested valleys and across the Glacial area of Hardanger, where views are stunning. At Myrdal, change to the famous Flam Railway. This feat of engineering allows us a spectacular descent from the snow capped mountains to the inner reaches of the Sognefjord. Upon arrival in Flam, continue by coach for a short, scenic drive to the historically renowned Stalheim Hotel, offering soul-filling vistas of the surrounding mountains and valley below. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 08 Wednesday Stalheim – Bergen.
Breakfast. Wake up and enjoy the peaceful sounds of roaring waterfalls and whispering birches. Depart Stalheim by coach for another special adventure in the land of trolls, fjords and mountains. Descend to the Naeroy Fjord for a spectacular Fjord Cruise. Drift past roaring waterfalls, with snowcapped mountains as a backdrop.. Continue to Vik – where the once famous Vikings had their settlements. Disembark and continue by coach up the gentle valley for a visit to the Hopperstad Stave Church. Though made entirely of wood, it still stands as an everlasting remembrance of the bold Viking culture that once flourished here. Continue up the rugged Vikafjell Mountain as we drive to the small town of Voss en route to Bergen. Bergen was, for many centuries, the biggest and most important town in Norway, due to its easy access to the vital North Sea. It has also played an important part in the cultural life of Norway, and is intimately linked to artists such as Edvard Grieg and Henrik Ibsen. Check-in to your hotel in the very heart of Historic Bergen. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 09 Thursday Bergen.
Breakfast. Our sightseeing of Bergen will begin at the Museum and home of Norway’s greatest composer, Edvard Grieg. Continue along for a drive up the mountain for a fascinating panoramic view of the city below. Approach the historic city and the traditional market at the harbor, formerly the Fish Market (and you will still see and smell fish!), but today featuring a dazzling variety of products. Drive along the former Hanseatic Counting Houses and the Bryggen area, listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO, telling of Bergen’s past importance as a trading town. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore further the fascinating and busy harbor life. In the early evening, return to the Edvard Grieg Museum for an intimate Evening Concert. Hotel.

Day 10 Friday Bergen – Copenhagen.
Breakfast. Transfer to Bergen airport for the flight to Copenhagen. Upon arrival in Copenhagen, you will soon feel welcome to charming and picturesque (not to mention “wonderful”) Copenhagen, with its centuries-old houses and quaint canals. Tour Castle Island, the Danish Parliament and National Library, continuing to the famous pedestrian street, Stroget, showcasing Scandinavia’s world-class modern design traditions. Stop at the historic New Harbor Canal, and approach the elegant King’s Square, surrounded by the Royal Danish Opera, Ballet, and Academy of Art. Stop at the Royal Residence at Amalienborg before reaching the Danish Resistance Museum, where the story of the miraculous rescue of the Danish Jews will come vividly alive. Our Jewish Tour of Copenhagen continues to the Synagogue and the Jewish Museum. Later, drive past Rosenborg Castle and the Town Hall Square to our beautiful hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Perhaps you will overhear some Danes speaking their remarkable language – Yiddish spoken with a mouthful of potatoes? Hotel.

Day 11 Saturday Copenhagen.
Breakfast. A full day at leisure to explore lively, friendly Copenhagen. Visit some of Copenhagen’s great museums, the always lively pedestrian shopping streets, or choose to pay homage to the “Danish” pastry – known here as “Wienerbrod” – in one of the many cafes (only 3,000 calories!). In the evening, enjoy the colorful Tivoli Gardens as Dinner is elegantly served here tonight. Hotel.

Day 12 Sunday Copenhagen – Reykjavik.
Breakfast. Depart for a tour to North Zealand. Pass the Castle of Frederiksborg, en route to the sandy beaches and fishing hamlets on the shores, which were used as routes of escape by the Danish Jews. Pay a visit to the Parish Church in Gilleleje, used to hide Jewish families. A short drive brings us to Hornbaek for Lunch in Scandinavia’s only Jewish (and kosher) Hotel, located in one of Denmark’s best seaside resort areas. Later, drive along the shores to Elsinore, made famous by the stories of the dreamy Prince of Denmark. Continue past a magnificent residential area, as Sweden, WWII’s safe haven for the Danish Jews, remains in constant sight. Stop at the statue of the Little Mermaid, reminding us all of Hans Christian Andersen and his imaginative fairytales, en route to the Copenhagen Airport for our flight to Reykjavik, Iceland. Hotel.

Day 13 Monday Reykjavik.
Breakfast. Iceland is a treasure trove of dramatic natural wonders. Depart for the site of the First Viking Parliament at Tingvellir, where the tectonic plates of Europe and America meet. Continue to the roaring Gullfoss waterfalls, one of Iceland’s biggest falls. Later, on to Geysir, where Iceland’s Old Faithful will perform its impressive splashes of boiling water. After Lunch at Geysir, continue to the Langjokull Glacier for a spectacular event: Specially designed vehicles will drive you on to the Glacier, where sled dogs are waiting to take you for a unique ride in this land of snow and frost (warm clothing is provided). Did you ever dream about trying this? In the afternoon, return to Reykjavik for a festive Farewell dinner. Hotel.

Day 14 Tuesday Reykjavik – USA.
Breakfast, followed by a short introduction to Reykjavik. Then another treat as we transfer to the world-famous natural hot spring and spa: The Blue Lagoon. Relax in the warm water in a majestic setting, lie back under the blue skies, and let the experiences of the past two weeks settle into your soul. What a journey!. Later, transfer to the airport for the flight back to the USA.