Bergen

Thursday

We travel north to Bergen, crossing many fjords by bridge, tunnel or ferry.

Bergen is a city on Norway’s southwestern coast. It’s surrounded by mountains and fjords, including Sognefjord, the country’s longest and deepest. Bryggen features colorful wooden houses on the old wharf, once a centre of the Hanseatic League’s trading empire. The Fløibanen Funicular goes up Fløyen Mountain for panoramic views and hiking trails. The Edvard Grieg House is where the renowned composer once lived.

We visit Greig’s house, ride the funicular and walk the old town around the fish market and trading port.

In the evening we dine at a Norwegian farm, enjoying traditional food, song and national costumes.

 

 

 

Norway

Wednesday

We leave flat Denmark and catch the ferry in Hirtshals to Skagerrak in Norway. The three and a half hour crossing was smooth with many locals enjoying the great weather sunbaking on the deck. The terrain in Norway is mountainous, with many forests, fjords and tunnels.

We travel to Stavanger for an overnight stay.

Norway was the birthplace of John’s great grandfather, Torjus Ellefsen, who migrated to Australia in the last half of the 19th century.

 

 

Odense & Randers

We leave Copenhagen behind for the Danish island of Funen, and Odense, the city where Hans Christian Andersen was born. Continuing across the picturesque pastoral landscapes of the Jutland Peninsula, we arrive in Randers, with its cosy half-timbered merchant houses and narrow medieval streets. Staying at the rustic Hotel Randers in the centre of the old town we dine outside at Cafe Konrad.

Tomorrow we leave Denmark, crossing by ferry to Norway.  We have enjoyed our few days here, the weather has been unseasonally warm, interspersed with the occasional thunderstorms.

 

 

 

Copenhagen and North Zealand

 

We join the Trafalgar tour taking in the iconic sites of Copenhagen, including the Little Mermaid and the Amalienborg Palace Quarter, the residence of the Queen, Frederik, Mary and families.

We then head north on the Danish Riviera’s heritage route passing through summer residences and fishing villages. Then on to the Fredensborg Palace, the summer residence of the Royal Family. We see the changing of the guard them move on to the 17th century Frederiksborg Castle to see the old state apartments and Coronation Chapel.

In the evening we take a canal cruise around Copenhagen and then have dinner in the old fort in the fairy tale fishing village of Dragor.

 

 

 

 

Copenhagen

 

 

We arrive early on Saturday after a long flight from Melbourne via Singapore. A quick train ride and short walk sees us at the Marriott for breakfast and a morning catchup sleep.

After lunch we explore the old town, see Christiansborg Castle, including the preparations for Royal Crown Prince Frederik’s 50th birthday State Dinner. John climbs the Round Tower and we join the locals and tourists alike shopping in the pedestrian mall, Lego of course! We watch the death defying rides at the Tivoli Gardens.

On the canals, local are enjoying a warm weekend boating and swimming and soaking up what sun there is. In the evening we watch coverage of the State Dinner – riveting TV.

Sunday back to walking, visiting the National Gallery of Denmark, Geological Museum, Botanical Gardens, Rosenborg Castle and the Royal Gardens.

This evening (Sunday) we join the Trafalgar tour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Off we go again!

Follow our adventures as we spend 14 days on a Trafalgar tour of Scandinavia, followed by a few days R&D in Provence (France) before travelling to Rome and doing a 7 day Greek Island cruise with Royal Carribean. On our way home we will spend a few days in Singapore courtesy of Singapore Airlines.

Where are we going in Scandinavia?

 

John and Dianne

 

Useless information! Summary map of destinations John has visited by plane

Summary including both work and pleasure trips, but excludes transit stops.

Follow this link to view interactive map in a new window.

Click on the following summary maps to enlarge and scroll.