With you every step of the way

INCLUSIVE SIGHTSEEING*

SMALL GROUPS*

AUSTRALIAN-BASED TOUR

HOST*

AIRFARES INCLUDED*

VISAS, TIPPING & TRANSFERS

INCLUDED*

ICELAND NORTHERN LIGHTS & NORWEGIAN EXPERIENCE

23 DAYS

2019-20 DEPARTURES

DATE TWIN SOLO

30 Oct - 21 Nov 2019 $15,995* $18,995*

2 Mar - 24 Mar 2020 $15,995* $18,995*

For additional information on this trip, including tour suitability and activity levels, please refer to the detailed trip notes at www.escortedescapes.com.au. Prices are per person. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings can never be guaranteed. The sightings you may experience are highly weather and nature dependent. All cruise pricing is based on Category N Polar outside cabin. Other cabin types may be available. Please contact us for pricing.

THE ESCORTED ESCAPES INCLUSIONS

3 AIRFARES INCLUDED*

3 FULLY ESCORTED HOLIDAYS*

3 VISAS, TRANSFERS, TIPPING INCLUDED*

3 SMALL GROUPS*

3 INCLUSIVE SIGHTSEEING*

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS• See the spectacular waterfalls at Seljalandsfoss

and Skógafoss, and explore the geothermic wonder that is the Blue Lagoon

• Visit Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier of the same name

• Cruise Norway’s coastline with Hurtigruten, a world leader in exploratory travel

• Cross the Arctic Circle under the amazing colour displays of the Northern Lights

• Experience the legendary Flåm Railway, considered one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world

• Discover the rich history of Norway at the Viking Ship and Kon-tiki Museums

• Take a walk on the black sands of Reynisfjara Beach and admire the extraordinary rock formations

• Enjoy breathtaking views of floating icebergs in the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon

• Take in the spectacular beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Norwegian fjords

23 DAYS

ICELAND NORTHERN LIGHTS & NORWEGIANEXPERIENCE

Reykjavik

BlueLagoon Vik

Fly

Road

Train

Cruise

Nights

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Oslo

Flam

Ålesund

Trondheim

Lofoten Islands

Tromsø

Vardø

Kirkenes

Bergen

NORWAY

ICELAND

FINLAND

ESTONIA

LATVIA

RUSSIA

SWEDEN2

11 2

2

1

4

1

5

1

DAY 1 AUSTRALIA - OSLOOur Escorted Escape beings today as we fly from Australia to Oslo. Tonight will be spent in the air en-route to Norway.

DAY 2 OSLO

Today we arrive in Oslo, Norway’s capital which is also known as the capital of culture with its cutting edge architecture, modern cuisine and arts. Due to the long travel day, the rest of the day is at your leisure.

DAY 3 OSLO

Today we’ll discover this unique city with a full day tour, which includes the Opera House and Vigeland Sculpture Park. We also admire the views across Oslo from the Holmenkollen Ski Jump. Viking culture comes alive with a visit the Viking Ship Museum. We then make our way to the Kon-tiki Museum. This evening get acquainted with your fellow travellers at our welcome dinner.

Meals: B + D Accommodation: Hotel Savoy Oslo

DAY 4 OSLO

Today is a free day for you to explore Oslo in depth with your “Visit Oslo City Pass”. This gives gives you free entry to 30 museums and attractions, free travel on all public transport, free walking tours and special offers in restaurants, shops, entertainment and leisure venues.

Meals: B Accommodation: Hotel Savoy Oslo

DAY 5 OSLO - KIRKENES

Our search for the Northern Lights begins today as we fly to Kirkenes. On arrival we’ll be transferred to the Snow Hotel to stay in “Gamme Cabins”, inspired by the traditional cabins found in the wilderness of Lapland. Designed with the best view of the aurora in mind, each cabin features a large floor to ceiling window that offers panoramic views of the night sky. There are also resident reindeer and huskies waiting eagerly to greet you.

Meals: B + D Accommodation: Snow Hotel Kirkenes, Gamme Cabins

DAY 6 KIRKENES

This morning we board our Hurtigruten ship. As the ship starts its voyage south, you can enjoy lunch with views of the surrounding Arctic landscape as we head to Vardo.

Meals: B Accommodation: Hurtigruten ship

DAY 7 TROMSØ

We stop in Mehamn before we continue on to Hammerfest and enjoy an optional tour of the world’s most northernmost town. The ship then arrives in Tromsø in the late evening, where you can choose to partake in an optional midnight concert at the Arctic Cathedral.

Meals: B + L + D Accommodation: Hurtigruten ship

DAY 8 STAMSUND

The island groups of Lofoten and Vesterålen offer some of the most stunning scenery you will see during the entire coastal voyage. The Lofoten region is renowned for its natural beauty with steep mountains, wild nature and small, picturesque fishing villages.

Meals: B + L + D Accommodation: Hurtigruten ship

DAY 9 RØRVIK

With a myriad of islets and steep granite walls, the Helgeland coast provides more spectacular scenery. We cross the Arctic Circle and sail past the famed peaks of the Seven Sisters as well as the towns of Sandnessjoen, Bronnoysund and Rorvik.

Meals: B + L + D Accommodation: Hurtigruten ship

DAY 10 ÅLESUNDToday we stop in Trondheim, a lively cosmopolitan city with an array of handsome civic architecture. You can uncover the city’s rich history on an optional walking tour or join a guided visit of the Nidaros Cathedral, Scandinavia’s largest medieval building. We then continue sailing south to Kristiansund past the jagged peaks of the Romsdal Alps.

Meals: B + L + D Accommodation: Hurtigruten ship

DAY 11 BERGEN

Soak up the last few miles of coastal scenery as we sail towards Bergen, the capital of the Norwegian fjords. We disembark from our cruise this afternoon and transfer to our hotel. The afternoon is at your leisure - you may wish to rest and relax or further discover Bergen.

Meals: B + L Accommodation: Clarion Admiral Hotel

DAY 12 BERGENToday we enjoy a half day sightseeing around beautiful Bergen. We drive past St. Mary’s Church and Haakon’s Hall. We will stroll around the colourful and picturesque fish markets and old Hanseatic wharf at Brygge. We then visit Troldhaugen, the home of Norway’s most famous composer Edvard Grieg. After our tour of Bergen we will ride the funicular railway to the top of Mt Fløyen where you can enjoy the beautiful view and admire the fjords surrounding Bergen.

Meals: B + D Accommodation: Clarion Admiral Hotel

DAY 13 FLAM

This morning we take the train to Voss, where we begin the amazing Norway in a Nutshell tour, taking us through Norway’s most breathtaking UNESCO protected fjord and mountain scenery. On arrival we transfer to Gudvangen where we begin our cruise to Flam. Experience one of the most beautiful fjord areas in Norway; the narrow and spectacular Nærøyfjord is surrounded by steep mountains that stretch up to 1800 meters above sea level.

Meals: B + D Accommodation: Flamsbrygga Hotel

DAY 14 OSLO

This morning we board the Flam Railway, considered one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world. The train journey takes us from sea level up to Myrdal, 863 meters above the ocean. Enjoy the trip through the steep mountains, past breathtaking waterfalls and through 20 tunnels. We then rejoin the Bergen Railway and continue on to Oslo for the evening.

Meals: B Accommodation: Radisson Blu Oslo Airport Gardermoen

DAY 15 OSLO - REYKJAVIK

This morning we fly to Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. Commonly known as the “Land of Fire and Ice”, Iceland is home to some of the largest glaciers in Europe, and some of the world’s most active volcanoes. Upon arrival you can enjoy some leisure time at our hotel.

Meals: B + D Accommodation: Icelandair Marina Hotel

DAY 16 REYKJAVIK

Today we visit the Northern Lights Centre in Reykjavik, then travel onwards to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue to the geothermal fields of Geysir and explore the bubbling mud pools and high spouting Strokkur hot spring. Last but not least, we visit the dramatic two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall before returning to Reykjavik.

Meals: B + D Accommodation: Icelandair Marina Hotel

DAY 17 VIK

This morning we depart the city and explore the South Coast, with a visit to the Lava Centre. We will stop to view the spectacular waterfalls at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss before making our way to the remote sea-side village of Vik.

Meals: B + D Accommodation: Icelandair Hotel Vik

DAY 18 ICELAND’S SOUTH SHOREToday we explore Vik, including a visit to the famous Reynisfjara beach. Reynisdrangar are basalt sea stacks situated under the mountain Reynisfjall, framed by a black sand beach that was ranked in 1991 as one of the ten most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world. From here we travel to Kirkjubæjarklauster.

Meals: B + D Accommodation: Icelandair Hotel Klaustur

DAY 19 ICELAND’S SOUTH SHORE

We pay a visit to Vatnajökull National Park in Skaftafell, one of the largest national parks in Europe, and home to Europe’s largest glacier of the same name. We visit Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon whose stunning blue waters, dotted with icebergs, are up to 180 meters deep in places.

Meals: B Accommodation: Icelandair Hotel Klaustur

DAY 20 BLUE LAGOON

Today we travel from Kirkjubæjarklauster to Hveragerdi stopping by the Strandarkirkja Church. We then head to the Blue Lagoon, a unique wonder of nature with pleasantly warm, mineral rich water in the middle of a black lava field. This evening we will gather for a farewell dinner.

Meals: B + D Accommodation: Northern Lights Inn

DAY 21 REYKJAVIK - AUSTRALIA

Today we farewell the “Land of Fire and Ice” and travel to the airport to begin our journey home.

Meals: B

DAY 22 TRANSIT

Today is spent travelling.

DAY 23 AUSTRALIA

Our Escorted Escape ends. On arrival, farewell your new friends and tour host as you head home.

www.escortedescapes.com.au

With you every step of the way

Phone: 1300 722 079 Web: escortedescapes.com.au

Your local Travel Agent:

TOP10REASONS TOTRAVEL WITH US

AUSTRALIAN-BASED TOUR HOST

Each and every tour is hosted by an experienced travel professional. Our hosts have travelled extensively themselves and have a passion for exploring our wonderful world. We are there to liaise with the local operators to ensure you relax and enjoy your holiday while we take care of the details.

AIRFARES INCLUDED

Every Escorted Escape includes return economy airfares from Australia (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide), plus all internal flights as per the itinerary. For available upgrades (at additional cost) or departures from Australian cities not listed above please contact your consultant for pricing. We generally use premium airlines for all long haul travel, to give you the most direct flights and best connection times to our destination. Deviations from the group are often possible, please contact your consultant who will customise your itinerary to make the most of your trip.

SMALL GROUPS

We offer a small-group experience on all of our Escorted Escapes. We guarantee our group size will never exceed 20 travellers on any one tour. With fewer travellers in our groups, you’ll spend less time checking into hotels and getting on (and off) transport and more time seeing the sights.

INCLUSIVE SIGHTSEEING

While our trips are leisurely paced, we pride ourselves on including the very best sightseeing on offer in each location. Please refer to the itinerary and trip notes for daily inclusions. Optional activities (at additional cost) may also be available in certain locations.

VISAS, TIPPING & TRANSFERS INCLUDED

We believe travel should be simple and easy for you, which is why we include as many costs as possible, including transfers from your home to the airport (to the value of $100). Visa costs for Australian passport holders are also included in every tour. We take care of tipping for group activities as well as for your tour leader, local guides and drivers.

UNIQUE ITINERARIES

Each itinerary is carefully planned and unique to Escorted Escapes. They are individually designed with our clientele in mind, reflecting our extensive travel industry experience and valued customer feedback. We prefer to travel at a leisurely pace, minimising one night stays in favour of two and three-night stays at key destinations.

OUR ACCOMMODATION

We use a range of quality accommodation including hotels, lodges, luxury tented

camps and cruise cabins. We take pride in selecting the best locations and guarantee that all accommodation includes private ensuite facilities. With our small group sizes, we have the flexibility to stay in smaller boutique properties, where available, to further enhance your travel experience. Please refer to the trip itinerary for the hotels we have carefully selected for your trip*.

TOUR LEADERS & LOCAL GUIDES

Each of our trips include a local English-speaking tour leader who is your destination expert, in addition to your Australian-based tour host. We also utilise the services of expert local guides where appropriate to enhance your experience in the key destinations.

SOLO TRAVELLERS

If you’re travelling solo you don’t need to be travelling alone. With our Escorted Escapes, you have the opportunity to travel with a whole new set of friends. Our single supplements are designed to keep the cost down and remove the stress of travelling by yourself.

MEAL INCLUSIONS

Breakfast is included each day for your convenience. We also offer a selection of included meals as per the trip itinerary, while allowing plenty of opportunities for you to sample the local cuisine at your leisure.

“ Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before. ”Dalai Lama