Day 1

Travel by Eurostar and ICE to Hamburg. Overnight stay in a hotel near Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, for example the IntercityHotel.

Day 2

Continue by train to Kiel. Board the ferry to Gothenburg at 6.45 pm. On board, enjoy a dinner buffet and stay in a private outside cabin. Beautiful route past the Danish islands.

Day 3

Breakfast on board the ferry. Sail along the beautiful skerry coast with its countless islands. Arrival in Gothenburg at 9.15 am. Tram to the railway station. SJ operates comfortable X2000 trains to Stockholm. Stay aboard the MS Mälardrottningen, a three-star hotel ship on Lake Mälaren (often frozen in winter), quietly moored close to the city centre (cabins with bunk beds). Gamla Stan and the central station are within walking distance. An alternative stay in a regular hotel is also possible.

Day 4

Free day in Stockholm. In the late afternoon/early evening, depart for Lapland on the comfortable overnight train. Overnight in a sleeping compartment for two or three people with bunk beds and a washbasin.

Day 5

Early in the morning, the overnight train arrives in Boden. Change to a daytime train through northern Sweden. Travel along the Malmbanan through endless forests towards Lapland and Norway, crossing the Arctic Circle and passing Kiruna. Malmbanan is the Swedish name for the railway line; the final section lies in Norway and is known as the Ofotbanen, named after the fjord on which Narvik is situated. Arrival in Narvik in the early afternoon. Stay at, for example, Breidablikk Guesthouse***, with panoramic views over the fjord.

Day 6

Depart early in the morning by comfortable Nordlandsbuss coach to Fauske. Here you board the train again for a journey on the Nordlandsbanen (*), a beautiful route south to Trondheim, where you arrive in the evening. Overnight stay in Trondheim, for example at Thon Hotel Nidaros in the city centre.

Day 7

Another beautiful railway journey through Norway, from Trondheim to Oslo, across the Dovrefjell mountain plateau. Overnight stay in a *** or **** hotel near the central station, for example Thon Hotel Terminus.

Day 8

The final spectacular railway journey of the tour is on the Bergensbanen to Bergen, crossing the Hardangervidda plateau through eternal snow. You will not tire of the magnificent scenery on both sides of the train. Overnight stay in Bergen, within walking distance of the railway station, for example Hotel Grand Terminus*** or Zander K***.

Day 9

Free morning in Bergen. Stroll along the lively harbour and the historic Bryggen district, take the Fløibanen funicular to Mount Fløyen or the cable car to Mount Ulriken. At 2.00 pm, the Fjord Line ferry departs for Denmark. Enjoy the beautiful voyage past islands and views of the mountainous mainland. There are several restaurants, bars and shops on board. Overnight in a comfortable private cabin.

Day 10

Arrival in Hirtshals early in the morning. From Denmark's northernmost point, travel by train to Hamburg. Overnight stay in a three-star hotel near Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, for example the IntercityHotel.

Day 11

Return by Eurostar and ICE to London or your preferred railway station in Great Britain. In the morning, there is time to explore Hamburg. Miniatur Wunderland is highly recommended (advance booking is advisable).
 

12-day tour

Difference compared with the 11-day tour:

• Flåmsbana and the Norway in a Nutshell route
• Overnight stay in Vatnahalsen

15-day tour

Difference compared with the 11-day tour:

• Flåmsbana and the Norway in a Nutshell route
• Overnight stay in Vatnahalsen
• Extra night in Stockholm, Oslo and Bergen