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Itinerary for Arctic Circle Tour -
August 2009 |
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Included meals are indicated as B =
Breakfast, D = Dinner |
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| 16.08.09 |
Depart Brisbane at
1.15pm on QF 529, arriving in Sydney at 2.45pm.
Depart Melbourne at 1.30pm on QF 436, arriving in Sydney at 2.50pm.
All passengers depart Sydney at 4.35pm on BA 10, arriving in Bangkok at
10.55pm. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel in
Central Bangkok. |
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17.08.09
(B/D) |
Bangkok
Morning free in Bangkok. Early afternoon departure to visit the unique
Lacquer Pavilion at Suan Pakkard Palace, decorated with 17th century
murals in gold leak and magnificent wood carvings. After this you will
visit Jim Thompson's House, the former home of Thailand's "Silk King",
this beautiful Thai-style home is crammed with valuable antiques. This
is followed by dinner at a superb Thai Restaurant in Siam Square. There
will be time for some shopping in the wonderful Siam Square Shopping
area before being transferred to Bangkok Airport. |
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18.08.09
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Bangkok - Helsinki - Rovaniemi (Finland)
Depart Bangkok at 12.20am on AY 96, arriving in Helsinki
at 6.40am. Depart Helsinki at 7.35am on AY 421, arriving in Rovaniemi
at
8.50am. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The
rest of the day is free for you to start exploring Rovaniemi. Tonight
you will meet your Tour Director.
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19.08.09
(B) |
Rovaniemi
A whole day to enjoy the capital of Finnish Lapland. For hundreds of
years it was famous for exporting furs and salmon to the world's rich
and powerful. Unfortunately, the town was totally destroyed during
World War II. The new town, which you'll visit this morning, was
designed by Alvar Aalto in the shape of reindeer antlers. Sights
include Lappia Hall, the Town Hall, the new modern church with its
intriguing frescoes, and the Arctic Centre. Afternoon at leisure or
join an optional excursion to find out more about Lapland. |
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20.08.09
(B/D) |
Rovaniemi - Saariselkã
As you cross the Arctic Circle, you are in incomparable, unspoiled
Lapland, land of reindeer and the midnight sun. Stop at the Santa Claus
Workshop with a chance to meet Father Christmas himself. North to
Sodankylã, where you see the charming Vanha Kirkko, Lapland's
oldest wooden church dating back to the 17th century. At Tankavaara,
visit the Gold Museum and try panning for gold if you wish. Overnight
in Saariselkã, on the edge of the virgin wilderness and part of
Finland's major national park. It is the largest winter sport centre in
Finland and a paradise for hikers and mountain bike lovers in summer. |
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21.08.09
(B/D) |
Saariselkã - Honningsvag (Norway)
Via Ivalo you cross into Norway for a visit to the
fascinating Sàpmi Park. Further into Norway and across the
beautiful Porsangen Fjord to Honningsvag on the island of Mageroya,
home to 4,000 people and 5,000 reindeer. Tonight, one of the highlights
of this tour is the included drive to the North Cape, Europe's last
northern outpost, on a sheer cliff rising 1,000 feet from the Atlantic
ocean. |
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22.08.09
(B/D) |
Honningsvag - Coastal Cruise - Hammerfest -
Alta
One of the highlights of this tour is today's fjord cruise from
Honningsvag to Hammerfest. You will enjoy some of Norway's most
beautiful coastal and mountain scenery as you cruise southwards.
Disembark at Hammerfest and drive to Alta, situated at the mouth of the
world's richest salmon river, for an overnight. |
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23.08.09
(B) |
Alta - Narvik
Continue your unforgettable journey south along the stunning shoreline
of Norway. The road meanders along Kvaenangenfjord and Lyngenfjhord.
You are now in the Troms Province, still way beyond the Arctic Circle
but with a climate mild enough to allow very successful farming. Stop
for pictures at the thundering Malselvossen Waterfall. Hear about
fierce World War II battles as you approach Narvik, rebuilt after near
total destruction. |
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24.08.08
(B) |
Narvik - Mo
Visit Narvik's War Museum and relive how Norwegian troops, with the
help of their allies, showed the world that the Nazi war machine was
not invulnerable. Enter Nordland; not far from Mo you cross Arctic
Circle again and are back in a world where the sun rises and sets every
day of the year. Overnight in the little town of Moi I Rana. |
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25.08.09
(B/D) |
Mo - Trondheim
On the agenda today; the ancient octagonal church of Mosjõen;
the spectacular Laksforsen Waterfall; the forests and rivers of
Namsdalen Valley; and vistas of Trondheimsfjord, the World War II
hideout of the German battleship Tirpitz. |
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26.08.09
(B/D) |
Trondheim - Roros
Spend this morning getting to know something about Norway's
third-largest city, also known as the "Gateway to the North". The main
sight in town is the Nidarosdomen, the most famous cathedral in Norway,
In the afternoon, travel south-east through some fine alpine scenery to
Roros, not far from the Swedish border, for an overnight. |
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27.08.09
(B/D) |
Roros - Lake Femund - Mora Area (Sweden)
Grand mountain scenery and beautiful Lake Femund are part of today's
journey south on the way to Mora. In the heart of the Dalarna region,
the most typical and unspoiled countryside in Sweden. |
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28.08.09
(B) |
Mora - Uppsala - Stockholm
Continue your scenic drive skirting Lake Silian and its typical
Dalarnian shore side villages. A short stop in the university city of
Uppsala, then just a few more miles before reaching Sweden's capital,
Stockholm for an overnight. |
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29.08.09
(B) |
Stockholm - Baltic Sea Crossing - Helsinki
(Finland)
Stockholm is perhaps the most beautiful of the Scandinavian capitals.
The effect of its crystalline waters flowing through the city's
intersecting canals give an luminous appearance to palaces, castles and
parks. Sightseeing includes the City Hall and other landmarks. The
afternoon is free for your own exploration. In the evening, embark on
the Silja Line ferry to Helsinki. On board you can enjoy music, dancing
and shopping. |
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30.08.09
(B) |
Helsinki
After breakfast on board, disembark for your city sightseeing tour with
a local guide. Highlights will include the City Hall and Parliament
House, the Presidential Palace, the monumental railway station, and the
great Lutheran Cathedral. An afternoon of leisure or for some
individual exploring. |
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31.08.09
(B) |
Helsinki - Hong Kong
Free morning in Helsinki, transfer to Helsinki Airport. Departing at
4.40pm on AY 67, arriving in Hong Kong at 7.25am (the next morning). |
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01.09.09
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Hong Kong
Transfer to your hotel in the exciting Kowloon area of Hong Kong with
the rest of the day free to explore one of the world's most exciting
cities. |
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02.09.09
(B) |
Hong Kong
A fantastic orientation tour for those first time visitors or the
chance to refresh for returnees, this visits all the famous scenic
spots. Commence with a ride up to Victoria peak for the best view in
the city across to Kowloon and beyond before a winding drive to
Aberdeen fishing village that continues to operate in traditional ways.
Then onto some great shopping chances at the famed Stanley market and a
local jewellery factory. |
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03.09.09
(B/L) |
Hong Kong - Macau - Hong Kong
Portuguese Macau is a 1 hour Catamaran ride away, the first European
settlement in China often referred to as the Monte Carlo of the East.
Visit the temple of the Goddess of Mercy, the Barrier Gate to China and
the Ruins of Sao Paulo, a wonderful 16th Century Church. Includes a
Portuguese lunch and some free time for gambling at one of Macau's
famous casino (no shorts). Return to Hong Kong late afternoon. |
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04.09.09
(B) |
Hong Kong - Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane
Melbourne passengers depart Hong Kong at 9.00am on QF 30, arriving in
Melbourne at 7.55pm.
Sydney passengers depart Hong Kong at 9.05pm on CX 161, arriving in
Sydney at 8.15am the next morning (05.09.09).
Brisbane passengers depart Hong Kong at 11.15pm on QF 98, arriving in
Brisbane at 9.50am the next morning (05.09.09). |
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| Note: |
Ground Operator in
Europe is 'Cosmos Tours' |
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Also note:
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Airport taxes and levies at present total an additional
amount of approximately $655. We have no control over this price and it
is subject to change. |
