Scandinavia Itinerary

Copenhagen, Denmark, Photo by phototram — Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

Reserve a place now on this extraordinary trip.

Join Deluxe Kosher Tours on this discovery tour of Northern Europe, as you experience both the beautiful and serene natural wonders of Scandinavia as well as sophisticated cosmopolitan centers like Copenhagen and Stockholm. See the famous fjords of the land of Norse mythology, and enjoy the thermal baths and other therapeutic spa treatments that make Scandinavia such an ideal spot for rejuvenation of the body and mind.

Famously open Denmark was one of the countries to save its Jews from the atrocities of the Second World War. Scandinavia is sure to be an ideal destination for any world traveler.

Read Stuart Katz’s blog post “Must-See Museums of Copenhagen”

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 In Transit
Depart the USA on our Scandinavian adventure.

Read post “Copenhagen Is One of the Coolest Cities in the World”

Thursday, July 1, 2010 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. Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps you will overhear some Danes speaking their remarkable language — Yiddish spoken with a mouthful of potatoes. In the evening enjoy a Welcome Dinner with the Jewish Community.

Friday, July 2, 2010 Copenhagen
After breakfast at the hotel your local guide will meet you for a sightseeing tour You will see the Castle Island, the Danish Parliament and National Library, continuing to the famous pedestrian street, Ströget, 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.

Drive past Rosenborg Castle and the Town Hall Square. Stop to admire the statue of the Little Mermaid, reminding us all of Hans Christian Andersen and his imaginative fairytales and pay a visit to the Danish Resistance Museum, where the story of the miraculous rescue of the Danish Jews will come vividly alive.

The afternoon at leisure to explore lively, friendly Copenhagen. You may have time for a quick visit to one of Copenhagen’s great museums or the always lively pedestrian shopping streets or choose to pay homage to the Danish pastry — known here as “Wienerbröd” — in one of the many cafes (only 3,000 calories!). Shabbat dinner at the Jewish Center. Note that in the summer Shabbat starts very late!

Shabbat, July 3, 2010 Copenhagen
Breakfast at the hotel. Shabbat at leisure in Copenhagen. Attend services with the local Jewish community. Lunch and dinner (Seudat Shlishit) at the Jewish community.

Sunday, July 4, 2010 Copenhagen-Göteborg
After breakfast at the hotel leave Copenhagen. The tour will pass magnificent residential areas. In Hornbaek we stop for lunch in Scandinavia’s only Jewish (and kosher) Hotel, located in one of Denmark’s best seaside resort areas. Later, continue to Helsingör, made famous by Shakespeare stories of the dreamy Prince of Denmark. (We will also make a detour to the Parish Church in Gilleleje, used to hide Jewish families during WWII). From Helsingör take a ferry over to Helsingborg in Sweden and continue the drive to Göteborg. Dinner at the Jewish home.

Read Stuart Katz’s blog post “Goteborg, Sweden, Is the Perfect Summer Family Vacation Destination”

Monday, July 5, 2010 Göteborg
After catered kosher breakfast your local guide will meat you at the hotel and take you on a sightseeing tour in Göteborg. We will make stops to look at Jewish memorial art in the city and also look at the synagogue (Sweden’s oldest). After the tour continue to the small and idyllic island of Marstrand situated about one hour outside the city. It will be reached by a short boat trip.

In 1775 the island of Marstrand, was declared Porto Franco and the aliens invited to settle there were granted freedom of religion as well as freedom of trade. Four years later, the first Jew, Moses Salomon, arrived to the island and some month later Elias Magnus, the ancestor of a still well-known family in Göteborg. A few years later the Jewish community at Marstrand numbered 60 members. By royal permission, the congregation was allowed to use a vault in the Carlsten fortress as their synagogue. Today, in the empty vault, the place of the Torah shrine can still be identified.

In the evening we make a visit to the Liseberg Garden.

Read the blog post “Jewish Community and Jewish Life in Oslo, Norway”

Tuesday, July 6, 2010 Göteborg-Oslo
After breakfast at your hotel you start your trip by bus to Oslo, Norway’s little but important capital city. You will drive on the beautiful coastal road, over many bridges and islands. Picnic lunch today en route by the sea.

Arrive in Oslo in the early afternoon and go to your hotel and check in. The rest of the day at leisure.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010 Oslo
After breakfast at your hotel your local guide will meat you and take you on a sightseeing tour. Our Jewish-Themed Tour 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 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.

Thursday, July 8, 2010 Oslo-Stockholm
This morning, following catered kosher breakfast we depart by bus from Oslo to Stockholm, Sweden’s grand and scenic capital, built on fourteen Islands. Stockholm is amazingly situated where Lake Mälaren merges with the Baltic Sea. After a short orientation tour, check in at your hotel in the heart of Stockholm. Remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner at the Jewish home.

Friday, July 9, 2010 Stockholm
After breakfast at your hotel local guide will meet you and take you on a sightseeing tour. The guide 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, we enter the nearby Great Synagogue and Jewish Community Center, where we will learn the history of Jews in this land. We will visit the famous Skansen open air museum (oldest in the world) and tour this charming place with its panoramic views of Stockholm. In the park we enjoy pick nick lunch (from the Jewish center).

We will also visit 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. Remainder of day at leisure. You may choose to stroll along charming, lively streets, stopping here and there to people-watch. In the evening Shabbat dinner at the Jewish community.

Shabbat, July 10, 2010 Stockholm
Enjoy Shabbat at leisure with the local Jewish Community. Shabbat meals will be served with the community.

Sunday, July 11, 2010 Stockholm-Rovaniemi
Transfer to the airport. Fly to Rovaniemi situated right at the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland.

Read Stuart Katz’s blog post “Winter in Lapland, Finland, Is 200 Days”

And read his blog post “Adventure Activities in Finland”

Monday, July 12, 2010 Rovaniemi
Tour the Arctic Circle. Full day sightseeing tour in this beautiful Arctic place.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010 Rovaniemi-Helsinki
This morning, following breakfast we depart for the airport and fly to Helsinki.

Upon arrival you will make an orientation tour with your local guide on the way from the airport to the hotel. After lunch at the hotel you will see the historical centre and the diplomatic quarters, the Presidential Palace, City Hall, the Parliament Buildings, Finlandia Hall and the Opera House. Stop at Senate Square, the Sibelius Monument and if you so wish make a visit in the Temppeliaukio Church in the rocks.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010 Helsinki
After breakfast you have a full day sightseeing tour in the surrounding areas. Our guided tour will take us to picturesque Porvoo, the second-oldest town in Finland. Porvoo was granted its urban charter in the 14th century and is one of Finland’s architectural treasures. A town plan from the Middle Ages, the low small houses, picturesque yards and narrow streets form a historically unique wooden town milieu. The symbols of Porvoo — the red warehouses on the riverbanks — tell the story of seafaring and trading. During the tour you will see the Old Town and the beautiful medieval cathedral.

Thursday, July 15, 2010 Helsinki–USA
After breakfast at your hotel transfer to the airport.

HOTELS
July 1–4 Copenhagen First Hotel St Petri 5-Star
July 4–6 Göteborg Elite Plaza Hotel 5-Star
July 6–8 Oslo Grims Grenka 5-Star
July 8–11 Stockholm Elite Plaza Hotel 4-Star
July 1–13 Rovaniemi Rantasipi 4-Star
July 13–15 Helsinki Crowne Plaza Hotel 5-Star

COST PER PERSON:
$8,595 per person in double occupancy (two people per room)
$1,595 Single Room Supplement

Credit of $1000 will be granted for anyone not taking the transatlantic air (you will be required to meet the group in Copenhagen and depart on your own from Helsinki). Separate transfer from/to the airport/hotel will not be included.

Reserve a place now on this extraordinary trip.

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