Itinerary

Trans North Atlantic Journey Spring 2018
Date:
May 28, 2018 - June 21, 2018
Meeting point:
Quebec City, Canada
Length:
25 days / 24 nights
Mileage:
7,495 NM
Day 1 - Monday, May 28: Quebec City, Canada

Welcome to Quebec! Air Journey staff will greet you at Chateau Frontenac.
 
All participants will meet in the late afternoon for introductions and to attend an extensive briefing covering the general procedures of our journey as we prepare for tomorrow's departure.
 
Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner at the hotel.

Hotel : Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
Welcome cocktail and Dinner included
Day 2 - Tuesday, May 29: Quebec City, Canada → Kuujjuaq, Canada → Kangerlussuaq, Greenland → Reykjavik, Iceland (690nm + 725nm + 730nm)

We'll fly over the immense forests and numerous lakes of Labrador on our way to Kuujjuaq for a technical stop to refuel and have lunch.
 
Our flight then continues over southern Greenland's beautiful scenery before landing at Kangerlussuaq, also known as Sonder Stroemfiord, for a second technical stop before arriving in Rekjavik, Iceland. Because we will be approaching the Arctic Circle and the "land of the midnight sun", we will have an astonishing 20 hours of daylight!  

 

Hotel : Hotel Borg
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 3 - Wednesday, May 30: Reykjavik

Depart the hotel by Super Jeep for our visit to the beautiful multi-colored terrain of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The western tip of the peninsula is the newly designated national park including the Snaefellsjokull glacier and stunning coastal beaches and cliffs. 
 
We'll stop at the tiny village of Arnarstapi to see the beautiful sea cliffs and views in this picturesque area. There is a scenic 1.5 mile walk from Arnastapi to Hellnar which there will be time to enjoy. 
 
Visit the small settlement of Hellnar - a town practically sitting below the glacier at the ocean's edge. Seabirds and cliffs dominate the area. 
 
Then we will enjoy some time on the beach at Djupalonssandur, but rather than swimming, we will collect stone pebbles or naturally polished lava stones at the surf's edge. 
 
Our last stop is Olafsvik, a weather-exposed fishing village. 

Hotel : Hotel Borg
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 4 - Thursday, May 31: Reykjavik → Amsterdam, Netherlands (1,090nm)

Today we will fly to Amsterdam, Netherlands. Often referred to as the other "Royal Palace of Amsterdam," De L'Europe Amsterdam occupies a scenic waterfront location on the Amstel River, our home for the next 3 nights. 

Hotel : De L'Europe
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 5 - Friday, June 1: Amsterdam

Embark with our local guide on a walking tour of an intimate and insider's view of this beautiful city. We will view Amsterdam's historical center including Dam Square, the Royal Palace, the Anne Frank House, the Rembrandt House Museum and the infamous Red Light District while we learn about an intriguing historical background. We will snap photos of the UNESCO-listed canals and 17th-century gabled houses. In the afternoon we will visit the Van Gogh Museum. 

Hotel : De L'Europe
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 6 - Saturday, June 2: Amsterdam

Today is at leisure to relax or explore Amsterdam on your own. 

Hotel : De L'Europe
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 7 - Sunday, June 3: Amsterdam → Nice, France (530nm)

Fly to Nice in the French Riviera. Located in Cannes, at the southernmost tip of the Cap d'Antibes, the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc is nestled in a park of centuries old pine trees. This elegant Napoleon the Third style building overlooks the sea providing uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean and the Lerins Islands. 

Hotel : Hotel du Cap Eden Roc
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 8 - Monday, June 4: Nice

This afternoon we will head to the helipad for our helicopter transfer to Chateau de Berne - situated on 1,300 acres of preserved nature set in the heart of a Provencal vineyard. Discover the estate's great wines with a tasting a La Cave and breath in the sweet fragrance of Provence as we stroll along the estate's extensive grounds crossed by two rivers. At the end of our visit, we will return by helicopter. 

Hotel : Hotel du Cap Eden Roc
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 9 - Tuesday, June 5: Nice

Today is at leisure to explore on your own or relax by the hotel's historic pool that is refreshed with natural sea water. 

Hotel : Hotel du Cap Eden Roc
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 10 - Wednesday, June 6: Nice → Ljubljana, Slovenia (345nm)

Fly to Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia. It's charming city full of artists, museums, and galleries. The Ljubljanica River flows through the center of town, past Baroque buildings and under the ramparts of the ancient castle on the hill. The magnificent high peaks of the Julian Alps surrounding the city only add to the beauty of one of the smallest caputal cities in Europe.

Hotel : Antiq Palace
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 11 - Thursday, June 7: Ljubljana

Discover authentic Ljubljana as we stroll along the charming streets of Slovenia's capital while learning about its rich history and local culture.

Explore the Baroque Town Hall, and the adjacent beautifully ornate Robba Fountain, the lively produce markets, and the Cathedral of St. Nicholas.

We'll learn about the city's oldest architecture as we explore lively squares, ornate Robba Fountain and the Cathedral of St. Nicholas. Admire Baroque facades in Old Town, walk across the iconic Dragon Bridge, and enjoy breathtaking views as we ascend up the hill on a funiular ride to Ljubljana Castle.

Hotel : Antiq Palace
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 12 - Friday, June 8: Ljubljana

Today is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.

Hotel : Antiq Palace
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 13 - Saturday, June 9: Ljubljana → Salzburg, Austria (110nm)

Today we will fly to Salzburg, Austria - birthplace to classical music genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Situated on the northern edge of the Alps, Salzburg sits like a baroque jewel on the banks of the River Salzach. Hotel Sacher, built in 1866 and set on the riverbank overlooking the Baroque Old Town and the Fortress Hohensalzburg, has welcomed leaders and luminaries from the Sir Karl Popper to Placido Domingo. 

Hotel : Hotel Sacher Salzburg
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 14 - Sunday, June 10: Salzburg

View the historical and architectural landmarks in the city as well as a part of the picturesque Lake District and breathtaking landscapes. 

This afternoon we will visit the Salzburg Marionette Theatre. Founded in 1913 by Professor Anton Aicher, its original production was Bastien and Bastienne, a marionette version of Mozart's famous opera. There will be an optional visit to a classical music concert for those interested. 

Hotel : Hotel Sacher Salzburg
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 15 - Monday, June 11: Salzburg

Today we will visit Hangar-7 - a private airport hangar owned by the founder of the energy drink company "Red Bull", Dietrich Mateschitz. Built for hosting Mateschitz's private airplane collection, Hangar-7 consists of a growing number of small, not so small and some large historic and contemporary planes, helicopters and several vehicles such as Red Bull racing cars. Lunch will be at Hangar-7. 

Hotel : Hotel Sacher Salzburg
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 16 - Tuesday, June 12: Salzburg → Saint-Louis, France (225nm)

Fly to the Basel/Mulhouse/Freiburg airport in France. We’ll visit the Alsace wine region as we make our way to the Park Hotel Vitznau in Lucerne. Situated on the banks of Lake Lucerne in the heart of Switzerland, the luxurious Park Hotel Vitznau provides magnificent panoramic views of exhilarating alpine scenery in a setting of world-class service.

 

Hotel : Park Hotel Vitznau
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 17 - Wednesday, June 13: Lucerne

Travel by train to Stans where we’ll take the 19th century funicular for an exciting ride to the "Kälti" station. There we’ll board the double decker cable car with an open upper deck offering spectacular views of the Alps as we head to the summit of Stanserhorn. At 6,225’, enjoy the immense view over 10 lakes and 3 countries from the viewing platform. We’ll have lunch at the revolving restaurant.

 

Hotel : Park Hotel Vitznau
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 18 - Thursday, June 14: Lucerne

Enjoy a walking tour through Lucerne – a beautiful lakeside city of 14th century churches and ornate historic bridges. Explore the Old City squares with historical buildings, the Italian Renaissance style Town Hall and the Lion Monument – this most sentimental of all Swiss monuments commemorates the Swiss Guards who lost their lives in 1792 during the French Revolution. See Lucerne's trademark and Europe’s oldest covered bridge – the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower. 

 

Hotel : Park Hotel Vitznau
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 19 - Friday, June 15: St. Saint-Louis → Tallinn, Estonia (920nm)

Fly to our next destination, Tallinn – situated on the northern coast of Estonia on the Gulf of Finland. 
 
Founded in 1248 but with the earliest human settlements dating back to 3000 years BC, Tallinn is one of the oldest capital cities of Northern Europe.
 
In 1878, the Revaler Handels Bank built the magnificent building that is now the Hotel Telegraaf in the medieval Old Town of Tallinn. Designed by the architect Peter Schreiberg from St. Petersburg, it was originally a four story house with the two topmost floors added later. Now a luxury hotel featuring Elemis SPA and Restaurant Tchaikovsky, the Telegraaf is situated next to the Town Hall Square which dates back to the 13th century. 

 

Hotel : Hotel Telegraaf
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 20 - Saturday, June 16: St. Tallinn

We’ll explore romantic cobblestone streets, charming red roofs, medieval and gothic style houses during a walking tour in the best preserved Old Town in northern Europe. Experience the highlights of the historic city while you learn about the country through local eyes. Our visit wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Toompea Hill to enjoy panoramic views of medieval and modern Tallinn from the two unique viewing platforms. 

 

Hotel : Hotel Telegraaf
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 21 - Sunday, Jun 17: Tallinn → Stockholm, Sweden (210nm)

Fly to Stockholm. Rich in history and tradition, the more than130 year old Grand Hotel in Stockholm occupies a prime position on the city's waterfront overlooking the Royal Palace and Gamla Stan, Stockholm's old town, a timeless classic that has played a pivotal role in shaping Stockholm as a cosmopolitan city that it is today. The hotel has borne witness to some of the world's greatest achievements.
 
Since 1901, the Nobel Prize laureates and their families have all been guests of the Grand Hotel Stockholm and the list of royalty, heads of state and artists who have stayed is impressive.

Hotel : Grand Hotel Stockholm
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 22 - Monday, June 18: Stockholm

Enjoy a city tour with our local guide to visit the wealthy Ostermalm District with the central city areas of Hotorget and Sergel Plaza and the Renaissance-styled Royal Palace. Next we'll explore the 18th to 20th century buildings in the Kungsholmen district including City Hall (this is where the Nobel Prize Award dinners are held every year).
 
Our drive continues to the southern shore of Saltsjon Island for an amazing view of the city from the top of picturesque Fjallgatan Street. Continue to Stockholm's charming Old Town, "Gamla Stan," with time to stroll along the charming cobblestoned streets.

Hotel : Grand Hotel Stockholm
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 23 - Tuesday, June 19: Stockholm → Vagor, Faroe Islands (750nm)

Fly to Vagor in the Faroe Islands - an archipelago between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic and about halfway between Norway and Iceland. 

 
Upon arrival, enjoy a spectacular introduction to the beauty slips past the rugged splendor of Mykines, then alongside the towering basalt sea stacks at the entrance to Sørvágsfjørður, then over the picturesque village of Søvágur and onto the runway.

Hotel : Hotel Foroyar
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 24 - Wednesday, June 20: Vagar

After exploring Torshavn (the smallest capital in the world) with our local guide for a wonderful overview of its history and atchitecture, we'll enjoy a boat trip with "Lakeside", the most special and exciting vessel of the islands to the waterfall Bøsdalafossur.

Hotel : Hotel Foroyar
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 25 - Thursday, June 21: Vagar → Reykjavik (420nm) → Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (730nm) → Home

After breakfast and another in-depth briefing, we will fly to Rekjavik, Iceland, and Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, for technical stops to refuel before flying our separate ways as we head home.

Breakfast included