Itinerary

Journey to Nordic Europe June 2024
Date:
June 23, 2024 - July 15, 2024
Meeting point:
Quebec City, Canada
Length:
23 days / 22 nights
Mileage:
8,110 NM
Day 1 - Sunday, June 23: Home → Quebec City, Canada (CYQB)

Welcome to Quebec City! Air Journey staff will greet you at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Situated in the heart of historic Old Quebec, the hotel sits high on a bluff overlooking St. Lawrence River.

All participants will meet for introductions and attend an extensive briefing covering the general procedures of our journey as well as details for tomorrow's departure.

Afterwards, we will gather for a welcome cocktail before dinner.

Hotel : Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
Welcome cocktail and Dinner included
Day 2 - Monday, June 24: Quebec City (CYQB) → Kuujjuaq, Canada (CYVP) → Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (BGSF) (690 + 725 NM)

We will fly over the immense forests and numerous lakes of Canada on our way to Kuujjuaq for a technical stop.

Then continue over southern Greenland’s beautiful scenery before landing at Kangerlussuaq in western Greenland. The airport's Kangerlussuaq Museum illustrates the town's past as a U.S. airbase during WWII.

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 Kangerlussuaq
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 3 - Tuesday, June 25: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (BGSF) → Ilulissat, Iceland (BGJN) (140 NM)

Fly over ice-covered Greenland and then before landing in Ilulissat, Iceland. Upon arrival, we'll transfer to the Hotel Arctic.

Note: The runway at Ilulissat is 2,800’. For aircraft needing a longer runway, you have the option to take a commercial flight (airfare not included) to Ilulissat.

Hotel : KEA Hotel
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 4 - Wednesday, June 26: Ilulissat, Greenland

Today we will enjoy a Glacier & Iceberg Cruise, sailing past a fascinating variety of floes and icebergs.

On a clear day, the landscape is truly surreal. Hundreds of icebergs surround Ilulissat. They vary in shape from flat- topped hunks to jagged mountain peaks, and vary in size from small doghouses to mega-cruise ships and larger. And that's just the part above the surface! The Ice Fjord, which is close to Hotel Arctic, was included on UNESCO's World
Heritage List at the 28th of The World Heritage Committee in the summer of 2004.

The Ice Fjord contains one of the biggest and most active glaciers in the world. Its 3,000 square kilometre area advances at a rate of 20 metres per day. The glacier "calves" about 10 % of the inland ice that is pressed out into the sea from Greenland, and there is nothing in the whole world that resembles it.

Hotel : Hotel Arctic
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 5 - Thursday, June 27: Ilulissat, Greenland (BGJN) → Akureyri, Iceland (BIAR) (785 NM)

Fly over ice-covered Greenland and then before landing in Akureyri, Iceland. Upon arrival, we'll transfer to the Hotel Kea.

Set in the heart of Iceland’s second city, Hotel Kea is an Akureyri landmark. Overlooking a stunning fjord, it exudes a classic ambience and offers outstanding service in an unbeatable location.

Hotel : KEA Hotel
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 6 - Friday, June 28: Akureyri, Iceland

Today’s tour takes us to the Diamond Circle, where we will discover Akureyri’s most exciting natural attractions. We will experience the power of nature by exploring waterfalls and lava formations, while we visit the main highlights of the Diamond Circle, including Goðafoss, Mývatn, Dettifoss, and Ásbyrgi.

This day will end with an exploration of the city of Akureyri, and then we will enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

Hotel : KEA Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 7 - Saturday, June 29 Akureyri, Iceland → Alesund, Norway (ENAL) (660 NM)

Today we will take our airplanes to the beautiful Alesund, Norway.

Perched at the top of Norway’s Western Fjord country, picture-perfect Alesund is spread over several islands stretching into the Atlantic, with the spectacular Sunnmøre Mountains as a backdrop. If its natural beauty doesn’t grab you, its architecture surely will: After an early 20th-century fire destroyed much of the town, Alesund was rebuilt in absolute Art Nouveau (Jugendstil)

Hotel : Storfjord Hotel
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 8 - Sunday, June 30: Alesund, Norway

Today we will enjoy an Electric Porsche Day Trip to explore the region of Sunnmøre in style.

The Sunnmore Alps are home to some of Scandinavia´s finest driving roads. There’s a vast amount of scenic viewpoints, made even more relevant by the signature world-class architecture applied to their public spaces, and most drives may involve a ferry across some fjord, or sub ocean tunnels, which makes our journey in the Porsche Taycan an unforgettable experience.

Hotel : Storfjord Hotel
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 9 - Monday, July 01: Alesund, Norway

Today we will explore Alesund and its surroundings by air. We will enjoy amazing views of the city, glaciers, fjords, mountains and landmarks from the cockpit of an helicopter! During our 30 minutes ride we will see the rooftop of the planet in a very unique way.

Hotel : Storfjord Hotel
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 10 - Tuesday, July 02: Alesund, Norway (ENAL) → Stockholm, Sweden (ESSB) (400 NM)

Today we will fly our airplanes to Stockholm.

Rich in history and tradition, the more than 130 year old Grand Hotel 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 the 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 11 - Wednesday, July 03: Stockholm, Sweden

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 12 - Thursday, July 04: Stockholm, Sweden

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

Hotel : Grand Hotel Stockholm
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 13 - Friday, July 05: Stockholm, Sweden (ESSB) → Helsinki, Finland (EFHK) (220 NM)

Our journey continues to beautiful Helsinki, the capital of Finland.

Upon arrival we will transfer to Hotel St. George. Housed in a meticulously restored landmark structure directly across from beautiful Old Church Park in the very heart of Helsinki, Hotel St. George not only offers guests a stunningly contemporary property set within an historically rich stage, but a total revamp on the concept of what a hotel should be. Just one soaring pillar of inspiration comes from the hotel’s boldly realized art collection.
Run in collaboration with such renowned institutions as the Helsinki Art Museum and the National Gallery, the program
showcases a rare work by celebrated Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, whose large-scale sculpture of a dragon is one of many stirring pieces in the seven-floor property.

Hotel : Hotel St. George
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 14 - Saturday, July 06: Helsinki, Finland

Today we will enjoy a full-day tour to visit Suomenlinna: a giant maritime fortress spread across seven islands. We will board the ferry from Kauppatori and in a few minutes we’ll be in one of the most amazing man-made places in Scandinavia.

This fascinating complex was built in the second half of the 18th century by Sweden on a group of islands located at the entrance of Helsinki's harbour, this fortress is an especially interesting example of European military architecture of the time.

After our tour we will have a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

Hotel : Hotel St. George
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 15 - Sunday, July 07: Helsinki, Finland (EFHK) → Kirkenes, Norway (ENKR) (580 NM)

Our today’s flight takes us to Kirkenes, Norway.

Upon arrival we will transfer to Snowhotel Kirkenes for an ultimate arctic experience. This very unique accommodation is the
only hotel in the world made completely of snow and ice. In summer season, the Snowhotel 365 is preserved with innovative
cooling technology, allowing you to experience a winter wonderland in July, which is just as magical as the one you see in December.

Hotel : Snowhotel Kirkeness
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 16 - Monday, July 08: Kirkenes, Norway

Today we will venture in a King Crab Safari. On this ultimate arctic summer boat excursion we will experience an authentic King crab fishing. We will head out from Kirkenes harbor, and out the fjord toward the Barents sea. With seagulls gawking above, our fisherman guides will take us for a marine sightseeing outside Kirkenes. Sometimes porpoises (arctic dolphins) pops up around the boat, and stick around for a while.

Then we head out for the cages, which are sunk deep to catch the biggest king crabs. We will be hands on deck, and help pull the cages from the depths of the Varanger fjord.

After the catch is secured, the journey will continue to a rustic restaurant by the fjord. Here, the King of crabs is served the classic northern Norwegian way. Pure, fresh and heavenly tasty! The portions are generous, so no one will leave the table hungry.

Hotel : Snowhotel Kirkeness
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 17 - Tuesday, July 09: Kirkenes, Norway (ENKR) → Oslo, Norway (ENGM) (745 NM)

Our Journey continues to Oslo, Norway where we will transfer to The Radisson Blu Airport.

Embrace the allure of effortless travel as you step off your plane and find yourself just moments away from the hotel's refined ambiance. With bus and train stations at your fingertips, embark on a seamless journey to the vibrant city center in a mere 20 minutes, courtesy of the exclusive Flytoget, the Airport Express train.

Hotel : The Thief
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 18 - Wednesday, July 10: Oslo, Norway

On this day, we’ll witness Oslo's top sights on a full-day combo experience in the Norwegian capital. With pur guide, we will take a sightseeing tour by coach, visiting Vigeland Park and stopping at the famous Holmenkollen Ski Jump for photos. Then, we will explore the FRAM Museum, which talks about Norway's polar exploration, and the Viking Ship Museum. Afterwards, we’ll head out into the Oslo Fjord to enjoy a cruise around the idyllic coastal region.

Hotel : The Thief
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 19 - Thursday, July 11: Oslo, Norway → Longyearbyen, Norway (Commercial Flight Not Included)

Today we will take a commercial flight (not included) to Longyearbyen, the world's northernmost settlement and the largest inhabited area of Svalbard, Norway.

Upon arrival we will transfer to Funken Lodge. Funken Lodge is a boutique hotel on Svalbard, with unique views over Longyearbyen and the nearby glaciers. Here you can unwind after thrilling nature
experiences, and enjoy exclusive food and drinks from an international cuisine in a relaxed and luxurious atmosphere.

Hotel : Funken Lodge
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 20 - Friday, July 12: Longyearbyen, Norway

This morning is at your leisure to relax or explore on your own.

In the afternoon, we will enjoy a unique boat tour experience aboard MS Bard. On this trip we’ll get to experience the very best of Svalbard's spectacular coastal landscapes. The trip ahead of us has no fixed route or destination; We sail where the conditions are most favourable, based on weather conditions, waves, and recent observations of wildlife. In other words, the goal of the trip is to capture the best experiences the day has to offer.

Hotel : Funken Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included
Day 21 - Saturday, July 13: Longyearbyen, Norway → Oslo, Norway (Commercial Flight Not Included)

This morning we will enjoy a tour to see the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. This building safeguards duplicates of 1,145,693 seed varieties from almost every country in the world, with room for millions more. It's purpose is to backup genebank collections to secure the foundation of our future food supply.

This evening, we will take a commercial flight (not included) back to Oslo, where we’ll enjoy an overnight stay at Radisson Blu Aiport Hotel to prepare ourselves for our flight tomorrow.

Hotel : Radisson Blue Airport Hotel
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 22 - Sunday, July 14: Oslo, Norway (ENAL) → Reykjavik, Iceland (BIRK) (950 NM)
TBM Journey to Europe | Air Journey

After breakfast and an in-depth briefing, we will launch for our over-water crossing to Iceland and spend the night at Hotel Borg.

Hotel : Hotel Borg
Breakfast and Dinner included
Day 23 - Monday, July 15: Reykjavik, Iceland (BIRK) → Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (BGSF) → Goose Bay, Canada (CYYR) → Bangor, USA (KBGR) (730 + 875 + 610 NM)

After breakfast, we will head west to return home. Two technical stops have been arranged in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland and then in Goose Bay, Canada for refueling before continuing onwards to Bangor, Maine, to clear US Customs.

For those based on the west coast of the United States, an alternate stop to clear US customs can be arranged. Afterwards, we will all go our separate ways home.

Hotel : Hotel Borg
Breakfast and Dinner included