Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords Voyage – with Smithsonian Journeys

Situated on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh has served as Scotland’s capital since the 12th century. This special program is designed to introduce you to this great city, which is the political, religious, and cultural focus of Scottish pride.

 

Day 1 – Edinburgh, Scotland

 

Arrive at Edinburgh Airport, where you will be met and transferred to the InterContinental Edinburgh The George, your home for the next two nights. Check-in time is 3:00 p.m. A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and answer any questions you may have. Join your fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception this evening. Dinner is independent and at your leisure.

 

Day 2 – Edinburgh

 

After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a panoramic tour of Edinburgh, beginning with New Town and the characteristic Georgian architecture along Princes Street. Continue to the Royal Mile for a walking tour of this medieval pathway between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. At Holyrood, enjoy a guided tour of this home of Scottish royalty since the early 16th-century. It has witnessed more than its share of historical drama, famously hosting ill-fated members of the family including Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Today, Holyrood is King Charles’ official residence when he is in Scotland. Your afternoon is at leisure, with independent lunch and dinner, so that you are free to discover other parts of this great city at your own pace.

 

Day 3 – Edinburgh | Glasgow

 

Following breakfast and check-out, board your motorcoach for a 90-minute drive across Scotland to Glasgow. A panoramic tour of this once booming industrial and shipbuilding port—and still the most populous city in Scotland—will introduce you to some of its highlights, including the 13th-century Cathedral and the impressive façade of the University of Glasgow. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a guided tour of The Hill House, Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s architectural masterpiece. Commissioned by Glasgow book publisher Walter Blackie, and with the assistance of his wife, Margaret, Mackintosh created and designed nearly everything you will see – from the building itself to the furniture and textiles. In late afternoon, transfer to Greenock to embark your ship and set sail in the early evening.

 

Your hotel:

The InterContinental Edinburgh The George has been welcoming guests since 1881 and is comprised of five Georgian townhouses originally built in 1775 for some of the town’s most prosperous residents. The hotel hosted famous literary figures such as iconic poet Robert Burns and author Sir Walter Scott, and one of the townhouses was originally home to Scottish novelist Susan Ferrier. With 240 rooms, the InterContinental Edinburgh The George offers a luxurious and historic stay in the heart of New Town Edinburgh.

 

Your program includes:

·        2 nights at the InterContinental Edinburgh The George (or similar)

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day

·        Welcome cocktail reception on Day 1

·        Breakfast on Days 2 and 3

·        Lunch on Day 3

·        Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary

·        Local English-speaking guide

·        Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

·        Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day

·        Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

·        It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 60 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.

·        Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel advisor for further details.

·        The official currency is the British pound. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.

·        This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.

·        Program is offered on a space available basis.

·        Program is subject to change without notice.

Hotel contact information:

InterContinental Edinburgh The George

19 - 21 George Street

Edinburgh, EH2 2PB

United Kingdom

Telephone: +44.131.225.1251

Located at the end of Byfjord, Bergen was the capital of Norway in the 12th and 13th centuries and has preserved much of its past. A veritable open-air museum, Bergen is also a vibrant cosmopolitan city, known for its artist colony of painters, potters, and jewelers.

 

Day 1 – Bergen, Norway | Disembark

 

After breakfast aboard, disembark for a tour of Bergen and the surrounding area. Begin with a visit to the Fantoft Stave Church, originally built in 1150 and reconstructed after a fire in 1992 exactly as it was in the 12th century. You will also tour Troldhaugen, once the summer home of composer Edvard Grieg and now a museum and concert venue. Following lunch at a restaurant back in Bergen, enjoy a guided walking tour of Bryggen, the old waterfront wharf, a reminder of the town’s importance as part of the Hanseatic League’s trading empire from the 14th to the mid-16th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner is independent this evening.

 

Day 2 – Bergen | Homeward

 

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Bergen Flesland Airport for flights home.

 

Your hotel:

Hotel Norge, first opened in 1885, was completely renovated in 2018. Located in the center of the city, it is within walking distance of the Festplassen and several nearby restaurants. It has a modern, informal, and international atmosphere. The hotel has 415 rooms that boast floor-to-ceiling windows, and it features a lobby bar, a café, and a fine-dining restaurant.

 

Your program includes:

·        1 night at the Hotel Norge by Scandic (or similar)

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the pier to the hotel on Day 1

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the airport on Day 2

·        Breakfast on Day 2

·        Lunch on Day 1

·        Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary

·        Local English-speaking guide

·        Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

·        Transfer from the hotel to the airport on any day other than the scheduled program departure day

·        Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

·        It is imperative that your flight departure details are communicated at least 60 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the hotel to the airport.

·        Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.

·        The official currency is the Norwegian krone. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.

·        This post-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.

·        Program is offered on a space available basis.

·        Program is subject to change without notice.

Hotel contact information:

Hotel Norge by Scandic

Nedre Ole Bullsplass 4

5012 Bergen

Telephone: +47 55 55 40 00

Email: hotelnorge@scandichotels.com