Overview (Return to top)

The ageless land of the Vikings is one of unrivaled beauty, a land of dramatic scenery and ancient, deep-rooted traditions.  Just the thought creates visions of majestic mountains, rich, green pine forests, charming villages, friendly locals and geographic diversity.

Copenhagen, Denmark
Amidst the 500 tiny islands, Denmark is the oldest Island Kingdom in the world, home to 54 monarchs.  Small idyllic villages with thatched houses and cobbled streets are scattered throughout the countryside, while a web of countless bridges, ferry routes and canals weave the kingdom together.  Its capital city, Copenhagen, is the largest in Scandinavia and bursts with life and culture.  It counts among its many treasures the famous Mermaid statue in the harbor and the magical Tivoli Gardens, glittering with music and lights in the heart of the city.  Sightseeing in this fairy tale city includes the Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace where the Danish Parliament sits, Gefion Fountain, the old harbor of Nyhavn, the Royal Theater, and Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid sitting on her rock wistfully watching the harbor. 

Stockholm, Sweden
The largest country in the Scandinavian Peninsula, Sweden is also one of the largest in Europe.  From the snow-capped mountains of the north, through countryside dotted with lush forests and clear lakes, to the tiny islands of the Baltic archipelagos around Stockholm, the country is a fascinating blend of rugged unspoiled natural beauty.  Delight in the beauty of Stockholm, the "Venice of the North," and the capital of Sweden.  Built on a cluster of islands, with water making up a third of its surface area, the city is one of the most fascinating and attractive in Europe.  Stockholm offers a wealth of attractions, from the narrow streets and splendid courtyards of the Old Town to the grand old buildings of the Renaissance Royal palace.  Enjoy such sights as Gamla Stan, the enchanting medieval Old Town, the Royal Palace which overlooks Stockholm's inner harbor, and the neighboring island of Djurgarden with its open-air museum and extensive parklands.

Priced at $2,445
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For reservations or additional information, contact:
Jan Breitman [jbreitman@alumni.iastate.edu]
Iowa State University Alumni Association
Fisher-Nickell Hall
Ames, Iowa 50011-1370

Phone: (515) 294-6526 direct or (877) ISU-ALUM toll-free
Fax: (515) 294-9402

Features (Return to top)

• Round-trip air transportation to Copenhagen, Denmark returning from Stockholm, Sweden or vice versa via SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Northwest Airlines/KLM Royal Dutch Airlines or similar
• Seven nights first-class accommodations in Copenhagen and Stockholm
• Buffet breakfast daily
• Air transportation from Copenhagen to Stockholm
• City tours of Copenhagen and Stockholm
• Luggage handling and related tipping
• Local government and hotel taxes
• Services of a professional travel director throughout
• Complete pre-flight information

Excursions (Return to top)

From Copenhagen:

Roskilde
The settlement of Roskilde has existed since prehistoric times and the town was the Viking Capital of Denmark up until 1417.  Roskilde is a very charming little town with a cozy atmosphere made up of narrow, cobblestone streets combined with modern architecture and a delightful array of shops and small restaurants.  Visit the 12th century Cathedral, the Roskilde Domkirke, which functions as the royal Danish mausoleum, containing more then 40 royal graves.  Overlooking Roskilde fjord is the Viking Ship Museum, home to 5 reconstructed Viking ships that were built around AD 1000 and were excavated from the bottom of the fjord in 1962.  These fascinating ships are on display as well as workshops where Viking ship replicas are built today using authentic period tools and traditional techniques.

North Zealand Coast
This excursion combines a visit to the historic monuments and a drive through rural villages and wooded, undulating countryside to Hillerod.  Here you will visit Frederiksborg Castle, the beautifully situated Renaissance building which, like so many others, was built by orders of King Christian IV.  The castle, which is the Museum of National History, houses a collection of priceless paintings, silver, and porcelain items, along with furniture and tapestries.  From Frederiksborg Castle continue via Fredensborg to Helsingor, passing en route Fredensborg Palace, the Spring and Autumn residence of the Danish Royal Family.  A brief photographic stop will be made here.  Upon arrival in Helsingor you will visit the imposing Kronborg Castle, which was the setting of "Hamlet", the dramatic masterpiece by William Shakespeare.  The castle was built by the order of King Frederik II between 1574 and 1584 to protect Danish interests, not only from potential (and often very real) threats from Sweden, but also to protect and improve the Danish treasury by levying tolls on the shipping which passed through the narrow straits.

From Sweden:

VASA Ship Museum
The Swedish warship Vasa was once considered to be one of the world's largest and the pride of the Swedish navy.  The Vasa Museum is built around this 17th century warship which sank in Stockholm's inner harbor on her maiden voyage in 1628.  Its discovery in 1956 and subsequent salvage in 1961 is one of the most important events in marine archeology.  Painstakingly restored to much of its original glory, the Vasa represents an authentic piece of living history.  Our tour will continue to Ostermalm, a fashionable neighborhood of stately apartment buildings, to Hamngatan and Sergel's Torg, the focal point of Stockholm, then past the Parliament Building and the House of Nobility. 

Drottningholm
Built in the late 17th century, Drottningholm Palace is the residence of Sweden's Royal Family, situated on an island in the small inlet of Lake Malaren west of Stockholm.  Work on Drottningholm was inaugurated in 1662 and it was built in the French Baroque style.  Visit the magnificently decorated State Apartments and stroll the beautiful English and French style landscaped gardens.  Leaving the palace enjoy a panoramic drive through the pleasantly rural Royal island of Lovon, returning via the western bridge which spans Riddarfjarden and offers extensive and beautiful views over the Stockholm skyline. 

Excursions are subject to change.