Amsterdam, Hamburg and Oslo
- 11 Days
- From £999
- Germany Benelux Scandinavia
- Direct train from London to Dutch capital Amsterdam
- The Hanseatic port city of Hamburg on the River Elbe
- Aarhus, former European Capital of Culture and Denmark’s second city
- Historic Oslo with its laid-back vibe and fascinating maritime museums
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade your hotels
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
- Ferry from Hirtshals to Kristiansand
- 10 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Comprehensive directions to your hotels
- Clearly-presented wallets for your rail tickets, hotel vouchers and other documentation
- All credit card surcharges and complimentary delivery of your travel documents
Suggested Itinerary
Take one of four direct Eurostar services from London’s impressive St Pancras station to the heart of Amsterdam. Head out of the equally magnificent Centraal station and catch your first glimpse of the famous canal system as you make your way to the Max Brown Museum Square Hotel (or similar) for a 2-night stay.
Amsterdam is a beautiful city, famous for its Golden Age canals lined with Guild Houses and also for its lovely green spaces and fantastic mix of museums on subjects ranging from Ancient Art to Vodka. Don’t miss a visit to Anne Frank’s House, where the famous diarist hid with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. We recommend booking in advance if you want to visit this attraction. Please call for details.
Leave Amsterdam this morning on an InterCity service which will take you across the German border. You’ll need to change trains in Osnabrück for an onward service to Hamburg, passing Bremen, another important maritime city, en route. If you have time, it’s well worth having an extra overnight stop here.
On arrival in Hamburg, check in for a 2-night stay at the Reichshof Curio Collection by Hilton (or similar).
The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, as its officially known, is Germany’s second largest city after Berlin and the third largest port in Europe. It’s a cultural hub with a wide range of museums, galleries and concert venues – some of the smaller ones are famous for giving the Beatles their start in the early 1960s. The city’s rivers, streams and canals are criss-crossed by around 2,500 bridges – more than Amsterdam, Venice and London put together.
Once you’ve had your fill of Hamburg’s cultural highlights, there’s plenty of space to relax in the lovely Planten un Blumen park or you can sit back and enjoy the scenery on a boat cruise.
After breakfast this morning, check out of your hotel and return to the station for your onward journey. A handy direct service takes you north from Hamburg, through the flat lands of Schleswig-Holstein, before crossing seamlessly onto Danish soil. Arrive mid-afternoon into Aarhus, where you check in for 2 nights at the Hotel Scandic The Mayor (or similar).
There’s plenty of time to head out and get your bearings before enjoying an evening meal in the centre of town.
Aarhus was named joint European City of Culture in 2017 and with its great museums and lively calendar of annual events, it’s not hard to see why. This small city is easily walkable with not-to-be-missed attractions including the cobbled streets of the Latin Quarter, a pretty harbour area, the redeveloped cultural centre at Godsbanen and ARoS, the contemporary art museum with a rainbow-coloured roof installation that can be seen from all over the town.
If you hire a bike, you can also take advantage of the city’s location on the Jutland peninsula, with local beaches and forests easily accessible.
Your exciting journey today starts with two Danish domestic trains, the first of which takes you to the town of Aalborg, then a regional service which delivers you into the small seaport of Hirtshals. Here, you transfer onto an evening fast-ferry across the Skagerrak Strait and into the historic Norwegian port of Kristiansand. On arrival, the Comfort Hotel Kristiansand (or similar) will be your home for the night.
Kristiansand boasts a pretty old town with traditional wooden houses, a neo-Gothic Cathedral and a stunning shoreline with a city beach, a 17th century fortress and Fiskebrygga quay, lined with fishmongers selling their catch.
After a morning at leisure exploring Kristiansand, it’s time to return to the station for an afternoon Norwegian InterCity service covering the 200 miles or so northeast to the nation’s capital, Oslo. When you reach the austere Oslo S station, make your way to the Thon Hotel Opera (or similar) where you will have a 3 night stay.
Capital of Norway since the 14th century, Oslo is a thriving city made up of diverse architectural styles and distinct districts. Spend a full day here exploring the city’s museums, galleries and green spaces.
Highlights of any visit here include the elegant Royal Palace and the Viking Ship Museum, boasting amongst other exhibits, two Viking ships that are over 1,000 years old. During the summer, you can also relax on one of the lovely beaches in the Oslofjord or sit and people watch at a café, with some of the world’s best coffee.
Your holiday comes to an end today as you enjoy a last morning in Oslo before making your way to Oslo Gardermoen Airport for your flight back to the UK (not included). If you would prefer to return to the UK by rail and/ or ferry instead, we can certainly help with this. Just let us know when you enquire.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
The Max Brown Hotel Museum Square is situated in Amsterdam’s museum district, close to the famous Vondelpark. Bedrooms are decorated in a modern style with a small desk, a safe and cable TV. Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the hotel and there is also a 24-hour bar.
Less than 200 metres from the Hauptbahnhof (main railway station), this Art Deco style hotel has everything you need for an overnight stay. A bar and restaurant is available on site and there are extensive leisure facilities, including a spa, sauna and fitness centre. The Binnenalster and city centre are a short stroll from the hotel.
Just 150 yards from Aarhus Central Station, Hotel Scandic The Mayor is a modern, comfortable hotel within walking distance of the main shopping street, Strøget. Classically designed bedrooms feature flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, free Wi-Fi internet access and bathrooms with shower and hairdryer. The hotel also boasts a well-equipped gym and sauna, a 24-hour reception and a welcoming bar.
The Comfort Hotel Kristiansand is located in the centre of town, close to Kristiansand Station and many local attractions including the main shopping street, the South Norway Art Museum and Fiskebrygga Wharf. Bedrooms feature Nordic décor, complimentary Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs as well as a work desk and armchair. There’s an on-site gym and a bar with a delicious breakfast buffet served every morning.
The Thon Opera Hotel is located adjacent to Oslo’s main train station, and offers easy access to the rest of the city. Along with comfortable, moden bedrooms, the hotel also offers a restaurant overlooking the Oslo Opera House and a bar with an outdoor terrace. Karl Johan high street is a two minute walk from the hotel, boasting stunning views of the Oslofjord.