Snapshots from Scandinavia: Digital Transcriptions of Climate and Culture January 2017 Program Direction and Academic Content to be provided by Dr. Cate Blouke (English Department) and Dr. Beate Brunow (Modern Languages, Literatures & Cultures Department) This is a rough draft of our daily itinerary on the trip. This itinerary is subject to change due to local scheduling, fluctuations in currency, etc. 1 2 3 Thursday CHARLOTTE Departure. Depart (6:45 p.m.) on Lufthansa Airlines flight LH January 12 #429 for Munich. Friday STOCKHOLM Arrival. Arrive (9:30 a.m.) Munich and proceed to connecting January 13 gate for departure (11:55 a.m.) on Lufthansa Airlines flight LH #2416 departing (11:55 a.m.) for Stockholm. Arrive (2:10 p.m.) Stockholm Arlanda International Airport and transfer by private motorcoach, with local assistant to CLARION AMARANTEN HOTEL for check- in, with 1.5 hour panoramic tour en route. Group dinner at local restaurant. (D) Saturday STOCKHOLM. Embark on a 6 hour tour of Stockholm. First stop is Skansen! January 14 Founded in 1891, Skansen is the world s first outdoor museum. It is a living experience where visitors can enter homes, workshops and stores spanning the centuries of Swedish history. While at Skansen you can stroll through five centuries of Swedish history, from north to south, with a real sense of the past all around in the historical buildings and dwellings, people by characters in period dress. After your guide has shown you around there is time to walk around on your own. You may even choose to make a purchase at the apothecary or general store! Next stop is the iconic Vasa Museum. Its centerpiece is the stunning 17th- century warship, the world s oldest complete ship. Ironically, in 1628 it sunk to the bottom of the harbor on its maiden voyage, where it remained until being salvaged 333 years later. Free time for lunch on own and evening at leisure. (B)
4 5 6 Sunday STOCKHOLM We will visit the stunning Fotografiska museum, including a 4- January 15 hour digital photography workshop. Fotografiska is an international meeting place where everything revolves around photography. Located in the heart of Stockholm on Sodermalm, the museum has an exhibition space of 2,500 square meters, and features 4 major exhibitions per year and approximately 15-20 minor exhibitions. Since its grand opening, May 20th 2010, they have shown legends like Annie Leibovitz, David LaChapelle and Nick Brandt and introduced new photographers like Helena Blomqvist, Klara Kallstrom and Johan Wik. (B) Monday STOCKHOLM/KIRUNA. Store luggage at hotel. Transfer by private January 16 motorcoach from hotel with carry- on only to Arlanda International airport and board a domestic flight to Kiruna, located in Swedish Lapland (North of the Arctic Circle). Upon arrival in Kiruna, transfer by private motorcoach with local assistant to SCANDIC FERRUM HOTEL. Evening at leisure. (B) Tuesday January 17 KIRUNA. Bundle up and enjoy the stunning Swedish Lapland on an adventure filled day. Begin with a morning 2.5 hour dog sledding tour. Transfer by private motorcoach to a dog sled camp where you have the chance to meet the friendly Alaskan huskies face to face. You can also romp and play with the puppies and ask any questions you may have about the dogs. After you have gotten acquainted with the dogs you will have the chance to help to harness them. Once harnessed, the dogs are very eager to get going, and definitely let you know that they love to run! Get under way to the sound of barking huskies, but as they get into their stride, they quiet down. The only sound you will hear from then on is the sound of the snow sliding by under the sled as the dog carry you into the Northern wilderness. Return to hotel after sledding by private motorcoach. Free time for lunch and exploration on own before an evening under the Northern Lights. Around 9pm, depart by private motorcoach to on a photo tour to see the Northern Lights. (When you arrive to the Northern lights tour starting location, the group will be met by a guide who will explain everything.) Return by private motorcoach to hotel following tour. (B)
7 Wednesda January 18 KIRUNA. Strap on your cross-country skis and head into the Narnia like woodlands. Cross-country skiing is next to a religion in northern Sweden and you ll find most locals have at least two or three sets at home. Athletes favor it for its all-round work out of all the major muscle groups while at the same time an efficient cardio-exercise. And, if you re not keen on the fitness aspect it s still a great way to get off the beaten track and experience the Arctic wilderness. We stop for fika (Swedish for coffee and a snack) along the way. (The skiing will take place on the grounds of the hotel and there will be a specialized guide for the group here.) Free time for lunch and transfer by private motorcoach to ICE HOTEL for overnight. Afternoon ice sculpting at the hotel. A must when you re at the original Icehotel! Explore the magical world of ice sculpting for yourself with this introductory class. Working with your hands completely absorbs you, relaxing and intense at once. The master sculptor begins the class by giving you some background about working with ice, and an introduction to the tools. Each sculptor apprentice is then given a block and chisel and off you go! (Again, there will be a specialized guide to assist the group with the ice sculpting activity.) Group dinner. (B,D) Room information: The rooms will be -5C. The website has a really great video that will help them visualize what we are in store for! http://www.icehotel.com/about-icehotel/.
8 Thursday January 19 KIRUNA/STOCKHOLM. Transfer by private motorcoach from Ice Hotel to Kiruna airport for domestic flight to Stockholm. Upon arrival in the capital, meet guide and motor coach at airport and transfer to the Royal Palace. This 18th-century Italian-baroque residence has more than 600 rooms and took more than 60 years to complete. The palace is the official office of the King and parliament of Sweden. This was also where all of the royal wedding receptions take place with the most recent being Prince Carl Philip during the summer of 2015. Check-in at CLARION AMARANTEN HOTEL or similar. Afternoon and evening at leisure. (B) 9 Friday January 20 STOCKHOLM. Spend the morning exploring the ABBA Museum. Begin with a truly remarkable experience filled with fun and glamour! We start off at the newly opened ABBA The Museum, which is so much more than an ordinary museum. Naturally, the members costumes, gold records, original items, memorabilia. It is an incredibly interactive museum where you can dress like the singers, and give your best shot at karaoke! Enjoy the remaining day at leisure to explore. (B) 10 Saturday January 21 STOCKHOLM/OSLO. Morning departure by private motorcoach with local assistant to Stockholm Central Rail Station for departure (11:06 a.m.) on SJ High Speed train #631 for Oslo. Arrive (4:09 p.m.) and walk, with English speaking assistant, to the THON OPERA HOTEL or similar for hotel to check in. Remainder of evening at leisure before a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
11 12 13 14 y Sunday OSLO. Embark on a 6- hour sightseeing tour of Oslo with local coach and January 22 English speaking guide. Explore the Viking Ship Museum where you can see the remains of well- preserved old wooden ships and drive by the Akershus Fortress, and Royal Palace. You ll visit Vigeland Sculpture Park where impressive bronze sculptures can be viewed. You ll also see City Hall, the waterfront and the Holmenkollen Ski Jump. Next, visit the Nobel Peace Center and end the day with a behind the scenes tour of the iconic Oslo Opera house. The afternoon is free for exploration around the city. (B) Monday OSLO (LILLEHAMMER). Depart Oslo for a full day excursion to the Olympic January 23 city of Lillehammer. Travel to the only bobsleigh and luge track in Scandinavia. This is Northern Europe's only artificially frozen bob- and luge track, and the only bob- and luge track in Scandinavia. The track is located at Hunderfossen. Test your luck and adrenaline on the winter sledging track where you can practice on a true Olympic course in a rubber bobsleigh which can take 5-6 passengers in addition to the pilot. The speed reaches up to 100 km/hr. Entrance ticket also includes access to the Malhaugen and Olympic Museum. Transfer back to Oslo for evening exploration on own. (B) Tuesday OSLO. With a local coach and assistant, transfer to Snarøya Curlinghall for a January 24 2.5 hour lesson from curling champions. You will be divided in groups of 5 10 and then given instructions and the needed material (curling stones and broom) to try your hand at CURLING. Instructions will be given in English. Let the games begin! Walk to local restaurant for group farewell dinner. (B,D) Wednesda OSLO/ CHARLOTTE. Transfer from hotel to airport with coach and English speaking assistant for departure (7:40 a.m.) on Lufthansa Airlines flight LH January 25 #2457 for Munich. Arrive (9:55 a.m.) Munich and proceed to connecting gate for departure (12:25 p.m.) for Charlotte. Arrive (4:55 p.m.). (B) (Included meals: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)