by Alan Hoskins
The fjords and capitals of Scandinavia and the grandeur of Spain will be explored in Kansas City Kansas Community College’s ‘See the World’ travel program for 2016.
“Scandinavia: The Capitals to the Fjords” will be offered July 7-21; “The Grand Tour of Spain” Sept. 22-Aug. 7. Offered in conjunction with Go Ahead Tours, both trips are open to the members of the community
“This is the first time in more than a dozen years a trip has been offered to Scandinavia, which will include stops in five countries and is rated by many the most beautiful area of the world,” said Alan Hoskins, trip coordinator. “One of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, the Grand Tour of Spain will not only include time in Madrid and Barcelona but Gibraltar and Morocco.”
Scandinavia – A 14-day trip starting in Bergen, Norway, the spectacular journey will include two overnight cruises – from Oslo, Norway, to Copenhagen, Sweden, and Stockholm, Sweden, to Helsinki, Finland, with optional excursions to Tallinn, Estonia, and St. Petersburg, Russia.
After a full day in Bergen, travelers will cruise the country’s stunning seascape of steep cliffs and narrow waterways before disembarking in Flam for a spectacular ride on one of the steepest railroads in the world. Transferring by train to Oslo, Norway’s Viking tradition will come to life in the Viking Ship Museum and the Kon-Tiki Museum. Reached by cruise ship, two days in colorful Copenhagen will showcase Pass Christiansborg and Amalienborg palaces, Rosenborg Castle and the Little Mermaid statue.
An afternoon flight will take travelers to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden and site of the annual Nobel Prize festivities and the Vasa warship, which sank on its maiden voyage. A Scandinavian smorgasbord buffet will be served on the cruise ship to Helsinki, the capital of Finland and site of the vibrant modern Olympic Stadium and a church carved into a mountainside. The tour will wind up with a pair of optional excursions – a cruise across the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia; and three days in St. Petersburg. One of Russia’s most beautiful cities built on 42 islands, the tour will be highlighted by visits to the world-renowned Hermitage Museum, the Winter Palace of the Czars and the magnificent summer palace of Peter the Great.
The cost is $5,129 double occupancy and includes round trip air, lodging at well-located hotels and on cruise ships, breakfast buffets daily, six 3-course dinners, sightseeing and entrance fees. The three-night stay in St. Petersburg is an additional $799.
Spain – One of Europe’s most romantic and historic countries, the 14-day Grand Tour of Spain will include stays in Madrid, Seville, Costa del Sol, Granada, Valencia and Barcelona with optionals of a full day in mystic Morocco and an additional two days in Barcelona.
The tour kicks off in Madrid and the Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace and the Prado, a world class museum, followed by a high speed train ride to the ancient Moorish town of Cordoba and the Mezquita, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in the 8th Century. The resting place of Christopher Columbus can be found in the Cathedral in Seville followed by a day in Gibraltar, the gateway to the Mediterranean and the Rock where panoramic views stretch all the way to Morocco.
The beaches of Costa del Sol or an optional trip to the Spanish town of Ceuta on the coast of Morocco fill follow before continuing on to Granada, the last bastion of Moorish rule in Spain and home of the famed 14th century Alhambra which has been restored to its past glory. The cave district of Guadix where nearly half of the residents live underground, will be visited en route to Valencia and the Fallas Museum. A picturesque drive along Spain’s Mediterranean coastline and the seaside fortress of Peniscola will culminate in Barcelona. One of the world’s most beautiful cities, a guided tour will go inside the monstrous Church of the Holy Family along with visits to the site of the Summer Olympics, “house of the bones” and the Gothic Quarter. An extended two-day stay will give travelers a chance to see masterpieces by the artist Gaudi and the 9th Century Black Madonna in Montserrat.
The cost is $3,909 and includes round trip air from Kansas City, 12 night’s lodging in selected hotels, buffet breakfast daily and six three-course dinners. The two-day extension is Barcelona is an additional $299.
A minimum of 10 travelers are required before booking of either trip will be made. However, these trips will fill up quickly so early action is recommended by contacting Alan Hoskins online at [email protected] or by phone at 913-687-6426 or 913-788-3376. Full brochures with pricing are available on both trips and are available by contacting Alan Hoskins. A deposit of $300 per person guarantees space on the trip as well as no increase in pricing.
