Nordic Fusion: Design, Art and Architecture in Scandinavia
Helsinki - Oslo - Aalborg - Copenhagen22 August - 05 September 2009
Tour Leader: Anne Watson
The Nordic region has been renowned for innovative architecture and design since the early years of the 20th century. Nowhere else does the modern so artfully co-exist with the traditional – ancient cobbled streets, ‘picture book’ dwellings and opulent palaces - and with breathtaking natural landscapes. Join Anne Watson on a journey to Finland, Norway and Denmark, tracing the development of modern design in the Nordic countries and visiting internationally significant examples of architecture by luminaries like Jørn Utzon, Henning Larsen, Arne Jacobsen and Alvar Aalto. Much of the tour will focus on the great capitals of Helsinki, Oslo and Copenhagen, but you will also venture into the magnificent Nordic countryside. Dine at the famed Savoy restaurant designed by Alvar Aalto, visit Utzon’s sublime Bagsvaerd Church and see the elephants at Sir Norman Foster’s additions to the Copenhagen Zoo! You’ll also enjoy special behind-the-scenes visits to a range of design destinations as well as some very recently-completed architectural landmarks including Oslo’s extraordinary new opera house and the Utzon Center in Aalborg, opening as part of Jørn Utzon’s 90th birthday celebrations in April 2008.
The new Opera House in Copenhagen
ITINERARY:
Friday 21 August 2009: Depart Australia
Depart from Sydney or Melbourne on Qantas / Cathay and Finnair flights via Hong Kong to Helsinki.
Saturday 22 August: Arrive Helsinki
Arrival at Helsinki Vantaa Airport and transfer to your hotel. This evening there will be a special welcome dinner with Anne Watson and your fellow group members at the Savoy. The interior was initially designed by Aino and Alvar Aalto in cooperation with textile artist Dora Jung and the then newly established Artek. (D)
Sunday 23 August: Helsinki
The exploration of Helsinki starts with an orientation tour by coach. You will see the historical centre and the diplomatic quarters, the Presidential Palace, City Hall, the Parliament building, Finlandia Hall and the Opera House. This afternoon, visit the Design Museum of Finland, which shows the development of industrial art and industrial design from the second half of the 19th century to the present day. Continue with a visit to the Museum of Finnish Architecture. (B,L)
Monday 24 August: Helsinki
A walking tour through the new Design District in the heart of Helsinki. The tour will focus on well known Finnish design brands like Artek, Iittala and Marimekko and today’s up-and-coming young designers. The tour will include a special visit to a shop, gallery or museum, hosted by the designer who will talk about his/her work, career and production. There will also be some free time for group members to explore at their leisure.
Lunch at restaurant Töölönranta. The contemporary Finnish architecture and design, surrounded by the unique landscape of Toolonlahti bay and park, make this a wonderful setting for a memorable restaurant visit.
Continue with a tour of the Arabia / Iittala factory and the Iittala and Arabia museums, focussing on Scandinavian design heritage. Later visit the Marimekko factory shop (plus a guided tour, if possible). (B,L)
Tuesday 25 August: Helsinki
Guided tour at Finlandia Hall, Aalto House and Studio Aalto. We are also working on arranging a guided tour at the National Pensions Institute. Continue with a tour around the city centre to see the most important buildings designed by Alvar Aalto (e.g. Rautatalo, The House of Culture, Enzo Gutzeit headquarters and Union Bank of Finland). After lunch, there will be a guided tour of Kiasma (Museum of Contemporary Art) or the Ateneum Art Museum. (B,L)
Wendesday 26 August: Helsinki
Excursion to Hvitträsk, the former studio of architects Saarinen, Gesel-lius and Lindgren and the home of Eliel Saarinen. The house was built of log and stone in 1904 and stands amidst forest, on a hill overlooking a beautiful lake. Afternoon at leisure. (B,L)
Thursday 27 August: Helsinki – Oslo
After breakfast, transfer to Helsinki Vantaa airport for the short flight to Oslo.
Arrive in Oslo and transfer to Royal Christiania Hotel. After a break for lunch there will be an orientation tour of Oslo - see the Olso Cathedral, the Nobel Peace Centre, the impressive Vigelands Sculpture Park and the Holmenkollen ski jump with breathtaking views of Oslo and the Oslo fjord. Dinner at the hotel. (B,D)
Friday 28 August: Oslo
Morning tour of the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design consisting of four separate departments in different locations: The Norwegian Museum of Architecture, The Museum of Contemporary Art, The Museum of Decorative Arts and Design and The National Gallery.
Afternoon visit to the Munch Museum. Edvard Munch's art is the most significant Norwegian contribution to the history of art, and he is the only Norwegian artist who has exercised a decisive influence on European art trends. (B)
Saturday 29 August: Depart Oslo – Frederikshaven
Morning visit to the Viking Ship Museum, which houses an extraordinary collection of artefacts contained in three Viking graves discovered near Oslofjord between 1867 and 1904. Continue to the New Opera House for a guided tour.
Afternoon at leisure until the transfer to the harbour for embarkation on Stena Lina ferry to Frederikshavn. Accommodation in standard 2-berth cabins (with outside/sea view). Buffet dinner on board. (B,D)
Sunday 30 August: Arrive Aalborg
Early morning arrival in Frederikshaven. Transfer to Aalborg. A full day in Aalborg including visits to the Utzon Center and the Nordjyllands Kunstmuseum. (B)
Monday 31 August: Aalborg – Copenhagen
Morning departure from Aalborg to Copenhagen via Aarhus. Visit the ARos Aarhus Kunstmuseum, Denmark’s largest art collection outside Copenhagen. The museum owns notable collections of Danish art that span 300 years plus a noteworthy contingent of modern art. Late afternoon arrival in Copenhagen. (B,D)
Tuesday 01 September: Copenhagen
Half day orientation tour of Copenhagen in the morning. Pass by the Tivoli Gardens, through the colourful canal district, past the National Museum to Christiansborg Palace, home to the Danish Parliament. Continue to the old Stock Exchange and across Kongens Nytorv, past the Royal Theatre. The tour continues past the colourful harbour district of Nyhavn to Amalienborg Palace, the winter residence of the Royal Family.
Later take a walk through historic Nyhavn for lunch at Cap Horn for a traditional Danish smørrebrød'. From Nyhavn, take a channel boat ride to Copenhagen’s new Opera House for an afternoon guided tour. (B,L)
Wednesday 02 September: Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the hometown of Arne Jacobsen, whose work is represented in the city's renowned design museums and you will start today with a guided visit to one of the city’s finest examples – the Danske Design Center.
Later, take a stroll through the narrow streets in the old part of Copenhagen and, along the way, cross “Strøget” where you will find the Royal Copenhagen Centre. You will be given an introduction to the craft of making porcelain and see the new Museum at the centre which exhibits an outstanding collection of historical porcelain pieces dating back to the foundation of the factory in 1775, as well as a complete collection of the renowned Royal Copenhagen Christmas Plates from 1908-2004. Finally, visit workshops where you can see how world famous porcelain services such as Flora Danica and Blue Fluted are hand painted in the original style.
Continue next door to Illums Bolighus, one of the best home interiors shops in Europe.
Four floors of prestigious Danish design, as well as the best from the rest of Scandinavia and around the world. (B,L)
Thursday 03 September: Copenhagen
A full day excursion to North Zealand. One the way out of Copenhagen, start with a guided tour of Ordrupgaardsamlingen, including the new wing designed by Zaha Hadid. The tour continues to Hellebaek, passing by Utzon’s family home. After lunch, visit Kronborg Castle including the Chapel and the spectacular Knight's Hall. From the old bastions there is a magnificent view of the Swedish coastline just across the sound.
Finally, end the day with a guided tour of the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, then return to Copenhagen along the ‘Danish Riviera’ with lovely views of the Danish and Swedish coasts. (B,L)
Friday 04 September: Copenhagen
A day devoted to the finest examples of architecture in Copenhagen. Visit Copenhagen Zoo to visit the elephant house designed by Sir Norman Foster setting new standards in zoological design. Continue to Bagsvaerd Church which was designed by Jørn Utzon after his return to Copenhagen from Sydney.
Farewell Dinner with Anne Watson and fellow group members. (B,D)
Saturday 05 Septmber: Depart Copenhagen
Tour concludes with a group transfer to the airport for return flights on Finnair and Cathay / Qantas via Helsinki and Hong Kong. (B)
Sunday 06 September: In Flight
Monday 07 September: Arrive Australia
Morning arrival in Sydney or Melbourne.
YOUR HOTELS ****
Helsinki – Radisson SAS Royal
Oslo – Clarion Hotel Royal Christiania
Stena Line – 2-berth outside cabins
Aalborg – Radisson SAS Limfjord Hotel
Copenhagen – Radisson SAS Royal Hotel
NB. Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted
