Architecture You Love

A 501C3 Educational Nonprofit Archive Documenting,
Preserving, and Promoting Residential Modernist Architecture

USModernist Architecture Tour of Denmark / Sweden / Norway

May 1-10, 2019

Nine days and eight nights of heart-pounding Modernist architecture!
You just won't believe where we're going and what you're going to see.
Seriously, you won't.

Special Features Included:

• Roundtrip flight from RDU airport to Copenhagen, plus a connector flight from Bergen to Copenhagen. 

• Our own touring buses, with our own professional licensed guides leading customized architecture and design tours in English.  Many buses have free wifi.  Sometimes public transportation (brilliant in Scandinavia) is required - which is included.

• Modern, double-occupancy hotel rooms with breakfast and free internet. Lunches and dinners are on your own.

• Special welcome and farewell dinners, with wine.

• All site admissions

Tuesday 3 May Departure! Fly American Airlines to Copenhagen overnight
Wednesday 4 May Arrival! Our private driver meets us at the airport and soon we are checking in at the hotel. Relax in your cozy room or start exploring the charming city center on your own.	A 7pm group dinner at the world-famous Tivoli Gardens, an elegant old-world amusement park like nothing you've ever seen before.
Thursday 5 May Copenhagen!  After breakfast, we visit inside surrealistic Danish Jewish Museum, Lundgaard & Tranberg building, the New Theatre, The Black Diamond, Bjarke Ingels' 8 House, VM Houses, Tietgenkollegiet, Mountain Dwellings.	Futuristic design and classic performances of the Copenhagen Opera House attract both opera and architecture lovers from all over the world. In Copenhagen even the most ordinary buildings like a student dormitary Tietgenkollegiet turn into the masterpieces of modern art. Unusual design of the Danish Jewish Museum symbolizes the Danes involvement in rescuing Jews during WWII.
Friday 6 May Malmo! In the morning, after having a delicious breakfast, we go to  Malmo, Sweden, to explore the Western Harbour, Glass Bubble, Kajplats 01, Ankarspelet public housing, Malmo World Trade Center, Oresund Bridge, and the Turning Torso by Calatrava.  Later we will explore Malmo Live, the new congress, hotel and concert hall complex. After lunch (provided) we visit Moderna Museet, Malmo Triangeln station & University Hospital, Hyllie Water Tower, and Emporia area.  That night, have dinner in Copenhagen on your own, or stay in Malmo and take the short but incredibly scenic train over the Sweden-Denmark bridge back to Copenhagen on your own.	Ankarspelet public housing Turning Torso by Calatrava
Saturday 7 May Cruise to Oslo! After breakfast we go for touring more great modern architecture:  the Crystal Building, the Denmark Architecture Center, Frosilo, and the Black Diamond. Free time in the afternoon then dinner on your own.  That evening, we board a romantic overnight ferry to Oslo, Norway. On board you will find everything you would expect from a modern cruise ship, including world class food in five restaurants, casino, and wellness area.	The Crystal Building Frosilo
Sunday 8 May The Buildings of Oslo! In the morning, after having a delicious breakfast on board the ship, we arrive in Oslo and get driven to our hotel. We start touring with Tjuvholmen then the MAD building (Sandvika) and surrounding area of new modern high rises, as well as Korsaga 5. After lunch (on your own) we see the new Oslo Opera House, Statoil Office building, and Westerdals School of Communication.  Free time in the afternoon and evening.	The newest Oslo's borough, Tjuvholmen contains the highest concentration of intriguing outdoor design in the entire city. With its inspiring design and flexible working environment, the Statoil's Headquarters is considered one of the best office buildings in the world. The Westerdals School of Communication is a an magically updated industrial area of Vulkan in Oslo.
Monday 9 May Majestic Fjord Train! Following breakfast we walk to the railway station for the 8am scenic train to Myrdal (upgraded comfort class, with coffee and tea, and better seats) then ride the world famous Flam Railway. Lunch is on your own en route.  You will have an unbelievable journey admiring the nature and picture-postcard scenery of Norway. Upon arrival we are greeted and walk to our hotel to rest and relax - or shop.  Dinner that night on your own. The Flam Railway is a spectacular train journey of Norway's magnificent nature and fjord landscape. The journey runs past the Rallar road, steep mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, through 20 tunnels and 863 meters in altitude (half a mile) in the span of an hour.
Tuesday 10 May Fjord Cruise to Bergen! After your morning breakfast at the hotel you walk to a pier and board a hydrofoil to travel the fjord from Flam to Bergen, arriving about 1pm. Free time that afternoon, then a group dinner (separate checks).	The hydrofoil transfers us to Bergen in five hours of jawdropping fjord scenery.The fjords are the soul of Norway, considered the best preserved attraction on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Wednesday, 11 May Bergen Architecture! Following breakfast we go on thel Floibanen Mountain Train, a five-minute ride up to Floyen located 320 meters (1000 feet) above sea level. You will be amazed by the fantastic views over Bergen. Then we proceed to tour Bergen University College, Gronneviksoren student apartments, Norwegian School of Economics, the Documentation Center, as well as Kranen. At 3pm we take a short flight back to Copenhagen (included). That night, a special farewell dinner (included)!
Thursday, 12 May The Journey Home! Sleep well, because .... you'll be getting up super early for our 7am flight to London, then on to RDU, arriving about 2pm EST.	You will leave with fabulous memories, lots of photos, and a heart full of exciting Scandinavian architecture, wonderful people, and natural beauty!

The 4-1-1:

As you might expect, you need a valid US passport expiring no earlier than May 13, 2020.  There are no travel visas necessary.

As we will be on the move constantly, absolutely no checked baggage allowed. Yes, you will survive with one carry-on rollerboard/suitcase (maximum dimensions 9" x 14" x 22") and one personal bag / purse / laptop.  You'll be fine. Really!

However, if you buy a lot of stuff while we are travelling, not to worry.  Carry a collapsible bag in your rollerboard.  Checked baggage will be allowed on the flight home (you are responsible for baggage charges).

Clothes to bring:  Scandinavian climate is unpredictable and weather can be quite harsh even during summers. Bring a water-resistant jacket, umbrella, and warm clothes.  May there is not like May here.  Be prepared for sunny and cold.  Most tours are walking, so make sure to bring convenient walking shoes.

Tipping etiquette:  Tips to guides and drivers in Scandinavia are not required or expected. Tips in restaurants are also voluntary. If you enjoyed the service provided, including a standard 10% tip from the total amount of your bill would be considered more than generous.

Language:  Most Scandinavians speak perfect English and you won't have any language barrier. However, learning some basics will get you back happy smiles. 

Staying over in Copenhagen:  Once air tickets are issued, you may modify your tour to stay longer in Copenhagen or stop for a few days in London on the way back.  This involves a small change fee and any fare difference and is handled directly with American Airlines.  They are pretty good about this -- as long as you are changing dates not cities.  You may also add your frequent flyer number (or your trusted traveler number, if you have one).

Proceeds benefit USModernist's ongoing documentation, preservation, and promotion projects. 

Questions?  Contact Executive Director George Smart at 919.740.8407.

The Fine Print:

Once payment is made, there are no refunds for any reason except for trip cancellation. However, you can transfer your place to another person with at least four weeks written notice to USModernist.  Participants must sign a liability release in order to travel, as is standard with all USModernist trips.

Architects can get self-reported CEU hours if arranged in advance with the AIA.

Parking at RDU airport is not included. 

The itinerary and order of trip events are subject to change without notice or refund. The itinerary will indeed change as we get closer to the date.  Sometimes it changes while we're on a trip itself.  Sites sometimes change their minds at the last minute about access, in both directions yes and no, so you'll have to be flexible as we go along.

There is a small but possible risk of overnight stay if flights are delayed, in which case participants are responsible for any additional costs of meals, lodging, transportation, and incidental expenses. The chances of this happening are small but it could happen.