SCANDINAVIA HIGHLIGHTS
- Immerse yourself in Swedish culture with guided sightseeing, including the Viking Vasa Museum and Gamla Stan (old town)
- Visit ABBA museum, a tribute to the world renowned band.
- Change the pace with the overnight ferry cruise, with an exterior cabin to cross from Stockholm to Helsinki
- Get to know Helsinki highlights with a locally guided city tour.
- Gain insights in the rich Sami culture in Lapland.
- Visit a Husky dog camp outside Rovaniemi.
- Visit a working reindeer farm in Lapland
- Experience Nord Kapp (North Cape) with dinner
- A relaxed two night stay in Tromsø, a major hub for the Artic Circle.
- Discover the Fjord country of Norway including a two night stay in Bergen
- Ride the Flåm Railway - in 2014 Lonely Planet named it the world's most beautiful train journey.
- Cruise the Naeroyfjord to Gudvangen; one of the beautiful fjord landscapes in Norway.
- Explore the Viking Ship Museum, Oslo
- Enjoy some highlight historic hotel stays
- 2 flights included; Helsinki to Rovaniemi, and Tromsø to Bergen to reduce lengthy road travel
- A guided city tour of Copenhagen, Denmark
PRE TOUR STAY
Consider arriving a day before the tour start, or enjoy a stopover. You can relax and refresh after your flight. The cost of the additional night/s of stay applies. Ask our travel team about this option, and the additional costs.
DAY 1
Stockholm, Sweden
Welcome to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. The day is at your leisure. In the evening, meet with fellow travellers and your guide at your hotel for a welcome drink and dinner in house.
Meals: Welcome Drink, Dinner
DAY 2
Stockholm, Sweden
Today’s the perfect opportunity to get a feel for Sweden’s capital. Situated at the mouth of Lake Mälaren, the city is spread across 14 islands on the coast, in the south east of Sweden.
With a local guide, we take in the sights of Stockholm, seeing all the main attractions and a stop for a scenic view point at at Fjaellgatan from where there is a truly spectacular view of the city´s many islands and waters. Touring includes a walk around the beautiful Old Town, and seeing the Royal Palace, Parliament, and a guided tour of the world famous City Hall (site of the yearly Nobel Prize festivities) and Royal Park of Djursgaarden. We take time to visit the Vasa Museum (the 17th century warship which sank on her maiden voyage) and Skansen, the world´s oldest open air museum.
There’s the afternoon at leisure. In the evening, we head for dinner at city restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3
Stockholm, Sweden / Overnight Ferry
There’s some free time this morning and later this morning we head to ABBA Museum, an impressive tribute to this iconic band of Sweden, and the world. By mid afternoon it is time to be at the ferry terminal for the overnight cruise to Finland. Leaving Stockholm in day light hours, relax and watch the scenic coastal view as you make your passage to Finland overnight with the comfort of an outside cabin and dinner onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4
Helsinki, Finland
Welcome to Helsinki, the capital of Finland. After arriving in the morning to Helsinki, and disembarking the overnight cruise, we take a city tour with a local guide. We cover the
the capitals most important and interesting parts such as the historical centre, Senate Square, Cathedral, City Hall, Presidential Palace, Finlandia Hall and Opera House. Stops at Sibelius Monument and Temppeliaukio church, also known as the Rock church (entrance fee applies).
Around mid afternoon, we check into the hotel. Helsinki is a wonderful city to walk around and explore at leisure and the afternoon is free for making your own discoveries.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5
Helsinki to Rovaniemi, Finland
An early transfer to Vantaa airport for our flight to Rovaniemi. On arrival to Rovaniemi, we are met and transferred to town for some local touring. We visit the Arctikum Museum, which tells the story of the North and the Arctic, offering a fabulous insight into the history and culture of Finnish Lapland.
In the afternoon visit a Husky Musher’s camp to hear about these beautiful dogs’ lives and training. Later today there’s the option to visit Santa Claus Village with your tour director or take some time out at the hotel. The evening is at your leisure. Tonight dinner in house at your magical hotel.
Meals: Breakfast (boxed), Dinner
DAY 6
Rovaniemi to Inari, Finland
This morning, we drive north to Inari/Ivalo region. Along the way we visit a working Amethyst Mine, located in Lapland, in the town of Luosto; dig for your own purple amethyst gemstone of Lapland and learn about the amethyst stone and a geology stories. In the afternoon we continue to Inari/Ivalo and check into our hotel by early evening. Tonight, a relaxing dinner at our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7
Inari, Finland
We make the most of our day with morning and afternoon discoveries. There’s a guided tour in the Sami Museum Siida, some free time in the museum and lunch at the museum’s restaurant. Later, we hop on a boat that takes us for a cruise on Lake Inari. There’s a stop along the way at the small island of Ukonkivi, which in the old days was used as a place for sacrifice by the Sámi people. On the way back the boat will pass an old cemetery island
To mark the end of the day we will visit a working reindeer farm. The Inari reindeer farm is owned by a local family, who are reindeer herders and where you can enjoy some of the warm hospitality and learn about the integral role of reindeer in the lives of the Sami people. This evening back at our hotel, the sauna awaits; very much a way of life in this northern part of our world.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
Inari, Finland to Honnigsvåg, Norway
Today we drive to Karasjok, and visit the Sami Park cultural centre with a local guide. After, we travel to Norway and arrive to Honnigsvåg.
HIGHLIGHT EXPERIENCE
Later this evening we make our way to Nord Kapp (North Cape), one of the most northern points of Europe. We’ll also dine in the Gallery. This is the renowned location of the midnight sun.
Tip: Rug up, it gets chilly at Nord Kapp, even though it’s summer. A hat/beanie and gloves are highly recommended and also a warm jacket is a must. There’s many hours of daylight in the far north, and we head back late to our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9
Honnigssvåg to Alta, Norway
We continue our travels in northern Norway today to reach Alta, a town on Norway’s northern coast. Arriving to Alta, we visit the Alta museum. It features exhibits and displays on Sami culture, Finnmark military history, the Alta hydro-electric project and the aurora borealis (northern lights). This evening dinner is included at our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10
Alta-Tromsø
We make our way to Tromsø today including scenic ferry crossings from Olderdalen to Lynseidet and Svensby to Breivikeidet. From Breivikeidet, driving to Tromsø. This afternoon, making the most of our long days of sunshine we take the cable car ride of Fjellheisen, in Tromsø, to the top of the mountain. We return to our hotel for dinner. Tromsø is a lovely city and this evening you may like to head out for a night cap and take in more of the daylight hours.
This afternoon, making the most of our long days of sunshine we take the cable car ride of Fjellheisen, to the top of the mountain.
We check into our hotel after our cable car ride, and the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. Tromsø is a fabulous city to head out a find a local restaurant for dinner or enjoy fine dining at your hotel’s restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11
Tromsø
Today in Tromsø, we visit the Arctic Cathedral, known as Tromsdalen Church (also known as Ishavskatedralen), a significant masterpiece as this cathedral is a landmark visible from the Tromsø Sound, the Tromsø Bridge and when landing in Tromsø by aircraft. After the cathedral, we visit Polaria, a museum renowned for its Arctic experience. From mid afternoon the rest of the day is at your leisure.
This evening there will be an ‘arctic’ experience at the Magic ice bar.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12
Tromsø-Bergen
Heading a long way south, we take a flight between Tromsø to Bergen. Bergen is renowned for its rugged glacial scenery, and the setting amongst seven mountains. It’s a Norwegian port town that dates back to the 1770’s. You have a relaxed afternoon and evening at your leisure to make your own plans. There is plenty to love about this picturesque town and we enjoy a two night stay to make the most of the location.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13
Bergen
After breakfast we get to know Bergen ‘The Heart of the Fjords’ with a local guide. Although Norway’s second largest city, it has the vibe of a small town and packed with charm and urban character.
Discover narrow cobblestone alleys and the UNESCO World Heritage site Bryggen, “The Hanseatic Wharf”, the most obvious remnant from the time Bergen used to be the centre of trade between Norway and the rest of Europe.
Take the Fløibanen Funicular up Fløyen Mountain for panoramic views. The Fløibanen is a funicular railway in the Norwegian city of Bergen. It connects the city centre with the mountain of Fløyen, with its mountain walks and magnificent views of the city.
This afternoon is the perfect opportunity to stroll around town, or you may like to join a Mostraumen fjord tour. A popular option also is a visit to the Edvard Grieg Museum Troldhaugen, once the home of Edvard Grieg, a Norwegian composer and pianist. Dinner is at your leisure; maybe opt for dinner at the Bergen Fish Market located in the heart of the city.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 14
Bergen – Flam – Gudvangen – Stalheim
An earlier start today, to drive to Voss, the starting point for the first of our train journeys today to Myrdal. From Myrdal we travel to Flam on the Flåm Railway, considered to be one of Norway's most important and spectacular tourist attractions. The Flåm Railway is 20 km long with 20 tunnels and took 20 years to build! In 2014 Lonely Planet named it the world's most beautiful train journey.
In the afternoon, we cruise by ferry from Flam along the Naeroyfjord to arrive to Gudvangen, enjoying the beautiful fjord landscape. You will sail through UNESCO’s World Heritage-listed fjords featuring majestic mountains. Arriving to Gudvangen we then transfer to the small regional village of Stalheim, firstly visiting the open air museum then checking into our hotel with dinner in-house.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 15
Stalheim – Laerdal
A relaxed morning start, leaving Stalheim for Laerdal today. Along the way some local discoveries including a visit to Undredal for a local cheese tasting and to the Borgund Stave Church, built around 1180 and it’s exceptionally well preserved. Various other visits today are also possible, including a stop at the Stegastein viewpoint (weather dependent), experience the Laerdal 24km long tunnel and go to the Flam historical brewery in Flamsbrygga. A relaxed evening in house in by the edge of Fjord in Laerdal.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 16
Laerdal - Oslo
This morning we make our way by road to Oslo, one of the longer drives. We set off earlier today, first for Lillehammer, the home of the 1994 winter Olympics. It’s here we visit The Ski museum and take an elevator ride to The Ski Jump Tower ‘Skiforennigen’. From Lillehammer we drive onto Oslo to check into our hotel and have the rest of the day and evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 17
Oslo, Norway
It’s a fabulous morning discovering Oslo, including a visit to the Viking Ship Museum and Vigeland Park.
The afternoon is at leisure. You may like to visit the Kontiki, Fram or Much museums. Or for anyone with an interest in modern architecture the impressive new Oslo Opera House is well worth a visit. Oslo is also home to the National Gallery, housing one of the world’s most recognised artworks ‘The Scream’ painted artist Edvard Munch.
Tonight, a wonderful farewell group dinner to mark the end of our Scandinavian exploring.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 18
Oslo
Your wonderful Norway discoveries come to a close with a morning at leisure in Oslo before the group transfers to the port to embark on an overnight ferry to cruise from Oslo to Copenhagen with the comfort of outside cabins. It’s a large passenger ferry (like a small ship) including dining facilities; a relaxing way to travel to Denmark.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 19
Copenhagen
Arrive to Copenhagen’s cruise terminal, disembark and set off for a day of discoveries of the city highlights. You won’t be left short of things to do in Copenhagen. Scandinavia's largest city is a treasure trove of art, history, architecture, and modern design. The city artfully mixes fairy tale settings like palaces, castles and elegant gardens with cutting-edge style and contemporary chic.
Today is an extensive tour of 'Wonderful Copenhagen' covering all the major attractrions; World famous amusement park Tivoli Garden, Town Hall Square, Stroeget, one of the world´s longest pedestrian streets, Ny Carlsberg´s Glyptotek, National Museum, Christiansborg Palace (site of the Danish parliament), Stock Exchange, Holmen Church, National Theatre, Nyhavn ´s canal quarters, Royal Palace (photostop), Little Mermaid (photostop)and Rosenborg Castle (where the Royal crown jewels are kept). In the afternoon, cruise the city’s canal with the Grand Tour from Nyhavn, passing some of Copenhagen’s best sights and attractions showing a perspective of the city from the water. After we transfer to the hotel to check in. The remainder of the afternoon and the evening is at your leisure to take advantage of a long day of daylight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Arrival ‘meet & greet’ at port by your local tour leader, Copenhagen
- A full day of escorted touring
- ‘The Grand Tour’ cruise from Nyhavn
- Entrance to Tivoli Park
- Farewell group dinner
DAY 20
Copenhagen
Your visit comes to an end this morning, or you can always opt to extend your stay (highly recommended)
Meals: Breakfast
Itineraries may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. If there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance, we aim to inform you prior to travel. Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.
