This 14-day journey through Northern Europe invites you to combine some of the world’s most livable capital cities with the beauty of the northern fjords for the ultimate Nordic adventure.
Begin in Copenhagen with a local guide. See the world’s oldest amusement park, Tivoli Gardens, the National Museum, and the colourful harbour district of Nyhavn. See Copenhagen’s magnificent palace trio, Christiansborg, where the Danish parliament assembles, Rosenborg, the royal residence until Frederik IV, and Amalienborg, the current official royal residence. You have the option to see Copenhagen “Like a Dane” or take a guided walk of Tivoli Gardens at extra cost.
Rosklide, the capital of Denmark through the 13th century is your next stop. Visit its cathedral, then continue to Aarhus via Odense, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. Aarhus is a thriving student town that invites you to explore a traditional Danish city in miniature at Den Gamle By. Spend your evening at leisure, or on a walking tour with your guide. Danes love good, sustainable food (comes with having the “world’s best restaurant” and all), so follow the students for the tastiest cheap eats!
After a relaxing morning, catch your ferry bound for Stravanger, Norway. Your guide will take you on a pre-dinner walk if you wish. The following day, see beautiful Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock, and catch the spray from Hengjanefossen waterfall. Bergen is your base for the next two nights. Often said to be the prettiest city in Norway, its Hanseatic port was one of the most influential in the powerful trading league. Take it all in from Mount Floien, ride Bergen’s famed funicular, and take the option of an Edvard Grieg piano concert after lunch.
Leaving Bergen behind, weave your way through valleys and along fjords and marvel at not just their beauty, but the way they’ve shaped Norwegian identity and society. Then visit the village of Flaam, with the option of riding the scenic Flaam railway. Take a day to rest in Hemsedal, enjoying delicious local delicacies or a decadent spa treatment, before transferring to Oslo, Norway’s capital. Visit the Munch Museum and track down his masterpiece, The Scream, and join your guide as they show you the best vantage points for taking in Oslo and its magnificent Opera House. See the highlights of Vigeland Sculpture Park before disembarking in one of the city’s liveliest districts for dinner.
Switch things up again as you head to Stockholm, Sweden. A city tour helps you get your bearings, then enjoy the evening at leisure before a full day exploring Gamla Stan (the Old Town), and other highlights. You’ll have the option to tour the Vasa Museum, which houses an ill-fated 17th century war ship salvaged from the bottom of Stockholm’s waters and lovingly preserved amid a detailed telling of its story. If you have time, pop into Skansen, Sweden’s ultimate outdoor culture museum, or Pop House, which houses the ABBA Museum. You can also come back to these the following morning, but be sure to meet your guide in the afternoon for a mystery visit to one of Stockholm’s hidden treasures before boarding your overnight ferry to Helsinki.
Called the Happiest Capital City on Earth, Helsinki surprises tourists as much as its moniker bemuses locals. Its distinctive architecture and language make it clear you’re not in Scandinavia anymore, yet Finland’s appetite for good living and cutting edge design is on par with any of its neighbours. Explore the Temppeliaukio ‘Rock’ Church, and feast on tasty Finnish delicacies in Helsinki’s Market Hall. Don’t neglect a coffee break if you want to feel like a local. Finns are said to drink an average of nine cups a day!
Transfer after breakfast to your Tallinn-bound ferry for a full day tour. The capital of Estonia, Tallinn has risen to become one of Europe’s most popular city breaks, with its beautiful UNESCO-listed Old Town, Toompea Castle, and a variety of historic churches and cathedrals. Return to Helsinki for one more evening before you depart… though we wouldn’t blame you for coming back to continue your journey around the Baltics!