Scandinavian Highlights – June 2025

NEW DATES FOR 2025!!! June 6-17, 2025 – book your spot NOW!

Explore the Scandinavian Land and Seas!  This itinerary introduces you to the beautiful capitals of Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.  You’ll join an experienced tour leader and our small group for the ultimate guided experience. Wander along historic cobbled streets, taste the distinctive cuisine of each nation, marvel at coastal landscapes and fjord scenery and hop on thrilling cruises and train rides. This is the Scandinavian trip of a lifetime. – 12 days/11 nights; max 12 people. June 6-17, 2025.

Start Location: Helsinki, Finland                    End Location: Bergen, Norway

Leader/Guide: 1 English speaking tour leader throughout. Local guides will also be used in some locations.

Tour Highlights:

• Explore the colorful capitals of Sweden, Denmark and Norway
• Stroll around the Finnish capital, Helsinki, and cruise the Baltic Sea to Stockholm
• Cruise along the Norwegian fjords
• Learn from local guides on private sightseeing tours of the major cities
• Board the Norway in a Nutshell tour® to experience breathtaking landscapes
• Travel in true Scandinavian style, hopping between trains and cruises
• Discover Scandinavian royalty by visiting Rosenborg Castle
• Experience the legendary Flåm railway, one of the world’s steepest railway lines
• Visit top rated attractions such as Tivoli, Bryggen, and Gamla Stan
• Taste Scandinavian cuisine, with local and fresh ingredients
• Benefit from a designated tour leader for a hassle-free travel experience

Itinerary:

Day 1 – Arrival in Finland – After landing at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, we’ll hop on a private transfer to our accommodation in Helsinki’s city center, to start our Scandinavian adventure in style. Take advantage of this first day to discover this Nordic gem at your own pace.  Tonight, we’ll dine on our own in Helsinki.

Day 2 – Explore Helsinki & Sail to Sweden – You have the morning to explore more of Helsinki on your own before boarding a cruise to Sweden. In the late afternoon, we’ll board an overnight cruise to Stockholm. There’s plenty to do on board besides sleeping, with a variety of cafés, restaurants and shops to enjoy. Tonight, dine on your own on board.  Spend the night on thecruise, in a private cabin with sea view.

Day 3 – Arrival in Sweden & Welcome Drink – Have a leisurely breakfast on the ship this morning as we sail through the gorgeous Stockholm archipelago, made up of more than 24,000 islands and islets. When we arrive in Stockholm, we’ll make our way to our accommodation and start exploring the city.  This evening, we’ll meet our local tour guide for a welcome drink. 

Day 4 – Highlights of Stockholm – Today we will explore the historical heart of Stockholm. In the morning, embark on a guided bus tour around the top city attractions. Next, we go on a guided walk through the medieval cobbled streets of the Old Town where we’ll also enjoy lunch with the group. After lunch, you get the rest of the day to explore on your own. We recommend taking a short ferry ride to the charming island Djurgården. Here you’ll find some of Scandinavia’s most popular museums, including the Vasa Museum and Abba the Museum. Other sightseeing options include joining a guided boat tour of the archipelago or visiting the Royal Palace. Tonight, dine on your own in Stockholm. 

Day 5 – Railway Journey to Denmark & Guided Walking Tour – After breakfast, the group will head to Stockholm Central Station to start our journey to Denmark. As we travel to our next Scandinavian destination, we’ll be rewarded with the gorgeous scenery of the idyllic farmlands and forests of southern Sweden. Once we reached Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, we’ll be transferred by bus to our accommodation. Then a local guide will meet us to take us on a walking tour of Copenhagen’s main landmarks. A drink will also be offered during the tour. After our guided walk, we’ll dine as a group.

Day 6 – Castles & Gardens of the Danish Capital – This morning, enjoy a guided tour of the Renaissance-era Rosenborg Castle followed by a walk through the lush Botanical Garden. Stop for lunch at the famous Torvehallerne food market. After lunch, we’ll get a different perspective of the city with a short canal boat tour. You’ll then get the rest of the afternoon and evening to explore at your leisure. A perfect way to spend the afternoon and evening is visiting the famous Tivoli Gardens amusement park. It combines international architecture, nostalgic games and rides, as well as lights and music (entrance fee included). Independent dinner tonight. 

Day 7 – Copenhagen & Journey to Norway – Explore the Danish capital on your own this morning.  In the early afternoon, we board a cruise to Oslo and enjoy a traditional Scandinavian dinner buffet on board. As we sail up the Kattegat strait to Norway’s capital, you can take part in the on-board entertainment or just relax and watch the sunset from the deck.  Spend the night on thecruise, in a private cabin with sea view.

Day 8 – Arrival in Norway & Guided Tour of Oslo – Enjoy the views of the Oslo Fjord during breakfast as the ship sails into port. After disembarking, we’ll head straight to exploring the Norwegian capital with a local, knowledgeable guide.  The bus tour will take us along the famous landmarks of the city. The highlights include the beautiful Vigeland Sculpture Park, filled with over 200 metal and stone artworks, the Royal Palace, Akershus fortress, and the City Hall. Tonight, dine at your leisure. 

Day 9 – Norway in a Nutshell® & Flam – After an early breakfast, we will head to Oslo Central Station to start our Norway in a Nutshell® journey towards Bergen. This train ride, ranked amongst the 20 best train journeys in the world, takes us over Norway’s mountainous “rooftop” and through charming villages like Gol and Geilo. In Myrdal, we will board the Flåm Railway for an incredible 20-kilometre (12-mile) ride with a 900-metre (3,000-foot) descent to the beautiful village of Flåm.  In Flåm, we’ll have free admission to the Flåm Railway Documentation Centre, located right beside Flåm Station. Here you can learn about the construction of one of the world’s steepest railway lines. In the evening, the group will dine together at our hotel.

Day 10 – Splendid Fjord Cruise & Mountainous Ride – You are free to explore Flåm as you wish this morning before the group boards a cruise to continue the Norway in a Nutshell® journey. The boat tour will take us onto Aurlandsfjord and the World Heritage-protected Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord in the world. This is perhaps the most beautiful and wildest arm of the Sognefjord, with its tall peaks, mighty waterfalls and small farms clinging to the steep mountainsides. On arrival at the pier in Gudvangen, we’ll board a coach bus to take us on to Voss, where we will switch to a train for the last stretch of the journey to Bergen. Tonight is an independent dinner. You could eat something light on the train leg of the journey or later after arrival in Bergen.

Day 11 – Medieval Bryggen & Panoramic Views of Bergen – Bergen, the “Capital of the fjords”, is Norway’s second largest city while still enjoying the charms of a small town. We’ll experience its beauty and character first-hand with a guided walking tour. A local will take us around Bryggen, the medieval part of the city, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will then take the funicular up to nearby mountain, Fløyen, for stunning panoramic views over the city and surrounding fjords.  You get the rest of the afternoon to explore Bergen at your leisure. In the evening, we’ll share one last dinner with our group, a chance to chat about our favorite memories from our Scandinavian tour.

Day 12 – Departure from Norway – It’s time for our Scandinavian adventure to come to an end. Simply take a taxi directly from the accommodation to the airport or hop on the airport bus.

INCLUDED – Accommodation for 9 nights (+ 2 cruise nights); Daily Breakfast; Private Transfer from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to your Hotel; Overnight cruise from Helsinki to Stockholm; Professional tour leader, as per itinerary; Dinners as a group (4 total); Private tours for the group with local guides in Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo and Bergen; One Lunch in Stockholm; Transfers to/from train stations & harbors in Copenhagen and on arrival to Oslo; Train from Stockholm to Copenhagen; Guided tour of Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen; Sightseeing boat tour in Copenhagen; Entrance to Tivoli in Copenhagen; Overnight cruise from Copenhagen to Oslo; Norway in a Nutshell® tour from Oslo to Bergen including a stopover night in Flåm; Luggage transfer from Oslo to Bergen (1 bag per person); Return tickets for Fløibanen funicular in Bergen.

NOT INCLUDED -Transfers to/from cruise terminals in Helsinki & Stockholm; Flights to/from Helsinki and to/from Bergen-Flesland Airport; Transfer to/from airport in Bergen; Personal travel insurance; Meals & drinks at restaurants and entrance fees (unless otherwise stated); optional activities; porter service at hotels, trains and cruise.

Airport Transfers:  Arrival transfer is included on an individual basis. Departure transfer is NOT included.

Pricing: $6500 per person (double occupancy in twin beds); +$1400 per person for single occupancy.