Scandinavia (13 nights/ 14 days Itinerary)
Day 1: Welcome to Sweden
Your holiday begins at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport where we await to greet you and escort you to your hotel in the heart of Sweden’s remarkable capital. For those who arrive early, we recommend My Stockholm Pass, which gives you free admission to a total of 75 experiences, free sightseeing tours, discounts to a number of restaurants, shops and much more. Suggested attractions include the Vasa Ship Museum or City Hall’s famous Blue Hall, site of the annual Nobel Prize banquet. Spend the night in Stockholm.
Highlights:
- Stockholm
- Vasa Ship Museum
- City Hall
Optional:
Day 2: Stockholm at Your Fingertips
Indulge in breakfast at your hotel before venturing out to see more of magnificent Stockholm. We recommend a visit to the city’s charming Old Town with its narrow alleys and well-preserved medieval houses or a guided tour at the Viking mounds in nearby Uppsala. Enjoy the afternoon at Fjäderholmarna, the closest of Stockholm’s Archipelago islands, where you can partake in a guided tour, browse the local handicrafts, and enjoy an authentic Swedish dinner at your choice of restaurants (only during the summer). Spend the night in Stockholm.
Highlights:
- Old Town
- Stockholm’s Archipelago
Day 3: Stockholm to Copenhagen by Train
After a tasty Scandinavian breakfast, it’s time to board the train for Copenhagen. Enjoy the scenery of Southern Sweden as you envision the exciting activities that await you in Denmark! Once you’ve arrived and settled in at your hotel in Copenhagen’s centre, we recommend a stroll down the famous “Ströget” street for some world-class shopping or a bite to eat at one of its many cafes and restaurants. Spend the night in Copenhagen.
Approx. duration of the train trip is 5 hours and 15 minutes.
Highlights:
- Copenhagen
- Ströget shopping street
Day 4: Day to Play in Copenhagen
With so much to do in Copenhagen, we recommend the Copenhagen Card which provides free admission to over 60 museums and free travel on the city’s buses and local trains. Copenhagen is home to such marvels as the Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace (home to the Danish Parliament), the old harbour of Nyhavn, the famous Little Mermaid statue, and much more. No visit to Copenhagen is complete without a trip to the Tivoli Gardens, one of the world’s oldest amusement parks and among the city’s most famous attractions (only open during the summer). Spend the night in Copenhagen.
Highlights:
- Amalienborg Palace
- Christiansborg Palace
- Nyhavn
- Little Mermaid Statue
- Tivoli
Optional:
Day 5: Copenhagen & Cruise to Oslo
After breakfast at your hotel, we recommend the insightful self-guided tour (optional) at the historic Carlsberg brewery, only 3.5 km by bus from central Copenhagen. After sampling this popular beer at the end of your tour, you can decide for yourself if you agree with their slogan: “Carlsberg, probably the best beer in the world”. By late afternoon it’s time to board the ship to Oslo, which cruises gently up the Kattegat Sund on its way to Norway’s capital city. Take part in the dancing and entertainment on board or just relax and watch the sunset from the deck. Spend the night in one of the ship’s cosy cabins.
Highlights:
Optional:
- Historic Carlsberg brewery
Day 6: From Fjords to City Charms
Today is yours to explore Oslo after arriving early to port in the scenic Oslo fjord. From your hotel conveniently located in the heart of Oslo, you have easy access to many of Oslo’s top attractions. Bask in the cosmopolitan glow of Bogstadveien, Oslo’s busy shopping street, or simply unwind in one of Oslo’s lush parks before dinner at a restaurant of your choice. Spend the night in Oslo.
Highlights:
- Oslo
- Bogstadveien shopping street
Day 7: Discover Oslo
Take advantage of this diverse city with the Oslo Pass, which provides unlimited travel on all public transport, free admission to over 25 museums, and discounts on many other attractions, restaurants, and shops. We recommend a visit to the Holmenkollen Ski Museum and Jump Tower, the Viking Ship Museum, Vigeland Sculpture Park, the Royal Palace, Akershus Fortress, or the historic Arctic expedition ship “Fram”. Spend the night in Oslo.
Highlights:
- The Holmenkollen Ski Museum
- The Viking Ship Museum
- Vigeland Sculpture Park
- Royal Palace
- Akershus Fortress
Day 8: Mountainous Railway to Flåm
Enjoy an early breakfast then head to Oslo Central Station to board the Bergensbanen train that winds though Norway’s breathtaking mountainous terrain on its journey to Bergen. This railway, voted one of the 20 best in the world, takes you through the charming villages of Gol and Geilo before a stop at Myrdal to switch trains. The next 20 km of the journey is on the world famous Flåm Railway, which descends nearly 900 metres to the charming village of Flåm, where the night is spent surrounded by the towering mountainsides of theAurlandsfjord*. Spend the night in Flåm.
Departure Oslo: 08:11
Arrival Myrdal: 12:39
Departure Myrdal: 13:27
Arrival to Flam: 14:25
* Please note that timings are preliminary and might change without notice.
We recommend that you book luggage transfer for the Norway in a Nutshell part of your travel. Your luggage will be picked up in Oslo and will be waiting for you upon arrival in Bergen. Pack an overnight bag if you spend the night in Flåm. Price per item is €40.
Highlights:
- Gol
- Geilo
- Flam
- Flåm Railway
- Myrdal
Day 9: Norwegian Fjord Cruise to Bergen
Spend the early part of your day roaming the village of Flåm and visit the Flåm Railway Documentation Centre to learn about the construction of the world’s steepest railway track. The afternoon promises a unique Norwegian adventure as an express boat carries you to Bergen through Aurlandsfjord and Sognefjord, Norway’s deepest and longest fjord. As the fjords open up to the sea, the scenery includes abundant bird life. Spend the night in Bergen.
Departure Flam: 15:30
Arrival Bergen: 20:40
* Please note that timings are preliminary and might change without notice.
Highlights:
Day 10: Bergen, Centre of Culture
Bergen, the “capital of the fjords”, is Norway’s second largest city but retains the atmosphere and charms of a small town. From your centrally-located hotel, you have an excellent starting point for exploring the cultural and historical highlights of this must-see city. Visit Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which dates back 900 years as a major Hanseatic trading centre. You can also catch a glimpse of local culture at the lively Fish Market or ride the Floybanen Funicular to Mount Floyen to enjoy the panoramic view of the city. Spend the night in Bergen.
Highlights:
- Bergen
- Bryggen
- Fish Market
- Floybanen Funicular
Day 11: More to Exlpore in Bergen
After a hearty Norwegian breakfast at your hotel, the day is yours to explore more of this unique city. We recommend the optional one-hour "Bergens Expressen" mini-train sightseeing tour around the city centre, which gives you panoramic views of the city from Fjellveien (“the mountain road”) plus great views of Maria Church, King Håkon’s Hall, the Rosenkrantz Tower, and the well-maintained traditional wood houses that line Bergen’s historic streets. Spend another night in Bergen.
Highlights:
- Maria Church
- King Håkon’s Hall
- Rosenkrantz Tower
Optional:
- One-hour mini-train sightseeing
Day 12: Return to Oslo
AThe early part of the day is free to appreciate more of Bergen’s historic charms before boarding the return train to Oslo. On the way, you can relax once more while taking in some of the world’s most beautiful scenery*. Upon arrival in Oslo, the rest of your evening is free to explore the city’s many restaurants, cafes, and nightclubs. Spend the night in Oslo.
Departure Bergen: 15:59
Arrival Oslo: 22:45
* Please note that timings are preliminary and might change without notice.
Highlights:
Day 13: Norway to Sweden by Train
Today you will be boarding the return train to Stockholm. The evening is free to enjoy Stockholm’s electrifying nightlife from your centrally-located hotel. Spend the night in Stockholm.
Approx. duration of the train trip is 5 hours and 50 minutes.
Highlights:
Day 14: Stockholm and Departure
Enjoy one last Scandinavian breakfast before it is time to check out from your hotel. Transfer to Arlanda Airport is provided by private taxi. Passengers departing with the afternoon flight will have time for some last-minute shopping, a perfect way to end your holiday.