Days 1 through 4 - Reykjavik, Golden Circle Tour and the South CoastClick For Summary
Day 1
Arrival in Reykjavik, meet and greet at the airport and transfer to hotel
Day 2
The Golden Circle Tour: waterfalls, geysers & tectonic plates
Day 3
Reykjavik Sightseeing & the Blue Lagoon
Day 4
The Wonders of the South Coast
Starting in Reykjavik, a hip, exotic, and peaceful capital, your Scandinavian vacation is guaranteed to be awesome. You are now in the land of fire and ice, yours to explore. After being greeted by your friendly driver, you will be driven in total comfort to the Hotel Apotek by Kea in central Reykjavik, where you can spend the rest of the day discovering the city at your own pace. Once rested, on Day 2 you will experience the Golden Circle Tour, perhaps the country’s most well-known set of attractions, which includes the Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir hot spring area and the Gullfoss waterfall. Day 3 allows you to get to know the capital better as you follow an experienced local guide through the streets and the history of the northern-most capital in the world. Also, on that day you will visit the Blue Lagoon, the world’s most famous geothermal spa. Day 4 leads into another excellent daytrip, this time to discover gorgeous waterfalls and other wonders of the South Coast.
Main attractions: Hallgrímskirkja Church, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir hot spring area, Gullfoss waterfall, Skógafoss Waterfall, Reynisfjara Beach, Sólaheimasandur Glacier view and Vík Village, the Blue Lagoon
Guided activities: The Golden Circle Tour (8 hours, small group), The South Coast Tour (10 hours, small group), 3-hour Sightseeing tour of Reykjavik (walking or biking, small group)
Accommodations: Hotel Apotek by Kea
Start Your VacationDays 5 through 8 – Getting to Know Copenhagen and Royal North Zealand
Day 5
Arrival in Copenhagen, meet and greet at the airport and transfer to hotel
Day 6
Guided City Tour of Copenhagen (walking or biking; small groups)
Day 7
Day Tour to North Zealand – Castles & Palaces
Day 8
Open day to explore and overnight ferry to Oslo
Continue your vacation in the colorful, modern and cultural Copenhagen, capital of the Kingdom of Denmark. Upon your arrival, a friendly driver will meet you and your party at the airport and transport you to the Boutique Hotel Absalon in complete comfort and style. After your hotel check in, feel free to explore the surroundings of your centrally-located hotel and start discovering Copenhagen. On your second day, in the morning, you will join an expert local guide who will introduce you to some of the famous landmarks in the city. The third day is reserved for you to embark on a daytrip which will take to North Zealand, where you will visit majestic castles and palaces such as the Frederiksborg and Kronborg castles. Finish your visit to Denmark with an open day to further discover the magic of Copenhagen and embark an overnight ferry on your way to Norway.
Main attractions: the Little Mermaid, Nyhavn (restaurants and shops by the water), Rosenborg Castle, Strøget (largest pedestrian-only shopping street in Europe), Amalienborg (queen’s winter residence), Rundetaarn (“Round Tower” – great views of the city), Tivoli Gardens (Walt Disney’s inspiration for the Magic Kingdom), Carlsberg Museum & Tasting Room
Guided activities: 3-hour sightseeing tour of Copenhagen (walking or biking, small group) and a guided day trip to North Zealand (small group)
Accommodations: Boutique Hotel Absalon
Start Your VacationDays 9 through 11 – Getting to Know Oslo
Day 9
Arrival in Oslo and Guided City Tour (walking or biking; small groups)
Day 10
Open day to explore Oslo and Bygdøy Island’s museums with the Oslo Pass
Day 11
Flam Railway & The Sognefjord
Your arrival at the hip and vibrant Norwegian capital is a true highlight, as you cruise your way to the city via the Oslo Fjord, on board an overnight ferry from Copenhagen. Upon arrival, you will check in to the Thon Hotel Opera. That same afternoon you will join a local guide and see the most fascinating corners of this elegant, clean and chic capital, including the amazing Vigeland Sculpture Park. The next day, use your Oslo Pass (included) and learn about Norway’s many tales of the sea at the island of Bygdøy, home to a set of excellent attractions, such as the Kon-Tiki and the Viking Ship museums.
Main attractions: Oslo Opera House, Vigeland Sculpture Park (amazing collection of statues about the human condition), the Viking Ship Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum, Akershus Fortress, Bygdøy Island
Guided activities: 3-hour Sightseeing tour of Oslo (walking or biking, small group)
Accommodations: Thon Hotel Opera
Start Your VacationDays 11, 12 – In the Heart of Fjord Country
Day 12
Getting to Know Balestrand
Continuing your journey, embark on the Sognefjord in a Nutshell ®, a trip which will take you through some of Norway’s most beautiful fjord scenery. You will experience the scenic Bergen Railway, the breathtaking Flåm Railway, the Aurlandsfjord, and the narrow and dramatic UNESCO-protected Nærøyfjord.
Included in this segment of your trip is 1 night at the renowned Kviknes Hotel, in Balestrand, which will allow you to further immerse yourself in the splendor of Norway (dinner included at the hotel). Feel the thrill of a fjord safari aboard a fast RIB boat along the Sognefjord or try some leisurely kayaking, an incredibly beautiful and peaceful experience.
Main attractions: train ride along the Flam and Bergen lines, ferry ride along the Sognefjord
Guided activities: kayak tour of Balestrand or RIB boat tour along the Sognefjord
Accommodations: The Kviknes Hotel
Start Your VacationDays 13, 14 – Discovering Bergen
Day 13
Exploring Bergen, the Gateway to the Fjords
Day 14
Arrival in Stockholm
Your beautiful ferry ride along the Sognefjord is concluded in Bergen, the city known as the “Gateway to the Fjords.” Check in to the Det Hanseatiske Hotel, and take your time when exploring this magnificent town, which is beautiful however you look at it. There you can eat lunch at the Fish Market, admire the entire city atop Mount Fløyen and soak in the local art at the KODE museums. A private tour of Bergen is included.
Main attractions: funicular to Mount Fløyen (spectacular views), the Bryggen (old wharf & traditional wooden buildings), Hanseatic Museum, Bergenhus Fortress, KODE art museums
Accommodations: Det Hanseatiske Hotel
Start Your VacationDays 15 through 17 - Getting to Know Stockholm and Its Surroundings
Day 15
Guided City Tour of Stockholm (walking or biking; small groups)
Day 16
Eating with the Locals Tour in Lidingö
Day 17
Open day and overnight ferry to Helsinki
A short flight will take you to the city considered – by many – to be the most beautiful capital in Europe: Stockholm. The rest of your first day in the city is open for you to explore. The next morning you will join a local guide and tour the streets of Gamla Stan (“Old Town”) and admire the city’s unique architectural style. The next day will take you on a guided, cultural and gastronomic journey to Lidingö, a beautiful island just 15 minutes east of the city. There you will learn about the local history and sample a variety of traditional Swedish delicacies. The next day you say “so long” to Stockholm and embark an overnight ferry to your last destination: Helsinki.
Main attractions: Gamla Stan (“Old Town”), Vasa museum (17th-century salvaged ship), the City Hall, the Royal Palace, Skansen Open Air Museum (the Sweden of many decades ago), Djurgården Island, Lidingö
Guided activities: 3-hour Sightseeing tour of Stockholm (walking or biking, small group), 3-hour “Eat With The Locals” Tour (small group)
Accommodations: Elite Eden Park Hotel
Start Your VacationDays 18 through 20 – Getting to Know Helsinki & Return Home
Day 18
Arrival in Helsinki and open day to explore
Day 19
Guided Helsinki City Tour (walking or Biking; small groups)
Day 20
Private transfer to Helsinki’s International Airport
Helsinki is the capital of Finland – a bilingual country – where all street signs are written in Finnish and Swedish. The overnight ferry from Stockholm will transport you to this perfectly clean city, where design is king, nature is an integral part of life and culture and education are taken very seriously. There you will discover the sights on a guided tour and on your own. On your last day, you will be picked up at your hotel by a private driver and transported to the airport for a safe and relaxed journey back home.
Main attractions: Helsinki Senate Square, Temppeliaukion Church (excavated in a huge rock), Suomenlinna Fortress, Sibelius Monument, Uspenski Cathedral
Guided activities: 3-hour Sightseeing tour Helsinki (walking or biking, small group)
Accommodations: Clarion Hotel Helsinki
Start Your Vacation