From beautiful cities that seamlessly blend historic architecture and modern design to sprawling landscapes of pristine natural beauty, Scandinavia has a lot going for it. This 15-day journey through Sweden, Denmark and Norway begins in stylish Copenhagen, where the streets are made for cycling, the boutiques are plentiful and the cuisine is world-class. Discover the neoclassical architecture, leafy boulevards and delicious hagabullen (giant cinnamon buns) of Gothenburg before escaping to the serene beaches and nature reserves of the Gothenburg archipelago. Have your curiosity piqued at Oslo’s eccentric museums and discover endless photo opportunities in Trondheim, one of Norway’s prettiest town. Explore the majestic mountains, deep fjords and untamed beauty of Norway’s north while hiking and kayaking around the Lofoten Islands. Then wrap up the adventure above the Arctic Circle in Tromso, a town famed for its Northern Lights displays.
John F.K. International Airport (Google Map)
Explore Copenhagen like a local and hop on a bike. There is no better way to see the major sites, as well as explore hidden corners of this beautiful city.
Don’t miss Gothenburg’s Haga district, with its picturesque wooden houses and the iconic Skansen Kronan, as well as laid-back Langgatan street.
Take a ferry to Vrango Island, a stunning fishing town in the Gothenburg Archipelago, and discover this rocky nature haven by kayak.
Visit Trondheim, which translates as ‘a good place to live’, and stroll past the colourful wooden storehouses flanking the river.
Explore the long-adored Lofoten Islands, a patchwork of fishing villages, by land and sea and take in some of the most breathtaking scenery in the entire world.
Finish in Tromso, hundreds of kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, where the arts and culture scene is thriving despite its isolated, northerly location.
The areas visited on this trip can be very cold at night throughout the year, especially at the start and end of the season. Please bring appropriate clothing for adverse weather conditions, including base layers, hat, gloves, scarf, coat and anything else that you think may be applicable.
Scandinavia can be an expensive destination in many ways, from museum entrance fees to optional activities, but especially in terms of eating out. Please bear this in mind when booking this trip. Your leader will be at hand to advise on how to save money.
As accommodation on this trip is twin share, single travellers will share a room with another traveller of the same gender. The exception is the overnight train from Trondheim to Bodo which is twin share on mixed gender basis. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it while you can. However, if you’d prefer not to share, a single room supplement is available at an additional charge (some exception nights are applicable). Please ask your booking agent for more details. Also, hotels in Europe often don’t have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Some accommodation on this trip may also have shared bathroom facilities.
This trip is quite fast paced to make the most of your time. We will take you on regular orientation walks, so you’ll be on your feet quite a lot. While this may be tiring for some, it’s the best way to get your head around a place and to set yourself up for further discoveries.
As this is a combination of 2 trips, your leader and the composition of your group may change in Oslo. Please see Day 7 in the daily itinerary for more details.
There are no meals included on this day.
The adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you’re going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We’ll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. If you can’t arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you’re able to attend the welcome meeting. We’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Please note that rooms in hotels in Scandinavia can often be smaller and more basic in comparison to accommodations in other parts of Europe.
Please note that our accommodation in Gothenburg has shared facilities. As Gothenburg has topped the Global Destination Sustainability Index for a number of years now, the city is considered one of the greenest hotel cities in the world. Our hotel is no exception and holds an official eco-certification.
Please note that today’s kayaking activity takes place only during the summer months from May to September, and is subject to weather conditions. During the winter months from October to April you will explore the island on a guided island tour instead.
As this trip is a combination trip your leader and group composition may change at this location. There will be a welcome meeting at 6pm tonight. You are welcome to attend so you can meet your new fellow travellers.
Although a global ban on commercial whaling came into effect in 1986, approximately 1,000 whales are still being killed every year, as Iceland, Norway and Japan ignore the ban. We strive not to visit places that serve whale on any of our trips, however often this is unavoidable and there is a likelihood that you will come across whale meat on a menu or at a market stand.
Norwegian overnight trains are very comfortable, with 2 passengers per cabin, and all bedding provided. Please note that the check-out time at our hotel is at around noon, so you will store your luggage at reception until tonight’s departure to the train station.
There are no meals included on this day.
Please note that you will have all day to explore Bodø, from our arrival on the overnight train in the morning (around 9 am) until our departure on the ferry to Svolvaer in the afternoon (around 5 pm). Your luggage will be stored at the train station for this duration, which is also where you will find toilet facilities.
