Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

• Day 1: Welcome to the Capital of Finland

  After landing at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, your holiday is off to a wonderful start with a private transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city. If you arrive early it’s wise to pick up a Helsinki Card, which gives you access to all the main attractions and museums as well as free travel on public transportation, including the ferry to the Suomenlinna sea fortress in the Helsinki Archipelago. 

  You can also ask your Nordic Visitor travel consultant about adding guided sightseeing tours or activities in Helsinki this afternoon or tomorrow morning. 

  Spend the night at Scandic Hotel Grand Marina (or similar) in Helsinki.

  Attractions

• Day 2: Take in the Sights in the “City of Design”

  Helsinki is known for its creativity and, as such, was awarded the UNESCO “City of Design” title in 2012 —it even has its own Design District and “design tram route” (Line 6). Some notable city landmarks to visit include the Senate Square, the Uspenski Cathedral, the Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, the Opera House, the Temppeliaukio Church and the Sibelius Park. For a panoramic view over this well-designed city, take a trip up the tower of the Olympic Stadium.

  There are plenty of great shops, galleries and museums, not to mention some fabulous outdoor food markets for a quick bite to eat. We also recommend a stop at Kauppatori, a popular marketplace chock full of fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh fish, handcrafts and souvenirs.

  Spend another night in Helsinki.

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• Day 3: Ferry to Estonia & Explore Tallinn Old Town

  Get an early start this morning for a 2-hour ferry ride from the Helsinki terminal to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. After checking in at your new hotel, get out and explore this beautiful medieval city. We recommend taking a walk from the Upper Town (Toompea) and visiting such sights as the Orthodox St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the ancient limestone walls of the medieval Toompea Castle—a UNSESCO World Heritage Site—or the Toompea Palace, the current seat of the Estonian Parliament. For dinner, you will find many nice restaurants in the Old Town (Vanalinn).

  Spend the night in Tallinn.

  Attractions

• Day 4: Morning in Tallinn & Cruise to Sweden

  Like most European cities with an 800-year history, Tallinn is a patchwork of historic areas, offering a fascinating blend of Eastern and Western European influences. For a blast from the past, take a stroll through the Kadriorg district, a throwback to the time when Estonia was ruled by Russian tsars. This area houses a number of interesting sights, such as the Kadriorg Palace and the Estonian Art Museum (KUMU). Or check out the newer parts of Tallinn to get a glimpse of Soviet-era life, at places like Vabaduse väljak (Freedom Square).

  Late afternoon, you will board an overnight cruise to Stockholm. There’s plenty to do on board besides sleep, with a variety of cafes, restaurant and shops to enjoy.

  Spend the night in an outside cabin with a window and ensuite bathroom.

  Attractions

• Day 5: Free Time & Welcome Dinner in Stockholm

  Enjoy breakfast on board the ship as you sail into the gorgeous Stockholm Archipelago—consisting of more than 24,000 islands and islets. After arriving at around 10:00, you will make your way to the hotel and then enjoy some free time. We suggest a walk down the busy Drottninggatan shopping street or through the bohemian neighbourhood of Södermalm, both areas with numerous cafés where you can experience the Swedish ritual of fika—a relaxing coffee break with a sweet dessert.

  At 18:00, we will gather for a friendly and relaxed welcome dinner to meet our fellow travel companions and tour leader and chat about the days ahead.

  Spend the night at Nordic C Hotel in Stockholm.

  Attractions

• Day 6: Experience History & Culture in Stockholm

  Today we will explore the historical heart of Stockholm, with a local guide showing us around the city landmarks. Starting with a short bus tour we’ll see attractions such as the City Hall and Fjällgatan, the panoramic viewpoint of Stockholm, and then we’ll end with a walk through the medieval cobblestone streets of Old Town (Gamla Stan) and a tour of the Royal Palace.

  After some time on your own for lunch, we’ll continue with a ferry ride to the island of Djurgården for a visit to the famous Vasa Ship Museum. Afterwards, the rest of the afternoon is free for your own sightseeing. You may wish to stay on Djurgården—a green oasis within the city—to visit other top attractions like the Abba Museum, the Gröna Lund amusement park or the Skansen open-air museum. Tonight dinner is on your own. The town is full of dining options, and your tour leader will be able to offer suggestions.

  Spend another night at Nordic C Hotel in Stockholm.

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• Day 7: Railway Journey & Copenhagen Tour

  This is a day full of great scenery as we head to our next Scandinavian destination. After breakfast we’ll head to Stockholm Central Station for a 5-hour train journey across the idyllic farmlands and forests of southern Sweden to Copenhagen.

  After arriving and setting in at our hotel, a local guide will take us on a walking tour (approx. 3 km) around Copenhagen’s main landmarks. We’ll stroll through the grand courtyard of the Amalienborg Palace, where the Danish Royal Guard stands watch day and night, along with Frederiks Kirke (The Marble Church), the star-shaped fortress of Kastellet and the well-known Nyhavn with its colourful, narrow houses lining the canal. After the tour we’ll enjoy dinner together.

  Spend the night at Admiral Hotel in Copenhagen.

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• Day 8: Castles and gardens of the Danish Capital

  There’s a lot to explore in Copenhagen! Today we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Renaissance-era Rosenborg Castle followed by a walk through the lush Botanical Garden, a lunch stop at the Torvehallerne food market—a favourite among local foodies—and a short boat tour with views of Christinsborg Palace, the Opera House and the colourful Christianshavn canal.

  The rest of the late afternoon and evening, including dinner, is on your own. Enjoy complimentary entrance to the famous Tivoli Gardens amusement park, a nostalgic atmosphere with games, rides, lights and music.

  Spend another night at Admiral Hotel in Copenhagen.

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• Day 9: Free Time in Copenhagen & Cruise to Norway

  Explore Copenhagen on your own for the first part of the day. If you’re up for some physical activity, walk up the winding equestrian staircase of Rundetårn Tower, or for amazing city views climb the 400 stairs to the spiralling steeple of Church of our Saviour in Christanshavn. Art lovers will enjoy the Carlsberg Glyptotek art museum and beer lovers will find something for all tastes at the historic Carlsberg Brewery. Or stroll down the famous “Strøget” for some world-class shopping.

  Today you also have the possibility of taking a leisurely stroll along the shoreline to the world famous Little Mermaid statue.

  For the next part of our journey, we’ll board the ship to Oslo in the late afternoon and enjoy a traditional Scandinavian dinner buffet on board in the evening. As we sail up the Kattegat Sund to Norway’s capital city, you can take part in the dancing and entertainment on board or just relax and watch the sunset from the deck.

  Spend the night on the cruise ship, in an outside cabin with private facilities.

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• Day 10: Introduction to Norwegian Culture in Oslo

  Enjoy the views of the Oslo Fjord during breakfast as the ship sails into port. After disembarking, we’ll get right to exploring our new destination with a local guide. Among our highlights in Oslo are the beautiful Vigeland Sculpture Park—filled with over 200 metal and stone artworks, the Royal Palace and the Opera House, a marvel of modern Scandinavian architecture. And as skiing is a big part of Norwegian life, you’ll also see the Holmenkollen ski jump, which—at 417 metres above sea level, is enough to give anyone goose bumps.

  Tonight, enjoy the city and dining at your leisure.

  Spend the night at Comfort Hotel Grand Central in Oslo.

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• Day 11: Norway in a Nutshell Train to Flåm

  Today we will get an early start and head to Oslo Central Station to start our Norway in a Nutshell® railway journey towards Bergen. This train ride, voted one of the 20 best in the world, takes us over Norway’s “mountainous rooftop” and through charming villages like Gol and Geilo. In Myrdal, we will switch trains to the Flåm Railway for an incredible 20 km ride with a 900-metre descent to the beautiful village of Flåm.

  In the village you’ll have free admission to the Flåm Railway Documentation Centre, located right beside Flåm Station, where you can learn about the construction of the world’s steepest railway line. Then in the evening we will enjoy dinner together at the hotel restaurant.

  Spend the night at Fretheim Hotel in Flåm.

  Departure - June 04, July 02, July 16 & August 13
  Departure from Oslo: approx. 08:05*
  Arrival to Flåm: approx. 14:25*

  Departure - June 25 & July 30
  Departure from Oslo: approx. 12:03*
  Arrival to Flåm: approx. 16:48*

  * Times may differ slightly between different departures

  NOTE: For added comfort, our luggage will be picked up in Oslo and will be waiting for us on arrival in Bergen. Remember to pack an overnight bag for your night in Flåm.

  Attractions

• Day 12: Fjord Voyage & Mountainous Ride to Bergen

  Until afternoon you are free to explore Flåm how you wish, perhaps with some optional activities. Then we’ll re-group and continue our journey, this time by boat. From the village we will take a boat tour in Aurlandsfjord and the World Heritage-listed Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord in Europe. This is perhaps the most beautiful and wildest arm of the Sognefjord, with its tall mountains, mighty waterfalls and small farms clinging to the steep mountainsides.

  Until afternoon you are free to explore Flåm how you wish, perhaps with some optional activities. Then we’ll re-group and continue our journey, this time by boat. From the village we will take a boat tour in Aurlandsfjord and the World Heritage-listed Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord in Europe. This is perhaps the most beautiful and wildest arm of the Sognefjord, with its tall mountains, mighty waterfalls and small farms clinging to the steep mountainsides.

  On arrival at the pier in Gudvangen, we’ll switch to a coach bus for a thrilling ride around the 13 hairpin bends of Stalheimskleiva, Northern Europe’s steepest stretch of road. After a brief pause to enjoy the view from Stalheim Hotel, we will continue to Voss, we will take the train for the last stretch of the journey to Bergen.

  Spend the night at Hotel No 13 in central Bergen.

  Departure from Flåm: approx. 15:10*

  Arrival to Bergen: approx. 20:34*

  * Times may differ slightly between different departures

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• Day 13: Medieval Alleys & Panoramic Views in Bergen

  Despite being Norway’s second largest city, Bergen—The Capital of the Fjords—still has the charm of a small town. We’ll experience many charms first-hand as a local guide leads us on a walking tour around Bryggen, the medieval part of the city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will then take the cable-cars up to a mountain for stunning panoramic views over the city.

  The afternoon is at your leisure, and then this evening we’ll enjoy one last dinner all together at a nice local restaurant, a great chance to compare notes on our favourite moments from our Scandinavian adventures.

  Spend the night at Hotel No 13 in central Bergen.

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• Day 14: Departure From Bergen

  When it’s time to head home, you can take the airport bus (Flybussen) from one of the various departure points in the Bergen city centre or you can take a taxi directly from your hotel to Bergen-Flesland Airport. If your flight is in the afternoon, enjoy some last-minute shopping, a visit one of Bergen‘s museums or a relaxing break at a café after this amazing journey.

  If you wish to spend more time in Bergen after the guided tour, on in Stockholm beforehand, ask your travel consultant about adding extra nights or services, such as private airport transfers. For an even greater Nordic travel experience, we can also extend your trip with visits to Iceland, Greenland or Scotland, for example. Contact us for details about customising your itinerary!