Nordic Capitals and Fabulous Fjords: Copenhagen, Aarhus, Stavanger & More

Upon arrival to Copenhagen Airport, you will be met and greeted by a local representative for your transfer to your hotel. At 18:30, you are invited to join the welcome cocktail reception where you will meet your fellow travelers and your Tour Director.

Accommodation: Skt Petri Hotel (or similar)

Following breakfast at the hotel, meet your local guide for a panoramic sightseeing tour of Copenhagen. The perfect introduction to “Wonderful Copenhagen,” begin by admiring the City Hall Square where the famous pedestrian street “Stroeget” begins, and soon after, pass by Tivoli Gardens, the New Carlsberg Glyptotheque and the National Museum. Drive by the Old Stock Exchange and the Naval Church, followed by Kings New Square, the home of the Royal Danish Theatre with its world-famous ballet, and the old canal area, Nyhavn, with is picturesque houses and boats. Continue to the impressive Gefion Fountain and the Royal residence, Amalienborg Palace. Finally, meet the landmark of Copenhagen, the statue of the Little Mermaid. During the tour, you can also delight in Christiansborg Palace from the outside, as well as Rosenborg Castle, which houses the Crown Jewels. The tour ends with a return transfer to your hotel. There are two optional activities on offer today (pre-booking required): “Copenhagen like a Dane” and a guided walk through Tivoli Gardens – please speak to your Destination Specialist for more information or to reserve.  

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then, at 9:00, depart Copenhagen towards Roskilde - the former capital of Denmark between 1200 and 1300. Roskilde has a long history, dating from the pre-Christian Viking Age. Its UNESCO-listed Gothic Cathedral now housing 39 tombs of the Danish monarchs was completed in 1275, becoming a focus of religious influence until the Reformation in the 13th century. After visiting Roskilde Cathedral, continue to Aarhus via Odense, birthplace of the famous Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen. In Odense you will have some free time to enjoy the charming 3rd largest city in Denmark.

Before check-in to your hotel, enjoy a guided visit to Den Gamle By (The Old City) an open-air town museum located in the at the cities Botanical Garden in central Aarhus. In 1914, the museum opened as the world's first open-air museum of its kind, concentrating on town culture rather than village culture, and to this day, it remains one of just a few top-rated Danish museums outside Copenhagen, serving more than 400,000 visitors per year. Today the museum consists of 75 historical buildings collected from 20 townships in all parts of the country. The rest of the evening is at leisure, or join your Tour Director on a walking tour of center of Aarhus before enjoying dinner at one of the many great restaurants of the city. Denmark’s second largest city has a vibrant and cozy vibe due to its many students.

Accommodation: Scandic City Aarhus (or similar)

After breakfast at the hotel, depart from Aarhus towards the Hirtshals located in the very north of the Jutland Peninsula. At 11:45, you will depart by ferry to Kristiansand in Norway. Arriving in the early afternoon (14:00), you’ll travel from Kristiansand to Stavanger, Norway’s 4th largest city. The city's rapid population growth in the late 20th century was primarily a result of Norway's booming offshore oil industry. Today the oil industry is a key industry in the Stavanger region and the city is widely referred to as the Oil Capital of Norway. Your hotel is in the very center of Stavanger from which you can join your Tour Director on this evening pre-dinner walk in charming Stavanger. Evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Atlantic (or similar)

Settle in for breakfast at your hotel, and at 10:00, set out for another day of discovery. This morning will be dedicated to exploring the majestic Lysefjord and its Pulpit Rock. Enjoy the fresh summer breeze while sailing through the magnificent Lysefjord. Board an electric boat and sail from downtown Stavanger to Lysefjord and Preikestolen. The 3 to 3.5 hour Lysefjord cruise will take you to Fantahålå (Vagabond’s Cave) to see where the “vagrants” hid from the sheriff in the old days. Not long after, you arrive at Preikestolen, where Tom Cruise climbed the sheer mountain face in the movie Mission Impossible 6. Continue to the towering Hengjanefossen waterfall, where the crew brings the bow so close to the falls that you risk getting your face doused with a delightful spray! Along the way, the tour stops to feed goats at a summer pasture in Lysefjord. They love visitors! With luck, you might see the occasional seal sunbathing on a rock. Depart Stavanger in the early afternoon towards Bergen. Driving along the Norwegian coast where the fjords and archipelago are connected by bridges and ferry crossings, the scenic transfer ends upon arrival to your hotel in Bergen. The rest of the evening is at leisure.

Accommodation: Bergen Bors (or similar)

After breakfast, set out with the group to explore beautiful Bergen, capital of the Norwegian fjords. Bergen is Norway’s second largest city and one of the three university cities in the country. Experience the ambience of the Hanseatic port, Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the ride on the Funicular to the top of Mount Floien and admire the beauty of Bergen, located between seven Mountains. Pass by Mary St. Mary’s Church, Haakon’s Hall and the colorful and picturesque fish markets where you will enjoy a fish platter with local delicacies. Bergen’s Floibanen funicular in the heart of the city is one of Norway’s best-known attractions. The journey up to the peak of Mount Floyen (320 m above sea level) takes 5–8 minutes. The journey is an experience, cutting through the steep mountainside and forests, revealing more of the city below. At the top you can enjoy fantastic views over Bergen and Norwegian coastline. Optional activity (pre-booking required): Edvard Grieg ith Live Piano Concert (commencing right after the lunch at the Fish market; this optional activity is highly recommended) – please speak to your Destination Specialist for more information or to reserve.

Following and early breakfast, depart from Bergen and travel to the Naeroy Valley amid a stunning background of snow-clad mountains. Enjoy a break with Norwegian waffles and breath-taking views down the valley from the Stalheim Hotel. Continue down the Naeroy valley to Gudvangen for a beautiful fjord cruise along the Naeroyfjord, one the narrowest and most impressive journeys in Norway. The western Norwegian fjord landscape with the Naeroyfjorden and Geirangerfjorden at the head was listed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2005. According to UNESCO, the two fjords are considered archetypal fjord landscapes, almost untouched in modern times, and among the most scenic in existence. Your fjord experience has been designed with vessels constructed to maximize the sightseeing experience. They are fully electric with no noise or emissions disrupting the atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Here you will get the feeling of gliding through the fjord, very different from what you experience on the more traditional passenger vessels. Tall panoramic windows give a full view to the marvelous landscape of the calm fjord, tall mountains, and beautiful waterfalls when sitting inside the lounges. Disembark in the stunning village of Flaam where you will have some time at leisure. While there are two optional activities to choose from, you can also simply choose to enjoy a couple of hours at leisure in the village of Flaam. Alternatively, two optional activities are available (pre-booking required): Tour to the Stegastein Viewpoint or the Flamsbana train ride – please speak to your Destination Specialist for more information or to reserve.

Accommodation: Hotel Fyri Resort (or similar)

Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure for relaxation and enjoyment of the surroundings, and the spa facilities. In the evening meet your fellow travelers and enjoy a dinner with local delicacies. The Pool Club offers treatments, and it is always a good idea to make reservations prior to arrival to the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, travel towards Oslo, leaving the mountains far behind. Upon arrival to Oslo, visit the famous and impressive Munch Museum where you can admire Munch’s masterpiece, The Scream. Please note: guiding is not allowed inside the museum, so this will be a self-guided activity. Visit the museum at your own pace, or enjoy a platter of seafood and Munch Deli and Café. In the early afternoon, your local guide will share the many beautiful spots of the Norwegian Capital including the spectacular view from the Opera house and Vigeland Park - one of the major Scandinavian cultural treasures. You will also pass by the Royal Palace and the main street, Karl Johan. The tour ends at your hotel at 16:00 hours, when you will check in. At 18:30, join your Tour Director for a walking tour to Akker Brygge. Here you will discover a lively, local vibe and are encouraged to try a local shrimp salad at one of the many cafés and restaurants.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Oslo (or similar)

Fuel up with breakfast at the hotel, then depart Oslo and head to Stockholm, passing Norwegian and Swedish forests through the region of Varmland, the home of many legends. A lunch will be served in Karlstad located by the Lake Vänern, and you will arrive in Stockholm by the end of the afternoon and check-in to your hotel. Soon after, join your Tour Director for a walking tour of the Swedish Capital. The rest of your evening is at leisure.

Accommodation: The Sparrow (or similar)

Settle in for breakfast at the hotel, then meet your local for a city sightseeing of the Swedish capital. The city is built on 14 islands and connected by 57 bridges, and is often called the “Beauty on Water.” Stockholm embraces the unique character of both its 13th century Old Town and modern high-tech architecture. Its islands are bordered by Lake Mälaren in the west and the Baltic Sea in the east where the archipelago, with its 30,000 islands, await exploration. The capital is a big city with a small-town personality. Go back 750 years in time and feel the medieval atmosphere of the Old Town "Gamla Stan" as you wander through its narrow streets. The seven-hundred-year-old cathedral of Stockholm, seat of the archbishop, will be seen during your stroll through Old Town, where you will have the opportunity see Stortorget, the place where the Stockholm Blood Bath took place. An inside visit is paid to one of the city’s best-known symbols, the City Hall with its Blue and Golden Halls, where the great Nobel banquet is celebrated every December. The tour ends at the hotel. The afternoon is at leisure to explore on your own. Alternatively, consider joining in on today’s optional experience (pre-booking required): VASA Museum tour – please speak with your Destination Specialist for more information or to reserve.

Enjoy a leisurely morning, enjoying breakfast when it suits you best. At 13:00, depart from the hotel to visit one of Stockholm’s hidden gems. This visit will be revealed on site, though a special delight is assured... After your secret experience, continue to the pier to board the comfortable overnight ferry of Tallink Silja, which will be sailing along the Baltic Sea, bound for Helsinki. Dinner will be served on board.

In the morning, visit the breakfast buffet, and upon disembarkation, meet with your local guide for a city sightseeing tour of the Finnish capital, also known as “the Daughter of the Baltic Sea.” The tour includes the Senate Square, the University and Lutheran Cathedral – all displaying neoclassical architecture of the 1840’s – the colourful Market Square by the sea in the South Harbour, Kaivopuisto Park and diplomatic residences, the imposing statue of Marshall Mannerheim, the Parliament Building, Finlandia Hall, the Orthodox Russian Church Uspenski and the Sibelius Monument. A visit is also made to Temppeliaukio Church – called the “Rock Church” as it is carved into solid rock. Please note: The church reserves the right to decline the entry of visitors during ceremonies. After the city tour your tour director will invite to enjoy a degustation of Finnish delicacies at the food Market Hall. During the evening enjoy the vibe of Helsinki and take a stroll through Esplanade Square and enjoy the many cozy cafés and restaurants.

Accommodation: Hotel Haven (or similar)

Enjoy the breakfast buffet at the hotel, and then settle in for an early morning transfer to the pier of Helsinki. Here you will board a two hour cruise that will bring you to Tallinn. Meet your local guide and then set out for a city tour where you will discover the secrets of Tallinn's fairytale-like Old Town, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The walking part of the tour includes Toompea Hill, where you'll see the ancient Toompea Castle, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and the Cathedral of Saint Mary, which is also known as the Dome Church.

Stop at one of the panoramic platforms to admire the wonderful view of the old center’s red roofs with the dark blue Tallinn Bay in the background. Continue to the lower part of the city, walking among beautiful historic buildings until we reach the Town Hall Square. Tallinn's Gothic-style Town Hall, built in the 15th century, is the oldest surviving town hall in the Baltic countries. Just a few steps away, you'll find the famous Town Hall Pharmacy, which has been operating in the same premises since early 15th century. After the tour you will have a couple of hours at leisure to enjoy this pearl of a city before the transfer back to the pier and return ferry to Helsinki. On board the ferry you will have the opportunity to enjoy a light dinner of your preference. Upon arrival in Helsinki you will be transferred to your hotel.

Following a final breakfast, it is time for your adventure to come to an end. A local representative will meet you for your transfer to the airport.