Scandinavian Capitals: Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, and Helsinki

10 Days

Scandinavian Capitals: Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, and Helsinki

Statue of engelbrek engelbrektsson city hall

This itinerary offers a relaxing yet fascinating vacation in Scandinavia’s dazzling capital cities. Guests will be amazed at how very much one can see in just eight days! Guided sightseeing tours are included in Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki, but there is also free time planned in the schedule for your group to explore on their own. Excellent overnight cruises make for a truly convenient and comfortable way of exploring these historic cities. If your group has always dreamt of visiting a Nordic world of scenic waterways, Viking heritage, Norse sagas, royal palaces and incredible architecture, this is the itinerary for you!

Highlights

Discover the World’s Best-Preserved Viking Ships
Guided Sightseeing Tours of Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, and Helsinki
Enjoy Overnight Cruises in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea
Discover the Little Mermaid Statue From Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairytale

Itinerary Details

Day 1 - 3

2 Nights

Copenhagen

The vibrant capital city of Denmark, Copenhagen offers a fantastic blend of historic charm and modernity. It's famed for its picturesque canals and colorful waterfront, especially in the Nyhavn district. The renowned Tivoli Gardens, one of the world's oldest amusement parks, continues to draw in visitors with its its whimsical rides, lush gardens, and seasonal events. Copenhagen's architecture is worth mentioning, from the regal Amalienborg Palace, the royal residence, to the medieval Rosenborg Castle, home to the crown jewels. The National Gallery of Denmark and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art also feature stellar piece in their collection. Copenhagen's streets are supremely bike-friendly, with most locals and tourists alike choosing to travel by bike in the summer months. Visitors should also spend time exploring its rich culinary scene - which rivals that of Paris and Tokyo with its traditional Danish fare and numerous Michelin-rated restaurants.

Included activities

Day 1: Arrival in Copenhagen

Welcome to Scandinavia! Your group will be met by a guide at the airport and escorted on a panoramic city tour of Copenhagen. Traveling by private coach, they will see the main sights of the Danish capital beginning with a drive down Hans Christian Andersen Boulevard, which runs past the Tivoli Gardens, a world famous amusement park. They will cross the picturesque canal and drive past Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Parliament. As they pass the beautiful, historic Stock Exchange, your group will see Kongens Nytorv (King's New Square) with its Royal Theater. They then continue to Nyhavn, a street well known for the variety of its nightlife, and then see Amalienborg Palace, the Danish Royal Family's winter residence. The tour will take them to one of the most famous sights in Copenhagen: the Little Mermaid statue, located in Copenhagen's lovely harbor. As part of the tour, guests will also see Rosenborg Castle, which was built in the Dutch-Renaissance style by the Danish King Christian IV as a summer residence. The tour will finish at the Copenhagen hotel, where your group can check in and then have the remainder of the afternoon to continue discovering this beautiful city. Please note that if your group arrives before the official check-in time, they can leave their bags for storage at the reception.

Day 2: Board the Cruise Ship

This morning, guests will have free time to explore Copenhagen as they wish. This is a great opportunity to visit Tivoli Gardens, tour one of the city's historical palaces, or to simply explore Copenhagen's trendy design boutiques and antique stores. If your guests wish to set out early, they can consider checking out and storing their baggage downstairs so they wouldn't have to return only to check out. In the afternoon, your group will be transferred to Copenhagen's port by private coach for their overnight cruise to Oslo in Norway - DFDS Seaways with check-in starting at 3pm and the ship sailing at approximately 5:00 pm. (Please note that the group's cabin and berth requests must be specified at the time of booking.)

Day 3 - 5

2 Nights

Oslo

The capital of Norway beautifully blends its modernity with a rich history, nestled amid a stunning natural landscape. With its picturesque waterfront set along the Oslofjord, the city has numerous architectural marvels such as the Oslo Opera House and the historic Akershus Fortress. Visitors can stroll along Oslo's Karl Johans gate lined with cafes and shops set next to imposing landmarks like the Royal Palace. Oslo is also home to about 50 fantastic museums, including the Munch Museum, dedicated to the works of Norwegian painter Edvard Munch, and Fearnley Museum, which houses contemporary art. A visit to Oslo is incomplete without a trip to Aker Brygge, the lively waterfront area filled with restaurants and shops, where locals and travelers gather.

Included activities

Day 3: Arrival in Oslo

This morning, your group will wake up in Norway. The time of arrival of your cruise from Copenhagen to Oslo is about 9:45 am. A local guide will meet your group at the pier and lead them on an exciting, 3-hour city tour of Oslo by private coach. Guests will see Oslo's best attractions, including the medieval Akershus Fortress, the City Hall from the 1950s, and the Royal Palace. They will also witness the Parliament and the National Theatre of Oslo. Continuing west of the city center, your group will visit the Vigeland Sculpture Park, with over 200 stone, bronze and cast-iron figural sculptures made by the Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland. Afterward, the sightseeing tour will continue at the Bygdoy peninsula, which is located just outside the city center. This is the site of the Viking Ship Museum, which houses the world's best-preserved Viking vessels! Finally, the tour will finish back at the hotel in Oslo, where guests will check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure, either relaxing or exploring more.

Day 4: Oslo

This day is completely free for your group to soak in the charms of Oslo at their own pace. They can explore the city with self-guided tour on foot, revisiting some of their favorite attractions from the day before, or exploring new neighborhoods that they are interested in. Apart from the Royal Palace, Opera House, and Akershus Fortress, Oslo also offers many scenic parks where guests can enjoy a picnic. Guests can also explore the trendy waterfront area of Tjuvholmen, with its numerous cafes and galleries, set against a backdrop of the stunning fjords.

Day 5 - 8

3 Nights

Stockholm

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is a stunning city spread across 14 islands, and connected by more than 50 bridges. With close to 30% of its area is composed of waterways and green spaces, it is also one of the cleanest capital cities in the world. Stockholm's rich history dates all the way back to its founding in the mid-13th century, to which the Gamla Stan, or Old Town bears testament. The city blends classical and modern architecture, with top attractions such as the Royal Palace and the contemporary Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre. Stockholm is famed for the Vasa Museum, a 17th-century warship with an unfortunate history. The city also offers a vibrant cultural scene and some unique neighborhoods, such as the hipster Södermalm and Kungsholmen with its outdoor opportunities.

Included activities

Day 5: Arrival in Stockholm

This morning, your group will depart Oslo by private coach and travel east to Sweden. The eventual destination is Stockholm, Sweden's dazzling capital city, but along the way they will pass several lovely spots. After crossing the Norwegian Border, your group will head for the Swedish city of Karlstad, which is located on the northern shore of Lake Vanern. The city humorously refers to itself as the "city of sunshine" due to the number of sunlight hours it has annually. After a break here for lunch, your group will continue traveling through the Swedish countryside, passing the towns of Orebro and Eskilstuna, before reaching Stockholm. Upon arrival, the coach driver will take your group straight to the hotel to check-in. Guests will then enjoy an evening at leisure in Stockholm.

Day 6: Stockholm

After breakfast in the hotel, guests will have the perfect opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture and heritage of Stockholm They will be picked up from the hotel by their local guide and taken around the city for a guided tour. Guests will view iconic landmarks such as the City Hall, and the Old Town, and finally, visit the Vasa Museum with its popular shipping exhibits. After the tour, guests will return to the hotel and have the remainder of the day to explore Stockholm on their own.

Guided Sightseeing Tour of Oslo

This morning, a local guide will meet your group in the lobby and lead it on a fantastic, 3-hour city tour of Stockholm. Your group will discover a city like no other, whose well-preserved medieval buildings stand alongside modern architecture. This city is built upon 14 islands and surrounded by an archipelago of 24,000 islands! The sightseeing tour of Stockholm will begin with a visit to the Stockholm City Hall, where the Nobel Prize receptions are held every year. The City Hall is one of Sweden's foremost buildings built in the National Romantic architectural style. Guests will see the famous Blue Hall, whose walls are decorated with pieces of gold and stained-glass mosaics. Afterward, they will take a giant step back in time as they stroll through Gamla Stan - Stockholm's Old Town is home to cobbled alleys, historic houses, and medieval churches with soaring spires. Your group will continue by coach to the impressive Vasa Museum. This outstanding museum, which houses eight exhibitions, is one of Sweden's most popular tourist attractions. The chief exhibit is the beautifully-preserved wooden warship that sank in Stockholm Harbor on her maiden voyage in 1628. After this, the sightseeing tour will finish up back at the hotel.

Day 7: Board the Cruise Ship

This morning, guests will have free time to explore Stockholm as they wish. This is a great opportunity to visit one of Stockholm's numerous museums or art galleries (there are over a hundred museums in Stockholm), do a bit of shopping on Kungsgatan (literally "King's Street"), or return to the Old Town for a leisurely stroll. There are also many beautiful parks in Stockholm guests prefer to spend the morning getting some fresh air. If your guests wish to set out early, they can consider checking out and storing their baggage downstairs so they wouldn't have to return only to check out. In the afternoon, your group will be transferred to Stockholm's port by private coach for their overnight cruise to Helsinki, Finland, by Tallink Silja cruises, with check-in starting at 3pm and the ship sailing at approximately 5:00 pm. (Please note that the group's cabin and berth requests must be specified at the time of booking.)

Day 8 - 10

2 Nights

Helsinki

Finland's beautiful capital city is home to an interesting blend of historical attractions, modern architecture and design, and unspoiled natural landscapes. Its spectacular seaside location is further enhanced by the fact that an alluring chain of islands surrounds it. Helsinki boasts impressive landmarks such as the neoclassical Helsinki Cathedral and the unique Temppeliaukio Church, carved from solid rock. Its lively culture is evident in its bustling markets, particularly Market Square, where local delicacies and handicrafts abound. There is also a wealth of museums to explore, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma and the National Museum of Finland. Helsinki is a perennial favorite with outdoor enthusiasts, who particularly appreciate its serene parks, waterfront and proximity to enchanting archipelagos. The city also has an innovative culinary scene, with diverse food characterized by sustainable options.

Included activities

Day 8: Arrival in Helsinki

This morning, your group will wake up in Finland. The time of arrival of your cruise from Stockholm to Helsinki is roughly 10 am. A local guide will meet your group at the pier and lead it on an exciting, 3-hour city tour of Helsinki by private coach. During this panoramic tour, guests will see some of Helsinki's best attractions. They will begin by driving past the city's busy harbor and shipyards and down the coastal road by Embassy Park, viewing the colorful open-air market en-route. They will view Senate Square, home to an elegant Lutheran Cathedral, as well as Esplanadi, a popular shopping avenue where many designer shops are located. The tour will also take your group down Mannerheim Street (Helsinki's main street), to see the impressive Parliament building, the National Museum, and the beautiful Finlandia Hall, designed by Alvar Aalto. Afterward, guests will see the Olympic Stadium Helsinki constructed for the 1952 Olympic Games, and then view the new Opera House, which was completed in 1993. There will also be time to visit the unique Rock Church (Temppeliaukio) which was built out of solid rock and capped with a copper dome. Finally, the tour will finish back at the hotel in Helsinki. Guests will check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure, either relaxing or exploring further.

Day 9: Helsinki

This day is completely free for your group to soak in the charms of Helsinki at their own pace. The Market Square is always a good place to start, where your group can fuel up on local delicacies while enjoying views of the harbor. Next, a short stroll down the Esplanade can be quite pleasant, flanked by charming cafes and shops. Guests can also visit the Sibelius Park to view the namesake Sibelius Monument, a tribute to Finland's famous composer. The Seurasaari Open-Air Museum is an excellent place to discover to view traditional Finnish architecture. Guest may also want to visit the modern Helsinki Music Centre with its contemporary design, which hosts classical music concerts.

Day 10: Helsinki

This morning, your group will travel by private coach to Helsinki-Vantaa airport for the return flight back home.

Inclusions

Includes

Activities and excursions, as specified in the itinerary
Accommodations: Copenhagen (2 nights) - Cruise (2 nights) - Oslo (2 nights) - Stockholm (2 nights) - Helsinki (2 nights)
Meals: Daily breakfast, and lunch and dinner as specified
Ground transportation via air conditioned luxury coach
English speaking assistants and guides
Admission tickets as specified in the itinerary

Not Included

Tips and personal expenses
Visa and tourism charges
Travel, health, and cancellation insurance