Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Sweden – Denmark – Norway – Stockholm – Copenhagen – Oslo – Bergen
100% customisable for you
?Your Scandinavian sojourn begins today with a short two-and-a-half-hour flight to Stockholm. After touching down in the Swedish capital, hop on the airport express train into the city centre before checking into your centrally-located hotel for the next three nights. The evening is yours to explore the best restaurants, bars and hotspots this buzzing city has to offer, so consult our Dossier for insider tips on where to go to celebrate the start of your trip.
Enjoy a Swedish-style breakfast before joining your local guide for a three-hour walking tour. Begin in Gamla Stan, the old town of Stockholm known for its narrow streets, colourful houses and grand landmarks like the Royal Palace, the House of the Nobles, Riddarholmen Church and the Cathedral. Next, explore Sodermalm, which has shaken off its previously gritty reputation to become one of the city’s trendiest and most creative neighbourhoods, where vintage boutiques sit alongside smart galleries and fashionable restaurants.
Then head over to laid-back Kungsholmen island on Lake Malaren to see Stockholm's imposing neo-Gothic City Hall and the similarly striking St. Göran's Lutheran Church. Once key to the city's industrial development, this district is now predominantly residential, with some excellent parks, if you’d like to pause for a picnic pit stop.
The Stockholm archipelago is made up of 30,000 islands and islets, and today you’re visiting Vaxholm, which is one of the biggest and is easily accessible by boat. On board, enjoy panoramic views of the archipelago as you sail for around an hour to reach Vaxholm’s pastel-hued wooden houses, 16th-century fort, traditional restaurants and quaint shops.
Stockholm is a very green city, but here it really feels like you’re in the countryside. Head out on one of the well-marked hiking trails that follow the coast, alternating between woodland and beaches via pretty viewpoints. The landscape is surprisingly wild given how close you are to the capital, and it provides a welcome dose of nature during your Scandi city break.
It’s time to tick off your next city today as you board the train from Stockholm to Copenhagen. It takes between five and six hours to reach the Danish capital, so settle in with a good book or sit back and admire the scenery as you roll through the Swedish countryside.
After arriving in Copenhagen, make your way to your hotel and home for the next two nights, perfectly placed for exploring what this captivating city has to offer. Stretch your legs after your long train journey with a stroll to one of this foodie city’s excellent restaurants, taking your pick of traditional Danish cuisine or a nouveau Nordic restaurant (our local Concierge can share recommendations and even book you a table). During your stay, the Copenhagen Card makes it even easier to explore, offering unlimited access to public transport and to over 70 historical and cultural sites.
Boasting more than 200 miles of cycle paths, it’s no surprise Copenhagen is known as the city of cyclists. What better way to explore than on two wheels, enjoying a private bike tour with a local guide. Pedal through the cosmopolitan Norrebro district, where Superkilen Park is dotted with street furniture from some 60 countries, including Moroccan fountains, Brazilian benches and even a Thai boxing ring. You can also tick off landmarks like the Queen’s Castle, Parliament and the world-famous Little Mermaid statue.
After riding along canals, around the harbour and through more of the capital’s gorgeous green spaces, you’ve probably worked up an appetite. The world is your oyster when it comes to eating out in Copenhagen (maybe even try some actual oysters at one of the city’s sensational seafood spots). Check our Dossier for the very best places to eat this evening, then it’s back to the hotel to relax ahead of a travel day tomorrow.
You don’t depart for Oslo until this evening, so spend the day seeing more of the Danish capital before you set sail for Norway. Wander the splendid greenhouses of the Botanical Garden to discover its spectacular collections (it’s home to more than 13,000 species); ride the famous Demon rollercoaster at Tivoli Gardens through sharp turns, steep drops and dizzying loops (more sedate rides are also available); stroll to see Christiansborg Palace (home to the Danish royal family) or visit the counter-culture commune of Christiania, a self-governing free town since the early 1970s.
Copenhagen complete, this evening you’ll catch the overnight ferry to Oslo via Frederikshavn, travelling in the comfort of your own private cabin.
Wake up to breakfast on board the boat before arriving in Oslo shortly after. Once you've disembarked, hop in a taxi to the city centre and your downtown Oslo hotel. If you're itching to explore the Norwegian capital right away, you're in luck, as you’ve got the day to yourself for sightseeing and soaking up local life.
Oslo is a fascinating city – a real cosmopolitan hub of world-class modern architecture, fascinating museums, a diverse restaurant scene and excellent shopping. The city centre is the perfect size to explore on foot and is surrounded by breathtaking views across Oslofjord and the green, forested hills. Afterwards, head back to your hotel to freshen up before sampling some of Oslo's famous cuisine. For a few of our favourite dining spots, check the Dossier to see where we’d recommend, or ask our local Concierge.
One of the best ways to really get under the skin of a city is to explore with a local resident, so today you’re joining an Osloenser for a tailored tour of the capital. With personalised pit stops to match your pace and interests, your guide will provide a unique insight into life in Oslo and its history and culture. From top tourist hotspots like the Vigeland Sculpture Park and Oslo Opera House, to lesser-known corners of the capital, see it all through the eyes of someone who lives in and loves this city.
Make your way to the station this morning to board your train to Myrdal. Travel through the Hallingdal Valley, past Geilo Mountain and the Hardangervidda Nature Park before arriving at Myrdal's picturesque mountain station. Here, climb aboard the famous Flam Railway for a scenic journey from Myrdal to Flam. Widely considered one of the world’s greatest train rides, the 12-mile route takes in some of Norway's wildest and most magnificent scenery (think river-carved ravines, cascading waterfalls, snow-capped peaks and farms perched atop sheer mountain slopes).
In Flam, swap one form of transport for another, with a dreamy boat trip on the Sognefjord to Bergen. This five-hour journey takes in some incredible scenery, stopping at several quaint villages along the way. It’s a long yet rewarding travel day, but you could break up the journey with a few nights in Flam, or speed things along by taking the train the whole way.
Welcome to Bergen – Norway’s second largest city, and one packed with fairy-tale charm. Get your bearings by hopping aboard the Floibanen funicular railway to the top of Mount Fløyen, which rises 1,300ft above sea level. Feel on top of the world as you gaze across the city, the surrounding seaside and fjords, before pausing at the mountain-top cafe to take it all in.
This afternoon, wander through Bryggen, the historic harbour district of Bergen, and visit the museum that recreates life in a trading post at the end of the 18th century. See St. Mary’s church, the city’s oldest existing building, built between 1130 and 1170 AD. Or visit Troldhaugen, Edvard Grieg's villa and now a museum dedicated to the composer of Peer Gynt. Bergen is the last stop on your Scandinavian tour, so make the most of this evening with one final Nordic dinner, toasting to a memorable trip over delicious local cuisine.
After travelling through three countries and ticking off some of Scandinavia’s best-loved cities, today it’s sadly time to head home. The flight from Bergen to the UK takes around two hours, so depending on what time you fly, you could squeeze in a last bit of souvenir shopping or sightseeing this morning. As the plane takes off, say a fond farewell to Scandinavia – perhaps with plans to return sometime soon…
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
