All of Scandinavia

Your captivating journey through Scandinavia begins as you arrive at Helsinki Airport, the gateway to Finland's elegant capital known for its stunning blend of neoclassical and modernist architecture. As you exit the arrivals terminal, our friendly representative will welcome you with the warm hospitality that characterizes the Nordic region. From the airport, you'll be escorted directly to a carefully selected Indian restaurant for your first taste of the excellent cuisine that will complement your Scandinavian adventure throughout the journey.

The evening drive to your hotel provides your first glimpses of Helsinki's clean lines and natural integration with its coastal setting. After checking into your comfortable accommodation, take time to unwind from your journey, perhaps enjoying the long summer twilight that bathes northern latitudes in a magical glow well into the evening hours. Rest well in preparation for the adventures that await across five distinct Nordic countries in the days ahead.

(Meals: Dinner)

After a hearty Finnish breakfast at your hotel, embark on an exciting day trip to Estonia's captivating capital. A comfortable coach transfers you to Helsinki's bustling port where you'll board a modern ferry for the approximately two-hour crossing to Tallinn. As the ferry navigates the Gulf of Finland, admire views of the archipelagos dotting these northern waters while perhaps enjoying refreshments from the onboard cafés.

Upon arrival in Tallinn, meet your knowledgeable local guide for a comprehensive three-hour tour of this exquisitely preserved medieval city. Wander through the UNESCO-listed Old Town with its cobblestone streets, colorful merchant houses, and soaring church spires that transport you back to the Hanseatic era. Visit the magnificent Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, an Orthodox masterpiece whose distinctive black domes and elaborate decoration provide a striking contrast to the Lutheran restraint found elsewhere in the city. Inside, marvel at the iconostasis and the rich atmosphere created by golden light filtering through stained glass.

Following your cultural immersion, savor a delicious lunch at an Indian restaurant before returning to the port for your ferry journey back to Helsinki. The afternoon crossing offers time to reflect on Estonia's complex history and remarkable preservation of its medieval treasures. Upon returning to Helsinki, enjoy a satisfying Indian dinner before retiring to your hotel, perhaps planning which Finnish souvenirs you might acquire during tomorrow's city exploration.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Following breakfast and check-out, join your expert guide for a revealing three-hour tour of Helsinki, a city that harmoniously blends neoclassical grandeur with cutting-edge design. Visit the remarkable Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church), an architectural marvel carved directly into solid bedrock, where the natural stone walls create exceptional acoustics beneath a stunning copper-lined dome. Continue to Sibelius Park to admire the abstract monument honoring Finland's greatest composer—a striking arrangement of more than 600 steel pipes that evokes the essence of music and forest in sculptural form.

Your tour reveals Helsinki's unique character through landmarks such as Senate Square with its commanding Lutheran Cathedral, the vibrant Market Square along the harbor, and the clean modernist lines of Finlandia Hall designed by renowned architect Alvar Aalto. After absorbing Helsinki's distinctive atmosphere, enjoy lunch at an Indian restaurant before transferring to the port for your overnight cruise to Stockholm.

Board the comfortable Tallink Silja Line ship that will transport you across the Baltic Sea through one of the world's most beautiful archipelagos. As the ship navigates through clusters of islands and skerries, settle into your cabin before enjoying a local dinner on board. The evening offers opportunities to explore the ship's amenities, perhaps visiting the panoramic decks to watch the sunset over the scattered islands or enjoying entertainment in the lounges before retiring to your cabin for the night.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Awaken to breakfast onboard as your ship navigates the spectacular Stockholm archipelago—a sprawling collection of over 30,000 islands and islets that create a stunning approach to Sweden's capital. Upon docking, meet your local guide for a comprehensive four-hour tour of this city built across 14 islands connected by 57 bridges. Stockholm's harmonious integration of historic buildings, water, and greenspace reveals why it's known as "Beauty on Water."

Your tour includes entrance to the Royal Palace, one of Europe's largest palaces with over 600 rooms, where you'll witness the grandeur of the Swedish monarchy and perhaps catch the changing of the Royal Guards. The highlight of your day is a visit to the remarkable Vasa Museum, home to the world's only preserved 17th-century warship. This massive vessel, which sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was salvaged nearly intact after 333 years on the seabed, offers an unprecedented window into naval history and the Swedish Age of Greatness.

Following lunch at an Indian restaurant, make a photo stop at the striking spherical Avicii Arena (formerly Globe Arena), the world's largest hemispherical building representing the sun in the world's largest scale model of our solar system. Complete your Stockholm experience with a visit to the famous ICEBAR, where the interior, glasses, and furnishings are made entirely of pure ice harvested from northern Sweden's Torne River. Wrapped in provided thermal capes, enjoy a complimentary drink served in an ice glass while experiencing this unique Nordic attraction.

As evening approaches, savor a delicious Indian dinner before checking into your comfortable Stockholm hotel, perhaps reflecting on the remarkable contrasts between Finland's and Sweden's distinctive aesthetics and cultural expressions.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast and check-out, transfer to Stockholm Airport for your flight to Bergen, Norway's picturesque coastal gateway to the fjords. Upon arrival, meet your local guide for a two-hour city tour of this UNESCO-listed former Hanseatic trading port. Discover Bergen's colorful history as you explore the well-preserved wooden buildings of Bryggen Wharf with their distinctive pointed gables, once the center of the medieval German merchant presence in the city.

The highlight of your Bergen experience is a ride on the Mount Fløibanen funicular, which ascends 320 meters up Mount Fløyen in just six minutes. From the summit, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views across Bergen, its seven surrounding mountains, and the fjords extending to the North Sea. The clarity of Nordic light enhances the spectacular scenery, with vibrant buildings contrasting against the deep blue waters of the harbor and the green mountains beyond.

As evening approaches, savor a delicious Indian dinner while reflecting on the contrasts between Sweden's elegant sophistication and Norway's dramatic natural beauty. Check into your Bergen hotel for an overnight stay, perhaps taking an evening stroll to appreciate the long northern daylight and the charming atmosphere of this coastal city nestled between mountains and sea.

(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)

After breakfast and check-out, embark on the renowned "Norway in a Nutshell" tour—a carefully orchestrated journey that showcases the essence of Norway's most spectacular landscapes in a single day. Your adventure begins with a transfer to Gudvangen, a tiny village at the end of the narrow Nærøyfjord, one of Norway's most dramatic fjords and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, board a ferry for an unforgettable cruise through steep-sided fjords where waterfalls cascade down nearly vertical mountain walls that rise dramatically from crystal-clear waters.

Upon arrival in the village of Flåm, nestled in the innermost part of the Aurlandsfjord, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before boarding the world-famous Flåm Railway. This engineering marvel, one of the steepest standard-gauge railway lines in the world, ascends from sea level to 866 meters through a spectacular landscape of steep mountains, thundering waterfalls, and farms clinging to sheer slopes. During the 20-kilometer journey to Myrdal, the train makes a special stop at the impressive Kjosfossen waterfall, where you can disembark briefly to capture photographs.

At Myrdal station, high in the mountains, change to the Bergen Railway for the scenic journey across the Hardangervidda mountain plateau to Geilo, a charming mountain village and popular ski resort. As the train winds through this dramatic landscape, witness Norway's wild and untamed mountain scenery, from rocky outcrops to mirror-like lakes and snow patches that remain even in summer. Upon arrival in Geilo, transfer to your hotel for check-in before enjoying a satisfying Indian dinner, perhaps reflecting on the day's remarkable transition from coastal fjords to mountain highlands.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Following breakfast and check-out, leave the mountain serenity of Geilo behind as you journey by comfortable coach to Oslo, Norway's sophisticated capital city. The scenic drive takes you through changing landscapes, from mountain plateaus to forested hills and lakeside villages, offering a glimpse of rural Norwegian life outside the cosmopolitan centers.

Upon arrival in Oslo, enjoy a delicious Indian lunch before exploring some of the city's most renowned attractions. Visit the extraordinary Vigeland Sculpture Park, the world's largest sculpture park created by a single artist. As you wander through this unique open-air gallery, marvel at Gustav Vigeland's more than 200 bronze and granite sculptures depicting the human experience in all its complexity—from the tenderness of parenthood to the fragility of aging. The park's centerpiece, the monumental Monolith, rises 14 meters high and is carved from a single block of granite with 121 human figures climbing towards the sky.

Continue to the historic Akershus Castle and Fortress, the medieval stone castle that has served as a military stronghold, royal residence, and symbol of Norwegian independence since the 14th century. From its strategic position overlooking Oslo Fjord, enjoy panoramic views of the harbor and the modern city beyond. As evening approaches, savor a flavorful Indian dinner before checking into your Oslo hotel, perhaps discussing how Norway's prosperity has enabled its impressive architectural achievements both ancient and modern.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast and check-out, join your knowledgeable guide for a three-hour city tour of Oslo, Norway's rapidly evolving capital that harmoniously blends historic tradition with bold contemporary architecture. The highlight of your morning is a visit to the fascinating Fram Museum, dedicated to Norwegian polar exploration. Step aboard the original Fram, the strongest wooden ship ever built, which carried explorers Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen on their groundbreaking expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. Through interactive exhibits and the preserved vessel itself, gain insight into the incredible challenges faced by these pioneering adventurers in the frozen extremes of our planet.

Following lunch at an Indian restaurant, transfer to Oslo port where you'll board the overnight DFDS cruise to Copenhagen. As the ship pulls away from the harbor, enjoy magnificent views of Oslo Fjord with its scattered islands and forested shores. Once at sea, take time to explore the cruise ship's amenities, which may include shopping, entertainment venues, and observation decks perfect for admiring the Scandinavian coastline. As evening approaches, savor a local dinner onboard before retiring to your comfortable cabin, perhaps reflecting on Norway's remarkable natural beauty and cultural achievements as you sail toward Denmark, the final Scandinavian country on your journey.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Enjoy breakfast onboard as your ship approaches Copenhagen, Denmark's charming capital known for its bicycle culture, innovative design, and fairy-tale atmosphere. Upon disembarkation, meet your local guide for a three-hour city tour that reveals why Copenhagen consistently ranks among the world's most livable cities. Discover the city's harmonious blend of historic elegance and modern innovation as you explore landmarks including the iconic Little Mermaid statue inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, the majestic Amalienborg Palace complex where Denmark's royal family resides, and the distinctive Nyhavn waterfront with its colorful 17th-century townhouses.

Following lunch at an Indian restaurant, experience Copenhagen from a different perspective during a one-hour canal cruise. Glide through the city's harbor and canals, passing under low bridges while your guide points out landmarks including the Copenhagen Opera House, the Black Diamond Royal Library, and the circular Børsen (Old Stock Exchange) with its distinctive dragon-tail spire. This relaxing water journey offers unique vantage points of Copenhagen's architectural treasures both historic and contemporary.

As your Scandinavian adventure nears its conclusion, enjoy a final dinner at an Indian restaurant before checking into your Copenhagen hotel. Perhaps take an evening stroll through this pedestrian-friendly city, admiring the thoughtful Danish design elements that enhance urban life, from innovative street furniture to carefully planned public spaces illuminated by the soft northern light.

(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast and check-out, take time for last-minute souvenir shopping or a final stroll through Copenhagen's inviting streets before transferring to Copenhagen Airport for your departure flight. As you bid farewell to Scandinavia, reflect on the remarkable diversity of experiences your journey has encompassed—from Finland's distinctive blend of East and West to Estonia's medieval treasures, Sweden's elegant sophistication, Norway's dramatic landscapes, and Denmark's human-centered design. This comprehensive exploration of Northern Europe's most distinctive region leaves you with memories of pristine natural beauty, innovative cultural expressions, and the unique Nordic approach to creating societies that balance tradition with forward-thinking innovation.

(Meals: Breakfast)