Scandinavian highlights: capitals and fjords

Stockholm

Day 1: Welcome to Sweden

Upon arrival in Stockholm, enjoy a private transfer to your 4-star hotel and catch a first glimpse of this thrilling city on the water.

Vibrant food halls, cobblestone streets, royal palaces, and the lively harbor are just waiting to be explored.

Stockholm

Day 2: The mysteries of Viking history

Unveil the mystery of Swedish Viking history with an expert authorized guide and visit great Viking sites of cultural and archaeological interest.

In the countryside, surrounded by beautiful Swedish nature, you’ll get to experience the ancient history of the Vikings. See beautiful rune stones and hear the stories they wish to tell you. 

Our expert guides will show you different runestones, Viking causeways, a Viking Age parliament assembly site, and grounds the vikings themselves walked upon.

Stockholm - Gothenburg

Day 3: Gothenburg: Sweden's coastal charmer

Meet Gothenburg, Sweden's laid-back second city where canals, culture, and coastline come together effortlessly.

Start your day wandering Haga's cobblestone streets, ducking into cozy cafés for an oversized cinnamon bun. Browse local design shops around Avenyn, then dive into the city's maritime soul at the waterfront and Feskekôrka fish market, a foodie paradise in one of Scandinavia's top culinary destinations.

Culture calls at world-class museums and the Universeum science center. When you're ready to breathe, Slottsskogen Park is steps away, or hop a ferry to the archipelago for rocky islands, fishing villages, and seaside trails.

Gothenburg

Day 4: Set sail for Vinga

Hop aboard the M/S Carl Michael Bellman at Lilla Bommen and cruise through Gothenburg's stunning archipelago to the lighthouse island of Vinga. The journey takes about 75 minutes each way and includes lively commentary on all the sights you'll pass along the way.

You'll get two full hours to roam Vinga, Gothenburg's westernmost point. Wander shoreline paths, watch the waves crash against the rocks, and find a quiet spot to sunbathe or take a dip. Don't miss the childhood home of beloved Swedish artist Evert Taube, now the island's must-see museum, plus the iconic 1889 lighthouse.

Want more? An optional 45-minute guided tour at additional cost climbs the 30-meter lighthouse, no booking required.

Gothenburg - Copenhagen

Day 5: Fall in love with Copenhagen

Copenhagen welcomes you with centuries-old castles standing tall beside bold modern architecture. Slip into the city's easy rhythm of bikes, canals, and buzzing neighborhoods, and let colorful Nyhavn steal your heart.

Glide along scenic bike lanes to hidden courtyards, world-class museums, and design shops brimming with creative energy. Pause for a cozy café moment and embrace hygge, that irresistible Danish warmth.

Discover regal Amalienborg, striking harborside design, and a food scene spanning street-market bites to Michelin-starred feasts.

As evening falls, the canals shimmer under golden light and the city feels both intimate and alive.

Copenhagen

Day 6: Explore Copenhagen on two wheels

See the city the way Danes do: from the seat of a bike. On this easy-paced guided bike tour, you'll glide through one of the world's most cycle-friendly cities, weaving between iconic landmarks and tucked-away corners you'd never find on your own.

After a quick bike fitting and safety intro, you're off with a local guide. Roll past colorful Nyhavn harbor, royal Amalienborg Palace, the striking Opera House, and the canals of laid-back Christianshavn. Your guide will share stories about Danish culture, sustainability, and why cycling defines this city.

With flat terrain, plenty of photo stops, and a relaxed vibe, it's perfect for most fitness levels, and it is hands-down one of the best ways to experience Copenhagen.

Copenhagen - Oslo

Day 7: Sail the Scandinavian seas to Oslo

Trade the ordinary transfer for something magical! The DFDS overnight cruise turns your journey between Denmark and Norway into a relaxing mini-holiday.

Board right in the heart of the city and step into a world of comfort: restaurants, bars, lounges, shops, and wide-open decks made for soaking up the views await you on your comfortable cruise. Settle into your private cabin, savor a Nordic-inspired dinner, and unwind with entertainment and fresh sea breezes as the coastline drifts by.

Catch the sunset over the Kattegat or the glassy calm of early morning. This is Scandinavian serenity at its finest! Comfortable, scenic, and wonderfully laid-back, it's so much more than getting from A to B. It's an unforgettable experience all its own.

Oslo

Day 8: Welcome to Norway

Enjoy your last day on the cruise and take in the views and changes of scenery that accompany you along the way.

Upon arrival in Oslo, a private transfer will bring you to your hotel in the middle of the city where you can settle in and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Oslo

Day 9: Art, ice and iconic views

Buckle up for the ultimate Oslo adventure! Cruise through the capital's elegant streets on a coach tour while your guide brings the city's history and character to life.

Your first stop is Vigeland Sculpture Park where over 200 striking bronze, granite, and iron works capture raw human emotion. Next, soar up to the legendary Holmenkollen Ski Jump for jaw-dropping views over the Oslofjord.

Then it's off to Bygdøy, Oslo's "museum island", to board the mighty Fram, the world's strongest wooden polar ship. Depending on the season, you'll also dive into Norwegian folk life or Thor Heyerdahl's epic Kon-Tiki voyages.

Oslo

Day 10: Taste your way through Grünerløkka

Get a real feel for how Oslo eats and lives on this laid-back food and culture walk through Grünerløkka, the city's coolest creative district.

You'll kick things off at Mathallen, Oslo's famous food hall, then wander along the Akerselva river past street art, cozy cafés, and old industrial spaces reborn as artsy hangouts. Your guide will dish out stories of the neighborhood's transformation while you graze through four hand-picked tasting stops: think wild game, fresh seafood, and sweet Norwegian classics.

It's relaxed, social, and easy on the feet, with plenty of time to soak up the vibe. The tastings are generous enough to stand in for lunch, and you'll walk away with a taste of the real Oslo, far beyond the tourist trail.

Oslo - Flåm

Day 11: All aboard: Norway's fascinating fjord

Your Norwegian adventure kicks off aboard a scenic mainline train in Oslo rolling west through storybook country. Enjoy views of dense forests, glassy lakes, and mountain valleys that grow wilder by the mile. As lush lowlands give way to rugged high-altitude terrain, the payoff arrives near Myrdal: sweeping mountain plateaus and dramatic cliffs.

Then comes the showstopper. At Myrdal, board the world-famous Flåm Railway, one of the steepest and most stunning rail lines on the planet. You'll wind down toward the fjord past thundering waterfalls, deep ravines, and tiny farms clinging to the hillsides.

This iconic leg of the Norway in a Nutshell journey ends right at the shimmering shores of the Aurlandsfjord.

Flåm - Bergen

Day 12: Fjords, peaks and a platform in the sky

Kick off in Flåm and wind along the fjord toward Aurland, passing the 18th-century hillside farms of Otternes. The road climbs hard into the mountains, and the views over Aurlandsfjord just keep getting better.

At the top, step onto Stegastein, a jaw-dropping viewpoint jutting 30 meters out from the cliff side, 650 meters above the water. Soak in the panorama, snap your photos, and let your guide bring the region's history and culture to life.

Back in Flåm, hop aboard a fjord cruise through the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, gliding past towering cliffs, waterfalls, and remote farms. From Gudvangen, a scenic bus climbs Western Norway's winding valleys to Voss where you'll catch the train to colorful Bergen, the gateway to the fjords.

Bergen

Day 13: Experience the two sides of Bergen

See Bergen from every angle on this pair of relaxed, small-group experiences.

Lace up for an easygoing hike up Mount Fløyen, following quiet forest trails as the views open over the rooftops and harbor. Then glide back down on the famous Fløibanen funicular.

Down in the city, wander along nine centuries of history: the UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf, ancient Bergenhus Fortress, cobbled alleys, and the lively fish market, all brought alive with tales of merchants, kings, and great fires. Your local guides share insider tips and hidden viewpoints along the way, at a comfortable pace with plenty of time for photos and questions.

This is the perfect way to experience Bergen beyond the postcard, both its wild side and its soul.

Bergen

Day 14: Farewell, Bergen

Spend your final hours in Bergen before transferring from your hotel to Bergen Airport Flesland for your flight home. Your Scandinavian adventure comes to an end as your return full of memories and new experiences.