Complete Scandinavia

Hej! Welcome to Denmark. Your adventure begins in Copenhagen – if you arrive early, which is highly recommended, why not visit the pastel-coloured waterfront houses in the Nyhavn area. You could drop in at an industrial-chic bar for a drink or stroll around the famous Tivoli Gardens, home to one of the world's oldest rollercoasters. Another area worth checking out is Norrebro, a residential area known for its wide range of restaurants. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your local leader and the other travellers who will be joining you for the trip. After the meeting, head out for an optional welcome dinner where you can get to know your group over some tasty Danish cuisine.

When in Copenhagen, do as the locals do – explore the city by bike! This is undoubtedly the best way to explore the city's many hidden corners, and the bike-friendly streets make it a breeze to get to all the major sites. The afternoon is free for you to keep exploring at your own pace. Stroll along the harbor or head to the 18th-century Amalienborg Palace, which is still the main residence of the Danish royal family. Maybe pay a visit to Frederik's Church (AKA the Marble Church), the Court House on Nytorv Square or the City Hall, with its red brick facade. Alternatively, the National Museum is a must-see, as is Christiansborg Palace. In summer, you can even choose to join the locals and take a refreshing dip in the free harbor baths located in the city centre.

See Copenhagen through a different lens this morning – join a local guide from Street Voices, a company with a mission to enhance quality of life for socially vulnerable people, aiming to give voice to their stories. You’ll hear personal stories about your local guide’s everyday struggles and gain insight into the reality of life on the streets in Copenhagen. This afternoon, take a train to Gothenburg, then board a ferry to Vrango Island, where you'll spend the night.

Today, you’ll explore Vrango – the most southerly island of the Gothenburg archipelago, with a population of just a few hundred and a strong fishing industry. The island is known for its stunning beaches and protected nature reserves – in the summer, you'll explore the coastline in an included kayaking activity. In the afternoon, enjoy some free time to stroll around the town, then return to Gothenburg for a free evening. Sweden's second largest city is known as one of the world's most sustainable destinations and is exemplary of what a responsible tourism destination should look like.

This morning, head to Alingsas, regarded as the capital of fika – a Swedish tradition of pausing during the day for a coffee and cake break. You'll be guided by a local expert on a tour of some of the town's best traditional cafes. Learn about the local love affair with coffee and discover the story behind this town's special cafe culture. Sample Swedish cinnamon buns, biscuits, chocolate truffles, pastries and sandwiches. You'll return to Gothenburg in the late afternoon and have a little time to explore at your leisure. Maybe visit the Gothenburg City Museum, housed in the historic East India Company building, which was built in the 18th century when Gothenburg was a major maritime trading centre. Take in the architecture at Gustav Adolfs Torg, go shopping along the main boulevard Avenyn, check out the iconic Skansen Kronan, stroll along bohemian Langgatan street or sip a coffee in the charming Haga district, known for its traditional wooden houses.

Catch a bus across the border to Norway's capital, Oslo. Your leader will take you on an orientation walk so you get to know this quirky, colourful city. It's highly recommended you spend the afternoon perusing delicacies at Maschmanns Food Market, admiring the handiwork of glass blowers at Hadeland Glassverk or simply strolling along Karl Johans Gate, the main shopping strip of the city. Maybe head to the Munch Museum to glimpse Edvard Munch's famous 19th-century painting, The Scream. In the evening, say 'skal' ('cheers') over dinner with your group. Why not seek out some traditional Norwegian fare – cod and mackerel are very typical menu staples.

Today is a free day for you to enjoy all this city has to offer. You might like to roam the roof of the Olso Opera House, stroll through Vigeland Sculpture Park to see the 200 or so sculptures by Gustav Vigeland or catch a ferry to the Viking Ship Museum. You’ll have a second welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your new group and local leader. After the meeting, maybe head out for a drink or dinner and get to know the new travellers joining your group.

Board a private bus today and cross the border into Sweden. Head to the lakeside town of Rattvik – a laidback spot that sits on the shores of Lake Siljan. Rattvik is steeped in history and culture – it’s situated in Dalarna County in the heart of Sweden and is famous for the Dala wooden horse, which has become a Swedish national symbol. Tonight, you’ll stay in a peaceful spot located 7 km outside of Rattvik.

This morning, you'll get a chance to get under the surface of this region with a special guided village safari led by local experts. You'll get to know the history behind the villages and learn about the traditions of the area surrounding Lake Siljan. Discover the traditional local way of life and mingle with the villagers. Then, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the local area and its lakes. Maybe take a leisurely boat trip across the lake, do some fishing, go for a hike or browse the local shops selling artisanal wares.

Leaving the Swedish lakes behind, head to the country's capital of Stockholm by train. Often referred to as the 'Venice of the North', Stockholm is full of impressive architecture, pristine parks and clear waters. After an introductory orientation walk, use the rest of your day to settle into your accommodation and explore the area around you. You could head underground for the world’s longest art exhibition – connecting the 14 islands of the city, the subway (Tunnelbana) system's 100 stations are like the longest modern art exhibition in the world, featuring artwork from more than 140 artists. Or, you could simply wander the narrow cobblestone streets and the colourful merchant houses. Why not soak up the culture and try a cinnamon roll in Stockholm’s oldest cafe – Sundbergs Konditori, located in Jarntorget square.

After breakfast, visit the Vasa Museum on the inner-city island of Djurgarden. The 17th-century warship, Vasa, sank in Stockholm Harbour in 1628 on its first voyage. Its wreckage was recovered in 1961. One of the most visited sites in Sweden, the Vasa Museum collection consists of the Vasa itself and all the objects that were found within the ship. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore as you wish, so why not leave the city behind for a few hours and see the waterways of Stockholm on a cruise past tiny islets and along narrow waterways? Or consider taking a self-guided Millennium Trilogy Walking Tour or a visit to the Abba Museum. Alternatively, you could take a trip to Drottningholm Palace, the residence of the Swedish royal family. Tonight, maybe head to Stockholm's Sodermalm district – the inner-city island with the best nightlife, full of cool shops, bars and cafes. You might like to have dinner at one of the city’s renowned restaurants on the cobblestoned islet of Gamla Stan or on Kungsholmen.

Today is free for you to enjoy your last day in Sweden, so get out and about to explore any of the sites you haven’t gotten around to yet. In the evening, you'll board an overnight ferry for Helsinki, Finland.

Arrive at Helsinki's port in the morning, then take public transport to your hotel. Join your leader for a short orientation walk to get to know the historical sites and gastronomic wonders of Helsinki, then the rest of today is free for you to explore the city however you like. You might like to visit the city's cathedral, the Design Museum, the waterfront market or the Old Market Hall for local delicacies. You could also take a short ferry ride to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Suomenlinna sea fortress. Throughout its 450-year history, Helsinki has often been the buffer between the east and the west. This is shown in the local cuisine, with a mix of root vegetables, berries and fresh fish featuring heavily in many dishes. Consider heading out in the evening to try some traditional dishes at dinner with your group.

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. There are no more activities planned and you're able to depart the accommodation at any time. If you would like to extend your stay in Helsinki we are happy to book additional accommodation for you, subject to availability. Please speak to your travel consultant at the time of booking.