Compare Highlights of Swedish summer by Audley Travel vs Spectacular Scandinavia & its Fjords - Classic Group by Insight Vacations
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 13 days | 16 days |
| Price From | $ 7,585 | $ 5,950 |
| Price Per Day | $ 583 | $ 372 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
Visiting Denmark, you’ll find a kingdom of turreted castles, ultra-modern buildings and tiny fishing villages with clusters of brightly painted houses. Viewed under the ethereal light of a Nordic summer sun, there’s a fairytale quality to this often-overlooked country — one that’s fitting for the home of Hans Christian Andersen and various Norse myths. |
Tour the Noble Peace Prize banquet halls in Stockholm and ascend almost 1000-metres above sea level on the famous Flam railway, en route to Bergen. This 15-day tour of Scandinavia’s glassy fjords and sky-scraping mountains is a tonic for the soul as you journey from Sweden’s scenic farmlands to cosmopolitan Stockholm. Enjoy Uppsala sightseeing and meet Hans Odoo—a passionate local storyteller who’ll regale you with tales of Sweden’s first botanical garden, before you’re whisked away to a farm to table Falun dinner—prepared at Banken Restaurant with fresh, locally-sourced produce. In Norway, set sail through the deep glassy waters of the Geirangerfjord, surrounding by towering ice capped mountains and lush green forests. |
Day 1 Malmö
Copenhagen , Malmö
On arrival into Copenhagen airport, you'll be picked up by your private driver and driven over the famous Øresund Bridge to Malmö. Take the rest of the day to relax and explore the city.
Day 2 Malmö
Malmö
Today, embark on a cycling tour of the Skåne capital. You'll see many of Malmö's sights, including the Turning Torso skyscraper and the Øresund Bridge.
Day 3 Gothenburg
Malmö , Gothenburg
You'll be picked up from your hotel today and taken to the station for your train journey to Sweden's second city, Gothenburg. After settling into your hotel, embark on a short walking tour of the city's key highlights, such as Avenyn, the main boulevard, and Haga, the old town.
Day 4 Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Spend the day exploring Gothenburg on your own today. You might visit the Konstmuseum, one of Scandinavia's most impressive art galleries, or Sweden’s largest botanical garden, Botaniska Trädgården.
Day 5 Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Explore the Gothenburg Archipelago on board the M/S St Erik, a traditional archipelago boat designed in 1881. The cruise sets sail from Lilla Bommen in the early evening, and heads into the southern archipelago, passing many of the region’s best-known islands, such as Styrsö, Donsö and Brännö, while you enjoy a traditional seafood buffet.
Day 6 Stockholm
Gothenburg , Stockholm
You'll be picked up at your hotel in Gothenburg and driven to the central station in time for your rail journey to the Swedish capital. Spend the rest of the afternoon on your own, perhaps exploring Gamla Stan, the city's old town, or one of the leafy islands such as Skeppsholmen or Djurgården.
Day 7 Stockholm
Stockholm
Today, you'll be picked up at your hotel by your local driver-guide for a three-hour tour of the opulent Drottningholm Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Often referred to as Sweden's Versailles, Drottningholm is the 400-year old royal palace that's home to the Swedish royal family. Look out for highlights such as the Chinese Pavilion, pleasure palace, the Royal Chapel, the Drottningholm Court Theatre and an impressive array of gardens.
Day 8 Stockholm
Stockholm
You have the day to explore the capital on your own. You might take the train up to historic Uppsala to see its picturesque waterways and visit Sweden's largest cathedral, Uppsala Domkyrka.
Day 9 Stockholm
Stockholm
Journey outside the capital today to spend the day exploring Stockholm’s scenic archipelago. The yacht was built for sailing through the many narrow straits and can access wide range of the islands. The exact itinerary is decided on the day, based predominately on weather conditions as well as the interests of the group. You'll see charming 19th-century houses standing next to the super villas that have been built in the last few years, as well as a wide array of scenery and wildlife.
Day 10 Kiruna
Stockholm , Kiruna
You will be driven to the airport for your flight up to Kiruna, Sweden's most northerly town. In the afternoon, visit the Icehotel, where the rooms and hand-carved sculptures are made of ice.
Day 11 Kiruna
Kiruna
Your driver will pick you up for the 90-minute drive to Abisko National Park, where you'll take a chair lift up to the sky station for far-reaching views across the park. Then, join your guide on a leisurely walk back down to the valley, learning about the flora and fauna as you descend.
Day 12 Kiruna
Kiruna
Spend a day with a traditional Sámi family of reindeer herders. Help feed the reindeer, learn to throw a lasso and hear stories told through song. Join the family for lunch in their home and then on a reindeer sleigh ride through the forest.
Day 13 Return home
Kiruna , Stockholm
You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Day 1: Welcome to Copenhagen
On arrival at Copenhagen airport, your transfer will leave for your hotel at 09:00, 12:00 or 15:00. Then you will be at leisure to relax and settle in. At 17:30, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers and enjoy drinks and a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner. In the evening visit the glittering lights and enchanting atmosphere of the world-famous Tivoli Gardens.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Copenhagen.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Wonderful Copenhagen
A Local Expert will reveal the charm of Denmark's capital. Meet Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid gazing wistfully across the harbour and see Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Government. Continue to Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Palace, the Renaissance Stock Exchange and Copenhagen Cathedral, where the Crown Prince of Denmark married Princess Mary. View the unusual Rundertaarn and enjoy an afternoon at your leisure, relaxing or exploring at your pace. Perhaps take an Optional Experience into the picturesque Danish countryside to see the castles of North Zealand?
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Copenhagen.
Breakfast
Day 3: On to Gothenburg Relaxed Start
Continue along Sweden’s west coast to the cosmopolitan port city of Gothenburg. On arrival, explore with your Local Expert and learn about the region’s culture and nautical history. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Café Dickson. Enjoy traditional Swedish fika, coffee and cinnamon roll, at a community café.
Elite Park Avenue Hotel, Gothenburg.
Breakfast
Day 4: Scenic farmlands of Sweden
Enjoy views of the patchwork of fertile farmlands, as you journey along the shores of Vättern to the Swedish capital.
Hilton Stockholm Slussen.
Breakfast
Day 5: Stockholm, City of Islands
See the charms of Sweden's capital with your Local Expert. On Gamla Stan, start with the cathedral, the coronation palace of many Swedish kings and the Old Town, with some of the narrowest streets in the world and stroll through the courtyard of the Royal Palace. Visit the imposing City Hall to see its fabulous Gyllene salen, the Golden Hall, with its walls covered in 18 million gilded mosaic tiles, and the Blå hallen, the Blue Hall, where the Nobel Prize banquets are held. There's free time in the afternoon for you to explore at your own pace. Perhaps visit the fabulous Vasa Galleon, raised from Stockholm's harbour-bed in 1961 after sinking on its maiden voyage in 1628?
Hilton Stockholm Slussen.
Breakfast
Day 6: Sigtuna, Uppsala and Falun
Travel to Sigtuna on the shores of Lake Mälaren, it was once the Viking capital and now boasts Sweden’s smallest City Hall. Continue to the historic city of Uppsala, seat of Scandinavia’s oldest university. Meet Hans Odoo, a passionate local storyteller, who will share the fascinating history of the Carl Linneaus Garden on a guided tour. You’ll learn about Sweden’s first botanical garden and its 1300 species of flora and fauna. Travel to Falun, an old historic mining town. With your Travel Director see the Falun Copper Mine and the Great Pit, a vast crater created by an enormous mine collapse in 1687. In the evening, enjoy a delightful meal at Banken Restaurant, prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
First Grand Hotel Falun.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Lillehammer
A scenic drive along the shores of Lake Siljan in the Dalarna region brings you to Nusnäs, home of the Dala horse. Meet the entertaining Olsson family who has passed the art of making wooden horses down through the generations and visit their workshop to witness a colourful wooden horse being made. Continue deep into the forested heart of Sweden to reach Sälen, Sweden’s largest alpine destination. It is known as the starting point for the world’s oldest and longest cross-country ski race, Vasaloppet, a 90 kilometre track that has been challenging skiers since 1922. Cross the border to Norway and pass Hamar with its Olympic ice skating rink known as the Viking Ship. Journey along the shores of Mjøsa, Norway’s largest lake, to arrive at Lillehammer, home of the 1994 Winter Olympics.
Scandic Victoria Lillehammer.
Breakfast
Day 8: Geiranger, Jewel of the Fjords Relaxed Start
Journey northwest from Lillehammer, travelling through the countryside of 'Peer Gynt', immortalised by Ibsen. At Lom, visit the Norwegian stave church dating back to 1158. Continue along winding roads that pass waterfalls, rivers, ice fields, lakes and snow-capped peaks. For the next two nights you will stay in the scenic village of Geiranger, overlooking fjords and soaring mountains.
Hotel Union Geiranger.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Geiranger at Leisure Relaxed Start
Enjoy a relaxed start and a day reserved for your leisure amongst the most breathtaking scenery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perhaps join an Optional Experience for an incredible scenic drive along the amazing Troll's Road? The road itself was a masterpiece of engineering when it was built over 70 years ago and the spectacular views will leave you speechless.
Hotel Union Geiranger.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Fjærland and Fjordland Relaxed Start
After a relaxed morning, take a scenic cruise through the Geirangerfjord. Your travels continue to the Bøya Glacier for a photo-stop. Explore Fjærland with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the interactive Norwegian Glacier Museum at the foot of the Jostedalsbreen, the largest icecap in continental Europe. Alternatively, take a walk through the village of Fjærland with a Local Expert and hear about life between the fjord and the glacier. Then enjoy a scenic drive onto your hotel in Leikanger. Delight in a dinner of fresh and locally sourced produce.
Leikanger Fjord Hotel.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: The Flåm Railway to Bergen
Cross the serene waters of magnificent Sognefjord, the longest fjord in Norway. Then embark on a spectacularly scenic journey aboard the Flåm Railway, ascending from sea level to 914 metres. Visit a family-run farm on the Hardangerfjord to hear how eight generations have farmed the land, producing fruit, berries and various jams, jellies, traditional spreads, cake and other delicious treats. Sample their fresh apple juice and homemade cider and enjoy a walk through the orchard. Travel on to your hotel in the historic port of Bergen.
Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, Bergen.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: The Hanseatic port of Bergen Relaxed Start
A Local Expert introduces you to Bergen. The ancient Hanseatic port city still largely looks to the sea for its living, as evidenced by the picturesque and lively Fish Market, set in a charming location in the heart of the city. The market also has stalls selling a colourful variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, handicrafts and souvenirs. After seeing the 13th century Haakon’s Hall, there will be time to explore all that this exciting town has to offer. Perhaps you might like to visit the home of composer Edvard Grieg, before ascend Mount Fløyen by the only funicular in Scandinavia?
Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, Bergen.
Breakfast
Day 13: Mountains and Fjords to Oslo
Travel along scenic and varied landscapes to Oslo, through some of Norway's most picturesque ski-resorts. Leaving the seaside town of Bergen, you will start heading inland among soaring mountains to reach the exceptional Hardangerfjord, also known as the Queen of the Fjords. Your journey continues climbing up to elevations of 1200m (3930ft) offering moon like scenery and passing some of Norway’s ski resorts on the Hardanger Plateau. After returning to lower areas you’ll be driving among dense forests before reaching the capital city of Oslo.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Oslo.
Breakfast
Day 14: Cosmopolitan Oslo Relaxed Start
With your Local Expert, see the Royal Palace and the spires and ramparts of Akershus Castle, the 14th century fortress guarding the harbour. At Frogner Park, view the intriguing Vigeland sculptures. Exploe the area around the Opera House and see the strikingly modern architecture of Bjorvika neighbourhood. In the evening, round off your Scandinavian adventure with a Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant. Over a glass of wine, toast to your travels with your newfound friends.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Oslo.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 15: Out of Oslo
Departure transfers arrive at Oslo airport at 07:15 and 10:15.
Breakfast
