Best of Norway, Sweden & Finland

Begin your adventure in Oslo, the fjordside capital of Norway. Around 6pm, say hallo to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Nordic welcome by arranging a group dinner. Want more time in Oslo? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Enjoy a scenic boat trip around the idyllic bays and islands of Oslo this morning. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this culture-rich city. Perhaps travel to the nearby Ski Museum, housed inside the monumental Holmenkollbakken (ski jump), which looks more like a work of art than a sports venue. Alternatively, browse the harbourfront Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, taste local dishes at the Vulkan food hall, explore the immense Akershus Fortress, or check out the cool shops in the Grunerløkka district. Please note: Some museums and attractions are closed on Mondays or may require reservations to visit.

Bid farewell to Oslo and take the train (approximately four hours) to Gothenburg, a scenic way to travel to Sweden. On arrival, join our leader for a city tour and enjoy a traditional Swedish fika at the famous Café Husaren with its huge cinnamon buns (seating not guaranteed). Fika is more than a pastry and coffee break, it is a moment to pause, recharge and socialise. An essential experience in the Nordic countries. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy all Gothenburg offers. Perhaps embark on a cruise through the many waterways, passing the opera house and visit the old docks. Or visit the Gothenburg City Museum in the former East India Company House, which was built when the city was a major maritime trading centre. Alternatively, take in the architectural ensemble on Gustav Adolfs Torg, go shopping along the main boulevard Avenyn, check out the Skansen Kronan stone fortress, stroll along bohemian Långgatorna, or sip a coffee in the charming Haga quarter, known for picturesque wooden houses, a 19th-century atmosphere and hagabulle, a cinnamon pastry similar to kanelbulle.

Catch an early-ish ferry (approximately 1hr 20min) to Vrango, the most southerly island of the Gothenburg archipelago. With a permanent population in the low hundreds and a strong fishing industry, it is best known for its stunning beaches and protected nature reserves, which you explore with the local guide. In the afternoon, relax at a floating sauna (payable locally) or maybe take a dip in the sea before returning to the city. The rest of the evening is free to enjoy Gothenburg.

Head to Stockholm by train (approximately three hours) this morning. Arguably the most beautiful city in Scandinavia, Stockholm is packed with amazing architecture, pristine parks and clear waters. Upon arrival, we have a short transfer to our hotel and time to check in and grab lunch nearby. We then enjoy an introductory tour to the city guided by our tour leader, walking from the hotel into the old town.

Take the short ferry to the inner-city island of Djurgården this morning, which is populated by many of the oldest and most venerated museums in Stockholm. Here, we visit the Vasa Museum, home to the Vasa, a 17th-century warship, which sank in 1628 on its maiden voyage and was only salvaged in 1961. It’s one of the most visited sites in Sweden, so our morning visit allows us to avoid the biggest crowds. We then have the rest of the day free to explore this museum island. Options include: the Skansen Open-Air Museum, which displays Sweden’s history and customs; the Nordiska Museet (the Nordic Museum); the Liljevalchs modern art gallery, and the ABBA museum. Our included full-day public transport tickets can also be used to take a ferry back to the old town or the main city for more wandering.

Gaze over the highlights of Stockholm on a scenic boat tour this morning. Sit back and relax as we glide past the most famous parts of the capital, including the inner city, old town, and green parks of Djurgården. After disembarking, we have free time in the afternoon for one final exploration of the Swedish capital before boarding an overnight ferry (11 hours) to Turku, Finland, in the evening. We sleep in high-class cabins with twin or double beds. Each has a TV, air conditioning and sea views, plus a bathroom with shower.

Arrive into Turku this morning and transfer to our hotel. The rooms might not be ready on arrival, so we leave our luggage in the hotel storage and set off for a walking city tour with a local guide. Learn about the historic Aura River waterfront, the Old Great Square and pay a visit to the cathedral, considered the most valuable historic monument in Finland, and enjoy a guided tour of the medieval Turku Castle. In the evening, join your tour leader for a beer tasting at a local brewery in a historic building, and end the day with a typical Finnish meal.

Take a two-hour train to Helsinki this morning, our final destination. Upon arrival, we tour the city with our guide, discovering a wealth of historic sights and some of the gastronomic wonders of the Finnish capital. The rest of the day is free, and you can explore Helsinki in your own time. To help you in your explorations, your tour leader hands out 24-hour public transport tickets for Helsinki, which is also used for the ferry to Suomenlinna fortress tomorrow.

Walk to the port and take a short ferry ride to the magnificent Suomenlinna sea fortress. Now a World Heritage site, this fort complex is built over six islands, with more than 200 buildings and 3.7mi (6km) of protective walls. Building here first started in the latter half of the 18th century, but work has continued over the years, and the estate was only turned into an area for the public in 1973. The rest of the day is free, and you can explore Helsinki in your own time. Helsinki is overflowing with good food, great design, interesting museums and unique architecture. Discover why it’s said to be one of the most liveable and walkable cities in the world.

You’ve experienced authentic Nordic culture, discovered the wonders of Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki, and taken to the waters to explore by boat, but now it’s time to begin your return journey home. Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our large range of extension options.