Best of Scandinavia & Baltics - 20 Days

Welcome to Copenhagen, Denmark's vibrant capital, and the beginning of your Best of Scandinavia and the Baltics tour. Upon your arrival, you'll meet your tour leader and fellow travellers. We will then embark on an engaging city tour led by an expert local guide, giving you a taste of Copenhagen's unique allure.

In the evening, join us for a group dinner in the city centre, a perfect opportunity to connect with your travel companions. Prepare for 20 days of adventure and unforgettable experiences!

Today is yours to explore the vibrant city of Copenhagen at your own pace. Known for its ornate royal palaces and striking modern architecture, the city offers a unique blend of history and contemporary charm. Visit the iconic Tivoli Gardens, a historic amusement park, or climb the Rundetaarn, an astronomical observatory that offers stunning views of the city and features an unusual equestrian staircase.

For a more in-depth experience, consider joining our optional excursion. You'll enjoy a scenic canal cruise, visit the National Museum to delve into Denmark's rich history, and browse the local offerings at Reffen market. With its colourful and creative spirit, Copenhagen promises an exciting day of discovery.

Admire the charming Danish countryside as we travel towards Hirtshals, a coastal seaport town. On the way, we stop in Odense, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, where you'll enjoy an orientation tour followed by free time to explore Denmark’s third-largest city.

We then proceed to Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city, for another orientation tour. Here, you'll experience a blend of contemporary art and architecture, Viking history, and an open-air museum showcasing an old town setting.

Our journey concludes in Hirtshals, where we board an overnight ferry to Bergen, Norway.

Welcome to Norway, our second stop in Scandinavia. Enjoy the stunning natural beauty as we sail towards Bergen. Upon arrival, we'll embark on an orientation tour, including a visit to the UNESCO-listed Bryggen Quay, a testament to Bergen's rich maritime history. Known as the gateway to Norway's spectacular fjords, Bergen offers an unmissable experience of Norwegian charm.

This afternoon, you can explore the city at your own pace or opt for an excursion to nearby fishing villages, where you can savour local tranquillity. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Norwegian dinner at a historic trading post now operating as a café—a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture.

Experience the allure of Bergen with a day dedicated to exploration. You may choose to join the popular Bergen+ optional excursion, which includes a picturesque ferry cruise and a guided tour of the historic Bryggen—an UNESCO World Heritage site known for its medieval wharf. You will then ride the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen, offering breathtaking views of the city.

Conclude your excursion with a refreshing drink at Bergen’s unique Magic Ice Bar. Should you prefer to explore independently, wander through the city centre, discovering its rich medieval architecture, bustling markets, and notable historic attractions at your own pace.

Today, we embark on a scenic adventure into the heart of Norway. This morning we leave Bergen and make our way to Gudvangen, a charming village nestled at the end of the renowned Nærøyfjord. Upon reaching Gudvangen, you have the option to explore a Viking Village and then take a cruise through the majestic Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjorden, where you'll witness stunning landscapes before rejoining our tour in Flam.

Our journey continues to Oslo, with a stop at the iconic Borgund Stave Church, known for its intricate medieval wooden architecture. We arrive in Oslo by late evening, where a group dinner awaits us at the hotel.

Oslo Awaits! Join us today as we explore Norway's charming capital on a guided walking tour. We'll uncover Oslo's mountainous backdrop and royal heritage, visiting key landmarks such as the Royal Palace and Akershus Castle.

Afterwards, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. You may choose to enhance your city experience with the optional Oslo+ excursion, which visits the city's verdant parks and captivating museums, offering insights into Oslo's rich history.

This evening, you can either relax at the hotel or venture out to explore Oslo's vibrant nightlife. Experiences: Explore Oslo's highlights with a knowledgeable local guide.

Today, we embark on an exciting Swedish adventure, beginning with a visit to Karlstad, situated on the scenic shores of Lake Vänern. Known for its vibrant culture and outdoor activities, this charming city offers a delightful pause between Oslo and Stockholm.

Next, we head to the captivating city of Örebro. We'll enjoy an orientation tour followed by free time, allowing you to wander its charming streets at your leisure.

Our journey then continues to Stockholm, Sweden’s lively capital, uniquely spread across 14 islands. We conclude the day with a group dinner in the city centre, where you'll savour traditional Swedish meatballs.

This morning, we embark on an enlightening tour with a local guide, exploring the key sights of the city. We'll admire the grandeur of the Royal Palace and the historic charm of the AF Chapman ship. A leisurely walk through Gamla Stan, Stockholm's Old Town, offers a glimpse into the city's rich past.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy as you wish. Delve into Stockholm’s diverse museums to uncover Viking history or relive the pop era with ABBA exhibits. For a change of pace, you might like to wander around one of Stockholm's picturesque islands, such as Djurgården, which hosts the open-air museum Skansen.

There is also an optional excursion available, where you can revisit the Royal Palace, paired with a guided exploration of the internationally acclaimed Vasa Museum.

After breakfast, enjoy a free morning in Stockholm to explore the city, indulge in some shopping, or simply unwind. In the afternoon, we bid farewell to Sweden as we embark on the next part of our journey. We head to the port to board the overnight ferry to Helsinki, Finland.

As you cruise, take in the stunning views and enjoy the onboard entertainment. This evening, why not treat yourself to the Baltic Ferry Feast, an extensive buffet dinner with unlimited drinks?

Welcome to Helsinki, the vibrant capital of Finland! This charming seaside city is renowned for its picturesque islands and verdant parks. Upon arrival this morning, we will head straight to our harbourside hotel. Later, join a local guide for an insightful tour of the city, both by vehicle and on foot.

We will visit iconic sights such as the Havis Amanda statue, the majestic Senate Square with its grand cathedral, Uspenski Cathedral, and the lively Kauppatori Market. This evening, savour an included dinner with your fellow travellers.

Today, we'll dive into the vibrant life of Helsinki, famous for its design, architecture, and rich Finnish culture. Begin with a breakfast before venturing into the city's culinary delights and relaxing in one of its renowned saunas. For those interested, you can explore the surrounding natural beauty or opt for an excursion to Suomenlinna Fortress.

There, enjoy a guided tour, visit the museum, and have a picnic lunch. The day continues with a visit to the Helsinki City Museum. Alternatively, step back in time at the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum or explore contemporary works at the Kiasma Art Museum. Make the most of your day in Helsinki.

Today, we voyage to the Baltic States, starting with a ferry ride across the Gulf of Finland to the enchanting city of Tallinn, Estonia's capital. On arrival, we will savour lunch at an authentic medieval restaurant located in the charming Old Town Square.

Following this, join a local guide for a walking tour, where we'll explore notable sites such as St. Olav's Church and Tall Hermann Tower. You will then have free time to wander the city at your leisure before we retire for the evening.

Farewell, Tallinn! Today, we journey to Riga, the capital of Latvia. En route, we will stop in Pärnu, a noted Estonian resort city, for some sightseeing and souvenir shopping. Continuing our journey, we cross into Latvia and visit Saulkrasti, a charming town on the Gulf of Riga's coast.

Upon reaching Riga, we begin with a visit to the Brothers' Cemetery, a significant site commemorating Latvia's fallen soldiers. After checking into our hotel, we embark on an orientation walking tour of Riga's Old Town, where you will see key landmarks such as the Riga Dom Cathedral and the Old City Wall.

Explore the rich history and cosmopolitan appeal of this Baltic capital at your leisure.

Start your day early as we head into Lithuania, a captivating Baltic nation with much to uncover. Our first stop is the Hill of Crosses, a revered spiritual site featuring thousands of crosses. We’ll then travel to Trakai, where you can admire the charming island castle set amidst serene lakes.

Next, we arrive in Vilnius, the vibrant capital known for its rich history and diverse architecture. Join us for an orientation tour, exploring the stunning Baroque architecture and key landmarks, including Vilnius Cathedral, the Palace of the Grand Dukes, and the Church of St Anne.

Following the tour, you'll have leisure time to delve deeper into Vilnius at your own pace. We end the day with a group dinner, included in the itinerary.

Today, we embark on an exciting journey into Poland. On our way to Gdansk, we'll pause in the beautiful Masurian Lake District, a region renowned for its over 2,000 lakes. Here, we'll enjoy lunch and capture some scenic photographs.

We then resume our travels through the charming countryside, reaching Gdansk by evening. On arrival, we'll take an orientation tour of this historic port city, giving you an introduction to its unique character. The day concludes with an included dinner.

Explore Gdansk at your own pace with a full day dedicated to discovering this fascinating city. We begin with a guided walking tour, where a local expert will introduce you to the city's main attractions and historical landmarks.

You'll then have the remainder of the day to delve into Gdansk's charming Old Town. Walk through Long Market Square and admire the unique Dutch-inspired architecture, testament to the city's rich trading history. For a change of scenery, consider a leisurely stroll along the waterfront or a visit to the nearby coastal town of Sopot, known as the Polish Riviera.

Take this opportunity to soak up the unique charm and historical essence of Gdansk.

Bid farewell to Gdansk as we embark on the next leg of our journey. Our first destination is the magnificent Malbork Castle, the world's largest castle and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a glimpse into the 13th century when it was built by the Teutonic Knights.

We then travel to Toruń, famed as the birthplace of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. This beautifully preserved medieval town is also UNESCO-listed. You will have the opportunity to explore the city's iconic Museum of Gingerbread, where we will partake in a lively, hands-on gingerbread workshop to learn traditional baking techniques.

After our adventures in Toruń, we continue to Warsaw, the vibrant capital of Poland, where a delightful dinner awaits us at the hotel.

Start your day in historic Warsaw with a guided walking and driving tour. We'll explore the city's significant role in World War II, witnessing a variety of architectural styles that tell its complex history. From Gothic churches and Neoclassical palaces to stark Soviet-era apartment blocks standing alongside modern skyscrapers, Warsaw's skyline is a testament to its resilience.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. We highly recommend the Warsaw Cultural Highlights optional excursion, which offers a deeper insight into the POLIN Museum and includes a delicious pierogi lunch. For an enriching evening, consider joining the Chopin & Polish Flavours optional excursion for a concert at Warsaw’s Royal Castle, followed by a traditional Polish dinner.

After 20 memorable days exploring the wonders of Scandinavia and the Baltics, our journey concludes after breakfast today. Share a final meal with the group, and don't forget to exchange contact details with your new friends so you can stay in touch back home. Wishing you safe travels!