Premium Sweden and Norway - 9 Days

Valkommen! Welcome to Sweden. When you arrive in Stockholm, you’ll be picked up from the airport and transferred to your accommodation. Often referred to as the 'Venice of the North' and arguably Scandinavia's most beautiful city, Stockholm is packed full of amazing architecture, parks and clear waters. Your adventure will begin with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets lined with colourful merchant houses and soak up the atmosphere. Maybe grab a cinnamon roll in Stockholm’s oldest cafe – Sundbergs Konditori on Jarntorget Square, which dates back to 1785. Tonight, you’ll have a welcome dinner with your trip leader and group to toast to a new adventure.

This morning after breakfast, you’ll head out on a walking tour of Gamlastan (the Old Town of Stockholm) to get your bearings. Your tour ends by the port, where you’ll board a ferry to the island of Fjaderholmarna. Get to know the sweeter side of this island’s history on a guided walking tour paired with a tasting of six chocolate pralines, each inspired by a moment from Fjaderholmarna’s history. After, you’ll have some free time to explore the island at your own pace before taking the boat ride back to the city. The rest of your afternoon and evening are free – maybe make a stop for fika (coffee and pastry), take a self-guided Millennium walking tour to see key locations from Stieg Larsson’s best-selling crime trilogy or visit the ABBA Museum. You can also 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.

Leave Stockholm this morning after breakfast and head for the small, medieval town of Vadstena on the shores of Lake Vattern. Have lunch with your group, then take a guided tour of Vadstena Castle – Sweden’s most well-preserved example of a Renaissance royal palace. Built in the 16th century, the palace was turned into a granary and later a cloth factory in the 19th century. It now houses the National Archives and hosts performances by the International Vadstena Academy Foundation singing school in the summer. After your visit, continue to Granna and check into your Feature Stay accommodation – Gyllene Uttern. This boutique hotel offers sweeping views of Lake Vattern and Visingso Island, plus a sauna where you can take in panoramic views of your surroundings while you unwind. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing, then have dinner at the hotel with your group this evening.

This morning, take a short ferry to Visingso Island, where you’ll take a horse-drawn carriage tour to learn about centuries-old local traditions. You’ll stop at the medieval Kumlaby Church to climb the tower from which, on a clear day, you can see views across four provinces! Return to the mainland and have lunch, then go on an apple safari at the Rudenstam apple orchards – this farm is famous for its award-winning must (a non-alcoholic drink made from pressed apples). After, return to the hotel, where the rest of your day is free. Maybe head to the sauna or simply take in the beautiful nature surrounding you.

Leave Granna behind this morning and travel to Oslo, admiring the scenery of endless forests and lakes along the way (grab a window seat if you can!). On the way, you’ll stop in one of the local towns for lunch and say your farewells to Sweden. Arrive in Oslo in the late afternoon, take some time to unwind and check into the hotel. The evening is free for you to explore on your own. Maybe head to a rooftop bar for night-time city views or head to Gamla – Oslo’s oldest performance venue – to catch a jazz or rock gig.

This morning after breakfast, explore the major attractions of the vibrant Norwegian capital including Oslo Opera House, which quickly became the city's icon after its reconstruction in 2008, and Karl Johan’s Gate, the city's emblematic two-lane central street. Admire the Royal Palace from a distance and look at frescoes depicting Scandinavian history on the walls of red-brick Oslo City Hall. Later this afternoon, you’ll head outside the city to meet with a local chef with more than a decade of kitchen experience for a relaxed forest walk. Your local guide will share insights into Norwegian culture, traditions and Norway’s mountain gastronomy. Along the way, you’ll learn how nature and food are deeply connected to everyday local life. As you walk through tranquil forest, you’ll stop do a tasting of traditional cold plates like lamb, cured mountain trout, horse, venison and other local delicacies. Weather permitting, you’ll pause for a photo op at a scenic lookout. You’ll then settle into a cosy camp where the chef will prepare some wild Scandinavian meats. Warm up with comforting, hot drinks and have a go at making your own Norwegian romme waffle over the campfire, topped with traditional favourites like sweet brown cheese (brunost).

Today is a travel day, but it’s one of the most impressive you’ll experience! Start with an incredibly scenic train journey from Oslo to Flam, seeing Norwegian nature at its most magnificent. Stopping in Myrdal, you’ll travel to the head of Aurlandsfjord on one of the world’s steepest stretches of train line, cutting through deep ravines, rivers, waterfalls, mountains and farms. On the way, you’ll pick up snacks and drinks and then set sail through the breathtaking Naeroyfjord on board an electric boat. Disembark in Gudvangen, then take a private transfer through the equally striking Naeroydalen to Bergen.

Join a local guide for a tour of Bergen’s city centre to see the highlights and learn more about its colourful history. See both the old and new parts of the city, including City Park, the old wooden buildings of the city centre and the wide streets and alleyways. Take a closer look at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old wharf and hear about the operations of the Hanseatic League – a network of merchant guilds which dominated maritime trade in the region. Next, embark on an immersive, theatrical tour where you’ll learn about Viking culture. Hop aboard an authentic Viking ship and hear about the daily life, culture, mythology and pagan belief systems from your guide who will be wearing authentic clothing and remain in character throughout the experience. Disembark the ship and take a cable car up Mt Floyen, where a second Viking guide will welcome you to the camp with a pot of moose and reindeer stew simmering over the fire. Full of humour, improvisation and interaction, this tour will bring Norse history alive, making for a memorable final night on your adventure. Take the cable car back to the city, then join your group for a farewell dinner and toast to the memories you’ve shared.

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to spend some more time in Bergen, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.