Copenhagen To Helsinki Christmas & New Year

Today kicks off this unmissable Scandinavia Christmas and New Year tour! After arriving in Copenhagen, Denmark, meet your tour leader and new travel companions at the hotel. After settling in, meet up with an expert local guide for a walking tour to see the top sights of Denmark's capital city. After the walking tour, enjoy the rest of the day as you wish. Why not see the Tivoli Gardens? Your tour leader will be able to offer advice on things to see and do. End the first exciting day on tour with an included buffet dinner where you can mingle with your fellow travellers. Are you ready for 13 days of exploring Scandinavia?

Guided tour of Copenhagen: Enjoy a walking tour of Copenhagen with a local guide. Highlights include the famous Nyhavn Waterfront, Rosenborg Castle, the Town Hall, the Little Mermaid statue and Amalienborg Palace.

Enjoy a full free day to explore the very best of Copenhagen at leisure! For the best immersion into the city's culture, embark on today's optional excursion to uncover the rich history of Copenhagen with an expert guide. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience, including a bucket-list canal cruise and delicious local lunch at Reffen Market! There's no better way to explore the city. Alternatively, explore on your own at a leisurely pace. Consider visiting the Tivoli Gardens if you didn't yesterday, or the must-see astronomical observatory, the Rundetaarn, for fantastic city views and to see the famous equestrian staircase. Whatever you choose today, it's sure to be adventure-filled!

This morning, the tour begins the scenic journey to the coastal treasure of Hirtshals. En route, the first stop of the day is Odense, Denmark's third-largest city that's famously known for being the birthplace of fairytale novelist, Hans Christian Anderson. Upon arrival, embark on an orientation tour around the town's top attractions before enjoying free time to wander. Up next is the city of Aarhus, the second-largest in Denmark. This must-see city is home to many unmissable attractions, such as an old town open-air museum, contemporary artwork and buildings, Viking museums and more! Get acquainted with the city on an orientation tour before continuing on to Hirtshals. Upon arrival, board the overnight ferry to Bergen, Norway!

Orientation tour of Odense: Explore the highlights of Odense, the hometown of Hans Christian Andersen. Join your tour leader and learn more about Odense’s history as well as its most famous inhabitant. Try and see if you can identify some of the inspiration for his fairytales!

Orientation tour of Aarhus: Enjoy a tour and learn more about the bustling city of Aarhus. Aarhus is home to Den Gamle By, an Old Town that doubles as an open-air museum offering insight into the Danish way of life from centuries ago.

Overnight ferry to Norway: Arrive in Hirtshals seaport and hop aboard the ferry. Get ready to enjoy an overnight cruise to Bergen, Norway.

Norway is calling, and ready to be explored this Christmas Eve! Upon arrival in Bergen, hop on an orientation tour of the city. Bergen is not only the second-largest city in Norway but also serves as the gateway to the famous Norwegian fjords. "The city among the seven mountains" is home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bryggen Quay and the fjords are just a short boat ride away. Most say that seeing the fjords is a highlight of visiting Norway! Enjoy an orientation tour of Bergen before some more time to explore and wander on your own. Or, why not choose to celebrate Christmas Eve by experiencing Norway’s historic fishing villages on this evening's optional excursion?

See Norway’s fjords: Cruise to Norway on the overnight ferry and marvel at views of the country’s famous fjords as you arrive in Bergen. Norway is home to over 1,000 fjords! The striking, winding waterways offer views which are guaranteed to leave you speechless!

Orientation tour of Bergen: Become familiar with this city that is known as “the city among the seven mountains” on an orientation tour with your tour leader. There are great things to see and do in Bergen including an acclaimed aquarium as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed quay.

Spend Christmas Day discovering the beautiful Bergen and its surroundings on a full free day! For a hassle-free and in-depth exploration, join today's Bergen+ optional excursion. This unmissable outing includes an orientation tour, a ferry trip, a guided tour of Bryggen, a Fløibanen ride to the top of Mount Fløyen for panoramic views, and finally, a delicious beverage at the Magic Ice Bar, a true Bergen novelty. And just like that, you've seen the best of Bergen in a single day! Alternatively, explore on your own, marvel at medieval architecture, visit a Christmas market or even a Gingerbread town! This evening, sit down for an included festive Christmas dinner with the group.

Spend Boxing Day taking a deep dive into the scenic heart of Norway. Leave Bergen behind en route to the village of Gudvangen, which is located at the end of Nærøyfjord, one of the most spectacular fjords in Norway! Here, embark on an unmissable local experience by joining today's optional excursion. Visit a Viking village and hop on a sightseeing cruise on the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjorden fjords to Flam. There, meet up with the coach again and marvel at the crystal-clear waters, towering cliffs and majestic waterfalls – the highlights of Scandinavian travel. En route to Oslo, stop at Borgund’s famous Stave Church. Upon arrival in Oslo, check into the hotel and settle in for the evening.

Experience Norway’s scenery: Enjoy a scenic trip through the Norwegian countryside. Look forward to views of mountains, forests and fjords!
 
Visit Gudvangen: Make a stop in Gudvangen, a village nestled at the end of one of the most famous fjords in Norway. When you arrive in Gudvangen, you will have the opportunity to join the Viking Village and Sightseeing Fjord Cruise optional excursion.
 
See Borgund’s Stave Church: Enjoy a stop at this famous Norwegian church. Have your cameras ready as the striking building offers great opportunities for photos.

Embark on an unmissable walking tour of the Norwegian capital with an expert local guide. Oslo is not only a capital city but it's also where the Norwegian royal family resides. Along with your local guide, discover some of the city's highlights, such as Akershus Castle and the Royal Palace. Then, enjoy some free time wandering the streets and exploring at leisure. Alternatively, make the most of your time in the city by joining the Oslo+ optional excursion, which visits some of the city's mesmerising green spaces and cultural sites. Tick Vigeland Park, the Bygdoy Peninsula and the iconic Kon Tiki boat off of your travel bucket list. This evening is free to explore and grab dinner.

Guided tour of Oslo: Join a local guide for a walking tour of Oslo. On the tour, gain deeper insight into the city and its history. Highlights include the Oslo Opera House, Kvadraturen, the Parliament building, Akershus Castle and the Royal Palace.

There's more of Sweden to see today! Journey from Oslo to Karlstad this morning. Upon arrival in Karlstad, located precisely between Oslo and Stockholm on the shores of Lake Vänern, enjoy a variety of stunning attractions and mouthwatering local cuisine. Stop in the medieval town of Sigtuna and head out on a picturesque orientation tour. Then, enjoy free time to explore a town founded in 970 AD, making it Sweden’s oldest! Continue to Sweden's capital city, Stockholm. Set out on an expertly guided tour of the city, seeing the top sights like the Royal Palace, the AF Chapman ship and Gamla Stan (Stockholm’s Old Town). Enjoy an included dinner this evening before settling into the hotel.

Stop in Karlstad: Discover this small city on the shores of Lake Vänern which is conveniently located between Oslo and Stockholm. Karlstad is known for its outdoor activities and ancient Viking history.

Visit Sigtuna: Enjoy a visit to Sweden’s oldest town! Founded by King Erik the Victorious in 970 AD, Sigtuna is home to the oldest Main Street in the country. 

Guided tour of Stockholm: Join a local guide and see the top sights of Sweden’s capital city. Highlights of this cosmopolitan Scandinavian city include the Royal Palace, the AF Chapman ship as well as the old town Gamla Stan which is the beating heart of the city.

Swedish meatballs for dinner: It’s time to tuck into a Swedish classic - meatballs! Join the group and enjoy this included dinner tonight.

Spend a free day in Stockholm to discover more of its iconic sights! For example, Gamla Stan is an incredible destination to explore. This old town is filled with narrow cobblestoned streets navigating past red, orange and terracotta-coloured buildings. As the town is made up of various islands, it offers incredibly picturesque walks. Be sure to stroll through the Djurgården and check out the Skansen, the Swedish open-air museum. Or, for an unforgettable outing, join the Royal Sweden & Vasa Museum optional excursion, including a scenic drive and visits to the awe-inspiring Drottningholm Palace and world-renowned Vasa Museum. Today is guaranteed to be a memorable one!

The exploration continues today as the coach heads towards Helsinki, Finland. En route, pass through Lidingö Island in the late morning to explore the picturesque area. Be sure to stroll through the Millesgården, paying special attention to the beautiful sculptures. Then, the journey continues to the port, where the group will take an overnight ferry to Helsinki. Have a ball with the onboard entertainment, and make delectable Swedish culinary memories by opting for the optional buffet dinner on the ferry!

Explore Lidingö Island: Visit the island located in the inner Stockholm archipelago and enjoy a driving tour as well as free time to explore. Did you know that Lidingö Island is home to Millesgården - an outdoor sculpture park and museum?

Overnight ferry to Helsinki: Cruise your way to a new country - Finland! Catch an overnight ferry ride from Sweden, to Helsinki in Finland. Enjoy the onboard entertainment plus an optional buffet dinner this evening.

This morning, Finland says "Happy New Year's Eve" as the group arrives in Helsinki. This vivacious coastal city is known for its stunning islands and beautiful parks. Upon arrival, embark on a driving tour of the city before settling into your harbourside hotel and meeting up with a local guide this afternoon. Discover the city's top attractions with the expert local guide, including Esplanadi, Havis Amanda, Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral and more! Spend the rest of the day as you wish until this evening's included dinner to celebrate New Year's Eve. Ring in the new year with your fellow travellers and make this one to remember.

Driving tour of Helsinki: Arrive in Finland’s capital city and enjoy a driving tour of the city’s top sights and attractions.

Guided tour of Helsinki: Join a local guide for an insightful walking tour of Helsinki. Visit the Havis Amanda, the famous art nouveau fountain which is said to symbolise the birth of the city of Helsinki. See Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral; Finland's most photographed building,  Uspenski Cathedral, the largest orthodox church in Western Europe and finish with a walk through Kauppatori Market, the ideal place to pick up some keepsakes and well-priced Finnish crafts!

New Year’s Eve dinner: This evening, celebrate New Year’s Eve with a delicious traditional dinner at a popular local restaurant in Helsinki.

Hyvää uutta vuotta! What better way to spend New Year's Day than exploring Helsinki, a capital city with a knack for design, culture and architecture? Not to mention the delicious seasonal treats! Soak up the last bits of the festive atmosphere around the city. All around Helsinki, you'll find stunning natural spots such as the Suomenlinna walking trails and museum which is a short ferry away. This evening, opt for An Evening in Helsinki, an optional excursion you won't want to miss! Visit the impressive Amos Rex, Temppeliaukio Church and the Tower of the Helsinki Olympic Stadium before a Finnish food tasting with ocean views.

Say goodbye to Scandinavia after almost two weeks of seeing the best seasonal sights and ticking the top attractions off of your travel bucket list. After the final group breakfast, remember to exchange contact information with your new travel friends if you'd like to stay in touch. Expat Explore hopes you've had a magical festive tour. See you on the road again soon!