Scandinavian Escape
10 Days Starting in Copenhagen and ending in Stockholm
Visiting: Copenhagen, Odense, Aarhus, Hirtshals, Bergen, Gudvangen, Flam, Borgund, Oslo, Karlstad, Sigtuna, Stockholm
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ESY
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 51
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Experience the best of Scandinavian travel - see Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Wander through captivating Scandinavian cities. Marvel at the views of rolling green hills and mountains sprinkled with snow. This Scandinavia tour kicks off in cultured Copenhagen, travels through the stunning Danish countryside, cruises through magnificent Norwegian scenery and showcases Sweden’s unique style! Absorb the Scandinavian spirit of Oslo and Stockholm and take a step back in time with the chance to visit a Viking village! Are you ready to explore Scandinavia? Our Scandinavian tours are just what you need!
If you'd like to see Helsinki and the Baltics as well as Scandinavia, consider our Ultimate Scandinavia & the Baltics tour!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Of Tour In Copenhagen
Location: Copenhagen
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Copenhagen and the beginning of this exciting Scandinavia tour! Over 10 days, look forward to seeing the best of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. This morning, meet up with your tour leader and the rest of the tour group. Later this afternoon, join a local guide for a walking tour of Copenhagen covering the highlights of the city. Finish off the first day with an included welcome dinner. Get to know more about your new travel companions over a delicious meal before turning in for the night.
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.
Day 2: Copenhagen: Free Day
Location: Copenhagen
Meals Included: Breakfast
Copenhagen is yours to explore today! Experience the city at your own pace - there are many exciting options! Enjoy a few hours at Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen’s famous amusement park, and visit the Rundetaarn - this astronomical observatory offers amazing views of the city and is home to a unique equestrian staircase, which was used years ago to allow a horse and carriage to access the library at the top of the tower. For an in-depth way to discover Copenhagen’s unique history and culture, choose to join today’s optional excursion. This guided tour includes a canal cruise, a visit to the National Museum, free time for lunch at Reffen market and more!
Day 3: Copenhagen - Odense - Aarhus - Hirtshals (Ferry Port)
Location: Copenhagen, Odense, Aarhus, Hirtshals
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel to the coastal town of Hirtshals this morning and enjoy the beautiful views of the Danish countryside along the way! Today’s first stop is Odense. This is Denmark’s third-largest city and the birthplace of famous fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen. Embark on an orientation tour of the city and enjoy free time to explore. Next up is Aarhus - the second-biggest city in Denmark. Aarhus is home to an old town open-air museum and Viking museums as well as contemporary artwork and architecture. See the highlights of the city on an orientation tour. Arrive in Hirtshals and board the overnight ferry which will transport the tour to Norway! Arrive in Bergen tomorrow.
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.
Day 4: Overnight Ferry - Bergen
Location: Bergen
Meals Included: Breakfast
Hei Norway! Arrive in Bergen, a charming destination known as “the city among the seven mountains”. Bergen is also the gateway to exploring Norway’s magnificent fjords. Seeing the incredible natural splendour of the fjords is a highlight of any Norway tour package! Embark on an orientation tour of the city and see the highlights. Bergen is home to Bryggen Quay - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and top attraction in the city. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the city as you wish. Or, choose to join the optional excursion to some of the charming fishing villages which surround Bergen. This excursion ends with a delicious Norwegian dinner at an old trading post turned café!
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.
Day 5: Bergen: Free Day
Location: Bergen
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, look forward to a full free day to explore beautiful Bergen! This is Norway’s second-biggest city and offers so many great things to see and do! To tick multiple sights off your Bergen bucket list, join the Bergen+ optional excursion! This includes a guided tour of Bryggen before a ride on the Fløibanen, the Bergen funicular railway. Travel one thousand feet up Fløyen mountain and enjoy amazing views of the city from the top! Once back down in the city, enjoy a drink at Bergen’s quirky Magic Ice Bar! Norwegian adventures abound today!
Day 6: Bergen - Gudvangen - Flam - Borgund - Oslo
Location: Bergen, Gudvangen, Flam, Borgund, Oslo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Head into the scenic heartland of Norway today! Wave goodbye to Bergen and travel to Gudvangen. This charming village is a popular spot located at the end of Nærøyfjord - one of Norway’s most famous fjords! Arrive and choose to join the optional excursion to a nearby Viking village, which will be followed by a sightseeing cruise. Expect sparkling blue waters, waterfalls plummeting hundreds of metres and dramatic cliffs - breathtaking scenes! Sail along the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjorden fjords to Flam, to meet up with the coach. Departing Flam, make a stop at Borgund’s famous Stave Church. Afterwards, continue to Oslo. Arrive later on this evening and sit down for an included dinner with the group at the hotel.
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.
Day 7: Oslo - Karlstad
Location: Oslo, Karlstad
Meals Included: Breakfast
Discover Oslo, Norway’s capital city, this morning! Join a local guide for a walking tour and see the highlights of the city which is also home to Norway’s royal family. Top sights include Akershus Castle and the Royal Palace. Afterwards, enjoy free time or join the Oslo + optional excursion which visits some of Oslo’s beautiful green spaces and fascinating museums. Later, it’s time to travel to a new country! Head to Karlstad in Sweden which is the overnight destination for this evening. Karlstad is located halfway between Oslo in Norway and Stockholm in Sweden, and sits on the shores of Lake Vänern, offering great outdoor activities, culture and Swedish cuisine - making it a popular spot for locals and visitors!
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.
Day 8: Karlstad - Sigtuna - Stockholm
Location: Karlstad, Sigtuna, Stockholm
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Get ready to see more of Sweden! Today’s first stop is Sigtuna, a picturesque medieval town which is the oldest in Sweden! Arrive and set off on an orientation tour. Enjoy free time to explore and enjoy lunch. Next, continue towards Stockholm! Arrive in Sweden’s lively capital city and join a local guide for a driving and walking tour of the city. See the Royal Palace as well as the AF Chapman ship followed by a walk through Gamla Stan which is Stockholm’s Old Town. Tonight, there is an included group dinner on the menu! Sit down at a restaurant in the city centre and enjoy Swedish meatballs before checking into the hotel for tonight.
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.
Day 9: Stockholm: Free Day
Location: Stockholm
Meals Included: Breakfast
Stockholm is yours to explore on this free day in the city! Join today’s optional excursion for deeper insight into the city’s history - enjoy a scenic drive on the way to Drottningholm Palace, embark on a guided tour and explore the palace’s lush gardens before visiting the world-famous Vasa Museum. Alternatively, explore on your own! See more of Gamla Stan and wander the historic cobblestone streets. Explore Stockholm’s numerous islands which offer great walks - Djurgården is home to Skansen, the open-air Swedish history museum. Why not take a trip to one of the city’s fascinating museums? They cover topics including Vikings, Nordic history and ABBA of course!
Day 10: End Of Tour In Stockholm
Location: Stockholm
Meals Included: Breakfast
After 10 days of discovering the highlights of Scandinavia, the time has come to say farewell! This morning, the tour comes to an end after breakfast. Be sure to swap contact information with your newly-made travel friends before leaving! We hope you have had an incredible time on tour!
What's Included
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Accommodation
9 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms and cabins with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room/cabin (subject to availability) -
Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Overnight ferry from Denmark to Norway
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) -
Meals
9 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request
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Experiences
Enjoy a guided tour of Copenhagen; Denmark's capital city
Explore Odense; hometown of Hans Christian Anderson
Visit Aarhus; a captivating Danish city
Catch an overnight ferry to Norway
See Norway’s magnificent fjords
Explore Bergen; known as “the city among the seven mountains
Marvel at Norway’s spectacular natural scenery
Visit Gudvangen near Norway’s most famous fjord
Enjoy a photo stop at Borgund’s Stave Church
See the highlights of Oslo with a local guide
Visit Sigtuna; Sweden’s oldest town
Explore Stockholm with a local guide
Tuck into Swedish meatballs in Stockholm
What's Not Included
International flights
Travel to the start point and from the endpoint is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.
Travel insurance
For a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with the peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance. Click here for more information.
Mode of Transport
- Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
- Overnight ferry from Denmark to Norway
- Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
Accommodation
- 9 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms and cabins with private bathrooms
- Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room/cabin (subject to availability)
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Check out our Q&As
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
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Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
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Free Date Changes
Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 76 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.
Up to 45 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.