Grand Tour of Scandinavia

You will stay in good, standard hotels such as the 4 star First Hotel Vesterbro in Copenhagen, the 4 star Scandic Hotel Crown in Gothenburg, the 4 star Rica Victoria Hotel Oslo, the 4 star Scandic Hotel Solsiden in Trondheim, the 4 star Rica Hotel in Sandnessjøen, the 4 star Rica Hotel, Bodo, the 4 star Grand Nordic Hotel in Harstad, the 4 star Clarion Hotel, Bryggen in Tromso, the 4 star Rica Hotel Nordkapp, the 4 star Saarisselän Tunturihotellit, the 4 star Sokos Hotel Vaakuna in Rovaniemi, the 4 star Sokos Hotel Alexandra in Jyvasklyla, the 3.5 star Hotel Sokos Presidentti in Helsinki, the 4 star Rica hotel in Stockholm, the 4 star Scandic Hotel Jorgen in Malmo. Hotels will be confirmed in your final documents.

Day 1: London / Esbjerg

Departure from London for an overnight sailing from Harwich to Esbjerg in Denmark. Overnight accommodation on the ship will be in two berth cabins.

Day 2: Copenhagen

Arrival in Esbjerg for the transfer to Copenhagen for an overnight stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day 3: Gothenburg

The capital of Denmark, Copenhagen sits on the eastern side of Zealand, the country’s largest island. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city this morning, where you will see the royal castle Amalienborg, the charming Nyhavn harbour area and the buildings of the Danish Parliament. In the afternoon you will head out of Copenhagen towards Helsingor, home to Kronborg Castle, perhaps better known as the castle from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Here you will board the ferry to take the twenty minute journey across Oresund Sound to Helsingborg in Sweden. Continue to Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city, for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Oslo

Today you travel along Sweden’s west coast and across the border into Norway, staying in Oslo overnight. Enjoy an afternoon panoramic tour of Oslo, where highlights include the Royal Palace and the unique Vigeland Sculpture Park, where there are more than 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland on display.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Trondheim

The journey northwards continues to the town of Eidsfjoll where the Norwegian Constitution was drafted and signed in 1814, and Mjosa Lake, the largest lake in Norway. It’s then on to Lillehammer, the town that hosted the 1994 Winter Olympic Games. The drive then takes you to the stave church at Ringsaker, through the impressive Gudbrandsdalen valley to Dombas over the Dovrefjell mountains to Trondheim, the old capital of Norway, for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Sandnessjoen

Today, we visit the university city of Trondheim, where you will have time at leisure to explore independently. Perhaps take a walk to the imposing Gothic Nidaros Cathedral along streets lined with traditional wooden buildings. Leaving the city behind you will enjoy a scenic drive along the Trondheimsfjord through Steinkjer and Namsos to the town of Sandnessjøen, where you will stay overnight.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 7: Bodø

Your travels today take you through some simply jaw-dropping scenery into the Arctic Circle, where there is almost 24 hour sunshine through the summer months. Journey past mountains and through valleys en route to Saltstraumen, where the tide changes every six hours forcing millions of gallons of water through a gap just 550ft wide and almost two miles long, creating the world’s strongest tidal current. You then take the short drive to Bodø for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 8: Lofoten Islands & Harstad

Board the Coastal Steamer today for the four hour cruise across the Vestfjord to Moskenes on the scenic Lofoten Islands. You will spend the rest of the day exploring these beautiful islands, staying overnight in Harstad. There is also an opportunity to visit the Viking Museum. (Please note: On 31 Aug departure the itinerary will vary due to ferry departures and timings.)

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 9: Tromso

Step aboard the Coastal Steamer for a memorable cruise up the dramatic coastline to Tromso – known as the ‘Paris of the North’. Sail past fishing hamlets perched on the edge of the water and steep cliffs towering above you. Overnight stay in Tromso.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 10: North Cape Island

Another highlight today as you reach the North Cape, where you stay overnight. After dinner in your hotel you will head out to the North Cape Plateau to see the Midnight Sun (dependent on weather conditions). You’ll stand at the top of 1,000ft high cliffs – it’s as if you’re on top of the world!

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 11: Saariselka

It’s time to turn south today as you cross the border into Finland. En route you will stop at the traditional Norwegian Sami village of Sapmi for a fascinating insight into how the Sami people live and their history. You will stay in Saariselka in Finnish Lapland overnight, with dinner in a Lappish hut this evening.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 12: Rovaniemi

Pine forests and serene lakes can be found in abundance as you travel through Finland, stopping at Tankavaara Gold Village to try panning for gold. As you are in Lapland, you will also pay a visit to Father Christmas’ workshop before arriving in Rovaniemi for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 13: Jyväskylä

Today, we make a stop in the city of Oulu, which sits on the mouth of the Gulf of Bothnia, before continuing to Jyväskylä in the heart of the Finnish Lakeland where you stay overnight.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 14: Helsinki

You drive through even more beautiful scenery today en route to the Finnish capital, Helsinki. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city on arrival before transfering to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 15: Helsinki

Full day at leisure in Helsinki to enjoy more time to explore this charming city’s attractions. The Market Square has a bustling atmosphere and is a delight to stroll around and browse amongst the many stalls, displaying clothing, jewellery, paintings and fruits. You might also like to visit Aleksanterinkatu, the main shopping district which is lined with numerous shops, cafes and restaurants. This evening we board the overnight ferry to Stockholm and enjoy a dinner served on board.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 16: Stockholm

Arrive in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, early this morning and take a tour of the city. You will see all the major sights, from the Royal Palace and Parliament buildings to the Djurgarden and the Old Town. You will also visit the superb Vasa Museum, dedicated to the warship Vasa, which sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was recovered 333 years later. Afternoon at leisure to make your own discoveries. We stay overnight in Stockholm.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 17: Malmo

Today we drive to the beautiful shores of Lake Vattern on the shores of Motala for a brief stop en route to Malmo for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 18: Esbjerg/ Harwich

We drive from Malmo in Sweden and cross the border into Denmark for our return overnight ferry sailing from Esbjerg to Harwich.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 19: Harwich

Arrival in Harwich this lunchtime, from where you will return to London.