You’re in for a whole lot of hygge when you hit the colourful, character-filled streets of Copenhagen, which kick-starts your journey across Scandinavia. This cool capital manages to mix fairy tale with function as you’ll come to discover. Spend your day soaking up the sunshine in 17th-century Nyhavn or rubbing shoulders with the fun-loving locals in Tivoli Gardens, Europe’s second oldest amusement park. You’ll meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner later at your hotel.
Discover why Copenhagen earns its status as one of the world’s most liveable cities – a place where work and play are perfectly balanced. Your Local Specialist will take you on a sightseeing tour to the heart of the city, through lively streets, squares and along canals, revealing many of the city’s highlights, from the Royal Amalienborg Palace to Carlsberg Glyptotek. Snap a selfie with Copenhagen’s demure Little Mermaid then spend the rest of the day exploring Copenhagen your way or join an Optional Experience to the Danish Riviera past ancient fishing villages to the 17th-century Frederiksborg Castle. This evening, join a visit to the village of Dragør with its tiny thatched cottages.
The next leg of your journey is filled with eye-catching landscapes that demand to be captured on camera. Your scenic drive from Denmark to Norway will see you cross the Øresund by ferry, then skirt the Swedish coastline north past glittering blue bays and lush pine and spruce forests. Continue your journey past Gothenburg bound for Oslo, the Norwegian capital. Norway wears its pioneering past with subtlety. This city could claim great Viking victories. Instead, you’ll encounter a modest, waterfront Oslo, where contemporary meets comfortable and the Norwegian philosophy of friluftsliv is palpable in its lush parks, flower-lined boulevards and bustling waterways.
Your Local Specialist will reveal all the highlights this morning, including the medieval Akershus fortress, the City Hall and the Royal Palace. Visit the bronze, granite and cast iron fantasy-land left behind by Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland in the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the world’s largest sculpture exhibition by a single artist. Later, you have a chance to explore Oslo at leisure. Tonight, you’ll join your travel companions for dinner at your hotel.
Witness Mother Nature’s magic touch on Norway as you wind your way through spectacular mountains and past Hardangerfjord, the 'Queen of the Fjords', to Bergen. The city’s Hanseatic heritage is only second to the spectacular natural landscape that surrounds this enchanting coastal city, which is famously fringed by seven hills and seven fjords. The former capital of Norway has been a trading centre since the 13th century as you will come to discover on your orientation tour of the city's highlights, including the fish market and the 13th-century Haakon's Hall, a former Royal residence.
Nowhere is Norway’s seafaring heritage more apparent than in Bergen, which was once the cod capital of the world and a lively port for traders seeking to spread its salty delights across Europe. You’ll have some time to explore the harbour and the colourful wooden warehouses of UNESCO-listed Bryggen, the centre of Bergen’s Hanseatic trade for centuries. Consider joining an Optional Experience to visit the villa of famous composer Grieg and see where he was inspired to compose his masterworks. You could also choose to delve into Norway’s World War II history instead during a visit to the lost village of Televag, whose ties to the resistance saw it destroyed by the Gestapo.
Norway's fjord country takes centre stage today as you head to the 'King of the Fjords', Sognefjord. Your scenic drive will pass Tvindefossen waterfall before arriving at the world's longest and deepest fjord. You'll have a rare opportunity as part of an Optional Experience to journey on the world-famous Flåm Railway. After, for nature lovers, there's an Optional Experience to board a cruise on the UNESCO-listed Nærøy Fjord whose stunning landscape has inspired painters for centuries. Travel up to the jaw dropping Flam Valley, then via a troll train to explore the old village of Flam. Tonight, join your travel companions for dinner at your hotel.
Enjoy a scenic drive through the mountains to Lillehammer, in the heart of Norway. You’ll discover what’s great about the great outdoors as you see how this Norwegian ski jumping centre turned Winter Olympics hub has become popular amongst adrenalin junkies.
Travel through Norway’s lush forest landscapes, through the cottage countryside of Sweden bound for Lake Vänern, to visit Karlstad, surrounded by forests, fields and lakes. Take a deep breath and embrace the simplicity of your surroundings before continuing to the lively university town of Örebro, where you’ll stay tonight. View the 13th-century castle on the banks of the Svartån River during your orientation.
Continue to stylish Stockholm, which locals refer to as 'beauty on water'. The beautiful blue jostles for your attention amidst lush green parks and a modern city where style and substance co-exist effortlessly. Get your bearings and explore Stockholm your way or take a cruise across the harbour and the beautiful Djurgården canal on our optional excursion which continues on to explore the huge public art gallery that is the Stockholm metro.
Let this elegant town capture your heart as you explore it this morning with a Local Specialist. View the medieval Storkyrkan, the City Hall and Royal Palace. This afternoon, maybe delve into the city’s Viking treasures and discover its distinctive sense of style. An Optional Experience could see you visit Stockholm’s City Hall and delve into the story of the Vasa, a 17th-century warship that sank on her maiden voyage. Or get your cameras ready for a 'pano' worthy of framing when you head to Sodermalm on an Optional Experience which includes a visit to the world’s first Ice Bar. Say skål in glasses made of pure river ice, then join your fellow travellers later for dinner to celebrate the end of your Scandinavian adventure.
Your epic journey worthy of a Viking voyage has sadly come to an end. Say a fond farväl to new friends and close the curtain on a holiday filled with Scandinavian style, the majesty of 'Mother Nature' and a whole lot of lek as you prepare to return home. Find out more about your available transfers at costsavertour.com/transfers.
Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. To request a personalized travel quote, click "Request Quote" and a Travel Specialist will send your custom quote including airfare if requested.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Available on Day 2
This evening we’ll set sail on an hour-long cruise along the canals to experience stunning views of the city from the harbor. We'll then visit the fairy-tale village of Dragør, with its thatched cottages and quaint working harbor. You’ll wander by tiny houses, learn a little of the history and enjoy a taste of traditional Danish specialties.
Adult Price: € 59
Enjoy the quaint scenery of the Danish Riviera’s conservation heritage route, as you pass through ancient fishing villages and modern marinas. You'll also love the chance to view Fredensborg Palace, summer residence of the royal family, before continuing to the magnificent 17th-century Frederiksborg Castle, where you’ll see the State Apartments and the Coronation Chapel.
Adult Price: € 53
Available on Day 4
Today we’ll take a walk on the stunning marble roof of the Oslo Opera House, rising from the waves, before sailing across the harbor to visit one of the most famous Norwegian museums. The 19th-century polar exploration ship Fram is the museum’s namesake; it visited both the Arctic and the Antarctic more than a hundred years ago and is a must-see!
Adult Price: € 48
Available on Day 6
Join us as we head out along the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Norwegian Fjord to visit the home of famous composer Edvard Grieg, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the villa that inspired many of his masterworks. You’ll also explore the city of Bergen, with its colorful buildings and historical lanes, before seeing stunning views of the city as you take a trip up the hillside by funicular railway.
Adult Price: € 47
Come with us as we explore the lost village of Televag, destroyed when the German army discovered the villager’s support of the resistance in World War II. You’ll visit the insightful museum before we journey to a traditional Norwegian fishing village, where you’ll be treated to coffee and local pancakes. Certain departures also include a guided visit of Fjell Fortress, a Nazi command bunker hidden deep inside the mountain.
Adult Price: € 43
Available on Day 7
Experience one of mother nature’s most impressive creations as we cruise along the UNESCO-listed Næroy Fjord, with its towering mountain peaks and spectacular scenery. The breath-taking fjord landscape boasts waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and tiny villages that have inspired artists for hundreds of years – and it’s safe to say you’ll feel pretty inspired yourself as you relax on board and soak in the view.
Adult Price: € 50
Available on Day 7
Take the world-famous Flåm Railway on its epic journey through the breathtaking Flåm Valley and enjoy the scenery at the mountaintop station of Myrdal, our transfer point for the charming local train route to or from Voss.
Adult Price: € 95
Available on Day 8
Join us for a travel experience like no other, venturing into the Norwegian wilderness to learn about magnificent husky dogs. We’ll have a chance to ride on sleds pulled by the huskies through the Jotunheimen National Park before returning to base camp for "fire" coffee and cookies, where we’ll learn more about these wonderful animals.
Adult Price: € 99
Available on Day 10
Uncover a world of beauty and history combined as we take a walking tour of the fairytale-like Gamla Stan, where little has changed since the 16th and 17th centuries. Marvel at the different shades of golden stone buildings that line the cobblestone streets as we stroll through the historic promenade before enjoying Swedish cuisine in a popular local restaurant, with a drink included.
Adult Price: € 64
Discover the delights of Stockholm as we cross the city’s stunning harbor before sailing through the beautifully tranquil Royal Canal on a tour led by our Local Specialist. Later, we’ll dive into the hidden art gallery of Stockholm Metro, to see how this transport system has been transformed by local artists with vibrant architecture that’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
Adult Price: € 55
Available on Day 11
Tick the two "must-sees" of Stockholm off your bucket list as we visit the stunning City Hall and Vasa Ship. The City Hall is famed for its architecture, including the spire featuring three golden crowns, and Nobel Prize celebrations. While the jaw-dropping Vasa Ship was returned to land some 333 years after it capsized and sank in Stockholm in 1628. You’ll love the chance to explore the museum dedicated to the ship and its fascinating history.
Adult Price: € 55
Take a tour of trendy Sodermalm, an old working-class heritage area with diverse architecture and some of the best views over beautiful Stockholm. Later, we’ll see something truly ‘cool’ as we visit the world’s first Ice Bar and enjoy a drink in glasses made from pure river ice.
Adult Price: € 45