Luxury Nordic Discovery

Välkommen! Welcome to Sweden. Arrive in Stockholm and enjoy an included airport transfer to your hotel. Known as the ‘Venice of the North’, Sweden’s elegant capital is spread across beautiful islands connected by bridges, filled with grand architecture, green parks and sparkling waterways. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, take time to wander through the charming cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan, lined with colourful historic buildings and cosy cafés. Perhaps stop for a traditional cinnamon roll at the city’s oldest café, Sundbergs Konditori, dating back to 1785. This evening, join your group and local leader for a welcome dinner and celebrate the beginning of your Scandinavian journey.

It’s important to attend the welcome meeting at the beginning of your trip — during this time, your leader will collect your travel insurance and emergency contact details. If you think you might arrive late, please let your travel agent or the hotel reception know in advance. You can also check with reception or look for a note posted in the lobby for details about the meeting’s time and location.

Start your day with a guided walk through Gamla Stan – Stockholm’s charming Old Town filled with medieval alleyways, colourful buildings and hidden squares. Along the way, enjoy a traditional Swedish fika with coffee and pastries before setting off to explore at your own pace this afternoon. You might choose to cruise through Stockholm’s scenic waterways, visit the famous ABBA Museum or explore the royal Drottningholm Palace. Fans of Nordic crime stories may enjoy a self-guided Millennium tour through the city’s iconic locations. Tonight, perhaps discover the lively atmosphere of Sodermalm with its trendy bars, boutiques and cafes, or enjoy dinner in the historic streets of Gamla Stan or the waterfront district of Kungsholmen.

After breakfast, leave Stockholm behind and travel towards the charming city of Linkoping. On arrival, join your leader for a visit to the Old Linkoping Open Air Museum – a fascinating reconstruction of a traditional 19th-century Swedish town. Wander through historic streets, wooden houses and local workshops while learning about Sweden’s cultural heritage in an immersive setting. Later, enjoy lunch with your group at a local restaurant before continuing to the shores of Lake Vattern, Sweden’s second-largest and deepest lake. For the next two nights, settle into the family-owned Starby Hotell – your Feature Stay set on the grounds of a former 13th-century royal estate.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

This morning after breakfast, join a local guide for a historical walking tour through the charming town of Vadstena. Discover stories from the city’s rich past, including the famous monastery that once served as Sweden’s spiritual centre and one of the country’s largest landowners during the 15th century, highly supported by the royal family and nobility. In the afternoon, visit the impressive Vadstena Castle with your tour leader – a striking Renaissance fortress dating back to 1545. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore at your own pace. You might choose to relax by the lake, visit one of the town’s museums or settle into a cosy local restaurant for dinner.

Say goodbye to Vadstena this morning and journey towards Norway, passing through Scandinavia’s stunning landscapes of dense forests, sparkling lakes and rolling countryside – definitely worth claiming a window seat for the drive. Along the way, stop in a local town for lunch before crossing the border and bidding farewell to Sweden. Arrive in Oslo in the late afternoon and settle into your hotel before enjoying a free evening in Norway’s stylish capital. Perhaps sip cocktails at a rooftop bar overlooking the city skyline or visit Gamla, Oslo’s oldest live music venue, for an evening of jazz or rock performances.

• Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.

After breakfast, head out to discover the highlights of vibrant Oslo, Norway’s modern and creative capital. Visit iconic landmarks including the striking Oslo Opera House, famous for its contemporary architecture, and stroll along Karl Johan’s Gate – the city’s lively main boulevard. Admire the Royal Palace from afar and see the impressive frescoes inside the red-brick Oslo City Hall, illustrating scenes from Scandinavian history.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. You might visit the famous Holmenkollen Ski Museum and ski jump, where you can learn about Norway’s deep connection to winter sports, polar expeditions and Olympic history while enjoying panoramic views over Oslo’s forests and fjords. Art lovers may prefer the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art on the waterfront, while food enthusiasts can sample local dishes at the trendy Vulkan food hall. Alternatively, wander through the historic Akershus Fortress or browse the stylish boutiques and cafes of the Grunerlokka district.

Today’s journey is all about the spectacular scenery of Norway. Travel from Oslo to Flam on one of Scandinavia’s most breathtaking rail routes, passing through dramatic mountain landscapes, waterfalls and untouched valleys along the way. From Myrdal, board the famous Flam Railway – one of the world’s steepest and most scenic train journeys – winding through deep ravines, rushing rivers and picturesque hillside farms towards the shores of the Aurlandsfjord.

Along the route, pick up some snacks and drinks before continuing your adventure with a cruise through the stunning UNESCO-listed Naeroyfjord aboard an electric boat. Glide silently past towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls before arriving in Gudvangen. From here, continue by private transfer through the beautiful Naeroydalen Valley to Bergen, surrounded by Norway’s unforgettable natural beauty.

Please note that today involves approximately 6 hours of travel through Norway’s spectacular landscapes.

To make the journey more comfortable, your main luggage will be transferred separately from Oslo to your hotel in Bergen and will be waiting for you upon arrival. This service includes one piece of luggage per traveller; additional bags may incur extra charges. Be sure to pack a small day bag with your essentials, as you’ll be boarding trains, boats and transfers throughout the day.

After breakfast, join a local guide for a tour of Bergen and discover the rich history and charm of Norway’s coastal gateway. Explore the city’s compact centre as you wander through both its historic and modern neighbourhoods, passing landmarks, leafy parks, colourful wooden houses and narrow alleyways typical of Bergen. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bryggen Wharf and learn about the powerful Hanseatic League, whose merchants once dominated trade across Northern Europe.

The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. Perhaps ride the Floibanen funicular up Mount Floyen for panoramic views over Bergen, the surrounding mountains and the deep blue waters below. This evening, celebrate your Scandinavian adventure with your group over a final dinner at a local restaurant.

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.