History, Culture & Natural Splendors in Scandinavia: Denmark, Sweden & Norway - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Copenhagen (Denmark), Guided Bike Tour, Tivoli Gardens

Welcome to the first stop on your Scandinavian adventure, the Danish capital of Copenhagen! Upon arrival, meet your driver outside the airport to transfer to your hotel. After settling in, you'll head out on a bike tour to discover the city. Cycle across the charming cobblestone streets, passing iconic landmarks like the spires of Rosenberg Castle to the colorful facades of Nyhavn's waterfront. Stop to rest your feet and take pictures while your guide shares insights into the city's rich history.

After the three-hour tour, you can continue to explore on your own. If you like amusement parks, you must visit Tivoli Gardens, with its modern and vintage rides, games, and delicious food. Enter the ornate gates, where the smell of fresh popcorn will greet you. Ride one of the oldest running wooden roller coasters in the world, admire the dazzling lights of the carousel, and treat yourself to a delicious cotton candy. If you're lucky, there may be live performances scheduled, so you can end your first night in Copenhagen with a concert.

Day 2: Gourmet Food Tour, Canal Cruise from Nyhavn

Start your morning off right with a coffee from one of the best cafés in Scandinavia, The Coffee Collective, which you can find all over the city. Enjoy the hot brew, then meet your guide for a gourmet tour through the West End and Kødbyen, the city's historic meatpacking district. Walk along the charming streets of the West End, lined with trendy cafés, bakeries, and artisanal shops, popping in and out to try freshly baked pastries and gourmet dishes. Continue in Kødbyen, where the atmosphere shifts to industrial-chic, as renovated warehouses house an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, and markets. 

After eating your way across both neighborhoods, head to Nyhavn, a 17th-century harbor full of colorful facades lining the waterfront. Jump in a boat at the pier and start your cruise down the canal, passing under picturesque bridges. Keep an eye out for landmarks along the canal, like the Little Mermaid statue based on the fairy tale of the same name by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. After one hour of cruising the city's waterways, return to Nyhavn, where you can find somewhere to eat along the canal if you're not too full still.

Day 3: Train to Gothenburg (Sweden), Private City Tour

Say goodbye to Copenhagen this morning as you hop on a four-hour train ride to the second-largest city in Sweden, Gothenburg. Try to get a window seat to watch the rolling green fields, quaint countryside villages, and the serene Baltic Sea pass you by. After checking into your hotel, venture out on a customizable private tour, lasting anywhere from two to six hours, depending on what you want to see. If you like shopping, head to Avenyn (The Avenue) to browse the array of shops or Haga, a historic district with charming boutiques. 

Those who want a more educational afternoon can visit Universeum, an interactive science museum offering a diverse range of exhibits. Go from the rainforest to under the sea with the immersive displays before walking over to Långgatorna, better known as the "Long Streets," to discover the range of cozy pubs, trendy bars, and restaurants lining the road. Find somewhere for dinner to try traditional Swedish food, like inlagt sill (pickled herring), then end your night with a sweet treat of prinsesstårta, a sponge cake covered in bright green marzipan. 

Day 4: Boat Tour to Vinga Island, Discover Vinga Lighthouse

Today, you embark on a boat tour to Vinga, a small island home to the iconic Vinga Lighthouse, built in 1841. Enjoy the 1.5-hour cruise, then disembark to explore the tiny island. Walk along the shoreline, taking in the view of the picturesque landscape, glittering water, and windswept vegetation before heading to the famed lighthouse. Admire the stone exterior, then climb to the top for a panoramic view of the North Sea and the scattered isles.

After two hours, return to the boat, where you can enjoy an onboard lunch while cruising back to Gothenburg. Try a classic open sandwich with shrimp paired with a cold beer while you watch the city come into focus. The rest of the day is then yours to spend as you wish. Consider visiting landmarks you might have missed yesterday, like the Gothenburg Museum of Art, to see the impressive collection of Nordic and international art. 

Day 5: Train to Stockholm, Private City Tour

This morning, set off on a 3.5-hour train ride across the country to the capital, Stockholm. After checking into your hotel, venture out on a private, customizable tour tailored to your interests. You can start in the charming old town of Gamla Stan to wander through the narrow cobblestone streets, passing quaint boutiques, art galleries, and handicraft shops. Your guide will point out hidden gems and unique medieval architecture, all while teaching you about the city's rich history. Then, head to the nearby Stockholm Palace, the official residence of the Swedish monarch.

Admire the Baroque facade before entering to discover the opulent state apartments, royal chapel, and treasury, home to regalia, crowns, and precious artifacts. End the tour at Djurgården Island to visit ABBA The Museum if you're a fan of the iconic Swedish pop group. Browse the interactive exhibits and multimedia displays chronicling the band's rise, showcasing costumes, memorabilia, and stories behind timeless hits. Now that you've worked up an appetite, stroll over to the waterfront to choose from an array of cafés and restaurants along the canal.

Day 6: Viking History Tour, Dinner at Restaurant Etoile

Today, you unveil the mystery of Swedish Viking history with a guided tour of important burial grounds, bridges, and historical buildings just 30 minutes out of the city. Start at Broby Bro, the site of three runestones telling the story of Estrid, the matriarch of the Jarlabanke clan. Visit the nearby Jaralabanke Bridge next to learn about the Vikings' engineering prowess and their strategic use of waterways for trading and expeditions. Continue at Arkil's Tingstad, the remnants of an open-air assembly or meeting place called a Ting.

Day 7: Train to Oslo (Norway), Dinner Cruise on the Oslofjord

Trade one capital city for another as you transfer to Oslo this morning on a six-hour train journey. After checking into your hotel, stay in to relax before tonight's dinner cruise or venture out to explore on your own. If you want to learn about the Norwegian Vikings, head to the Viking Ship Museum to see the colossal ships and artifacts recovered from archaeological excavations. Visit The Royal Palace next, the official residence of the Norwegian monarch. Admire the neoclassical architecture, manicured gardens, and opulent rooms adorned with exquisite artwork.

In the evening, jump in an electric boat and sail to the 62-mile-long (100 km) Oslofjord. Enjoy the crisp sea breeze and panoramic views of the water and surrounding hills as you pass landmarks like the Akershus Fortress and the Oslo Opera House. Sit down for a delicious three-course dinner featuring traditional dishes made from locally sourced ingredients while you sail deeper into the fjord. End your first night in Norway watching the sunset over the deep blue water as you cruise back to Oslo and return to your hotel for the night.

Day 8: Fly to Bergen, Ulriken Cable Car, Sauna & Cold Plunge

After breakfast, fly one hour to the southwestern coast to Bergen, a vibrant city surrounded by water, mountains, and fjords. Check into your hotel, then venture out to the Ulriken Cable Car and begin your ascent up Mount Ulriken, the highest of Bergen's seven mountains. On the way up, enjoy panoramic views of the city, the surrounding fjords, and the North Sea. Once you reach the top, stroll down one of the many hiking trails or head straight to the observation deck to admire the view.

When you're ready, take the cable car back down the mountain for a unique spa experience, starting with a hot sauna session to increase your blood flow and release tension in your muscles and joints. Don't get too comfortable in the warmth, as the next step is a cold plunge straight into the sea. This can improve circulation, increase energy, reduce inflammation, and deepen your sleep so you can get a good rest tonight.

Day 9: Private Tour to the Fjords Surrounding Bergen

Get ready for an early wake-up call to set off on a road trip to the fjords surrounding Bergen. This 11-hour tour is fully customizable, so you can choose which fjords you want to see most. Many people start at the Hardangerfjord, the second-longest fjord in the country, where steep mountainsides plunge into cerulean waters, and cascading waterfalls punctuate the rugged terrain. Continue to the dramatic Nærøyfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site revealing narrow passages and towering cliffs. 

Exploring the fjords by road also allows you to venture into less-explored areas, such as the Aurlandsfjellet scenic route. Wind down the mountain road, perched high above the Aurlandsfjord, taking in the deep water, rugged peaks, and dramatic plateaus. Switch your mode of transport to a train as you take a scenic ride to Myrdal, descending steeply through lush valleys, towering cliffs, and rapid waterfalls. End your trip in the quaint village of Flåm, where you can cruise or kayak across a fjord or just meander the charming streets before returning to Bergen. 

Day 10: Walking Tour of Bergen, Depart

Spend your last day in Scandinavia exploring the streets of Bergen, starting at Bergen Fortress, built in the 17th century. Explore the fortress grounds to see Rosenkrantz Tower and enjoy panoramic views of the harbor before continuing to the UNESCO-listed Bryggen Wharf. Stroll along the waterfront to see the colorful wooden buildings popping in and out of the shops, galleries, and cafés within.

End the tour at the bustling Fish Market, where you can sample fresh seafood cooked right in front of you. When it's time, return to the hotel to grab your bags, then jump on the Bergen Light Rail for a 30-minute ride to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!

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