Culture & Relaxation in Scandinavia - 14 Days

Day 2: Free Morning in Stockholm, Wilderness Wildlife Safari 

Start the day with the Swedish tradition of fika: coffee or tea accompanied by a sweet treat, typically a cinnamon bun or cookie. Some of the best spots in Stockholm serving fika include Konditori Vete-Katten, the oldest café in town, having opened in 1928, Chokladkoppen in the heart of the Old Town, and Ritorno Konditori, which has retained its charming 1950s decor through the decades.

Fueled up, head off to explore the city independently. Stockholm's districts each have a distinctive vibe and are linked by efficient public transport. Ferry-hop between laid-back Södermalm, the vibrant Norrmalm downtown, and Gamla Stan (Old Town), a medieval wonder of cobbled streets and colorful buildings. Tour key sites like the Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace), 13th-century Storkyrkan Cathedral, and the Vasa Museum, home to the world's only preserved 17th-century ship.

Later, you'll join a small group tour for a four-hour excursion into the forest beyond the city. Setting off in a minivan, your guide will drive you into a forest for a taste of Swedish wilderness despite being a stone's throw from the capital. As you walk between the trees, the focus will be on spotting wildlife, such as moose, elk, deer, red squirrels, and wild boar. There'll be a break for dinner, then, as the light fades and the moon rises, you'll venture back into the forest to search for creatures that stir after dark.

The evening is yours to explore Swedish cuisine at its finest. Stockholm is a trailblazer of the New Nordic food scene (high-concept food using local, seasonal ingredients often sourced from the wild) and one of the culinary capitals of Europe—in fact, it's the European Capital of Gastronomy for 2023. You're also spoiled for Scandi comfort foods here. Choose from 14 different types of meatballs at Meatballs for the People, try toast skagen (toasted bread topped with prawn salad) and apple pie at Tradition, or pickled herring and gravlax (cured salmon) at trendy Sillkaféet.

Day 4: Transfer to Jönköping, Guided Food Walk 

Travel south to Jönköping today, a city on the southern shore of Sweden's second-largest lake, Vättern, in the province of Småland. This island region is a magnet for outdoor lovers, with hiking, biking, and boating adventures across a landscape of forests and lakes. Settle into your hotel and wander the city's sights, such as the neo-Gothic church and Jönköping County Museum, home to artworks by fairy tale illustrator John Bauer. 

This evening, you'll take a guided food walk of Jönköping with a local, who'll take you to their favorite restaurants and share stories of the city's food history. You'll get to sample typical Swedish dishes, including pickled herring, falukorv sausage, meatballs with lingonberry sauce, and kroppkakor (potato dumplings). Afterward, return to your hotel for a relaxing evening.

Day 5: Skullaryd Moose Park & Rosenlundsbadet Water Complex

After breakfast, a private taxi will take you to Eksjö, around 50 minutes from Jönköping. Here, you'll meet Sweden's "king of the forest": its native moose, which measures up to 6.5 feet (2 m) tall from the ground to shoulder. Several of these beasts roam around the forests and marshland of Skullaryd Moose Park, which you'll tour via tractor-pulled wagon.

Back in the city, spend a few hours at the 10-pool complex of Rosenlundsbadet. From a warm pool to a whirlpool, diving boards to hydro-massage areas, there are countless ways to enjoy the water. Join one of the 10-minute "sauna sessions," where essential oils are poured on hot stones, and the fragrances fanned through the room. During the summer, this is replaced by salt-sitting in the mosaic sauna (said to help you relax and resolve skin conditions/allergies).

Then, it's time for some well-earned relaxation as you step into the luxurious world of Hagabadet Spa for a two-hour experience. In serene Art Nouveau surroundings, you can participate in one of the best yoga classes in town, then wallow in the Roman bath, a series of saunas, and an infrared/red light room. Book a massage, and aromatherapy oils will be blended into a bespoke formula.

Day 8: Train to Oslo (Norway), Free Afternoon

Say goodbye to Sweden this morning, and cross the border to Norway. A 3.5-hour train ride will deliver you to the heart of Norway's capital, Oslo—a city of grand palaces, genteel parks, striking contemporary architecture, world-class museums, and innovative restaurants. On the outskirts, colorful houses are hugged by green spaces, lending a relaxed and livable feel to the metropolis. 

A highlight is the Norwegian Museum of Science & Technology, a 12-minute train ride from the central station. This is Norway's biggest showcase of technology, industry, natural science, and medicine, so it's a great way to get to know the country in a short space of time. In the Science Centre within the museum, you can stretch your mind by exploring the planetarium, a sound studio, a robot programming room, and an experimental lab for regenerative energy.

Day 9: Walking Tour of Oslo

Join a local guide for a city walk to get a deeper insight into Oslo. Commanding attention at the edge of Oslo Fjord is the Oslo Opera House, clad with white Carrara marble and with an exterior shaped like a ski slope. This city icon was the largest cultural building erected in Norway since the 14th century when it opened in 2008 to the tune of 4 billion kroner. 

Your guide will also take you to see Akershus Fortress, constructed in the 14th century and used as a prison for a time. Contrasted across the water is Oslo's newest quarter, Tjuvholmen, where modern architecture takes center stage. You'll also stroll down the parade street of Karl Johan to see several of Norway's most important institutions, such as the university and the National Theatre—then stick around to dine at one of the outdoor restaurants.

Day 10: The Flåm Railway: Oslo to Flåm 

Hailed as one of the world's most beautiful train journeys, the Flåm Railway cuts through some of the most magnificent scenery in the Norwegian fjords. You'll ride two trains today, one from Oslo to the mountain station of Myrdal (4.5 hours), followed by the 12.5-mile (20 km) section from Myrdal and Flåm aboard the Flåmsbana. The latter is one of the planet's steepest standard gauge railway lines: as you ascend, astonishing views open up of deep blue fjords, cut by the ice age through the mountain massif.

The station in Flåm is almost directly outside your accommodation, the luxury Fretheim Hotel, which delivers dramatic views of mountains and the Aurlandsfjord. After check-in, there's time for one more spectacular treat—a boat trip across the Nærøyfjord from Flåm to Gudvangen. At a leisurely pace, the skipper will steer through the narrow fjord among snow-covered peaks and picturesque villages. Return to Flåm by bus, where a delicious dinner awaits at the hotel.

Day 11: The Flåm Railway: Flåm to Bergen

The splendor of the fjords continues today as you board another train and descend into the valley, taking in amazing views of waterfalls and passing through Norway's "adventure hub" of Voss. Eventually, you'll reach the city of Bergen. Wrapped by ocean, mountains, and fjords, Bergen's setting is utterly beguiling. 

You'll get to know the "City with the Seven Mountains" on a guided bus tour, from the outdoor fish market to Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf. The tour ends at Troldhaugen, a museum set in the former home of composer Edvard Grieg (one of the leading Romantic era composers) and his wife Nina Grieg. It features Edvard Grieg's "composer's cabin," the couple's burial site, and a concert hall. 

Day 12: Osterfjorden Cruise, Free Afternoon in Bergen

Set off on a cruise aboard a schooner boat from the jetty at Fisketorget. Keep your camera close, as this is the best place to see the UNESCO-protected district of Bryggen, its painted wooden houses from the 1700s lining the waterfront. As the boat continues onto the Osterfjorden, you'll be dwarfed by steep mountains on both sides and come face to face with several foaming waterfalls. 

After the cruise, you'll have some more free time to explore Bergen. The Hanseatic Museum and the Bergen Art Museum are two highlights, or you could ride the funicular up the 1,066-foot (325 m) high Fløyfjellet hill. Linger at the summit to take in a magnificent panorama of the city, the fjord, and the surrounding mountains. If you want more action, head to nearby Mount Ulriken to ride a zipline through hilly forests.

Day 13: City Sea Sauna in Bergen, Train to Oslo

This morning you'll have two hours to relax at Bergen's City Sauna, a floating structure moored at the docks. A sauna session will increase your blood flow and help release muscle tension—but for the full Scandi hot-and-cold experience, descend the ladder for an invigorating dip in the sea. Refreshments are available, so you can sip a wine or beer while watching the world go by from your own floating island.

After, you'll take the short flight from Bergen to Oslo and spend one last evening capital. Make the most of the city's vibrant street food scene, with food trucks and stalls offering a variety of international and local dishes. You'll also find plenty of fine-dining options, such as Maaemo and Kontrast, internationally renowned for their modern takes on traditional Norwegian cuisine.

Day 14: Depart Oslo

Enjoy a final morning walking around Oslo's neighborhoods, relaxing in cafés, and maybe grab one of the hot dogs for which the city is so well-known. Finally, your Scandi adventure has come to an end, and you'll take the easy 20-minute train to the airport to catch your flight. Safe travels!