Scandinavia Summer Highlights: Helsinki, Stockholm, Luleå & Tromsø - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Helsinki (Finland), Traditional Finnish Food Tour

Welcome to Finland! Touch down in the capital, Helsinki, which has been UNESCO-listed for its blend of neoclassic, modernist, and jugend (Finnish Art Nouveau) architecture. A driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel, where you can settle in before exploring. 

Begin by strolling through the city center and taking in the neoclassical architecture of Senate Square and the dome-topped Helsinki Cathedral. To taste Helsinki's thriving contemporary design culture, head to the hip district of Kallio, where you'll find countless boutiques and studios showcasing the best of Finnish design.

If you're a fan of the arts, don't miss Helsinki's world-renowned museums, including the Ateneum Art Museum, the Finnish National Gallery, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma. And for a truly unique cultural experience, visit Helsinki's famous Rock Church, an awe-inspiring modern cathedral carved out of solid rock.

This afternoon, join a local guide for a food-tasting tour of Helsinki. Kick off the trip with a berry shot, before traversing the city on foot, stopping at some of the top eateries and markets. Traditional bites could include everything from smoked salmon and meatballs to lingonberry jam and rye bread. The trip includes a beer tasting and ends with coffee and cake. 

Day 2: Guided Hike in Porkkalanniemi

This morning, travel 19 miles (36 km) southwest of Helsinki to Porkkalanniemi, a peninsula jutting into the Gulf of Finland, surrounded by countless tiny islands. Learn about this region's ties to Finland's natural and military history on a hike through the forest before stopping for lunch with gulf views. Afterward, your driver will take you back to Helsinki for a free afternoon. 

Head to the Old Market Hall, which dates back to 1889, to browse stalls selling local cheese, fish, and produce, or relax with a trip to a Finnish spa. Alternatively, you can take a 20-minute ferry ride over to the Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site just off the shore of Helsinki. Originally built as a Swedish sea fortress in the 18th century, Suomenlinna is now a Finnish tourist hub featuring multiple museums, trails, and scenic picnic spots.

Day 3: Fly to Stockholm (Sweden), Private Stockholm Hidden Gems Tour

Say goodbye to Finland this morning and fly 1.5 hours west to Sweden's capital, Stockholm. The tolerant, tech-forward city is known for its Pride Festival and creative startups like Spotify. Spread across an archipelago of 14 islands connected by 57 bridges that stretch over Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, it's easy to see why Stockholm is nicknamed the "Venice of the North." Settle into your hotel and explore the country's innovative metropolis on a private tour. 

Your guide will tailor the tour to your interests and give you a local perspective. Visit various districts, from laid-back Södermalm to the Norrmalm downtown and Gamla Stan, a medieval wonder of cobbled streets and colorful buildings. Highlights may include the Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace), 13th-century Storkyrkan (Stockholm Cathedral), and Vasa Museum. You can also visit the Art Nouveau palace, Centralbadet, now a spa-like center with Roman baths and saunas. 

Day 4: Scandinavian Wildlife Safari

Escape the city today and take a wildlife safari in Stockholm's thick forests. Travel in a minivan to a secluded spot in the woods, then follow your guide on foot along forested trails to a vast lake that draws a variety of animals. Look for everything from moose and deer to beavers, otters, and birds. Learn about animal behavior and native flora, then enjoy a campfire and snack before returning to the city. 

End the day with some typical Swedish cuisine at one of Stockholm's top restaurants. Choose from 14 different types of classic meatballs, from elk to beef varieties, at Meatballs for the People, try toast skagen (toasted bread topped with prawn salad) and apple pie at the popular Tradition restaurant, and pickled herring and gravlax (cured salmon) at trendy Sillkaféet.

Day 5: Fly to Luleå, Hiking in Swedish Lappland

This morning, you'll take a 1.5-hour flight to Luleå, a coastal city in the northern province of Lappland (though today, the Indigenous inhabitants of the region, the Sámi, prefer the name Sápmi) that acts as a base for trekking, outdoor activities, and viewing the northern lights. Luleå is famed for Gammelstad, a UNESCO-listed church town that lies just outside the city. It served as its town center until the 17th century and is home to Sweden's largest medieval stone church.

You'll stay at the award-winning Tree Hotel near the Lule River Valley, checking into a luxury treehouse surrounded by bird-filled forest. After settling in, take a hike on the nearby Bergnäsets Trail, a 1.5-mile (2.5 km) track through forests of towering trees and along babbling brooks. If you're looking for a longer trek, the 3.5-mile-long (6 km) Hemberget's Trail also offers picture-postcard Lappland scenery. 

Day 6: Explore the Luleå Archipelago by Kayak

Get out on the water today for a kayaking trip in the tranquil Luleå Archipelago. Your experienced guide will start with a safety briefing before you board your kayak and begin paddling across the archipelago, which is studded with over 1,300 islands, most of which are uninhabited. Spot a kaleidoscope of birds as you glide across the water, while your guide points out landmarks and explains the area's rich history and effects of post-glacial land rise.

Exploring by kayak means you can reach the shallowest parts of the archipelago, offering a unique perspective of this watery wonderland. On the way, you'll stop at one of the archipelago's many deserted beaches to rest, stretch your legs, and enjoy a Swedish fika (hot drink and snack). Eventually, you'll paddle back to shore and return to your lavish treehouse for a well-deserved rest. 

Day 7: Fly to Tromsø (Norway), Storsteinen Mountain Cable Car Ride

Fly to Tromsø in the far north of Norway this morning. Located 217 miles (350 km) above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø sits on an island connected to the mainland by a bridge and is surrounded by island-dotted fjords and snowy mountains. A university, museums, art galleries, and nearby ski resorts bring constant life to Tromsø, which prides itself on having more pubs per capita than any other town in Norway.

After checking into your hotel, start exploring with a ride on the Fjellheisen cable car. Take in views of Tromsø and the glittering fjords as you travel 1,381 feet (421 m) up Storsteinen Mountain. Enjoy panoramic vistas from the terrace and trek the scenic Tromsdalstinden Trail to the mountain's peak. 

The rest of the day is yours to spend as you please. Wander Tromsø's city center with its 18th-century wooden houses, fishing culture, and impressive Arctic Cathedral, and sample fresh seafood and authentic dishes in one of the local restaurants. Popular treats include a bowl of steaming bacalao, a spicy, tomato-based fish stew, as well as cloudberries, pastries, and creamy hot chocolate. 

Day 8: Sommarøy Arctic Fjords & Wildlife Tour

Discover Arctic scenery and culture today on a trip to Sommarøy (summer island). This unspoiled island was named by the people of neighboring Hillesøy, who sent their cows to graze there in the summer months. Traveling in a Mercedes V-Class, your guide will drive you west toward Sommarøy, across Kvaløya, Norway's fifth largest island home to mountains, sparkling fjords, and fishing villages. 

During the journey, stop to marvel at some of the country's most spectacular fjords, take in views of colorful fishing huts scattered along the coast, and look out for Arctic wildlife, such as wild reindeer herds, moose, and white-tailed eagles. Once you arrive in Sommarøy, you'll head to a remote beach to admire Arctic views while sipping a hot chocolate and then have lunch in a local restaurant. In the late afternoon, return to Tromsø for a relaxing evening. 

Day 9: Silent Whale Watching Eco-Tour

Take to the seas today for a whale watching trip. This is your chance to look out for magnificent humpback and orca whales that come to feed in the Arctic's herring-rich fjords as you cruise through the icy landscape. You'll travel in warm lounges on a silent hybrid-electric ship that minimizes boat disturbance for whales and wildlife. 

While your captain searches for whales, expert guides will share their stories of sightings and teach you about the species you hope to see. Once a whale is sighted, the boat will switch to silent electric mode, and you can observe the animals in peace from one of the multiple observation decks. Sip hot drinks as you sail back to shore for a final night in Tromsø. 

Day 10: Depart Tromsø

Today, your summer Scandinavian adventure comes to an end. A driver will transfer you to the airport in Tromsø in time for your homebound flight. Safe travels!

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