Day 1 : DAY 1: Start of tour in Copenhagen
Welcome to Copenhagen! Today is the beginning of this exciting Best of Scandinavia and the Baltics tour! Arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital city and meet up with your tour leader and the rest of the tour group this morning. Later, it’s time to head off on an exciting city tour of Copenhagen with an expert local guide! Complete the first day of the tour with an included group dinner this evening in the city centre. It’s the perfect opportunity to get to know more about your tour leader and fellow travellers. Adventure definitely awaits over the next 20 days!
Day 2 : DAY 2: Copenhagen: Free Day
Explore Copenhagen at your leisure during the free day today! Copenhagen is a colourful and creative city, home to ornate royal palaces and modernist buildings. There is no chance of boredom setting in today. You could enjoy a visit to Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen’s famous amusement park, and see the Rundetaarn which is an astronomical observatory which offers stunning views of the city and is home to a unique equestrian staircase (a ramp designed to give a horse and carriage access to the library at the top). The best way to soak up Copenhagen’s history and culture is with today’s optional excursion. Start with a canal cruise, visit the National Museum, Reffen market and more!
Day 3 : DAY 3: Copenhagen - Odense - Aarhus - Hirtshals (ferry port)
Take in the marvellous views of the Danish countryside as the coach travels to Hirtshals - a seaport town on the coast. Along the way, enjoy a stop in Odense and embark on an orientation tour before enjoying free time. Denmark’s third-largest city has the claim to fame of being the birthplace of fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen. Next, hit the road and arrive in Aarhus, Denmark’s second-biggest city, and set off on an orientation tour of this lively city. Aarhus is a mix of contemporary artwork and architecture, Viking exhibits and an old town, open-air museum! Later on, arrive in Hirtshals and hop aboard the overnight ferry which will cruise to Bergen in Norway.
Day 4 : DAY 4: Overnight ferry - Bergen
Say hallo to Norway! This is the second Scandinavian country of the tour. Admire the natural scenery as the ferry cruises towards Bergen. Arrive in Bergen and set off on an orientation tour of the city. Bergen is home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bryggen Quay and is known as the gateway to Norway’s spectacular fjords - seeing the fjords is a highlight of any Norway tour package! This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the city. Alternatively, join the optional excursion to some of the picturesque fishing villages around Bergen. Get a taste of peaceful local life before enjoying a Norwegian dinner at a historic trading post turned café!
Day 5 : DAY 5: Bergen: Free Day
Bergen is yours to explore on this free day. There are a number of fun things to see and do around the city! The Bergen+ optional excursion is highly recommended to get a true taste of the city. This excursion includes a ferry cruise, a guided tour of Bryggen and a trip on the Fløibanen, the Bergen funicular railway, which will hoist you one thousand feet up Fløyen mountain! Look forward to some breathtaking views of the city. Finally, enjoy a drink at Bergen’s unique Magic Ice Bar! Alternatively, spend more time in the city centre; admire the medieval architecture, see markets and warehouses and explore more of the historic area. The choice is all yours today!
Day 6 : DAY 6: Bergen - Gudvangen - Flam - Borgund - Oslo
Journey into the scenic heartland of Norway today! Depart Bergen in the morning and travel towards Gudvangen. This popular village is located at the end of Nærøyfjord, one of Norway’s most famous fjords! Arrive in Gudvangen and choose to join today’s exciting optional excursion to a Viking Village followed by a sightseeing cruise through the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjorden fjords. Marvel at the striking views before arriving in Flam to meet up with the coach again. Travel onwards and enjoy a stop at Borgund’s famous Stave Church. Next, continue the journey to Oslo. Arrive in Oslo in the late evening and enjoy an included group dinner at the hotel.
Day 7 : DAY 7: Oslo - Karlstad
It’s time to discover Oslo, Norway’s compact and captivating capital city. Head out for a walking tour of Oslo with a local guide. Learn more about the city which is surrounded by mountains and water and is home to Norway’s royal family. Highlights include the Royal Palace and the Akershus Castle. Afterwards, enjoy free time or discover some of Oslo’s gorgeous green spaces and fascinating museums with the Oslo+ optional excursion. This afternoon, travel onwards to a new country. The tour makes its way to Karlstad in Sweden - tonight’s overnight destination. Located halfway between Oslo and Stockholm, Karlstad sits on the shores of Lake Vänern and is a hot spot for fun outdoor activities plus great culture and Swedish cuisine.
Day 8 : DAY 8: Karlstad - Sigtuna - Stockholm
Swedish adventure is on the agenda today! Sigtuna is the first stop of the day. This picturesque mediaeval town is the oldest in the country! Arrive and enjoy an orientation tour and free time. Next, it’s time to travel onwards to Stockholm, Sweden's vibrant capital which encompasses 14 islands. Arrive in Stockholm and join an expert local guide for a driving and walking tour of the city. See the Royal Palace, AF Chapman ship and enjoy a walk through Gamla Stan - Stockholm’s Old Town. Enjoy an included group dinner in the city centre tonight - Swedish meatballs are on the menu - delicious!
Day 9 : DAY 9: Stockholm: Free day
See more of the city during this free day in Stockholm. Spend time exploring Gamla Stan - the old town complete with terracotta-coloured buildings and cobblestoned lanes. Spend a few hours in one of the city’s museums and learn about Vikings, Abba and more! Or visit one of the numerous islands that make up Stockholm which offer great walks. Djurgården, home to Skansen, the open-air Swedish history museum, is a great destination. Alternatively, join today’s optional excursion which includes a scenic drive en route to Drottningholm Palace for a guided tour and a visit to the world-famous Vasa Museum. Experience the best that Stockholm has to offer!
Day 10 : DAY 10: Lidingö island - Overnight ferry to Helsinki
Today, it’s time to say farewell to Sweden and continue with the next leg of the trip. Journey onwards to Helsinki in Finland. Take a late morning drive to Lidingö Island in the Stockholm archipelago along the way and enjoy a driving tour and free time to explore. Afterwards, travel onwards to the port and get ready to catch the overnight ferry to Helsinki. Hop on board and look forward to great onboard entertainment as well as stunning views as you cruise along. Why not choose to indulge in a Swedish buffet dinner tonight?
Day 11 : DAY 11: Arrive in Helsinki
Welcome to Helsinki, the capital of Finland! This vibrant, seaside city is known for its beautiful islands and gorgeous green spaces. Dock at the port, travel to the harbourside hotel and get ready to meet up with a local guide this morning for a Helsinki driving and walking tour. See famous sights including the Havis Amanda, Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral. Not forgetting Uspenski Cathedral and Kauppatori Market! Helsinki offers a wealth of things to see and experience! Tonight, enjoy an included dinner with the group.
Day 12 : DAY 12: Helsinki: Free Day
Enjoy a free day to experience Helsinki and explore this diverse city at your leisure. Helsinki is a quirky city which is a centre for design, architectural innovation and Finnish culture. It is also a hub for delicious Finnish food! You could spend some time relaxing and soaking in one of the saunas around town. This afternoon, join the optional excursion to discover Suomenlinna Fortress, including a guided tour and museum entrance. Make the most of your time in Helsinki by also choosing to join the evening’s optional discovery of Helsinki's awe-inspiring attractions, including the Amos Rex art museum, Temppeliaukio Church and Sibelius Monument. Marvel at the spectacular sights and architecture before enjoying a local dinner with an ocean view.
Day 13 : DAY 13: Helsinki - Tallinn
Today, it’s time to travel onwards to the Baltic States! First stop is Tallinn in Estonia. Catch a ferry and sail across the Gulf of Finland. Arrive in Tallinn, Estonia’s wonderful capital city, and enjoy an included lunch at a medieval restaurant in the atmospheric Old Town Square. Afterwards, get ready to embark on a walking tour of Tallinn, led by an expert local guide! See the city’s highlights and historic sites including St Olav’s Church and Tall Hermann Tower. Later, enjoy free time to explore before settling in for the night.
Day 14 : DAY 14: Tallinn - Pärnu - Latvian Military Cemetery - Riga
Wave goodbye to Tallinn and get ready to visit a brand new country today! The tour continues to Riga in Latvia. Along the way, make a stop in the resort city of Pärnu in Estonia to sightsee and shop for keepsakes and souvenirs. Next, cross the border into Latvia and enjoy a visit to Saulkrasti, a scenic, coastal beach town on the Gulf of Riga. Arrive in Riga, Latvia’s capital city, and experience the Brothers' Cemetery before checking into the hotel for tonight. Once settled in, it's time for an orientation walking tour of Riga’s old town and its popular attractions. Highlights of this historic and cosmopolitan Baltic capital city include Riga Dom Cathedral, the Old City Wall and more!
Day 15 : DAY 15: Riga - Hill of Crosses - Trakai - Vilnius
Wake up bright and early today as the journey continues into the next country - Lithuania! Few people know much about this intriguing Baltic state which makes it the perfect place to explore! The first stop is the Hill of Crosses, a famous religious sight. Next, visit Trakai. This small town is known for its magical island castle! Finally, arrive in Vilnius, Lithuania’s historic, cultured and quirky capital city. Explore Vilnius on an orientation tour. This beautiful Baroque city is home to sights like the Vilnius Cathedral, the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and the Church of St Anne. Enjoy free time after the city tour before enjoying an included dinner with the group tonight.
Day 16 : DAY 16: Vilnius - Masurian Lake District - Gdansk
Another exciting new country is on the agenda for today - Poland. Along the way, the tour will stop in the Masurian Lake District. This stunning region is home to over 2,000 lakes making it an idyllic place to enjoy some lunch and snap some pictures! Then, it’s time to travel onwards and cross the border in Poland. Take in the scenery of the countryside along the way. Later this evening, arrive in Gdansk and embark on an orientation tour of this beautiful, historic port city. Afterwards, enjoy an included buffet dinner.
Day 17 : DAY 17: Gdansk: Free Day
Learn all about Gdansk on a full day in the city! Start off by joining a local guide for a walking tour of the city to see the highlights and important historic areas. Afterwards, the day is free to spend as you wish! Explore more of Gdansk - see the Old Town, Long Market square and admire the historic architecture with its unique Dutch influence. Meander along the waterfront areas or join tonight’s optional excursion and cruise to the nearby beach town of Sopot and experience the Polish Riviera!
Day 18 : DAY 18: Gdansk - Malbork Castle - Torun - Warsaw
Bid farewell to Gdansk as the tour continues. Today’s first stop is Malbork Castle - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest castle in the world! The 13th-century landmark is a castle lover’s dream. Next up is Torun. This mediaeval town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is well known for being the hometown of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus and, charmingly, it is renowned for its Museum of Gingerbread! Here, enjoy taking part in a fun and interactive traditional gingerbread workshop. Finally, it's time to head to Warsaw, the capital of Poland. Enjoy an included dinner at the hotel tonight.
Day 19 : DAY 19: Warsaw
Wake up in the historic city of Warsaw and, after breakfast, join a local guide for a walking and driving tour. See the highlights of the city and learn more about how Warsaw played a pivotal role during WWII. Admire the city’s architecture which is a testament to the gritty history that shaped Warsaw. See Gothic churches, Neoclassical palaces and stark, Soviet-era apartment blocks side by side with modern skyscrapers. The rest of the day is free to explore the city on your own and to make the most of your last night on tour.
Day 20 : DAY 20: End of tour in Warsaw
Enjoy one last breakfast with the tour group as the trip comes to an end this morning. After 20 incredible, fun-filled days, you will have visited nine amazing countries in Scandinavia and the Baltic states! Be sure to swap contact details with your newly made travel friends so that you can stay in contact after returning home. We hope to see you back on an Expat Explore coach again very soon!