Copenhagen to Helsinki (ESH)

Enjoy a free day to explore Copenhagen at your own pace. Choose to join today’s optional excursion and learn more about Copenhagen’s history. This excursion also includes a canal cruise and lunch at Reffen market! Alternatively, explore on your own and visit the Tivoli Gardens, which is a famous amusement park, and the Rundetaarn - an astronomical observatory that offers fantastic views of the city and is known worldwide for its unique equestrian staircase (a ramp to allow for a horse and carriage to access the library at the top of the tower). You could also visit Freetown Christiania - a commune in the east of the city that was established by squatters in 1971 and attracts nonconformists from around the world.

Enjoy the beauty of the Danish countryside as the tour travels towards the coastal town of Hirtshals. Depart Copenhagen in the morning and head towards today’s first stop; Odense! This is the third-largest city in Denmark and birthplace of the fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen. Enjoy an orientation tour around the town plus free time to explore. Next, travel to Aarhus - Denmark’s second-biggest city which is home to an old town open-air museum, contemporary artwork and buildings, Viking museums and more! Enjoy an orientation tour before hopping back on the coach and travelling to Hirtshals. Arrive and board the overnight ferry which will arrive in Bergen, Norway tomorrow.

It’s time to explore Norway! Arrive in Bergen and enjoy an orientation driving tour of the city. Norway’s second-largest city is known as “the city among the seven mountains” and is the gateway to Norway’s magnificent fjords. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bryggen Quay is a top attraction in the city, while Norway’s famous fjords are just a short journey away - seeing the fjords is a highlight of any Norway tour package! Embark on an orientation tour before enjoying free time to relax or explore on your own. Alternatively, choose to join the optional excursion and experience Norway’s historic fishing villages before digging into a traditional Norwegian dinner!

Enjoy a free day to explore the beautiful Norwegian city of Bergen and the surrounding area. To explore Bergen in depth, join the Bergen+ excursion which includes an orientation tour, a ferry trip, a guided tour of Bryggen, a trip to the top of Mount Fløyen on the Fløibanen, and a drink at Bergen’s Magic Ice Bar. This is how to see the best of Bergen in one day! Alternatively, explore at your own pace and discover more of Bergen’s classic medieval architecture, markets and warehouses. Adventure definitely awaits today!

Explore Norway’s scenic heartland today. Depart Bergen and travel to Gudvangen, a village located at the end of Nærøyfjord, arguably Norway’s most famous fjord. Here, you’ll have the chance to join our optional excursion which visits a Viking village followed by a sightseeing cruise along the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjorden fjords to Flam, where you will meet up with the coach again. Still blue water is framed by towering cliffs and dramatic waterfalls - making for a truly incredible sight! Scenes like these are a highlight of Scandinavian travel. Next, enjoy a stop at Borgund’s famous Stave Church. Continue on with the journey to Oslo. Arrive in the late evening and enjoy an included dinner at the hotel.

Enjoy a morning to explore the Norwegian capital with a local guide on a walking tour. Along with being Norway’s capital city, Oslo is home to Norway’s royal family. See highlights including Akershus Castle and the Royal Palace. Enjoy some free time after the walking tour to take in the atmosphere of this cultured city or join the Oslo+ optional excursion and visit some of the city’s beautiful green spaces and museums. Later this afternoon, travel onwards to Karlstad in Sweden, which is the destination for this evening. Arrive in the city, which is located exactly between Oslo and Stockholm. Karlstad sits on the shores of Lake Vänern and offers fun outdoor activities plus great Swedish cuisine and culture.

See more of Sweden today! This first stop is Sigtuna - a picturesque medieval town that was founded in the 900s making it Sweden’s oldest town! Enjoy an orientation tour of the town and free time to explore on your own or find a spot to grab lunch. Afterwards, continue to explore Scandinavia and travel to Stockholm - Sweden’s dynamic capital city! Arrive and enjoy a driving and walking tour of the city with an expert local guide. See the highlights including the Royal Palace and the AF Chapman ship, before enjoying a walk through Gamla Stan (Stockholm’s Old Town). This evening, enjoy an included dinner in the city centre with the group, before checking into the hotel for the night.

Enjoy this free day to explore more of Stockholm! Gamla Stan is the old town and this amazing destination is filled with red, orange and terracotta-coloured buildings overlooking narrow cobblestone streets. The numerous islands that make up the town offer fascinating walks, especially through the Djurgården, where you can visit Skansen, the open-air Swedish history museum. Alternatively, join the Royal Sweden & Vasa Museum optional excursion on which you will enjoy a scenic drive, see the spectacular Drottningholm Palace and visit the world-famous Vasa Museum. There is no shortage of incredible things to do today!

Today, travel onwards towards Helsinki in Finland. Along the way, take a late morning drive to Lidingö Island and enjoy free time to explore the stunning surroundings. Take time to wander through the Millesgården and admire the sculptures. Next, travel onwards to the port and get ready to catch the overnight ferry to Helsinki. You’ll be treated to some onboard entertainment and an optional buffet dinner featuring delicious Swedish dishes.

Welcome to Finland! The capital Helsinki is a vibrant seaside city known for its beautiful islands and lush green parks. Arrive and enjoy a driving tour of the city. Settle in at your harbourside hotel, and meet up with a local guide this evening for a walking tour. Encounter some of the city's most famous sights including the likes of the Havis Amanda, as well as the Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral. Not to mention Uspenski Cathedral and Kauppatori Market! There is so much to see and experience! Enjoy an included dinner this evening.

After nearly two weeks of exploring the best of Scandinavia, the tour comes to an end this morning. Enjoy a final breakfast with your tour group, and get ready to head back home. Remember to swap contact details with your newly made travel friends and share your travel memories with us on social media using #TravelMadePossible and #BetterTogether. We hope you have had an incredible journey and hope to see you back on an Expat Explore coach again very soon!