Day 1 : DAY 1: Start of tour in Copenhagen
Welcome to Copenhagen! This life-enriching Ultimate Scandinavia and the Baltics tour kicks off today! After arriving in Denmark's capital city of Copenhagen, join your tour leader and new travel companions this morning and embark on a thrilling Copenhagen city tour with a local guide. Then, use today's free time to explore what you'd like; maybe the Tivoli Gardens? This evening, conclude an exciting first day of discovery with an included group dinner in the heart of the city. Mingle, get to know your tour leader and new travel friends, and prepare for 20 days of unmissable adventure!
Day 2 : DAY 2: Copenhagen: Free Day
Today's free day is yours to explore as you wish! The beautifully bright and bustling city is home to incredible architecture, from ornate royal palaces to modernist buildings. With so much to explore, you'll be spoiled for choice today! Some options include seeing the Rundetaarn, an astronomical observatory with breathtaking city views and even an equestrian staircase (giving horses and carriages easy access to the library at the top). Alternatively, opt for the best way to capture Copenhagen's culture and history on today's optional excursion, including a canal cruise and visits to the National Museum, Reffen market and more!
Day 3 : DAY 3: Copenhagen - Odense - Aarhus - Hirtshals Overnight Ferry
The journey continues to the beautiful coastal town of Hirtshals today! Along the way, marvel at the many incredible views of the Danish countryside before enjoying a rest stop in Odense. Embark on an orientation tour of the famed city where fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen was born, Denmark's third-largest city. Then, enjoy some free time before continuing the journey towards Aarhus. Upon arrival, learn all about this vibrant city that's also Denmark's second-largest. Marvel at the magical mix of contemporary creations, Viking exhibitions and an open-air museum in the old town! Arrive in Hirtshals later and board the overnight ferry to Bergen in Norway.
Day 4 : DAY 4: Bergen
Hei Norge! Take in the incredible natural scenery of the second Scandinavian country on tour as the ferry continues to Bergen. Upon arrival, hop on an orientation tour to see the sights of the city. The beautiful city of Bergen is home to the age-old St. Mary’s Church and also serves as the gateway to the awe-inspiring Norwegian fjords - a highlight of any tour to Norway! Then, enjoy some time to explore more of the city as you wish. Or instead, choose to join the optional excursion visiting some of the scenic seaside villages around Bergen for a taste of local Norwegian life and a delicious dinner at a café which used to be a trading post.
Day 5 : DAY 5: Bergen: Free Day
Enjoy the opportunity to explore more of Bergen on this free day. You will be spoiled for choice today with the number of exciting things to experience around the city! For the best sense of the city, today's Bergen+ optional excursion is highly recommended. Enjoy a magical experience and a drink at the iconic Magic Ice Bar and embark on a guided tour of Bryggen. Plus, travel a thousand feet up Fløyen mountain on the Fløibanen, the Bergen funicular railway, for the most spectacular views of the city. Alternatively, choose to spend the free day in the city centre, admiring the medieval architecture, exploring markets and learning more about this historic region. Today, you choose!
Day 6 : DAY 6: Bergen - Gudvangen - Flåm - Borgund - Oslo
The journey continues into the picturesque heartland of Norway! This morning, the tour departs Bergen and travels to Gudvangen. En route, enjoy a rest stop at the spectacular Tvindefossen waterfall. Capture the memory with some photos and souvenirs. Later, arrive in Gudvangen at the end of one of Norway's most famous fjords - Nærøyfjord. Join today's unmissable optional excursion for a trip to a Viking Village and a sightseeing cruise along the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjorden. Soak up the striking views before meeting up with the coach again in Flåm. The journey continues, with a rest stop at Borgund’s famous Stave Church before travelling to Oslo. After arriving later this evening, sit down for an included group dinner at the hotel.
Day 7 : DAY 7: Oslo
Discover Oslo, the captivating capital city of Norway, today! Embark on a walking tour of Oslo guided by an expert local to learn more about this city enveloped by mountains and water. As Oslo is also home to Norway's royal family, visits to the Royal Palace and the Akershus Castle are some of the city's highlights. Alternatively, join today’s optional excursions to make the most of your time in Oslo! Oslo+ includes an interactive treasure hunt at Vigeland Park as well as visits to the Fram and Kon Tiki museums. This evening, join the optional dinner for a true taste of Norwegian cuisine!
Day 8 : DAY 8: Oslo - Nora - Örebro - Stockholm
After breakfast, it's time to depart Oslo and head to the next destination on this exciting tour - Nora! Take in the last of the stunning Norwegian countryside before crossing the border into Sweden. Enjoy plenty of time on the coach to relax and soak up the natural scenery, plus rest stops on the way for some incredible photos to treasure your memories on tour. Upon arrival in Nora, discover the well-preserved wooden buildings of Kvarteret Bryggeriet before enjoying some free time to explore and grab lunch. Then, head onwards to Örebro, Sweden's sixth-largest city, for a tour of the top attractions and some exploration time. Later, depart for Stockholm and check into the hotel upon arrival before enjoying an included dinner with the group.
Day 9 : DAY 9: Stockholm: Free Day
Explore more of Stockholm on today's free day! Start the day with a locally guided driving and walking tour of the city. Stockholm has so much to experience; from the terracotta Gamla Stan old town and cobbled streets to museums dedicated to ABBA and the Vikings, as well as the open-air Skansen museum of Swedish history in Djurgården. For the ultimate Stockholm experience, choose to join today's optional excursion for a city drive on the way to a guided tour of Drottningholm Palace followed by a visit to the fascinating Vasa Museum!
Day 10 : DAY 10: Lidingö Island - Overnight ferry to Helsinki
Say goodbye to Sweden today as the tour continues to its next leg. Journey to Helsinki in Finland and enjoy a late morning drive to Lidingö Island in the Stockholm archipelago. Stop for a driving tour of the city and some free time to explore. Then, enjoy some free time in Stockholm for lunch before heading towards the port for the overnight ferry to Helsinki. Enjoy a variety of entertainment on board, and why not indulge in this evening's optional Swedish buffet dinner while you cruise?
Day 11 : DAY 11: Arrive in Helsinki
Finland's capital, Helsinki, welcomes you today! The seaside capital city of Helsinki is a lively destination famed for its impressive islands and stunning natural scenery. After docking at the port, meet the new travellers joining the next leg of the tour and join a local guide for this morning's exciting driving and walking tour of Helsinki. Tick some of the top attractions like the Havis Amanda, Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, Uspenski Cathedral and Kauppatori Market off your bucket list! There truly is something for everyone to explore in Helsinki. End the day by enjoying a delicious included dinner with the tour group.
Day 12 : DAY 12: Helsinki: Free Day
Today is a free day to explore the eclectic city of Helsinki as you wish! Being a hub for design and architectural innovation as well as a concentrated source of Finnish culture gives Helsinki its signature quirkiness. You'll also get to try a range of interesting and mouth-watering Finnish foods! This afternoon, why not join the optional excursion to Suomenlinna Fortress? Embark on a guided tour, enjoy a light lunch and visit the Ehrensvärd Museum. For the ultimate Helsinki experience, join this evening's optional excursion too! See impressive attractions like the Amos Rex art museum, Temppeliaukio Church and Sibelius Monument. Marvel at the natural splendour and impressive architecture before dinner with a view of the seaside.
Day 13 : DAY 13: Helsinki - Tallinn
Can you hear the Baltic States calling today? The first stop of the day is Tallinn, Estonia. Board the ferry crossing the Gulf of Finland before arriving in the capital city of Estonia. Sit down for an included lunch at a marvellous medieval restaurant in Tallinn's enchanting Old Town Square. Then, join an expert local guide for an exciting walking tour of Tallinn to uncover the city's history and highlights. See historic marvels like St Olav’s Church and Tall Hermann Tower before some free time to explore at leisure and settle in.
Day 14 : DAY 14: Tallinn: Free Day
Explore more of Tallinn on today's free day! Discover the historic magic and natural splendour of not only Estonia's capital but also the cultural hub of the country. From its walled and cobbled Old Town to the impressive Gothic architecture, Tallinn has something to satisfy almost any type of traveller! Why not visit one of the city’s many fascinating museums? The Niguliste Museum, Estonian Open Air Museum and Kadriorg Art Museum are all highly recommended. Be sure to visit Telliskivi Creative City for a range of cultural attractions! Tallinn is your oyster today.
Day 15 : DAY 15: Tallinn - Pärnu - Latvian Military Cemetery - Riga
Today, the tour leaves Tallinn behind in exchange for a brand-new country to explore! En route to Riga in Latvia, enjoy a rest stop in Estonia in the resort city of Pärnu. Enjoy some time to see the sights and shop the souvenirs. After crossing the border into Latvia, stop in the scenic coastal beach town of Saulkrasti located on the Gulf of Riga. Upon arrival in Riga, tick the Brothers' Cemetery off of your bucket list before checking into this evening's accommodation. Settle in and embark on an orientation walking tour through Riga's old town to experience the most popular attractions. Some of this capital Baltic city's top attractions include the Riga Dome Cathedral and the Old City Wall!
Day 16 : DAY 16: Riga: Free Day
Enjoy a free day to explore Latvia's capital city at leisure! Home to a myriad of museums and musical venues, Riga is sure to be a treat for any traveller interested in delving into Latvia's culture. Why not visit the iconic House of the Blackheads and wander along Albert Street to delve deeper into Riga’s Art Nouveau architecture? You could also visit the impressive Riga Bourse museum or take in the views from the Riga Radio and TV Tower - the tallest tower in the EU! Or, relax in Bastejkalns Park. Spend the day exploring on your own, or ask your tour leader for recommendations to make the most of your time in Riga.
Day 17 : DAY 17: Riga - Hill of Crosses - Trakai - Vilnius
This morning, embark on the journey to the next country on tour - Lithuania! Start the day's exploration of this hidden gem at the renowned religious site, the Hill of Crosses. Then, witness the enchanting island castle on Trakai before arriving in Vilnius. This quirky and historic capital city is yours to explore on an orientation tour! Marvel at the beauty of the Baroque architecture and behold must-see sights such as the Vilnius Cathedral, Palace of the Grand Dukes, and Church of St Anne. After concluding the tour, spend the rest of the day as you wish before joining the tour group for an included dinner. Why not cross the river into the Užupio Respublika, a self-proclaimed republic within Vilnius?
Day 18 : DAY 18: Vilnius: Free Day
Today is a free day to explore the city of Vilnius and all its wonders as you wish! The capital city of Lithuania is a true hidden gem featuring some of Europe’s most stunning Baroque architecture and one of Europe’s largest old towns to explore. Wander the enchanting city streets to experience the many diverse styles and eras that have influenced this city's aesthetic, history and culture. For panoramic city views, climb up the hill to Gediminas Tower or the Hill of Three Crosses. To learn more about the city’s turbulent past and vibrant local culture, join the Vilnius+ optional excursion. Explore the quirky Užupis, visit the Amber Museum, enjoy a local lunch and tour a former prison!
Day 19 : DAY 19: Vilnius - Kaunas - Klaipeda
Leave Vilnius behind today in exchange for the picturesque attractions in Kaunas! Arrive in Kaunas and enjoy an orientation tour of Lithuania’s second-largest city. See some of the top sights, including Kaunas Castle and the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul. Then, enjoy some free time to explore on your own. This afternoon, journey from Kaunas to Klaipeda and embark on an orientation tour of this charming port city. This evening, hop aboard the overnight ferry towards Karlshamn.
Day 20 : DAY 20: Karlshamn - Malmö - Copenhagen
This morning, enjoy breakfast on the ferry before arriving in Karlshamn. From there, continue the journey to Sweden’s third-largest city, Malmö, and embark on a city tour upon arrival. See some of the city’s top sights, including Malmöhus Castle and the main square of Stortorget, before enjoying some free time to grab lunch. Then, travel from Malmö to Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. Marvel at the Øresund Bridge before checking into this evening’s hotel. Why not end the day with a farewell dinner in Copenhagen?
Day 21 : DAY 21: End of tour in Copenhagen
After 21 exciting days exploring countless highlights of Scandinavia and the Baltic travel, this Ultimate Scandinavia & the Baltics tour concludes after breakfast today. Remember to exchange contact information with your new travel friends so you can keep in touch! Expat Explore looks forward to welcoming you on one of our tours again soon. See you on the road!