The following is just a suggested daily touring schedule. You will have complete control over your daily schedule and may change your plans at any time by simply telling your guide. Your time in Europe is yours to enjoy as you like!
For custom luxury travel and tours to the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Norway and Denmark, please contact one of our travel experts.
$7,600 per person, based on two guests traveling together. Please contact Exeter International for specific pricing and availability.
Arrival into Stockholm. Your driver will meet you outside of baggage claim and customs and transfer you to your hotel, ideally located in the center of the city.
Stockholm, the country’s capital, was built on 14 islands connected through a network of waterways and more than 50 bridges. Known as ‘the Venice of the North', it is hardly surprising that Stockholm is a city best seen from the water. Recognized for their modern design and freshness, the Swedes also take great pride in their customs and traditions.
Exeter Services: Transfer
Hotel: Nobis
Your guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel for a walking tour of Gamla Stan (Old Town) to explore the narrow cobblestone streets and quaint shops.
Continue onto Djurgården, a natural resort in the heart of Stockholm. You will journey via a short ferry ride. You will visit Vasa Museum, Scandinavia’s most visited museum, known for its maritime history and Housing of the Vasa warship. The Vasa, perhaps the grandest and most ambitious ship ever to be built in Sweden, is the city’s prized treasure. She capsized and sank straight to the bottom on her maiden voyage in the 17th century only to be salvaged nearly 333 years later in 1961.
Your afternoon is at leisure.
Exeter Services: Guide (4 Hours)
Hotel: Nobis
Today is at leisure to enjoy this beautiful city. Explore some of the cities museum or many shops.
You could also visit Skansen, the world’s largest open-air museum. Displaying the life and buildings over the last 150 years, this miniature Sweden depicts how the city has evolved. During the summer months, there are often live concerts, folk music, and dancing in Skansen.
Alternatively, take one of the public boats to the royal residence of Drottningholm. The palace, built in 1662, is now the residence of Sweden's royal family. It was originally built as a Baroque palace and later extended and refurbished in the rococo style. Visit the magnificent Baroque Court Theatre, which is the oldest preserved theatre still in use with authentic decor and machinery.
Exeter Services: None
Hotel: Nobis
Today you have your choice of flight or high-speed train to Oslo. Ticket costs are not included and will be quoted separately.
Perched on the Oslofjord, the warmth and compactness of Oslo are a large part of its attraction. The Norwegian capital is a harmonious blend of stunning landscapes and cutting- edge cuisine and design. Norwegians take a long-standing pride in their Viking heritage. Oslo was established in 1000AD as a trade post and continues to be the center of the country’s economy. Friendly and welcoming, it has been ranked first among the best cities to live in Europe.
Exeter Services: Station/Airport Transfers
Hotel: Continental
This morning, your guide will meet you for a visit City Hall to view the ceremonial hall with its beautiful murals, including the largest oil painting in Europe. This is the location of the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony every December.
Enjoy a stroll down Karl Johans Gate, the main thoroughfare of Oslo. This street contains many shops and places to eat. Storinget (the Norwegian Parliament), the University and numerous parks line the street. The street ends at the Royal Palace, which prominently sits on a hill.
Meet your driver for the journey out to Vigeland Park. The park, named after sculptor, Gustav Vigeland, contains 212 human sculptures, depicting all the stages of life. The main focal point of the park is the 56 foot tall monolith, comprised of over 100 human figures all molded into one another.
Continue onto the charming peninsula Bygdoy to explore the Viking Ship Museum where three of the largest ships, the Oseberg, Gokstad, and Tune are housed. Found in royal burial mounds of Oslo, these well preserved ships were used to carry the dead over to “the other world.”
Exeter Services: Vehicle & Driver (3 Hours); Guide (4 Hours)
Hotel: Continental
This morning you will be transferred to the train station to catch the high-speed train to Myrdal. Your luggage will be picked up prior to your departure and sent on to Bergen.
Upon arrival into Myrdal, you will board the historic Flamsbana train. The train will take you up some of the steepest train tracks in the world, passing by waterfalls, steep mountain sides, and of course the famous fjord.
Arrival into Flam, where you depart via express boat through the Sognefjord to Balestrand. Cruise among the towering mountain tops dotted with tiny villages.
Your boat will arrive right to the Kviknes hotel set on the edge of the fjord.
Exeter Services: Station Transfer (Oslo); Norway in a Nutshell
Hotel: Kviknes Hotel
Today is at leisure in the spectacular Sognefjord region. You may wish to spend the morning relaxing on the hotel’s terrace, breathing in the fresh mountain air and enjoying the spectacular views.
For the more active at heart we suggest hiking, bicycle rental or row boat rental – all available from the hotel and payable locally.
Later this afternoon, you will depart by hydrofoil for Bergen. Your journey will take you continuing through the Songefjord and out into the ocean, through the archipelago along the coast and into the charming town of Bergen.
Upon arrival into Bergen, you will be met on the pier and transferred to your hotel.
Exeter Services: Norway in a Nutshell; Station Transfer (Bergen)
Hotel: Clarion Havnekontoret
Today, your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby for your tour of Bergen. You will visit the Old Bryggen, the original settlement of Bergen. Here just ten of the original gabled houses on the harbor still stand. The Hanseatic Museum showcases a merchants’ home, providing a great example of how they lived in worked in the 1700’s.
The fish market is a few steps away and can be quite lively with locals. This is the place to sample different types of fish and meats. Try to taste the difference between wild or farmed salmon or maybe sample some reindeer sausage.
Afterwards, your guide will take you the funicular to the Fløv Mountains for a truly spectacular view overlooking the city. You may choose to ride the funicular back down or you can hike down the mountain.
Exeter Services: Guide (4 hours)
Hotel: Clarion Havnekontoret
Today you have your choice of flights to Copenhagen. Ticket costs are not included.
If Denmark has a pop symbol, it must be the bicycle. The two-wheeled wonder has steered itself into Danish consciousness during the oil crisis, usurping physical and cultural space from the automobile. Somewhere in the midst of Danish art, music, poetry and film one will most likely find a bicyclist –a symbol of freedom, health, and positive energy.
Denmark’s origins are in its Viking past and it reached its crescendo between the 13th and 17th century, after a series of relinquishments and lost battles diminished its territory. While Denmark capitulated during World War II, the Danish Resistance helped several thousand Jews escape Germany and funneled them to safety in Sweden.
Exeter Services: Airport Transfers
Hotel: Nobis
This morning your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby for your exploration of Copenhagen.
Enjoy a walk along the Stroget, one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe as you make your way to Christianborg Castle. The castle is home to the Danish Parliament and where the Queen receives her guests.
Your guide will take you through the reception rooms where you can see the Queen’s tapestries. The seventeen tapestries where presented to the Queen on her 50th birthday in 2000. They depict Denmark’s history from the past 1000 years.
Underneath the palace, you can explore the original palace ruins, some dating back over 800 years ago.
Also on the palace grounds is Royal Library, the largest library in Scandinavia. This library functions as the National Library and library for the University of Copenhagen. An extension, the Black Diamond was built in 1999. The dark façade reflects the water as it lies along one of the city’s canals. It is a lovely spot for a short break to grab a seat and enjoy the activity along the canal.
Your afternoon is at leisure to explore on your own.
Exeter Services: Guide (4 Hours)
Hotel: Nobis
Today is at leisure to enjoy this beautiful city.
We recommend traveling out to North Sealand to visit Karen Blixen’s home in Rungstedlund and Fredriksborg Castle, built by King Christian IV. Today the castle is the home of the National History Museum and includes an impressive portrait collection –a motley crew of nobility, statesmen and royalty, who between them, ruled and misruled Denmark for centuries.
If you do head to the countryside, another great stop is the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, where the temporary exhibitions usually feature world famous artists such as Miro, Warhol and Hockney.
If you’re interested in Copenhagen’s Jewish heritage, see the Danish Jewish Museum. The small museum casts light on one of the few happy chapters in WWII history; the rescue of 7,000 Danish Jews from Nazi persecution. The most important role of this museum is to document and research Jewish life in Denmark. Designed by Daniel Libeskind, also designer of the Jewish Museum in Berlin, this museum is located in the oldest part of the Royal Library.
If food is your love, don’t miss a visit to Torvehallerne – Copenhagen’s biggest food market. You’ll discover the food, history and architecture of this market dating back to 1889. Taste seasonal produce and locally produced vegetables, fruits and more.
Exeter Services: None
Hotel: Nobis
Meet your driver for your transfer to the airport to meet your onward flight.
Exeter Services: Airport Transfer
