Scandinavian Capitals & Fjords in Autumn

Arrive and make your own way to your hotel. Before meeting your group, discover some of Bergen's many attractions and sights, many of them within walking distance. Recommended sights of interests are the Hanseatic harbour Bryggen, Ulriken, Troldhaugen, the Fish and Flower market, Bergen Aquarium and Gamle Bergen (Old Bergen Open Air Museum). If it is a nice day, be sure to ride the Fløyen funicular to the top of the nearby mountain. Meet your tour leader and group this evening for a welcome dinner.

Bergen's centre is very compact, with much to see and hear about within a very short walking distance. Stroll around Bryggen, a World Heritage Site, where you will hear of life in times gone by, dried cod fish, Hanseatic merchants, fires, Norwegian resistance fighters and present-day life at the wharf.

Pass by the lively waterside Fish Market and explore the Bergen Fortress area, where you will find Håkons Hall from 1261 and the Rosenkranz Tower from 1560s, or wander down the old cobblestone alleyways in the heart of Bergen and see typical, quaint Bergen houses and chimney houses while hearing about life in Bergen past and present. The afternoon and evening is free for your own exploration.

This morning, travel by small minibus to Gundvangen and meet the Vikings. Viking Valley is a living Viking village and a historical attraction in the Nærøyfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a hearty 3-course Viking style lunch before a guided tour, where you will discover the culture, crafts, and history of the Vikings.

Then board a first-class electric vessel and enjoy a stunning 'silent' cruise along the Nærøyfjord to Flåm, a small town located at the end of the fjord. The fjord itself is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, due to the exceptional natural beauty stemming from the narrow and steep-sided crystalline rock walls that rise up 1,400 metres from the Norwegian Sea and extend 500 metres below sea level. It is amongst the world's longest and deepest fjords and has many waterfalls, free-flowing rivers, forests, and glaciers.

Get your camera out for a visit to Stegastein, a viewing platform that juts out 30 metres from the mountainside, 650 metres above Aurlandsfjord. It offers an unparalleled panorama of the fjord, mountains and surrounding landscape. Relax by the fjord for the rest of the day or enjoy waterfall walls, optional kayaking or meander around the small village.

This morning, board the tourist train at Flåm Station, where you'll take a stunning train ride to Myrdal. Travelling on the Flåmsbana, be sure not to miss any of the amazing vistas on offer. Said to be one of the greatest engineering feats in Norway, the Flåm Railway is a 20-kilometre track that runs past trickling waterfalls, imposing mountains, and bright fjords. A total feast for the eyes! Then continue on to Oslo and discover Norway's beautiful capital city.

Discover the must-sees of beautiful Oslo including the Royal Palace and Vigeland Park on a private walking tour of its most famous sights. Enjoy all the landmarks of Oslo's city centre on a 3-hour walking tour with a local guide. Get a taste of the life in this vibrant capital through its famous sights, and enjoy its architectural and cultural diversity. See the Royal Palace, the Norwegian Parliament, and the University of Oslo, and stroll the bustling Karl Johan pedestrian shopping area.

Free morning in Oslo before later this afternoon, boarding the overnight ferry to Copenhagen. Accommodation in seaside cabins with shower/WC. Enjoy the hot tub on the back deck, the entertainment and various dining establishments. Be sure to sit on the deck as you leave the Oslo fjord for beautiful views and locals enjoying the autumn.

Arrive into Copenhagen this morning and transfer to your hotel. Copenhagen has a long history, and many delightful attractions and sights - you will never run out of something to see or to do. The city is small and cosy, an ideal way to explore the city is by foot, and public transport. Your local guide will meet you for a walking tour to discover some of the must-see sights of Copenhagen. Stroll through the charming streets and squares of Old Town, and see the impressive Danish Parliament, colourful Nyhavn, the elegant Royal Palace of Amalienborg, and more.

Today is a completely free day so you can sleep in, explore the cafes and restaurants or venture out of the city on a day tour. Roskilde isn't too far out of town if you want to visit the Viking Museum or art lovers can train to Louisiana. There is also a new adventure park with impressive towers and gardens to visit. Ask your local guide for some options. Enjoy this super cool city!

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and more of Copenhagen before transferring to the train station for your express train journey to Stockholm. Sweden's capital is charming, vibrant and surrounded by beauty and water - hence its nickname, Venice of the North! Stockholm offers interesting museums and castles; the city offers a warm atmosphere and the old town has charming small alleyways boasting several famous restaurants.

This afternoon, discover the must-sees of Stockholm's historic Old Town, including the Royal Palace and the Cathedral on a guided walking tour of its charming cobbled streets.

After breakfast, enjoy a free day to explore the city even further. Be sure to make time for a visit to the ABBA museum with great interactive exhibits - a glass of champagne (for Dutch courage to get on stage & the pure fun of it) to accompany your tour is recommended! On the other hand, take the serious option & visit the Nobel Prize museum in the Old town.

Spend some time shopping or even explore the waterways of Stockholm before transferring to the port to board the overnight ferry to Helsinki, Finland. Again, be sure to sit outside to watch the archipelago of islands go past - one of our favourite places in Scandinavia.

The Finnish capital is a compact city where the most important sights can easily be explored on foot. Meet your local guide this morning for a 3-hour stroll through the streets and squares of Helsinki. Senate Square, surrounded by the historical quarters and the iconic Lutheran Cathedral, is the place where the East meets the West and you will become familiar with Finland's unique position between Sweden and Russia.

A walk along the colourful Kauppatori market is an absolute must and entering the Old Market Hall will give you a taste of local delicacies such as reindeer meat and rye bread. Crossing the Esplanade Park, and past Railway Station, one of the main landmarks, you will arrive to another square, Kansalaistori, which showcases the pulse of modern Nordic city.

The walk will continue through the Töölö district to pay a visit to the Rock Church, a Lutheran shrine build inside a solid rock in the 1960's and the most visited site of Helsinki. Return to the city centre like a local by tram. A panoramic tram ride passes through south Helsinki's Art Nouveau and diplomatic districts.

Catch the express ferry from Helsinki this morning and travel across to Tallinn. Meet your local guide and discover the sights and stories of Tallinn's beautiful Old Town and beyond on a 3-hour walking tour with a local guide. Winding cobblestone lanes and iron street lamps. Gothic spires and medieval markets. Centuries old buildings with their red tile roofs and hidden courtyards. This is the city's famous Old Town.

Explore the most interesting sights of the medieval Old Town, as well as some of the most modern architecture of the town. The excursion will start with a brief history of Estonia and Tallinn as you enter one of the best-preserved Hanseatic towns in the world. In the Upper Old Town, you can admire Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - the largest Orthodox church in the city - as well as the Houses of Estonian Parliament and one of the oldest churches in Estonia, the Dome Church. Experience the panoramic views from Toompea Hills over the Lower Town and the rest of the city of Tallinn.

Later in the afternoon, you will take the ferry back to Helsinki. You can enjoy an early dinner on board (optional for extra cost) before arriving at your hotel.

For your final day together, join a guided tour to the Suomenlinna Island. Situated on a group of islands 4 kms from the main centre, Suomenlinna was built during the Swedish era as a maritime fortress and a base for the Archipelago Fleet. Work on the fortress began in 1748 and it is a now a popular place for picnics and locals as well as historically interesting.

Tonight, join the final group dinner to celebrate your adventure through our region.

After breakfast, self transfer to the airport.