Scandinavia is full of stunning scenery, gorgeous fjords, long summer days, enchanting folk tales & mythical wildlife. Explore it the easy way on this journey through the capital cities. Then get a taste for real Scandinavia in some lesser known spots off the beaten track. See spectacular fjords & glaciers & take an exhilarating polar plunge in the Arctic Circle. Don't forget to pack your camera! This version of the tour ends in Stockholm but you can stay on board for a couple more days and end in Helsinki instead.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Start Berlin/Copenhagen
Meet your Contiki Team & travel buddies in Berlin this morning, then make your way from Berlin to Denmark's harbor-side capital, Copenhagen. Get to know the group over dinner and head out into Copenhagen’s diverse nightlife – with live jazz, pumping clubs and chilled-out bars, there’s heaps of choice. You can also choose to start this tour in Copenhagen instead of Berlin, making the tour 1 day shorter. Just contact our Reservations team or your local travel agent about starting in Copenhagen instead of Berlin.Accommodations: HostelMeals: Dinner (1) day
Day 2: Copenhagen
Full of history, Copenhagen is a compact city with a really festive feel. Jump start your travels with a look into Denmark’s culture on our city tour, as your Tour Manager tells you the story behind the Little Mermaid statue, the Resistance Museum and the Royal Palace. Later, use your free time to explore the waterways and streets of Copenhagen, where the major sites are all within walking distance. Put your feet up, treat yourself and order some Danish pastries, cake and coffee.If you’re feeling up for something different, opt for a tour of the Carlsberg Brewery for a look in at how they make this famous brew. Later, maybe find a spot waterside & indulge in some typical Danish food or kick back with a beer & do a bit of people watching. Accommodations: HostelMeals: Breakfast (1) day
Day 3: Copenhagen to Gothenburg
Take some time this morning to do a bit more sightseeing on your last morning here. This afternoon it’s a change of scene as we cross into Sweden and journey to fun-loving Gothenburg. With Europe’s busiest port and a lively student population, Gothenburg is down to earth and serves up cafés, culture and the good times. Accommodations: HotelMeals: Breakfast (1) day
Day 4: Gothenburg to Gjovik
We pull into small-town Gjovik, which is set on Norway’s largest lake, for an overnight stop. Walk around the picturesque town and get a feel for traditional Norwegian village life.Accommodations: HotelMeals: Breakfast (1) day, Dinner (1) day
Day 5: Gjovik to Geiranger Fjord
Cruise past old farms and unspoilt wilderness to the alpine ski resort of Lillehammer, home of the 1994 Olympics and the impressive 136 metre ski jump! If you’re up for a bit of Olympic action yourself, have a go at bobsledding in an adrenalin-pumping optional activity.Then it’s on to Lom, with it’s rich & extensive history, where you’ll take a look at its famous 12th century wooden stave church, one of the oldest remaining in Europe. Constructed in the medieval times, this amazing structure is over 850 years old. This afternoon it’s your chance to get a taste of some awe-inspiring views as we jump on board a cruise and get out on the water of the Geiranger Fjord. The picture perfect scenes keep coming, complete with dramatic waterfalls pouring down the sides of massive sheer rock walls. Accommodations: HostelMeals: Breakfast (1) day, Dinner (1) day
Day 6: Geiranger Fjord to Voss
Travel 25km (15.3 miles) through the impressive man-made marvel, the Laerdal Tunnel, which is the longest road tunnel in the world .You’ll also get back to nature on our journey through Norway’s rugged wilderness and take in the spectacular Boyabreen glacier, as well as the 200km long Sognefjord. You’ll be blown away by the sheer beauty of the mountains, fjords & glaciers as we head towards the adventure hub of Norway, Voss. Accommodations: HostelMeals: Breakfast (1) day, Dinner (1) day
Day 7: Voss
Chill out today or get into the action sports this region is famous for. You could take a hike through the mountains or try some adrenalin sports like whitewater rafting. You could even take a short train ride to picturesque Bergen - Norway’s second largest city.Accommodations: HotelMeals: Breakfast (1) day
Day 8: Voss to Oslo
See beautiful rugged landscapes as we journey through the Hardangervidda plateau to Norway’s capital, Oslo. As Scandinavia’s oldest capital, this easy-going city oozes culture and has some amazing museums to visit. With free time, get inspired at Aker Brygge, Oslo’s cultural hub and central gathering spot for locals. Once an old ship yard, it’s now a popular shopping area with a sea-front promenade, galleries, cinemas and food stalls. Otherwise, find out about a fellow adventurer, Thor Heyerdahl at the Kon-Tiki Museum (no, it’s not ours! Kon-Tiki was the raft Heyerdahl used to cross the South Pacific) or explore the medieval dungeons, banquet halls and crypts of Akershus Castle. Accommodations: HostelMeals: Breakfast (1) day, Dinner (1) day
Day 9: Oslo to Honningsvåg
Your Tour Manager will introduce you to one of Oslo’s most famous spaces, the Vigeland Sculpture Park in Frogner Park. Packed with over 200 sculptures and bronzes, this outdoor gallery serves up heaps of local art and gorgeous greenery.Later, it’s time to catch a flight to the Arctic Circle, home to 24-hour daylight & the famous Northern Lights – a gorgeous display of lights only visible in the polar regions & a truly spectacular sight to behold. Tonight we stay in Honningsvåg with your chance to visit Europe’s most northern point. Accommodations: HostelMeals: Breakfast (1) day, Dinner (1) day
Day 10: Honningsvåg
Meaning North Cape, with a free day in Nordkapp there’s your chance to explore this area in depth. Explore the city, or if you’re feeling like going local & doing something totally out of the ordinary you could go fishing for king crabs, the largest crabs in the world. There are lots of other outdoor activities on offer, like a hike to the northernmost point in Europe if you’re feeling up for it. Later, you could wind down & enjoy a drink in the famous local Arctic ice bar. Accommodations: HostelMeals: Breakfast (1) day
Day 11: Honningsvåg to Oslo
This morning we travel through Lapland, home to reindeer & the Sami people, before boarding our flight back to Oslo. Tonight you could head out & meet some locals along the stunning new district around the Oslo Opera House.Accommodations: HostelMeals: Breakfast (1) day
Day 12: Oslo to Stockholm
Into Sweden today, we stop at the massive Lake Vanern and cruise through woodlands, lakes and gorgeous natural surrounds. With down-time on the coach, chat to your new friends and keep your camera handy for photo ops of bears, moose and wolves.Get ready for the dramatic scenery of Sweden’s cosmopolitan capital, Stockholm. Surrounded by forests, deep blue waters and 24,000 islands, this cutting-edge city is one of Europe’s hot, creative capitals.Enjoy a night out with the group and order some chilled vodka at the world-famous Ice Bar. This place is made entirely out of ice and kept at a cool -5 degrees all year round. Keep it moving and head to the modern and lively district of Norrmalm, for a more upbeat vibe. Accommodations: HotelMeals: Breakfast (1) day
Day 13: Stockholm
This morning, there’s an option to visit to Stockholm’s stunning town hall, where the Nobel Peace Prize banquet is held. Learn about its unique architecture with our Local Guide. With its 8 million red bricks and 19 million gold mosaic tiles, this place will make your jaw drop.Then, your Tour Manager gets you right to pretty Gamla Stan’s (the old town) core spots, as the group explores the quarter’s quaint medieval streets. You’ll see the Royal Palace and perhaps the changing of the guard – a tradition dating back to the 16th century. The old town is a great place to pull up a seat and try out classic Swedish food like salmon, herring or game as you take in the atmosphere.Free time means a chance to explore the many trendy boutiques, galleries, and cool vintage stores of the hip island of Södermalm or window-shop the big label and design stores of grand Drottningatan.Tonight, why not ask your Tour Manager for some tips about some other cool places to head for a fun night out in the city.Accommodations: HotelMeals: Breakfast (1) day, Dinner (1) day
Day 14: Depart Stockholm
Say your farewells & swap addresses as your tour ends after breakfast. Accommodations: Meals: Breakfast (1) day