Day 1: Arrive in Copenhagen

You’re in for a whole lot of hygge when you hit the colorful, character­filled streets of Copenhagen, which kick­ starts your journey across Scandinavia. This cool capital manages to mix fairy tale with function as you’ll come to discover. Spend your day soaking up the sunshine in 17th ­century Nyhavn or rubbing shoulders with the funloving locals in Tivoli Gardens, Europe’s second oldest amusement park.

Day 2: Copenhagen sightseeing and free time

Discover why Copenhagen earns its status as one of the world’s most liveable cities – a place where work and play are perfectly balanced. Your Local Specialist will take you on a sightseeing tour to the heart of the city, through lively streets, squares, and along canals, revealing many of the city’s highlights, from the Royal Amalienborg Palace to Carlsberg Glyptotek. Snap a selfie with Copenhagen’s demure Little Mermaid then spend the rest of the day exploring Copenhagen your way or join an Optional Experience with the Danish Riviera past ancient fishing villages to the 17th century Frederiksborg Castle. Join a cruise along the canals followed by a visit to the village of Dragor with its tiny thatched cottages.

Day 3: Copenhagen – Oslo

The next leg of your journey is filled with eye­catching landscapes that demand to be captured on camera. Your scenic drive from Denmark to Norway will see you cross the Oresund by ferry, then skirt the Swedish coastline north past glittering blue bays and lush pine and spruce forests. Continue your journey past Gothenburg bound for Oslo, the Norwegian capital. Norway wears its pioneering past with subtlety. This city could claim great Viking victories. Instead, you’ll encounter a modest, waterfront Oslo, where contemporary meets comfortable and the Norwegian philosophy of friluftsliv is palpable in its lush parks, flower­lined boulevards, and bustling waterways.

Day 4: Oslo sightseeing – Vrådal

Visit the bronze, granite, and cast iron fantasy­land left behind by Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland in the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the world’s largest sculpture exhibition by a single artist. Later, you have a chance to explore Oslo at leisure. Leave the capital and head to Norway’s Telemark region, renowned for its distinctive skiing technique which combines elements of alpine and Nordic skiing.

Day 5: Vrådal – Bergen

Witness Mother Nature’s magic touch on Norway as you wind your way through spectacular mountains and past Hardangerfjord, the “Queen of the Fjords” to Bergen. The city’s Hanseatic heritage is only second to the spectacular natural landscape that surrounds this enchanting coastal city, which is famously fringed by seven hills and seven fjords. The former capital of Norway has been a trading center since the 13th century as you will come to discover on your orientation tour of the city’s highlights, including the fish market and the 13th­ century Haakon’s Hall, a former Royal residence.

Day 6: Bergen sightseeing and free time

Nowhere is Norway’s seafaring heritage more apparent than in Bergen, which was once the cod capital of the world and a lively port for traders seeking to spread its salty delights across Europe. You’ll have some time to explore the harbor and the colorful wooden warehouses of UNESCO-listed Bryggen, the center of Bergen’s Hanseatic trade for centuries. Consider joining an Optional Experience to visit the villa of famous composer Grieg and see where he was inspired to compose his masterworks. You could also choose to delve into Norway’s World War II history instead during a visit to the lost village of Televag, whose ties to the resistance saw.

Day 7: Bergen – Sognefjord

Norway’s fjord country takes center stage as you head to the ‘King of the Fjords’, Sognefjord. Your scenic drive will pass the Tvindefossen waterfall before arriving at the world’s longest and deepest fjord. For nature lovers, there’s an Optional Experience to board a cruise on the UNESCO ­listed Naeroy Fjord whose stunning landscape has inspired painters for centuries. Later, you’ll have a rare opportunity as part of an Optional Experience to meet a local family on their working farm against the backdrop of the fjord, sampling their traditions that date back to Viking times.

Day 8: Sognefjord (Laerdal) – Fagernes

Buckle up for an exhilarating encounter with the land of myths and legends, trolls and giants as you head to Jotunheimen National Park. This is where Galdhopiggen, Scandinavia’s highest mountain, towers over the surrounding lakes, valleys, glaciers, and snow­capped peaks – epic alpine scenery you’ll want to capture on your camera along this scenic drive. Relax in the tranquil surroundings of our fjord side hotel.

Day 9: Fagernes – Lillehammer – Karlstad

Tame your inner adventurer during a visit to Lillehammer, in the heart of Norway. You’ll discover what’s great about the great outdoors as you see how this Norwegian ski jumping center turned Winter Olympics hub has become popular amongst adrenalin junkies. Continue through Norway’s lush forest landscapes, through the cottage countryside of Sweden bound for Lake Vänern, on whose shores you’ll stay tonight, surrounded by mountains, forests, and fields. Take a deep breath and tune out this evening, embracing the simplicity of your surroundings.

Day 10: Karlstad – Orebro – Stockholm

The first stop is the lively university town of Orebro. View the 13th ­century castle on the banks of the Svartan River before continuing to stylish Stockholm, which its locals refer to as “beauty on the water”. The beautiful blue jostles for your attention amidst lush green parks and a modern city where style and substance co­exist effortlessly. Get your bearings and explore Stockholm your way or take a cruise across the harbor and the beautiful Djurgarden canal on our optional excursion which continues on to explore the huge public art gallery that is the Stockholm metro.

Day 11: Stockholm sightseeing and free time

Let this elegant town capture your heart as you explore it with a Local Specialist. View the medieval Storkyrkan, the City Hall, and Royal Palace. Later, maybe delve into the city’s Viking treasures and discover its distinctive sense of style. An Optional Experience could see you visit Stockholm’s City Hall and delve into the story of the Vasa, a 17th ­century warship that sank on her maiden voyage. Or get your cameras ready for a ‘pano’ worthy of framing when you head to Sodermalm on an Optional Experience which includes a visit to the world’s first Ice Bar. Say skal in glasses made of pure river ice, then join your fellow travelers later for dinner to celebrate the end of your Scandinavian adventure.

Day 12: Depart Stockholm

Transfer to the airport for your return journey.