Complete Scandinavia

21 Days | Soak up a little Scandinavian minimalism in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland.

4.3 out of 5 based on 3 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
AUD $11,790
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It’s fair to say, Scandinavia is having a moment. Perhaps several moments. With cutting edge minimalist design, five-star fusion cuisine, long life expectancy and a social system that runs like Danish clockwork, it seems every cafe, furniture store and political system on the planet can learn a thing or two from Europe’s latest hotspot. This is your chance to see it up close. From the inky Fjordlands of Norway’s coastline to the fish markets of Copenhagen, along with gems like Bergen, Lillehammer and the Swedish Lakes District. And like any well-plotted Danish drama, there’ll be a few surprises along the way.

Trip overview

Map of Complete Scandinavia including Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden
Start
Copenhagen, Denmark
Finish
Helsinki, Finland
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
AMSAC
This trip generates 18.1 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Norway's fjords feature some of the most stunning scenery on Earth. Cruise past waterfalls and snow-capped peaks through the narrow Naeroyfjord.
  • Follow your local guide along the narrow, winding roads through genuine villages, past the typical red painted cottages and explore unique sights around Siljan lake rural settlements. You'll even get a chance to meet and mingle with the locals living in these villages.
  • Take a ferry to Vrango Island, a stunning fishing town in the Gothenburg Archipelago, and discover this rocky nature haven by kayak (summer months only).
  • Join a local guide and cafe-hop your way around Alingsas, a town known as the Capital of Fika (Swedish cafe and food culture). Learn of the local love affair with coffee, discover the story behind the cafe culture and, of course, treat your tastebuds to sweet Swedish delicacies.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.

Is this trip right for you?
  • The areas visited on this trip can be very cold at night throughout the year, especially at the start and end of the season. Please bring appropriate clothing for adverse weather conditions, including base layers, hat, gloves, scarf, coat and anything else that will keep you cosy.
  • Scandinavia can be an expensive destination in many ways, from museum entrance fees to optional activities, but especially in terms of eating out. Your leader will be able to advise on how to have the best value holiday in Scandinavia.
  • Space is at a premium in Europe and your hotel is no exception. Rooms are often small, but usually the central location makes up for that. For those travelling as a duo, hotels often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together. Occasionally bathrooms will be shared with other guests.
  • On this trip we predominantly travel by public transport therefore we recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between train stations, ferry ports and hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs, and across cobblestones. Train stations often don’t have lifts available.
  • This trip is designed to give you a fair amount of free time so you can explore each destination at your own pace. We will, however, take you on regular orientation walks, so you'll be on your feet quite a lot. While this may be tiring for some, it’s the best way to get your head around a place and to set yourself up for further discoveries.
  • There are a few long days of travel by public transport (up to 7 hours), as you'll be covering a lot of ground. Please read the Itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
  • If you have more time to explore the region you may want to check out our trip ‘Scandinavia & Baltic Circuit’ which continues from Helsinki through the Baltic States, ending in Vilnius.

Itinerary

Map of Complete Scandinavia including Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden

Inclusions

Meals

18 breakfasts

Transport

Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Overnight ferry, Bicycle, Metro, Tram, Boat

Accommodation

Hotel (14 nights), Cabin (2 nights), Pension (3 night), Overnight ferry (1 night)

Activities
  • Copenhagen - Visit to Freetown Christiania with Local Guide
  • Copenhagen - Bike Tour
  • Malmo - Leader Led Walk
  • Vrango Island - Day Trip
  • Vrango Island - Island Tour with Local Guide (Oct to Apr)
  • Vrango Island - Sea Kayaking (May to Sep)
  • Alingsas - Guided Fika experience
  • Oslo - Leader Led Walk
  • Oslo - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Bergen - Floy Mountain Funicular round trip
  • Gudvangen - Naeroyfjord Boat Cruise
  • Lillehammer - Maihaugen Open Air Museum
  • Lake Siljan - Cultural Village tour with picnic lunch
  • Stockholm - Vasa Museum
Add on activities
  • Copenhagen - Glyptotek Art Museum - DKK125
  • Copenhagen - National Museum of Denmark - DKK120
  • Copenhagen - The Round Tower - DKK40
  • Copenhagen - Amalienborg Palace - DKK120
  • Copenhagen - Christiansborg Palace - DKK175
  • Copenhagen - Tivoli Gardens - DKK155
  • Gothenburg - Paddan Boat Tour - SEK240
  • Gothenburg - Fish Market Feskekörka - Free
  • Gothenburg - Göteborg City Museum - SEK65
  • Gothenburg - Volvo Museum - SEK160
  • Gothenburg - Museum of Natural History - SEK70
  • Gothenburg - Aeroseum - SEK130
  • Oslo - Holmenkollen Museum - NOK160
  • Oslo - Fram Museum - NOK140
  • Oslo - Akershus Castle & Fortress - NOK100
  • Oslo - Island Hopping on Oslofjord - NOK130
  • Oslo - Museum Edvard Munch - NOK180
  • Oslo - Resistance Museum - NOK100
  • Oslo - 24 hour Transport and Sightseeing Pass - NOK445
  • Oslo - The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History - NOK180
  • Bergen - Mt Ulriken Cable Car & Shuttle - NOK250
  • Bergen - Vidden Trail Hike - Free
  • Bergen - Bergenhus Fortress - Free
  • Bergen - Aquarium - NOK365
  • Bergen - Rosenkrantz Tower - NOK150
  • Bergen - Håkons Hall - NOK120
  • Gudvangen - Bike Hire - NOK350
  • Gudvangen - Kayak Hire - Half Day - NOK600
  • Flam - Cog Railway - NOK680
  • Flam - Stegastein Lookout - NOK360
  • Flam - Railway Museum - Free
  • Gudvangen - Hiking Options - Free
  • Lillehammer - Sigrid Undset's Home at Bjerkebæk - NOK140
  • Lillehammer - Hiking Options - Free
  • Lillehammer - Olympic Museum - NOK140
  • Lake Siljan – Historic boat trip - SEK250
  • Lake Siljan – Canoe or SUP rental - SEK150
  • Stockholm - Millennium Books Tour - SEK450
  • Stockholm - Drottningholm Palace - SEK150
  • Stockholm - Skansen Open Air Museum - SEK220
  • Stockholm - Abba Museum - SEK290
  • Stockholm - Fotografiska (Photography Museum) - SEK220
  • Stockholm - City Hall - SEK130
  • Stockholm - Nobel Prize Museum - SEK140
  • Stockholm - Nordic Museum - SEK140
  • Stockholm - Gröna Lund Amusement Park - SEK130
  • Stockholm - The Royal Palace - SEK160
  • Helsinki - National Museum of Finland - EUR16
  • Helsinki - Cathedral - Free
  • Helsinki - City Museum - Free
  • Helsinki - Suomenlinna Sea Fortress - EUR7
  • Helsinki - Design Museum - EUR15
  • Helsinki - Open-Air Museum Seurasaari - EUR10
  • Helsinki - Mannerheim Museum - EUR14
  • Helsinki - Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum - EUR18
  • Helsinki - Rock Church - EUR8

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available on this trip, subject to availability. Please contact your sales agent if you would like to book this. The single supplement excludes Days 11 and 12 (Cabin) and Day 19 (Overnight boat) where you will be in shared accommodation.
2. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for ferry tickets. Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 based on 3 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Scott · Traveled July 2023
Complete Scandinavia is the ideal itinerary for those who wish to see this area of the world. There is an even balance between inclusions and personal time, and travel days aren’t that long. Hotels and breakfasts are along the spectrum (Copenhagen and Helsinki are quite awful, but the rest of the trip is good to excellent). Trust the itinerary for fun times in Vrango Island, Gutvangen, and Mora which are likely places you’d skip if traveling alone. Huge props to leaders Bashkim and Shane, both of whom I consider true friends for their authentic leadership and kind demeanors. Pro tips: rely on credit cards and skip taking out cash (100% of all my purchases were tap), and add a day in Helsinki to take a day trip via fast ferry to Tallinn, Estonia.
Review submitted 09 Aug 2023

Catherine · Traveled June 2023
An incredible combination of metropolises and countryside- the best of both worlds. One day you are walking through a museum, the next day cruising through a Norwegian fjord. The itinerary had something for everyone and you could decide on your free days what to pursue. It was the perfect itinerary, well thought out and organized. Intrepid scored again.
Review submitted 13 Jul 2023

MICHELLE · Traveled May 2023
This trip gives a very good insight into a large area to travel. Travel times are long on this journey and it is very expensive. I recommend the taste of Scandinavia it is a great trip, you do need to book additional time in Copenhagen or you will miss out on lots, unfortunately I wouldn’t recommend Scandinavia explorer due to the long travel days and unreliability of public transport which caused massive issues and delays.
Review submitted 10 Jun 2023
Complete Scandinavia
From
AUD $11,790