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  4. A Taste of Scandinavia

Discover stylish Scandinavia on the ultimate urban adventure.

Do as the locals do on this urban adventure reaching from the bohemian quarters of Copenhagen to the stylish boutiques of Oslo. Explore the cobbled streets of Gothenburg, and nibble traditional cinnamon rolls at a Swedish coffee house, then head out to Vrango Island for some kayaking.

Start
Copenhagen, Denmark
Finish
Oslo, Norway
Destinations
Denmark, Norway, Sweden
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
AMSD
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Explore Copenhagen like a local and hop on a bike. There is no better way to see the major sites, as well as explore hidden corners of this beautiful city.

  • Don't miss Gothenburg's Haga district, with its picturesque wooden houses and the iconic Skansen Kronan, as well as laid-back Langgatan street.

  • 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).

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 and during the winter months. On the other hand summers can have mixed weather, with some very hot days. Please familiarize yourself with what climate to expect, and bring appropriate clothing for adverse weather conditions, including base layers, hat, gloves, scarf, coat and anything else that you think may be applicable.

  • Please note that this trip takes in the southern part of Scandinavia. There are no fjords in this part of Scandinavia. If you would like to see fjords we recommend you look at our 'Northern Norway' trip from Oslo to Tromso in the far north of Scandinavia.

  • Scandinavia can be an expensive destination in many ways, from museum entrance fees to optional activities, but especially in terms of eating out. Please bear this in mind when booking this trip. Your leader will be at hand to advise on how to save money.

  • As accommodation on this trip is twin share, single travellers will share a room with another traveller of the same gender. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it while you can. However, if you’d prefer not to share, a single room supplement is available at an additional charge (some exceptions may apply). Please ask your travel consultant for more details. Also, hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Rooms in Scandinavia tend to be small, and occasionally bathrooms will be shared with other guests.

  • This trip is quite fast paced to make the most of your time. We will 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.

  • Please note that on this trip there will not be much time in Norway's capital Oslo. If you would like to explore the city in depth please consider adding one or more additional nights at the end. Copenhagen also has much to offer, so adding additional nights prior to your trip is also highly recommended. This trip gives you a taster of southern Scandinavia. If you would like to explore further you may want to consider looking at our 'Complete Scandinavia' trip, continuing to Norway's fjord region, Sweden's lakes and its capital Stockholm, before ending in Helsinki in Finland.

Map of A Taste of Scandinavia including Denmark, Norway and Sweden
Intrepid Travel denmark copenhagen street bicycles house
Intrepid Travel sweden gothenburg inner city house
Intrepid Travel sweden vrango island boat in port
Intrepid Travel sweden vrango island woman kayaking

Itinerary
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Welcome to Copenhagen. If you arrive early, which is highly recommended, why not visit the pastel-coloured waterfront houses in the Nyhavn area. Drop in at an industrial-chic bar for a drink or stroll around the famous Tivoli Gardens, home to the world's oldest rollercoaster. Another area worth checking out is Norrebro, a residential area known for its wide range of restaurants. Meet your group at 6 pm then head out for an optional group dinner if it takes your fancy.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Copenhagen - Glyptotek Art Museum - DKK115
  • Copenhagen - National Museum of Denmark - DKK95
  • Copenhagen - The Round Tower - DKK25
  • Copenhagen - Amalienborg Palace - DKK95
  • Copenhagen - Christiansborg Palace - DKK160
  • Copenhagen - Tivoli Gardens - DKK130
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
The adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend the welcome meeting. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

When in Copenhagen, do as the locals do and explore the city by bike, undoubtedly the best way to explore the city's many hidden corners. The bike-friendly streets mean cycling to the city's major sites are a breeze. Venture into the Freetown of Christiania with a local guide, a self-proclaimed autonomous neighbourhood south-east of the city centre. It is regulated by a special law, the Christiania Law of 1989, and has been a source of controversy since 1971 when squatters took over a former military area. The afternoon is free for you to further explore this Scandinavian city. Stroll along the harbour or head out to the classicist palaces of 18th century Amalienborg, to this day the main residence of the Danish Royal family. Perhaps pay a visit to Frederik's Church, also known as Marble Church, the Court House on Nytorv Square or check out the facade of the red brick town hall. Alternatively, the National Museum is not to be missed, nor is the Christiansborg Palace in the very centre of Copenhagen.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Copenhagen - Visit to Freetown Christiania with Local Guide
  • Copenhagen - Bike Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that rooms in hotels in Scandinavia can often be smaller and more basic in comparison to accommodations in other parts of Europe.

A morning train ride will get us to Malmo in Sweden, via the famous Oresund Bridge that spans the strait separating Denmark and the Scandinavian Peninsula (approx. 1 hour). Malmo has gone through somewhat of a transformation, or should we say revival, over the past twenty years thanks to the construction of the Oresund Bridge and the opening of Malmo University. Now, a city once reliant mainly on shipbuilding is growing steadily with architecture firms, IT companies, students and start-ups. Just under half of Malmo's population is under the age of 35, so it really now is a progressive city that knows how to have fun. Spend some time checking out the Old Town, the castle and the harbour, then continue on to Gothenburg (approximately 3 hours), where you'll spend the night.
Accommodation
  • Pension (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that our accommodation in Gothenburg has shared facilities. As Gothenburg has topped the Global Destination Sustainability Index for a number of years now, the city is considered one of the greenest hotel cities in the world. Our hotel is no exception and holds an official eco-certification.

Today is a free day for you to enjoy all that Gothenburg has to offer. Perhaps embark on a cruise this morning through Gothenburg's many waterways, passing the opera house, the famous fish market Feskekörka (literally Fish Church), and the old docks. Or visit the Göteborg City Museum, housed in the former East India Company House and built during the time when Gothenburg's role was that of a major maritime trading centre. Take in the architectural ensemble on Gustav Adolfs Torg, go shopping along the main boulevard Avenyn, check out the iconic Skansen Kronan, stroll along bohemian Långgatan street or sip a coffee in the charming Haga quarter, known for its picturesque wooden houses, 19th century atmosphere and the so-called hagabulle, a cinnamon pastry similar to kanelbulle.
Accommodation
  • Pension (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Gothenburg - Paddan Boat Tour - SEK195
  • Gothenburg - Fish Market Feskekörka - Free
  • Gothenburg - Göteborg City Museum - SEK60
  • Gothenburg - Volvo Museum - SEK100
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Catch an early-ish ferry from Gothenburg to Vrango Island, approximately one hour and 20 minutes away. Vrango is the most southerly island of the Gothenburg Archipelago, with a permanent population in the low hundreds and a strong fishing industry. The island is known for its stunning beaches and protected nature reserves and you'll explore the coastline in an included kayaking activity (summer only). In the afternoon, enjoy some free time strolling around the town or maybe try an optional floating sauna, before returning to Gothenburg for a free evening. Sweden's second city is known as the world's mot sustainable destination and is exemplary of what a responsible tourism destination should look like.
Accommodation
  • Pension (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Vrango Island - Day Trip
  • Vrango Island - Island Tour with Local Guide (Oct to Apr)
  • Vrango Island - Sea Kayaking (May to Sep)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that today's kayaking activity takes place only during the summer months from May to September, and is subject to weather conditions. During the winter months from October to April you will explore the island on a guided island tour instead.

Catch a morning bus across the border to Norway's capital Oslo (approx 4 hours). Your leader will take you on an initial orientation walk so you get a first taste of this quirky, colourful city. It's definitely worthwhile to spend the day perusing delicacies at Maschmanns Food Market, admiring the handiwork of glass blowers at the Hadeland Glassverk, or simply strolling along Karl Johans Gate, the main shopping strip of the city, or head to the National Gallery of Art to glimpse Edvard Munch's famous 19th century painting, The Scream. In the evening say 'skal' ('cheers') to the group over dinner. Why not seek out some traditional Norwegian fare based around cod and mackerel dishes.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Your trip ends today after breakfast and you can depart your accommodation at any time. If you would like to extend your stay in Oslo please speak to your travel agent at the time of booking as we will be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Optional Activities
  • Oslo - Island Hopping on Oslofjord - NOK90
  • Oslo - Fram Museum - NOK120
  • Oslo - Holmenkollen Museum - NOK140
  • Oslo - Viking Ship Museum - NOK100
  • Oslo - Museum Edvard Munch - NOK120
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
If it's all ending too soon, you can extend your trip by combining it with the 'Scandinavia Explorer', taking in the Norwegian fjords, Sweden's capital Stockholm, and ending in Helsinki in Finland. Or complete the loop and additionally tack on our 'Baltic Experience' trip, travelling from Helsinki through the Baltic States, and ending in Vilnius. Alternatively see more of Norway on the 'Northern Norway Explorer' heading all the way up across the Arctic Circle. Most departure dates are designed to create these perfect combination trips.

Meals

6 breakfasts

Transport

Train, Public bus, Metro, Bicycle, Boat

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights), Pension (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Copenhagen - Visit to Freetown Christiania with Local Guide
  • Copenhagen - Bike Tour
  • Vrango Island - Day Trip
  • Vrango Island - Island Tour with Local Guide (Oct to Apr)
  • Vrango Island - Sea Kayaking (May to Sep)

Dates & availability

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Travel lightly with Intrepid. We’ve offset the main sources of carbon emissions from this trip on your behalf, including transport, accommodation & waste. Read more

Important notes

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. Please note that due to the small properties we use in Europe there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.

ITINERARY
You don't have a lot of time in Oslo at the end of the trip, so if you're keen to explore this spectacular city in depth we recommend you extend your stay by a day or two.

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.

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