Best of Scandinavia & the Baltics

Today is the beginning of this exciting Best of Scandinavia and the Baltics tour! Arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital city and meet up with your tour leader and the rest of the tour group. Later, head off on an exciting tour of Copenhagen with a local guide! Complete an exciting first day with a welcome dinner in the city centre.

Explore Copenhagen at your leisure during the free day today! Enjoy a visit to Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen’s famous amusement park, or see the Rundetaarn, an astronomical observatory which offers stunning views. The best way to soak up Copenhagen’s history and culture is with today’s optional excursion. Start with a canal cruise, visit the National Museum, Reffen market and more!

Take in views of the Danish countryside as the coach travels to Odense. Embark on an orientation tour of this city which is the birthplace of fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen. Next, head to Aarhus and experience its contemporary artworks, Viking exhibits and an open-air museum! Later, arrive in Hirtshals and hop aboard the overnight ferry to Bergen in Norway.

Say hallo to Norway! Admire the natural scenery as the ferry cruises towards Bergen. Arrive and set off on an orientation tour. Bergen is home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bryggen Quay and is known as the gateway to Norway’s spectacular fjords! This afternoon, join the optional excursion to experience some of the picturesque fishing villages around Bergen.

Bergen is yours to explore on this free day. The Bergen+ optional excursion is highly recommended to get a true taste of the city. This excursion includes a ferry cruise, a guided tour of Bryggen and a trip on the Fløibanen funicular up Fløyen mountain! Look forward to breathtaking views of the city. Finally, visit Bergen’s unique Magic Ice Bar!

Depart Bergen and travel to Gudvangen, located at the end of Nærøyfjord, one of Norway’s most famous fjords! Join today’s optional excursion to a Viking Village followed by a scenic cruise through the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjorden towards Flam. Later, stop at Borgund’s famous Stave Church en route to Oslo. Arrive in the evening and enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Discover Oslo, Norway’s compact and captivating capital. Head out for a walking tour with a local guide. Highlights include the Royal Palace and the Akershus Castle. Afterwards, enjoy a free day to experience all that Oslo has to offer. Explore on your own or discover some of Oslo’s gorgeous green spaces and fascinating museums with the Oslo+ optional excursion.

Located halfway between Oslo and Stockholm, Karlstad is today’s first stop. Then, visit Örebro, home to Sweden’s most beautiful city centre as well as a striking 13th-century castle! Next, travel to Stockholm, Sweden's vibrant capital and embark on a locally-guided tour. See the Royal Palace, AF Chapman ship and walk through Gamla Stan. Enjoy Swedish meatballs for dinner tonight!

See more of Stockholm during this free day. Spend time exploring Gamla Stan - the old town complete with terracotta-coloured buildings and cobblestoned lanes. Explore one of the city’s museums and learn about Vikings, Abba and more! Alternatively, join today’s optional excursion for a deep dive into the historic Royal Palace and a visit to the world-famous Vasa Museum.

Take a late morning drive to Lidingö Island in the Stockholm archipelago for a driving tour and free time to explore. Afterwards, travel to the port to catch the overnight ferry to Helsinki. Look forward to great onboard entertainment as well as scenic views as you cruise. Why not indulge in a Swedish buffet dinner tonight?

Welcome to Helsinki, the capital of Finland! Dock at the port, travel to the harbourside hotel and meet up with a local guide for a driving and walking tour. See famous sights including the Havis Amanda, Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral. Not forgetting Uspenski Cathedral and Kauppatori Market! Tonight, enjoy an included dinner with the group.

Experience Helsinki and explore this diverse city at your leisure today. Join the Helsinki+ excursion to discover Suomenlinna Fortress, have a picnic lunch on the island and explore the interactive Helsinki City Museum. Alternatively, explore at your own pace. Visit one of the many museums, marvel at Helsinki’s unique architecture or enjoy a meal with an ocean view.

Travel to the Baltic States! Catch a ferry and sail across the Gulf of Finland. Arrive in Tallinn, Estonia’s capital city, and enjoy lunch at a medieval restaurant in the atmospheric Old Town Square.  Afterwards, embark on a walking tour led by a local guide! See historic sites including St Olav’s Church and Tall Hermann Tower. Enjoy a free evening.

The tour continues to Latvia. Along the way, stop in the Estonian resort city of Pärnu. Next, cross the border into Latvia and enjoy a visit to Saulkrasti, a scenic, coastal town. Arrive in Riga, Latvia’s capital, and experience the Brothers' Cemetery before checking into the hotel. Later, embark on an orientation walking tour of Riga’s striking old town.

Lithuania awaits! First stop is the Hill of Crosses, a famous religious sight. Next, visit Trakai, known for its magical island castle! Finally, arrive in Vilnius, Lithuania’s historic, cultured and quirky capital. Explore Vilnius’s Baroque Old Town and sights like the Vilnius Cathedral and the Church of St Anne on an orientation tour. Enjoy a local dinner tonight.

Another exciting new country is on the agenda for today - Poland. Enjoy a drive through the Masurian Lake District, home to over 2,000 lakes! Admire the stunning scenery and find a spot to enjoy lunch. Later this evening, arrive in Gdansk and embark on an orientation tour of this beautiful, historic port city. Afterwards, enjoy an included buffet dinner.

This morning, join a local guide for a walking tour of Gdansk’s highlights and important historic areas. Afterwards, the day is free to spend as you wish! Admire the city’s unique Dutch-influenced architecture or meander along the charming waterfront. History buffs will enjoy a visit to the European Solidarity Centre which covers the Polish fight for freedom from the USSR.

Today’s first stop is Malbork Castle - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest castle in the world! Next up is Toruń. This UNESCO-listed, mediaeval town is, charmingly, renowned for its Museum of Gingerbread! Take part in a fun and interactive gingerbread workshop. Finally, head to Warsaw, the capital of Poland. Enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight.

After breakfast, join a locally-guided tour of Warsaw. The rest of the day is free to explore the city on your own or, to gain further insight into this fascinating city, join the Warsaw Cultural Highlights optional excursion. This evening, take in sweeping city views followed by an authentic dinner with the An Evening in Warsaw excursion.

Enjoy one last breakfast with the group as the trip comes to an end this morning. Be sure to swap contact details with your newly made travel friends so that you can stay in contact after returning home. We hope to see you back on an Expat Explore coach again very soon!