Ultimate Scandinavia & the Baltics

Welcome to Copenhagen! Arrive in Denmark's capital city and meet up with your tour leader and group. Then, embark on a city tour with a local guide. This evening, conclude an exciting first day with a welcome dinner in the heart of the city. Get to know your tour leader and new travel friends over a delicious meal!

Today's free day is yours to explore Copenhagen as you wish! Some options include seeing the Rundetaarn, an astronomical observatory with breathtaking views, or exploring the famous Tivoli Gardens. The best way to capture Copenhagen's culture and history is on today's optional excursion which includes a canal cruise and visits to the National Museum, Reffen market and more!

Hitting the road, marvel at views of the Danish countryside before enjoying a rest stop in Odense. This is where Hans Christian Anderson was born! Continue to Aarhus. Marvel at this city’s magical mix of contemporary creations, Viking exhibitions and an open-air museum in the old town! Arrive in Hirtshals later and board the overnight ferry to Bergen in Norway.

Hei Norge! Take in the incredible natural scenery as the ferry arrives in Bergen. Embark on an orientation tour to see the sights of this charming city. Then, enjoy some time to explore as you wish. Or, join the optional excursion to visit some of the scenic seaside villages around Bergen for a taste of local Norwegian life.

Explore more of Bergen on this free day. For the best sense of the city, today's Bergen+ optional excursion is highly recommended. Enjoy a drink at the iconic Magic Ice Bar and embark on a guided tour of Bryggen. Plus, travel a thousand feet up Fløyen mountain on the Fløibanen, the Bergen funicular railway, for the most spectacular views.

This morning, depart Bergen towards Gudvangen, located at the end of the famous Nærøyfjord! En route, stop at the spectacular Tvindefossen waterfall. Join today's unmissable optional excursion to visit a Viking Village and cruise along the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjorden to Flåm. Then, continue to Oslo, stopping at Borgund’s famous Stave Church en route. Arrive and enjoy dinner at the hotel.

This morning, embark on a locally-guided walking tour of Oslo. Home to Norway's royal family, visits to the Royal Palace and the Akershus Castle are some of the city's highlights. After, join today’s optional excursion to make the most of your free time! The Oslo+ excursion explores Vigeland Park and visits the Fram and Kon Tiki museums.

After breakfast, depart Oslo and take in the last of the stunning Norwegian countryside before crossing the border into Sweden. Arrive in scenic Karlstad on the shores of Lake Vernan, and enjoy free time. Then, head to Örebro for a tour of its striking city centre. Later, arrive in Stockholm. Check into the hotel before enjoying dinner with the group.

Explore more of Stockholm today! Start the day with a locally-guided tour. After, enjoy free time to wander the terracotta streets of the old town or visit one of the city’s celebrated museums. For the ultimate Stockholm experience, join today's optional excursion for a deep dive into the Royal Palace, followed by a visit to the famous Vasa Museum!

Make the most of free time in Stockholm after breakfast this morning. Do some more sightseeing, shop for souvenirs or grab something local for lunch before heading towards the port to catch the overnight ferry to Helsinki. Enjoy onboard entertainment, and why not indulge in this evening's optional Swedish buffet dinner while you cruise?

Finland's capital, Helsinki, welcomes you! This seaside city is a lively destination famed for its impressive islands and stunning natural scenery. Arrive and join a local guide for a city tour. Tick top attractions like Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral and Kauppatori Market off your bucket list! End the day with a delicious dinner.

Today is free to explore the eclectic city of Helsinki! Join the optional Helsinki+ excursion to Suomenlinna Fortress for a guided tour and picnic lunch followed by a visit  to the immersive Helsinki City Museum and a tasty treat at a famous Finnish café. Alternatively, relax and explore at your own pace. Why not visit one of Helsinki’s many museums?

Can you hear the Baltic States calling today? The first stop is Tallinn, Estonia’s capital. Board the ferry crossing the Gulf of Finland. Arrive and enjoy lunch at a medieval restaurant in Tallinn's enchanting Old Town Square. Then, join a local guide for a walking tour. See historic marvels like St Olav’s Church and Tall Hermann Tower!

Explore more of Tallinn on today's free day! From its walled and cobbled Old Town to impressive Gothic architecture and a burgeoning modern centre, Tallinn has something to satisfy almost any type of traveller! Tallinn is your oyster today. Why not venture out a bit? Join the optional excursion and visit the fascinating Estonian Open Air Museum!

Before leaving Estonia, stop in the resort city of Pärnu. After crossing the border into Latvia, visit the scenic beach town of Saulkrasti. Upon arrival in Riga, visit the Brothers' Cemetery. Then, embark on an orientation walking tour through Riga's old town to experience popular attractions including the Riga Dome Cathedral and the House of the Black Heads!

Enjoy a free day to explore Latvia's capital city at leisure! Visit the iconic House of the Blackheads and the massive Riga Central Market on the Riga+ excursion! Alternatively, wander along Albert Street to delve deeper into Riga’s Art Nouveau architecture. Take in views from the Riga TV Tower, or relax in Bastejkalns Park. The choice is yours!

This morning, journey to Lithuania! Near the border, visit a renowned religious site, the Hill of Crosses. Then, witness the enchanting Trakai island castle before arriving in Vilnius. Explore this historic capital city on an orientation tour. Marvel at the Old Town’s Baroque architecture and behold the Vilnius Cathedral and Church of St Anne. Enjoy a local dinner tonight.

Today is a free day to explore the city of Vilnius and all its wonders, including one of Europe’s largest old towns, as you wish! To learn more about the city’s vibrant local culture, join the Vilnius+ optional excursion. Explore the quirky Užupis (a self-proclaimed artists’ republic), explore the vaults of the Town Hall, and enjoy a local lunch!

Head to Kaunas and enjoy an orientation tour of Lithuania’s second-largest city. See top sights, including the reconstructed Kaunas Castle and the pretty-in-pink Cathedral-Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul. This afternoon, journey to Klaipėda and embark on an orientation tour of this charming port city. This evening, hop aboard the overnight ferry towards Karlshamn, Sweden.

This morning, enjoy breakfast on the ferry before arriving in Karlshamn. Continue the journey to Malmö, and embark on a city tour upon arrival. See top sights, including Malmöhus Castle and the main square of Stortorget. Then, travel to Copenhagen. Marvel at the Øresund Bridge on the way. Why not end the day with an optional farewell dinner?

After 21 exciting days exploring countless highlights of Scandinavia and the Baltic travel, this Ultimate Scandinavia & the Baltics tour concludes after breakfast today. Remember to exchange contact information with your new travel friends so you can keep in touch! Expat Explore looks forward to welcoming you on one of our tours again soon. See you on the road!