Best of Norway, Sweden & Finland

Name: Best of Norway, Sweden & Finland
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.6 (5 reviews)

5 reviews

Activity

Culture

Overview

City hop, explore nature and soak up culture on an adventure through the coolest trio in Europe

Norway, Sweden and Finland have, for some time now, led the way in cultural cool. Perhaps the answer lies in the world-leading museums. Maybe it’s the innovative gastronomic scenes. Or perhaps it’s the beautiful waterside cities dotted with protected historic sites. Join us on this Nordic adventure to find out for yourself. With the help of our expert leader (and the excellent train systems), we navigate this undeniably attractive trio, stopping at the capitals of each – Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki – while also taking time to dip into smaller towns and visit natural wonders.

Key Information

Trip Code: ASY2
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: Finland, Norway, Sweden
Carbon Footprint: 25.3kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All breakfasts included, and one dinner
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Group arrival and departure transfers available

Don't Forget To

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations.

Highlights

Soak up Nordic culture on an adventure through Norway, Sweden and Finland
Begin with a boat trip around the idyllic bays of Oslo – a picturesque start!
Embrace Swedish tradition with a ‘fika’ break on a city tour of Gothenburg
Marvel at stunning Stockholm on a guided boat tour
Finish in Helsinki, taking a ferry to the imposing Suomenlinna sea fortress

Itinerary

First Destination: Oslo
Next Destination: Helsinki

Meals included:Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Oslo
Next Destination: Helsinki

Begin your adventure in Oslo, the fjordside capital of Norway.

Around 6pm, say hallo to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big Nordic welcome by arranging a group dinner.

Want more time in Oslo? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation: Hotell Bondeheimen (or similar)

Meals included:Dinner

Enjoy a scenic boat trip around the idyllic bays and islands of Oslo this morning.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore this culture-rich city. Perhaps travel to the nearby Ski Museum, housed inside the monumental Holmenkollbakken (ski jump), which looks more like a work of art than a sports venue.

Alternatively, browse the harbourfront Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, taste local dishes at the Vulkan food hall, explore the immense Akershus Fortress, or check out the cool shops in the Grunerløkka district.

Please note: Some museums and attractions are closed on Mondays or may require reservations to visit.

Accommodation: Hotell Bondeheimen (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Bid farewell to Oslo and take the train (approximately four hours) to Gothenburg, a scenic way to travel to Sweden. On arrival, join our leader for a city tour and enjoy a traditional Swedish fika at the famous Café Husaren with its huge cinnamon buns (seating not guaranteed). Fika is more than a pastry and coffee break, it is a moment to pause, recharge and socialise. An essential experience in the Nordic countries.

The afternoon is free for you to enjoy all Gothenburg offers. Perhaps embark on a cruise through the many waterways, passing the opera house and visit the old docks. Or visit the Gothenburg City Museum in the former East India Company House, which was built when the city was a major maritime trading centre.

Alternatively, take in the architectural ensemble on Gustav Adolfs Torg, go shopping along the main boulevard Avenyn, check out the Skansen Kronan stone fortress, stroll along bohemian Långgatorna, or sip a coffee in the charming Haga quarter, known for picturesque wooden houses, a 19^th-century atmosphere and hagabulle, a cinnamon pastry similar to kanelbulle.

Accommodation: Scandic Europa (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Catch an early-ish ferry (approximately 1hr 20min) to Vrango, the most southerly island of the Gothenburg archipelago. With a permanent population in the low hundreds and a strong fishing industry, it is best known for its stunning beaches and protected nature reserves, which you explore with the local guide.

In the afternoon, relax at a floating sauna (payable locally) or maybe take a dip in the sea before returning to the city. The rest of the evening is free to enjoy Gothenburg.

Accommodation: Scandic Europa (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Head to Stockholm by train (approximately three hours) this morning. Arguably the most beautiful city in Scandinavia, Stockholm is packed with amazing architecture, pristine parks and clear waters.

Upon arrival, we have a short transfer to our hotel and time to check in and grab lunch nearby. We then enjoy an introductory tour to the city guided by our tour leader, walking from the hotel into the old town.

Accommodation: Lilla Radmannen (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Take the short ferry to the inner-city island of Djurgården this morning, which is populated by many of the oldest and most venerated museums in Stockholm. Here, we visit the Vasa Museum, home to the Vasa, a 17th-century warship, which sank in 1628 on its maiden voyage and was only salvaged in 1961. It’s one of the most visited sites in Sweden, so our morning visit allows us to avoid the biggest crowds.

We then have the rest of the day free to explore this museum island. Options include: the Skansen Open-Air Museum, which displays Sweden’s history and customs; the Nordiska Museet (the Nordic Museum); the Liljevalchs modern art gallery, and the ABBA museum.

Our included full-day public transport tickets can also be used to take a ferry back to the old town or the main city for more wandering.

Accommodation: Lilla Radmannen (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Gaze over the highlights of Stockholm on a scenic boat tour this morning. Sit back and relax as we glide past the most famous parts of the capital, including the inner city, old town, and green parks of Djurgården.

After disembarking, we have free time in the afternoon for one final exploration of the Swedish capital before boarding an overnight ferry (11 hours) to Turku, Finland, in the evening. We sleep in high-class cabins with twin or double beds. Each has a TV, air conditioning and sea views, plus a bathroom with shower.

Accommodation: MS Viking Glory

Meals included:Breakfast

Arrive into Turku this morning and transfer to our hotel. The rooms might not be ready on arrival, so we leave our luggage in the hotel storage and set off for a walking city tour with a local guide.

Learn about the historic Aura River waterfront, the Old Great Square and pay a visit to the cathedral, considered the most valuable historic monument in Finland, and enjoy a guided tour of the medieval Turku Castle.

In the evening, join your tour leader for a beer tasting at a local brewery in a historic building, and end the day with a typical Finnish meal.

Accommodation: Original Sokos Hotel Wiklund (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Take a two-hour train to Helsinki this morning, our final destination. Upon arrival, we tour the city with our guide, discovering a wealth of historic sights and some of the gastronomic wonders of the Finnish capital. The rest of the day is free, and you can explore Helsinki in your own time.

To help you in your explorations, your tour leader hands out 24-hour public transport tickets for Helsinki, which is also used for

the ferry to Suomenlinna fortress tomorrow.

Accommodation: Scandic Hotel Grand Central (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Walk to the port and take a short ferry ride to the magnificent Suomenlinna sea fortress. Now a World Heritage site, this fort complex is built over six islands, with more than 200 buildings and 3.7mi (6km) of protective walls. Building here first started in the latter half of the 18^th century, but work has continued over the years, and the estate was only turned into an area for the public in 1973.

The rest of the day is free, and you can explore Helsinki in your own time. Helsinki is overflowing with good food, great design, interesting museums and unique architecture. Discover why it’s said to be one of the most liveable and walkable cities in the world.

Accommodation: Scandic Hotel Grand Central (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

You’ve experienced authentic Nordic culture, discovered the wonders of Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki, and taken to the waters to explore by boat, but now it’s time to begin your return journey home.

Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our large range of extension options.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, deposit-only payments, and full ATOL protection available.

Call us on 0203 733 5948

Your Group, Your Adventure

Want to choose your travel companions? Gather your family and friends and let us create a Private Adventure just for you.

View Details

Accommodation

Classic city hotels and one overnight ferry

We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.

Overnight ferry: MS Viking Glory (night 7)

Best of Norway, Sweden & Finland

Catch a ferry to Turku on the modern MS Viking Glory. On board, you’ll find a choice of restaurants plus a comprehensive spa, including a snow cave and several pools. We sleep in high-class cabins with twin or double beds. Each has a TV, air conditioning and sea views, plus a bathroom with shower.

Worth knowing

Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Essential Information

This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Key information

Start hotel: Hotell Bondeheimen, Kristian IVs gate 2, 0159 Oslo
Phone: +47 23 21 41 00
Recommended arrival time: We have a welcome meeting at 6pm, followed by a group dinner
Airport: Oslo Airport (OSL)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 45 minutes’ drive from the airport. We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Catching your return flight

There’s one group transfer to Helsinki Airport (HEL), which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.

There are no required vaccinations for this trip. However, there may be other vaccinations you want to consider. Please check with your doctor or travel health clinic for the latest information.

If you’re a UK citizen, please note that your UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) are still valid and offer the same cover as the Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) in the EU. This gives you medical care at a reduced cost, and in some cases for free, in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate insurance. Once your EHIC has expired, replace it with a GHIC.

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Norway, Sweden or Finland. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through. Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html

The cuisines of Norway, Sweden and Finland possess many similarities yet retain their own gastronomic traditions inspired by the Nordic climate. Meat dishes mainly consisting of beef, veal and pork meatballs are one of the main elements of most Scandinavian dishes. Herring is also popular, as are other types of fish. Cooking is typically seasonal and uses a lot of mushrooms and berries. You will also find a large variety of vegetables (especially potatoes) featuring prominently in many dishes. Dairy products, including cheeses and creams, are heavily used here too.

Breakfasts are usually continental with a choice of eggs
Dinner is the main meal of the day; we usually stop en route for a hot lunch at a restaurant or cafe
Desserts are plentiful and varied with each country having unique sweets and cakes
The beer is renowned for its quality and taste, all countries visited on the trip also offer good wines and local spirits

Vegetarians and other dietary requirements can be catered for, but there may not be the same variety as you have at home. Please advise us upon booking.

The weather in Scandinavia is comparatively unstable even during summer with rain being possible at any time of the day. Average temperatures vary between 15C (59F) and 25C (77F).

No need to have local currency in cash, all places take and even prefer card. ATMs are available in every city if needed. The guide gives great suggestions of what to visit locally during the free time in each place. You can also prepare a bit in advance as well if you want to make the most of it and head directly to the things you want to see. Try the traditional meatballs with gravy in Norway, fika with a cinnamon bun in Sweden, and the salmon soup in Helsinki. Pack your swimming gear!

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