Scandinavia & Baltic Circuit

Welcome to the vibrant city of Copenhagen. Arrive early to explore the pastel-colored waterfront houses in Nyhavn, take a leisurely stroll around the famous Tivoli Gardens, or explore the diverse culinary scene in Norrebro. Meet your group at 6 pm and consider joining an optional group dinner to kick off your Scandinavian adventure.

Embark on a morning train ride to Malmo, Sweden, crossing the famous Oresund Bridge. Witness the transformation of Malmo, a city once reliant on shipbuilding, now a hub for architecture firms, IT companies, students, and start-ups. Continue your journey to Gothenburg, Sweden's second-largest city, known for its sustainability and vibrant nightlife.

Catch an early ferry from Gothenburg to Vrango Island, known for its stunning beaches and protected nature reserves. Explore the coastline with an included kayaking activity and enjoy some free time in the afternoon. Perhaps try an optional floating sauna before returning to Gothenburg for a free evening.

Head to Alingsas, known as the Capital of Fika, a Swedish cafe and food culture. Tour the town's best traditional cafes with a local expert and sample Swedish cinnamon buns, biscuits, chocolate truffles, pastries, and sandwiches. Return to Gothenburg in the late afternoon and explore at your leisure. Consider visiting the Göteborg City Museum or the charming Haga quarter.

Catch a morning bus from Gothenburg to Norway's capital, Oslo. Upon arrival, take an orientation walk to get a taste of this quirky, colorful city. Spend the afternoon exploring the city's attractions, such as Maschmanns Food Market, the Munch Museum, or simply strolling along Karl Johans Gate, the main shopping strip of the city.

Leave Oslo behind and take a scenic train ride across the stunning countryside of the Fjell region to Bergen. Enjoy the lush valleys, idyllic villages, dramatic mountains, and picturesque lakes as you cross the Hardangervidda Plateau. Arrive in the quirky city of Bergen in the evening and perhaps venture out with the group for a bite to eat.

After breakfast, join your leader for a ride by Fløibanen funicular, offering a bird's eye perspective of the town. Spend your afternoon exploring the World Heritage Bryggen area, wander through the reconstructed medieval homes and warehouses, or visit the beautifully preserved wooden Hanseatic Museum.

Leave Bergen after breakfast and travel by bus to the fjord region. The journey will take you through epic landscapes and remote regions, so have your camera at the ready. Your accommodation is located near the village of Gudvangen, surrounded by steep cliff walls with a perfect view of the spectacular Kjelsfossen waterfall.

Take a boat trip through the Naeroyfjord, a World Heritage site. The fjord is 18 kilometers long and only 250 meters wide at its narrowest point, but its depth reaches up to 500 meters. The boat cruise will finish in the fishing village of Flam, where you can explore on foot and discover nearby waterfalls and ancient moraines. In the afternoon, catch the bus back to Gudvangen.

After breakfast, journey to the town of Lillehammer, crossing vast high plains, remote valleys, and driving through the Lærdal Tunnel, the world's longest road tunnel. Lillehammer, which held the Winter Olympics in 1994, is picturesquely situated on Lake Mjøsa. Upon arrival, explore the laid-back 19th-century town center.

Leave the Swedish lakes behind and head to the country's cultural, political, and economic capital of Stockholm. Often referred to as the 'Venice of the North' and arguably Scandinavia's most beautiful city, Stockholm is packed full of amazing architecture, pristine parks, and clear waters. After an introductory orientation walk, use the rest of your day to settle into your accommodation and explore the area around you.

After breakfast, visit the Vasa Museum on the inner-city island of Djurgarden. The museum's collection consists of the Vasa itself and all of the objects that were found within the ship. The rest of the afternoon is all yours to explore as you wish. There are plenty of sights and attractions to keep you busy in this great Scandinavian city.

Today is free for you to enjoy your last day in Sweden. In the evening, you'll be boarding an overnight ferry for Helsinki, Finland.

Leave Helsinki after breakfast and catch a ferry across the Gulf of Finland to the Estonian capital of Tallinn. Arrive mid-afternoon, check into your hotel and start your time here with a short orientation walk through the city. The rest of your day is then free to enjoy this exceptionally preserved medieval city and all it has to offer.

Set off by private bus after breakfast and cross the border into Lithuania. Arrive in the former Prussian city of Klaipeda, the city of sculptures and jazz. Klaipeda used to be a member of the Hanseatic League and is the gateway to the Curonian Spit – a long and narrow sand dune peninsula separating the Curonian lagoon from the Baltic Sea.

Continue your journey today by local train to the town of Ignalina and then on to Aukstaitija National Park and the charming village of Ginuciai. As one of the most delightful national parks in the Baltic states, Aukstaitija has 126 lakes, an abundance of waterways, hills, and woods. Enjoy the hospitality and home-cooking of our host family for the next two days.

This morning you will take a guided kayak ride through the lakes and rivers, past villages and through forests, to an ancient pagan site on top of a hill with a wishing tree. The rest of the day is free to visit some of the local attractions, such as the nearby villages that date from the 14th century and consist of traditional wooden houses and farmsteads.

There will be another long bus journey ahead of us after breakfast today, as you journey to the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius. Having once been occupied by Sweden, Poland, France, and Russia, each occupier has left its mark in some way on this picturesque city. On arrival, take an orientation walk to get a first taste of this quirky, colorful city.

Your Baltic Experience comes to an end today. Have the time to stay on and dive deeper in Vilnius? An Urban Adventure is the perfect way to see the city through local eyes. Check out urbanadventures.com/destination/Vilnius-tours for information.