16 Day Grand Scandinavia
A portion of this tour runs as a group tour where you will be escorted by an expert tour leader. Another portion is self-guided, whether conducted by rail, cruise or land, and you will travel between destinations on your own, with free time to explore at your own pace.
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
✓ Incredible sightseeing, including Finland’s buzzing capital Helsinki, vast landscapes above the Arctic Circle, an incredible opportunity to witness the North Cape’s Midnight Sun and a visit to the historic Nyhavn district in Copenhagen
✓ 14 nights in quality 3 & 4-star accommodation
✓ Overnight ferry ride from Oslo to Copenhagen, including private cabin
✓ Breakfast daily
✓ Fully escorted by a professional English-speaking tour guide
✓ Comfortable, dedicated transportation throughout
✓ Entry fees to Helsinki’s Temppeliaukion Church, the Arktikum Centre in Rovaniemi and Alta Museum
✓ Visit to North Cape Hall with a glass of sparkling wine
✓ Port Charge and Hotel Service Charge
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
You'll explore cities like Helsinki, Oslo, and Copenhagen, while also experiencing the stunning natural beauty of Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Highlights include witnessing the midnight sun, visiting the Arktikum science centre, and exploring UNESCO-listed rock art. The tour also includes an overnight ferry cruise from Oslo to Copenhagen.
Welcome to the White City of the North, Helsinki! Finland’s buzzing capital city is best-known for its art and culture, and innovative architecture.
From Helsinki airport, make your own way to the hotel, meet the tour director and spend the rest of the day at your own leisure.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
This morning after breakfast you’ll be met by your guide and fellow travellers where you’ll explore the highlights of Helsinki. Senate Square, our start point, is home to Helsinki Cathedral, originally built as a tribute to Grand Duke Nicholas I, Tsar of Russia. We’ll move onto the Temppeliaukio Church, a Lutheran church which opened in 1969 and is built directly into solid rock (also known as the Church of the Rock and Rock Church) and is frequently used as a concert venue due to its amazing acoustics.
After touring the city, we’ll travel to Kuopio, around a four hour drive away.
Today we set off on a picturesque drive to our next destination in northern Finland, Rovaniemi (around six hours). We'll be driving through the scenic Finnish Lakeland region where there will be refreshment stops along the way, including a break at a lakeside cafe.
We’ll arrive at tonight’s hotel where we’ll check-in and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Today we’ll explore the capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi, including a visit to the Arktikum centre which is a science centre and museum, with its major exhibition, Arctic in Change, a highlight. You’ll learn more about this fascinating region and experience the coldness of the Arctic and the magic of blue ice in the cold room and more.
Afterwards, stroll along the scenic banks of the Kemijoki River.
After breakfast, we’ll set off for a scenic drive (approximately three hours) from Rovaniemi to Ivalo, a town deep in the Arctic Circle and home to around 3,000 people, via Saariselkä. This Finnish municipality is famous for its vast landscapes, fresh air and nature. There are over 200 km of cross-country ski trails, some of which pass through the Urho Kekkonen National Park. The park, a 15-minute drive from Saariselkä, is Finland’s second largest and is known for its superior hiking and trekking, and of course, skiing and snowboarding pursuits.
We say goodbye to Finland this morning and head to Honningsvåg in Norway, the northernmost point in mainland Europe.
This quaint little town is a gateway for amazing Arctic experiences—one will take place this evening at the North Cape where you’ll witness the midnight sun with a glass of sparkling wine. An incredible evening you won’t forget!
After a leisurely morning we’ll depart the hotel around noon, and head for Alta. A town on Norway’s northern coast at the head of Alta Fjord, it’s known for views of the Northern Lights, and the hotel that melts away in spring, Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel.
On the three-hour drive, we’ll pass by the beautiful scenery of Finnmark County, including scenic viewpoints along the 129 km-long E69 highway, known as the last road of Earth because it’s the last road that connects Norway with the North Pole.
Today will be spent exploring fascinating Alta.
Our first stop is The World Heritage Rock Art Centre at Alta Museum, where around 6,000 UNESCO-listed rock art paintings and engravings await. Some of the works here are 7,000 years old.
We’ll stop for a walk around the Alta Fjord to take in the breathtaking Arctic landscapes.
This morning we’ll continue along the E6, heading for Narvik which is dominated by an impressive 900-metre-deep fjord. We’ll continue taking in the incredible coastal views, including Tysfjord and Ballangen.
Today we’re travelling from Narvik to Mo i Rana, the third largest city in northern Norway which sits just outside Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park. The town’s history spans from a bustling trading post to its present role as a modern metropolis.
Along the drive, look out for the scenic beauty of Saltdal, a national park municipality. The included ferry crossing from Skarberget to Bognes provides a scenic vantage point and is sure to be a highlight.
Enjoy a scenic drive to Trondheim, enjoying the picturesque Norwegian landscapes.
Today we visit Nidaros Cathedral, Norway’s national shrine which is built over the tomb of St. Olav, the Viking king who converted Norway to Christianity and became ‘Norway's Eternal King’. Norwegian monarchs are still crowned here today.
We’ll then move onto a tour of the charming old town of Trondheim—expect cobbled streets and colourful painted wooden buildings.
After check-out and breakfast, we’ll drive to Lillehammer today (around five hours), a ski resort town known for its stunning surroundings and love of winter sports, including hosting the 1994 Winter Olympic Games.
Take a leisurely stroll by the scenic Lake Mjosa to stretch your legs and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.
We’ll drive two hours today to Oslo, Norway's capital, passing through the beautiful Gudbrandsdalen, nicknamed ‘the king of the valleys’ because of its size (250 km from Lillehammer) and offering: mountains, rivers, forests and rich cultural heritage that has inspired artists, chefs, and outdoor enthusiasts for centuries. We’ll explore notable landmarks such as the Vigeland Park and Aker Brygge neighbourhood.
On the drive, look out for farms with ancient wooden buildings attached—some of these have a history dating back to the Middle Ages.
Today we’ll explore Oslo on a city tour, including a walk around the Royal Palace and its beautiful park, the Oslo Opera House, an architectural masterpiece known for its stunning exterior and panoramic views from the roof.
In the afternoon, transfer to the DFDS port for your overnight sailing to Copenhagen.
Welcome to beautiful Copenhagen! This morning we’ll enjoy a city tour visiting the historic Nyhavn district, known for its colourful buildings and picturesque harbour. Look out for the The Little Mermaid statue, a famous Copenhagen landmark.
After the city tour, you will be dropped at you hotel to check in and have the rest of the day at leisure.
Today marks the end of your unforgettable tour through Scandinavia. We hope you have thoroughly enjoyed your inspiring experience.
At the appropriate time please make your way to the airport for your onward journey.
Safe travels!
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.
Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.
Instalment Schedule:
This is a land-only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
It is the traveler's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, CLICK HERE.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a ”3”
3 - Balanced
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, but we can’t guarantee your request will be available at all properties.
Single travellers
When booking this tour, solo travellers will be presented with two options:
1 - Single Supplement
By paying an additional $2,850.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price, you guarantee the privacy of your own room throughout the entire trip.
2- Shared Room with a known friend
If travelling together with a friend, you can opt to share your room with him/her and avoid paying a single supplement.
You and your friend can create a unique booking each. Creating a unique booking, gives each of you the flexibility of making different travel arrangements (such adding extra accommodation, flights, etc), make separate payments and have individual access to our Traveller’s Hub
During the purchase path, you will need to provide your friend’s booking ID (if known) or at a minimum, your friend’s full name.
Triple Share
Not available.
Group Size
Maximum group size: Up to 40
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre Tour Accommodation
Post Tour Accommodation
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
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