25 Day Grand Scandinavia & Iceland

Hallo! Welcome to Iceland. The world's northernmost capital of Reykjavik lies just below the Arctic Circle. On arrival to the airport, a private transfer will take you to your accommodation. After settling in perhaps take a walk around the city, visit some of the museums or perhaps just treat yourself with a dinner for the start of the Iceland explore.

Your flight will depart the day prior to Day 1.

Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day from as early as 6am through to late evening. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotels discretion.

Most flights will depart home the day prior to Day 1.

It’s a free day for you to explore Iceland’s capital.

There are plenty of museums to visit, including the Settlement Exhibition to learn more about Iceland’s Viking history – it’s home to remnants of the original 10th-century houses that were built when they arrived. There are still many Viking influences around the city, blending seamlessly with modern icons like the Harpa concert hall, with its distinctive honeycomb exterior. The Perlan Museum – Wonders of Iceland is situated in one of Reykjavik’s most impressive buildings, with a planetarium and a replicated ice cave to explore.

Experience a quintessential Icelandlic tradition by taking the waters. There are 17 thermal pools in the city, filled with the natural geothermal water this country is renowned for.

Hungry? You’ll find an abundance of quirky cafes with a laidback vibe. Perhaps try a traditional Nordic delight, like fish stew or salted cod. If you’re feeling brave, fermented shark – yes, rotten shark – is an Icelandic delicacy. An Icelandic hot dog is the street food of choice, made from lamb meat. Visit Reykjavik institution Bæjarins Beztu, by the old harbour, and ask for “eina með öllu” (“one with everything”).

Today we’ll head north for the diverse landscapes of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, home to volcanic craters, black and golden sand beaches, lava fields and a glacier. A subglacial volcano towers over the scenery. It’s also known for its colourful wildlife, like birds and seals.

We’ll visit the black beach near Ytri Tunga farm, a favourite spot for local seals. We’ll continue to Snæfellsjökull National Park before arriving at the Vatnshellir lava cave, under the glacier, where you’ll descend into a magical world of stalactites, stalagmites and strange lava formations. This 8000-year-old lava tube reaches over 200 metres.

The day will continue visiting volcanic settings and black pebble beaches before finally arriving at the beautifully symmetrical Kirkjufell Mountain. One of Iceland’s most iconic landmarks, it rises 463 metres above the shoreline.

Before heading back to Reykjavik, you’ll make your way through the dramatic lava fields of Berserkjahraun, created some 3,000 to 4,000 years ago.

Today you’ll head down the South Coast of Iceland, stopping first at the remote seafront village of Vik. It’s a photographer’s dream, set on a dramatic stretch of coastline wedged between glacier-topped mountains, cliffs and black sand beaches.

From here we’ll continue to the roots of Kötlujökull glacier, where you’ll be greeted by layers and layers of different coloured ice. If any of the smaller ice caves are accessible, your guide will take you through them.

On the way back, we’ll stop by the waterfalls Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Skógafoss, with a cascade of 60 metres and an enormous width of 25 metres, is one of Iceland’s biggest and most beautiful waterfalls. There’s usually a rainbow here on sunny days!

Today you’ll be transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Helsinki to commence your tour through Scandinavia.

Upon arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. It’s a free day to relax or explore. There are many ways to get to know this gorgeous seaside city. Enjoy the old market, the green parks and the Russian influence in its buildings and churches.

It’s an early start today with a transfer to the ferry terminal for your visit to Tallinn, capital of Estonia. A breakfast buffet will be served onboard. It’s about a two-hour journey. When you arrive in Tallinn, your coach and local guide will be waiting to show you the sights.

Your city tour starts with a panoramic tour of the city for two hours, then onto Toompea Hill, for a walking tour of the Old Town, with its winding cobblestone streets, colourful medieval houses and fairytale charm. It takes about an hour to see highlights such as Toompea Castle, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Dome church. We’ll continue along Pikk Street to the Lower Town, home to the Niguliste Church and the Old Town Hall, the oldest in north Europe and a stunning example of Gothic architecture.

You’ll have some free time in the afternoon to see more of Tallinn at your own pace. The city mixes old and new effortlessly; given its location it's no wonder it has a strong Scandinavian influence, but it's steeped in medieval Baltic history.

You’ll head back to Helsinki by ferry again and be back for dinner in the hotel restaurant.

After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a tour of Helsinki this morning, capital of Finland and also known as the 'Daughter of the Baltic Sea’ or ‘White City of the North’. Learn more about its culture, history, traditions and more. You’ll see Senate Square with the famous Cathedral rising on the northern side, the Market Square, the orthodox Uspenski Cathedral, the Olympic Stadium, the Parliament, the Sibelius Monument and Finlandia Hall. Finlandia Hall was built in 1971 and has a distinctive, impressive white facade of Carrara marble.

If it’s open, entrance is included to the unique Temppeliaukio Church – also known as the ‘Rock Church’, as it’s built directly into the granite rock.

Enjoy some free time for lunch in the city before we depart for Kuopio.

Today we’ll head for Finnish Lapland, the country’s northernmost region and a veritable winter wonderland. Our first stop is Kemi, a city with a long history and tradition in building huge snow castles. When we arrive about lunchtime, we’ll visit the 365 SnowCastle Resort (entrance included). Even in summer, we can visit a brand new ice attraction with snow and ice sculptures.

That evening we’ll depart for Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus. The evening is yours to relax and explore. The city centre is quite compact and easy to walk around. Fancy reindeer stew or salmon soup? You can find traditional Lappish food in a host of different establishments here, from fine dining to casual options.

On the way to Ivalo this morning, we’ll stop at Santa Claus’ Village for some Christmas magic. Here, you’ll cross the Arctic Circle and receive a certificate to commemorate this. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the village’s many charms and fun activities, like meeting Santa’s reindeer, perusing the souvenirs or exploring Snowman World. You can even send a postcard home from the post office, staffed by Santa’s postal elves – it will have a special Arctic Circle postmark not available anywhere else. And of course, you can meet Santa.

We’ll arrive in Ivalo in the evening and relax with dinner at the hotel.

This morning we’ll head to the Inari Reindeer Farm for a truly unique experience. Here you can feed, photograph and learn about these enchanting creatures, browse local handicrafts and even practise your skills in lasso throwing. Reindeer play a special part in the stories and traditions of the Arctic and here you can discover more about Sámi culture and history.

The history of the Sámi people, who inhabit northernmost Europe, is rich with many cultural traditions and customs. Next we’ll visit the Sámi Museum Siida in the village of Inari. It’s the national museum of the Sámi and explores their spiritual and material culture in its collections, exhibitions and publications. It’s an intriguing look at the past and present of this fascinating culture.

You’ll return to Ivalo for some free time and dinner at the hotel.

This morning we’ll head north across the border to Kirkenes, to board your Norwegian cruise. It’s about a three hour drive to the port.

As the ship departs, you can enjoy lunch and take in the views of the surrounding rugged Arctic wilderness on deck, or from the panorama lounge. Your voyage along the Norwegian coastline promises many new experiences and thrilling landscapes. These ports, previously visited by night on the northbound journey, are now seen by day.

In the afternoon, we’ll dock at Vardø, Norway’s easternmost port. Weather permitting, you may experience ice bathing in the Arctic Ocean. In spring, there will be a presentation onboard about the shorebirds that call this coastline home.

We’ll continue south along the Varanger peninsula to Båtsfjord, before reaching Berlevåg in the evening. This fishing village is home to one of Norway’s most famous local choirs, consisting mainly of local fishermen.

In the middle of the night we’ll dock at Mehamn. Before arriving in Hammerfest, you can enjoy an ‘energy coffee’ and a short onboard introduction to nearby Melkøya, the world’s northernmost natural gas terminal.

The town of Hammerfest was founded in 1789 and over time became Norway’s polar capital, serving as a base for hunting expeditions into the High Arctic. You can see the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meridian Column, erected in 1854 to commemorate the first precise geographic measurement of the globe.

We’ll then continue south to Øksfjord. After crossing open water, we make a brief stop at the old trading post of Skjervøy. We’ll then dock at Tromsø, often described as the Paris of the north. In summer, you can join an optional midnight excursion under the midnight sun and explore Tromsø by sea in a smaller, rigid inflatable boat. Alternatively, a walk around the town gives you the chance to enjoy a local brew at one of the city’s many friendly pubs.

Another day of cruising Norway’s spectacular mountains and fjords. This morning we’ll arrive at Harstad. History, beautiful scenery and a selection of breathtaking sites await, including Trondenes Church, one of Norway’s premier cultural heritage sites from the late Middle Ages.

Admire the views as we sail towards the Risøyrenna, a shallow, seven metre-deep channel made for the cruise company in the 1920s to provide an ‘inside route’ between Harstad and Sortland. Sandbanks along the Risøyrenna are visible through the clear, green water. The island groups of Lofoten and Vesterålen will undoubtedly offer some of the most stunning scenery you’ll see on your voyage.

Risøyhamn is a small village with only 200 inhabitants, and we make a short stop here to deliver passengers, groceries and mail. We then continue south via Sortland to Stokmarknes, where Hurtigruten was founded more than 125 years ago.

Then we’ll reach the spectacular Trollfjord; only two kilometres long, 100 metres wide, and surrounded by majestic mountains. If weather and time permit, the captain will make a detour into the fjord. Steep cliffs hug the ship’s sides, and the dramatic landscape conjures images of an imaginary land of trolls.

After reaching Svolvaer, we’ll continue to Stamsund and see the majestic peaks of the huge Lofoten Wall. We leave Lofoten during the evening and set course for the mainland.

Crossing the Arctic Circle at 66°33’ N is an important rite of passage. We’ll celebrate the event out on deck with a taste of Arctic tradition, a spoonful of cod liver oil. Sailing along the Helgeland coast, we’ll pass hundreds of islets, fertile farmland, and steep granite walls rich in local lore. From the deck you can see the eerie mountain Torghatten (rising 258m above sea level), famous for the distinctive hole right through the middle – the hole is 160m long, 35m high and 20m wide, and was created during the Ice Age.

Another cruise highlight is sailing past the Seven Sisters mountain range. All seven imposing peaks are between 900 and 1100 metres high – a prominent landmark of the Helgeland coastline.

Next we’ll make a short stop at Nesna, an idyllic old trading post, before moving onto Sandnessjøen.

The ship will head slowly into the majestic Trondheimsfjord, and along the coast and into Trondheim for disembarkation. We’ll arrive early and disembark in Norway’s capital of technology. Your transfer will be at 10am. Although not a big city on a European scale, Trondheim is the third largest in Norway, thanks in part to its large student population.

You’ll enjoy an orientation tour of the city, to see impressive sites like the Nidaros Cathedral (entrance included). Considered the national sanctuary of Norway, it’s built over the grave of St. Olav. Work began in 1070, but the oldest parts still in existence date from the middle of the 12th century.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore this charming city. The compact city centre with a wide array of shops makes Trondheim popular for shopping. You’ll find many independent shops, selling clothes and accessories that you won’t find everywhere. In historic Bakklandet, you’ll find several shops that make the garments they sell from scratch or by adapting old garments.

You’ll find no shortage of dinner options – Trondheim has a strong focus on local food, and many local establishments serve a wide range of excellent, locally-brewed beers. Cheers!

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll start the scenic trip to Molde. On the way, there is the ferry crossing of Halsa-Kanestraum, then we’ll continue to the islands of Bergsøya and Frei until we reach the island of Averøy.

In Averøy the spectacular Atlantic Road awaits, a stretch of road that takes you right out to the ocean’s edge. Widely reputed to be one of the world’s most beautiful drives, it’s a feat of engineering. It connects Averøy with the mainland via a series of small islands and islets, spanned by a total of eight bridges over 8274 metres.

Opened in 1989, the entire 36km stretch between Kårvåg and Bud is one mesmerising experience, packed with coastal scenery, culture and history. It promises dazzling views, whether the ocean is calm or a storm is brewing.

We’ll arrive at Molde in the evening and enjoy some free time to relax or explore

Today we’ll enjoy a spectacular fjord cruise. First we’ll depart Molde by coach with two ferry crossings, Molde-Vestnes and Liabygda-Stranda. Once we arrive in Hellesylt, a cozy little town on the shores of the Geiranger fjord, we’ll board the cruise to journey along this natural wonder.

Inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Geirangerfjord is a 15km-long branch of Storfjord. It’s one of Norway’s most popular attractions and your cruise will give you a spectacular introduction to this iconic Norwegian geographical feature. The fjord offers archetypal scenery as it follows the S-shaped profile of the fjord, encircled by high mountains, where abandoned farms cling to the hillsides.

On the trip between Hellesylt and Geiranger you’ll see the deserted farm Knivsflå, next to seven impressive waterfalls with an average fall of 250 metres, known as the Seven Sisters. On the opposite side you’ll see Friaren (the Suitor), a waterfall shaped like a bottle. You will also sail close to the Brudesløret (Bridal Veil) waterfall.

When we arrive in Geiranger, you’ll enjoy some free time and dinner at the hotel.

It’s a free day for you to explore this idyllic village. How about taking part in our suggested optional activity.

After breakfast, you’ll have some free time before we depart for Myrkdalen. It’s about a six hour journey and includes a ferry crossing from Hella to Vangsnes.

You’ll have dinner at your hotel when we arrive in Myrkdalen.

This morning we’ll enjoy an unforgettable fjord cruise through the UNESCO site of Nærøyfjord, a narrow and beautiful fjord that offers a stunning landscape no matter the season: frosty colours, white mountain peaks and ice-covered waterfalls during winter time; blooming deciduous trees and birds chirping in the spring; green trees and long, bright nights over summer; and a golden terrain with fresh and clear air during the autumn.

We return to Flåm for another trip highlight – the Flåm Railway, one of the leading tourist attractions in this beautiful country. It’s stunning. Enjoy the beauty of Western Norway as the train runs from the end of Aurlandsfjord, a tributary of the Sognefjord, up to the high mountains at Myrdal station.

After we arrive back in Flåm, we’ll head for Oslo and arrive that evening, in time for dinner at the hotel.

Enjoy a tour of Oslo this morning. On this scenic drive, you’ll pass national landmarks like the Parliament building, with its two imposing lion statues at the main entrance, the National Theatre and the magnificent Royal Palace, official resident of the present Norwegian Monarch. Then we’ll stop on the Bygdoy peninsula to visit the Viking Ship Museum (entrance included), home to the world’s best-preserved Viking ships, exhibitions of ship burials of the Viking Age and unique Viking woodcraft.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore Oslo. Nestled between forests and a fjord, Oslo is a compact city that blends art and culture with nature and its stunning surroundings. Consider checking out its port, main streets, and the sculptures at Frogner Park.

We’ll leave for Stockholm today, travelling through the beautiful, idyllic countryside of Norway and Sweden. We’ll arrive in Stockholm in the evening, and you can enjoy some free time to yourself in Sweden's capital.

You'll see the main sights on your tour tomorrow but consider just wandering this coastal capital. It's a great city to explore on foot and take in the mix of old and new that defines this city.

After breakfast, we’ll spend the morning on a tour of Stockholm, sometimes referred to as the ‘Venice of the north’ given its appealing architecture, clean and open waterways and numerous parks. Sweden’s beautiful capital is built on 13 islands joined together.

Your tour of this lovely city will take you past the impressive buildings of the National Museum, the Royal Theatre, the Grand Hotel, the Royal Palace and Stockholm’s picturesque historical city centre, known as Gamla Stan. You’ll visit City Hall (entrance included) and see the Blue Hall, the venue of the Nobel Banquet held each year. The Stockholm City Hall is one of Sweden’s most famous buildings and a popular tourist attraction.

This afternoon, we’ll take a sightseeing cruise ‘Under the bridges of Stockholm’ for two hours.

The rest of the afternoon and evening is free. Enjoy your last night in this beautiful part of the world.

Enjoy one last delicious breakfast this morning, before your Scandinavian adventure comes to an end. Later you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight home.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this extraordinary journey.

Check out: Passengers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out times will apply no matter what time your flight is scheduled to depart. Check-out time is generally anywhere from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Please note this service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost. Your tour guide (or hotel staff) will confirm the time of your airport transfer with you directly.

Arrive home today.

Note: depending on the flight schedule, your flight may arrive home tomorrow.