18 Day Scandinavia Uncovered
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.
On these packages you will travel from city to city on your own, exploring at your own pace. We have arranged transportation in most cases and day tours for you to see the destination. Enjoy the time and flexibility to linger longer or pick up the pace and see as much as possible. The choice is yours.
✓ Incredible sightseeing, including city tours of Helsinki, Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen, cruising the fjords in Tromsø, witnessing the mighty Saltstraumen whirlpool, cruising the canals of Copenhagen and the waterways of Stockholm, riding the scenic train across Finnish Lapland, and more
✓ 17 nights in centrally located, 3 and 4 star accommodation
✓ Breakfast daily
✓ All transport including coach, trains and local buses
✓ Ride the iconic Nordland Railway from Bodø to Trondheim
✓ Witness the midnight sun above the Arctic Circle in summer (from approximately May to August)
✓ Experience a breadth of landscapes, from vibrant Nordic cities to magical Finnish Lapland and the remote beauty of Northern Norway
✈ 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.
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Helsinki! Touch down in Helsinki, the capital of Finland.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure to discover Helsinki’s charms on your own. Choose to explore this walkable city by foot and admire the Art Nouveau architecture, or you may also choose to take a short ferry to the UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed Suomenlinna Fortress.
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.
After breakfast this morning at your hotel, enjoy the Discover Helsinki Panorama Sightseeing excursion - a popular sightseeing tour showing you the most important sights of Helsinki, giving you an excellent take of Helsinki's past and present. You will see some of the most interesting sites in Helsinki, including the historical centre, City Hall, The Parliament buildings, Finlandia Hall and the Opera House. Stop at the Temppeliaukio Church also called Rock Church (entry fee not included, to be paid on spot) or at the Sibelius Monument (if the Temppeliaukio Church is closed). The tour ends near Esplanade Park, a perfect central position to discover further sites of the city on foot.
Remainder of your day at leisure.
Make your way to the station to jump on a full day train journey to Rovaniemi, the ‘official’ home of Santa Claus. Upon arrival, make your own way to your centrally located hotel upon arrival in the early evening.
Discover this beautiful northern city at your own pace. Rovaniemi boasts sparkling clear days in spring, near-constant sunlight in summer and blazing colours in autumn.
The day is at leisure to discover the capital of Finnish Lapland. Rovaniemi was once a powerful salmon and fur exporter, however, was completely destroyed during World War II. The city has since been rebuilt, and now boasts some impressive modern sights like the Arktikum Museum. Perhaps participate in one of many optional nature activities. For those that still believe in Santa Claus, then why not make a visit to Santa’s Village, which can be easily accessed from the city centre by public transport or a short taxi journey.
This morning you travel further north into Lapland by coach from Rovaniemi to Levi, a small skiing village in the heart of Finnish Lapland. There are 12,000 reindeer in the Kittilä municipality, which is double the number of its population. All reindeer in Finland are protected by the Sami people. There are many reindeer in the forests as well as in the farms near Levi. In summer the reindeer wander freely in the forests, but you can spot them on the fells, along the roads in Levi itself or cooling down in the shades by the petrol stations and hotel yards!
Today, your journey goes west, travelling across Finnish Lapland before crossing the border into mighty Norway. Your coach journey will take you from Levi to the small township of Kilpisjärvi, where you change coaches. You will enjoy a breathtaking drive through the Lyngen Alps, before ending the day's journey in Tromsø, the gateway to the Arctic.
After breakfast, you will enjoy an unforgettable Polar Fjord Cruise. Picking up in Tromsø city centre, this six hour cruise explores the incredible nature around Tromsø. Cruising through the neighbouring fjords, there will be a chance to see the local wildlife including sea eagles and maybe even dolphins. Your journey will cruise around in a charming, classic wooden boat, the Fjord Queen or the lovely Polar Queen. You can enjoy delicious Arctic fish, snacks, fruit, and hot drinks. This is a perfect opportunity to experience the arctic sea. You can either settle inside in the warm main cabin of the ship, or brave the wilderness on deck as you admire the view.
Your journey now heads South, travelling by local bus from Tromsø to Narvik, a popular city with those who enjoy mountaineering and skiing. The city’s flagship ski resort, Narvikfjellet, is famed for its extreme alpine landscapes. Narvik was also a strategically-important city during World War II, due to its nearby location to an abundance of natural resources.
The rest of the day is at your leisure.Why not visit the War Museum, or perhaps take the Narvik Fjellheisen (Cable Car) that will take you to up to 656 metres above sea level and offers incredible views.
Today board a local coach and continue your journey southbound along the coast of Norway. Change coaches in Storfjord, before reaching Bodø, a vibrant city on the edge of the Norwegian Sea, encapsulating magnificent nature. Here you may like to visit the Norwegian Aviation Museum, the largest such museum in Scandinavia, or perhaps just enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of this picturesque Arctic city.
This morning is at leisure until you embark on your tour to the famous Saltstraumen, the world’s strongest maelstrom (aka whirlpool). Before you arrive at this natural wonder, your tour will take you on a sightseeing tour through the city of Bodø to learn about the local history and sites. Upon arrival at the maelstrom, you can go to the waterfront and have a close look at this fascinating natural phenomenon and watch the major natural forces at play where every six hours, almost 400 million cubic metres of water passes through a narrow 150 metre wide passage with phenomenal speed. You will also experience a typical northern Norwegian activity – the bus driver will beat a dried cod on the rocks for you to taste a local delicacy. Afterwards, you can walk around on natural paths in silence, and try to observe the majestic sea eagle which is living in this area.
After breakfast, enjoy a morning at leisure to explore Bodø before making your own way to the railway station to catch your lunch time train to Trondheim, also known as The Nordland Railway - Norway’s longest rail journey taking you through fertile farmland, massive forests and alongside arctic rivers. Upon arrival in Trondheim, make your own way to your hotel.
Today is free time to explore the historical city of Trondehim. Founded in 997 and served as Norway’s capital until 1217. Today, it is the third-largest city in Norway with an excellent collection of museums, heritage sites and outdoor pursuits. An absolute highlight is the gothic Nidaros Cathedral, built in the beginning of 1070 to memorialise the burial place of Olav II of Norway, the king who was killed in battle in 1030. Compact in size, Trondheim is easily explored on foot.
Another rail journey awaits, this time from Trondheim to Oslo, the Norwegian Capital. On arrival, make your own way to your hotel for check-in and then free evening. With loads of restaurants, bars and activity, a summer night in Oslo is easily enjoyed.
Today, you will enjoy a morning panoramic sightseeing tour of Oslo. Learn about the city’s history and culture from knowledgeable guides, admire the main attractions in the city centre and spectacular views from Holmenkollen ski jump, and experience a fascinating insight into the art of the most prolific Norwegian sculptor, Gustav Vigeland, as you walk through the unique Sculpture Park comprising more than 200 sculptures in bronze and granite.
Afternoon is at leisure to further explore Oslo, and why not visit one of the many museums including the Munch Museum, or just relax in one of the many restaurants or cafés.
From one magnificent capital to another, today you leave beautiful Norway to catch a train to the vibrant and colourful Swedish Capital, Stockholm. Called ‘Beauty on water’ by the locals, Stockholm has an enormous array of sights, and we highly recommend visiting the City Hall building, the famous Vasa Museum, and if you are interested, the Abba Museum! A walk in the historical old town, Gamla Stan, is also a must alongside experiencing the local cuisine in one of the many restaurants and cafés.
Today you will enjoy the Under the Bridges tour of Stockholm. Known as the ‘beauty on the water’, there is no better way to experience the sights of Stockholm than cruising its stunning waterways that pierce through this vibrant city. You will travel under twelve bridges and even pass through the lock that connects the Baltic Sea to Lake Mälaren. You will also see the inner city, Gamla Stan, Södermalm, Lilla and Stora Essingen, the new area Hammarby Sjöstad, and the green parks of Djurgården.
The remainder of your day at leisure.
One final magnificent rail journey on your Scandinavian adventure, as you take the train from Stockholm to the Danish capital, Copenhagen. Located on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager, Copenhagen is one of Scandinavia’s most dynamic cities, and features an incredible historic centre, colourful heritage architecture, vibrant streetscapes and pleasant waterfront promenades.
After disembarkation, make your own way to your hotel for check-in.
In the afternoon make your way to Nyhavn, the world famous harbour of Copenhagen to enjoy your Copenhagen Canal Tour. The classic tour takes you around Copenhagen’s harbour and its idyllic canals. You will hear about the beautiful churches, castles and heritage listed houses scattered throughout the city.
In the evening, you will enjoy entrance tickets to the famous Tivoli Gardens, where you might like to dine or at least take in the atmosphere of the world’s oldest amusement park and its stunning gardens.
Your Scandinavia Uncovered tour ends after breakfast. We hope you have thoroughly enjoyed your inspiring Scandinavian experience. At the appropriate time please make your own way to the airport for your onward journey.
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.
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.
It is the traveller'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.
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 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
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 $2,645.00 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.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.
Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including, e -tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
This package is made up of multiple components which will be provided by different operators throughout your trip. As such, group size will differ between operators and can be as intimate as 2 people or as lively as up to 60 people, depending on the activity and advertised inclusions. There may be unique cases where your selected travel date exceeds the expected group size for special events or types of activities, particularly during popular times of travel. For packages that include a train or cruise, you will be travelling with other passengers up to the capacity of this component.
When travelling with a group, no matter the size, we ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience.
Children
Children must be 5 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Styles - This package is a Independent style.
To meet the needs of various types of travellers, 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:
Northern Lights
Please note, the Northern Lights are a natural phenomena and can't be guaranteed. Best seen in the winter months, it is still possible to see the Northern Lights in early spring and late autumn, but Inspiring Vacations will not be liable for any departures which unfortunately don't see the Northern Lights during their trip during these times.
Midnight Sun
Please note, the midnight sun is a natural phenomena and appears from late May up until the end of July in locations above the Arctic Circle.
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.
