7-day SCANDINAVIAN RAIL JOURNEY & CRUISE (Guaranteed Departure) 2-12 people

7-day SCANDINAVIAN RAIL JOURNEY & CRUISE (Guaranteed Departure) 2-12 people

Board the 7-day Scandinavian Rail Journey, visiting the highlights of Helsinki, Stockholm, and Copenhagen. In a small group, explore the old towns and enjoy leisurely train journeys through the scenic countryside, including the amazing vintage Blue Train experience with a stay in Gothenburg, an off-the-beaten-track Swedish town, famous for its open-top shrimp sandwich. Discover the Finnish design, the Swedish cuisine and the Danish ‘hygge’, along with the world-famous sights, including Helsinki’s Rock Church, Stockholm’s City Hall, and Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid. Plenty of free time to explore the cities at your own pace, visit famous museums and sample experiences favored by locals. Stay in first-class hotels and enjoy the walkable historic cities during our local guide led sightseeing tours. Combine this tour with the Baltic Rail Journey. Guaranteed with a minimum of 2 travellers!

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Helsinki

Stop At: Helsinki Cathedral, Unioninkatu 29, Helsinki Finland
Individual arrival to Helsinki. Optional private transfer to your centrally located hotel. Check-in and time at leisure to get acquainted with the Finnish capital.

Time permitting, Join our Tallinn pre-tour or the entire Baltic-Scandinavian Rail Journey for a complete discovery of the Baltic Sea Region.

Duration: 23 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 4-star hotel in central Helsinki

Day 2: Explore Helsinki & Overnight Cruise to Stockholm

Stop At: Mannerheim Statue, Mannerheiminaukio 2, Helsinki 00100 Finland
This morning, begin with a guided city tour of Helsinki, showcasing its highlights:
- Senate square with its stunning stairs and Dome Church
- Harbor Market, the Esplanade and the Mannerheim Avenue
- Sibelius Monument
- Rock Church

On the panoramic drive, cross the typical neighborhoods and see the Finlandia Hall, the Olympic Village, and the Opera.

Afternoon at leisure to explore the Finnish capital individually. We recommend a visit to Helsinki City Museum (free of charge) to learn about the city’s development.

Alternatively, join our Architecture & Design Tour to see the most iconic facades of the city, learn about Alvar Aalto and Finnish design, exploring Marimekko, Iittala, and local designer stores. Our tour also includes lunch in a local food hall!

In the early evening, embark on the Viking Line ship for your splendid overnight cruise to Stockholm. Enjoy the comfort of your own window cabin, soak up the sun and sea from the outside deck, shop for souvenirs and check out the live entertainment in ship’s theater. Your tour conductor invites you for a genuine Scandinavian buffet, including salmon, shrimp, roast beef, beer, and wine.

Activities: Helsinki Guided City Tour (3 hours), Optional Architecture & Design Tour and lunch (3 hours), Overnight Cruise to Stockholm (17 hours, 457 km / 247 nm)

Duration: 17 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Outside (porthole) cabin on Viking Line ship

Day 3: Explore Stockholm

Stop At: Stockholm Old Town, Stockholm Sweden
Wake up early for stunning views of the Baltic archipelago and lavish breakfast buffet. Your ship calls at the port of Stockholm to start the guided city tour, featuring the highlights of the Swedish capital, such as the Royal Palace, the Cathedral, the Old Town and Slussen. The Swedish capital, located on 14 islands, boasts amazing views. Get familiar with the Swedish coffee culture on our ‘fika’ coffee break. Later in the morning, join us for the private tour of the emblematic and ornate Stockholm City Hall, the venue of Nobel Gala Dinner Ceremony. Transfer to your centrally located hotel for check-in and afternoon at leisure. We suggest taking a walk on the elegant Strandvagen, visiting the sizable Photography Museum, the fun Abba Museum or strolling along Drottninggatan. Don’t miss the artwork of the subway stations. Those not fearing heights can opt for the Rooftop Tour. In the evening, join us for the optional shrimp cruise.

Stockholm Guided City Tour (3 hours), City Hall and the Nobel Room, Fika Experience, Optional Shrimp Cruise (2 hrs)
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4-star hotel in central Stockholm

Day 4: Free morning in Stockholm & Blue Train Experience

Stop At: Vasa Museum, Galarvarvsvagen 14, Stockholm 115 21 Sweden
Enjoy a leisurely morning to explore Stockholm on your own. Why not visit the fun Abba Museum? Your tour director invites you on the optional Museum Island Tour that includes lunch. During the tour you will visit Stockholm’s two most impressive museums - the Vasa Museum, exposing a 17th-century royal warship, and the Skansen, world’s oldest open-air museum showcasing Sweden’s countryside, architecture, and crafts. In the afternoon, get ready for the highlight of this trip: the vintage Blue Train experience on a journey to Gothenburg. The quintessential ‘slow travel’ experience, watching the bucolic Swedish countryside, on board the 1960s style wooden carriages with a restaurant and a piano bar, is a one-of-the-kind journey. Evening arrival to Gothenburg for accommodation in a centrally-located hotel and an orientation walk, culminating with a hosted dinner, featuring the world’s best open-top shrimp sandwich and views of the city.

Optional Museum Island Tour with lunch (3 hours), Vintage Blue Train Rail Journey to Gothenburg (4.5 hours), Orientation Walk and Shrimp Sandwich Dinner Experience (2.5 hours)
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 4-star hotel in central Gothenburg


Day 5: Explore Gothenburg and Oresund Train to Copenhagen

Stop At: Haga Nygata, Gothenburg 31135 Sweden
Explore Gothenburg, Sweden’s best-kept town, home of Volvo and Swedish East India Company. During the guided walk, get acquainted with the city and its peculiarities: the ‘Fish Church’, the Queen’s Square, the Opera and the authentic neighborhood of Haga, dotted with picturesque wooden houses. Join us for the traditional ‘paddan’ boat cruise to travel under 20 bridges and get out to see the harbour.

Around lunchtime, get on board the Oresund Train for your relaxing journey to Copenhagen, enjoying the views and passing through Halmstad, Angelholm, and Lund. The highlight of this journey is the Oresund Strait crossing on the international bridge, linking Malmo with Copenhagen. Upon arrival to Copenhagen central station, walk to your nearby hotel for check-in. In the evening, join your tour conductor for the orientation walk and a visit to Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen’s most famous attraction.

Activities: Gothenburg Guided Walking Tour (2 hours), Canal Cruise on Paddan Boat (1 hour), Oresund Rail Journey to Copenhagen (3.5 hours), Tivoli Gardens & orientation walk (1.5 hours)
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4-star hotel in central Copenhagen

Day 6: Explore Copenhagen

Stop At: Copenhagen City Hall, Raadhuspladsen 1, Copenhagen 1599 Denmark
In the company of your local guide, discover Royal Copenhagen on this informative walking tour, visiting all of the main sights of the Danish capital:
- The Town Hall & Stroget, one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe
- Christiansborg Royal Palace
- Gammel Strand, the Round Tower, and Our Lady Church
- Nyhavn, Amalienborg Palace, and the Marble Church
- Harbour Views and the Royal Opera

Check out the changing guard ceremony at the Amalienborg Palace and enjoy smörgåsbord lunch at Nyhavn on us. In the early afternoon, join us for the favourite canal cruise to see the Little Mermaid and soak up harbour views. Optional visit to Rosenborg Palace to see the Danish Crown Jewel collection.

During your free time, live the tales of Hans Christian Andersen by wandering through the streets of Copenhagen, visit the Freetown Christiania, try the local Carlsberg or visit one of the museums.

Those who could not get enough of harbour view will enjoy an optional live jazz cruise, while others can join the Danish ‘hygge’ experience on a home-hosted dinner, interacting with the Danes and learning about Nordic cooking.

Activities: Copenhagen Guided Walking Tour (2.5 hours), Canal Cruise (1 hour), Rosenborg Palace visit (1.5 hours), Optional Jazz Cruise (1.5 hours), Optional Home-Hosted Dinner, the ‘hygge’ experience (3 hours).
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: 4-star hotel in central Copenhagen

Day 7: Departure from Copenhagen

Stop At: Copenhagen Central Station, Bernstorffsgade 16, Copenhagen 2004 Denmark
Morning at leisure to explore Copenhagen at your own pace. We recommend staying another day and get out to see the Danish countryside and its famous castles on our optional Royal Castle tour.

Optional transfer to Copenhagen airport (your tour conductor will also explain a more convenient and affordable way to get there by train).

Private Airport Transfer (0.5 hours), Welcome Reception and Orientation Walk (2 hours)
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.