Round Trips in Scandinavia

Scandinavia, land of the Midnight sun, including North Cape, 13 days

Start from Gothenburg, “gateway to the west” or Stockholm, “Venice of the North”, continuing north along the Swedish east coast, we pass the most beautiful stretch of the Swedish east coast, “The High Coast”, with magnificent mountains formations. “The High Coast” is registered on the UNESCO’s world Heritage list.

Crossing the Swedish-Finnish border at Haparanda, we head north towards Rovaniemi, – “capital” of Finnish Lapland. Just north of Rovaniemi we cross the Arctic Circle. Our journey takes us further north to the North Cape, Europe’s most northern outpost. Watch the sun never descend below the horizon during summer time.

Heading south again, we pass by the 6000 years old rock carvings in Alta, registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Ferry crossing to the Lofoten islands, well known by artists for its dramatic nature. Following the coast south, we arrive in Trondheim, with its impressive Nidaros cathedral. Continuing south we follow the scenic Gudbrand valley, where Lillehammer hosted the Olympic Winter Games 1994. Return home from Oslo. This tour can be modified according to other start and ending places.

Cradle of Sweden – Lake Vanern & Lake Vattern, 4 days

Gothenburg welcomes you with its friendly and cozy atmosphere. Excellent restaurants offer great gourmet experiences. Gothenburg also offers varying entertainment and culture events. Some of Sweden’s best cook’s are found in Gothenburg. At Halleberg and Hunneberg, by Lake Vanern, you will have good opportunities to see elks within the Royal hunting area. In the Royal Hunting and Game museum you can follow the hunting in virtual reality.

Vastergotland province is known as the “Cradle of Sweden”, showing many interesting historical remnants, for example rune stones from the Viking era. Sweden’s seafaring waterway, the Gota Canal, crosses the province. Possible to make a half day or day cruise on the Gota Canal, passing some of its 58 locks! Karlsborg Fortress offers a magnificent view of the neighborhoods and an exciting adventure through history. Return to your home destination from Gothenburg.

Telemark in Norway 4 – 5 days

Begin the tour in the capital of Norway, Oslo, populated since the Viking Age. Drive through the magnificent Telemark high mountain area and spend 4 nights at a comfortable hotel, from where you will make daily excursions, by foot or by vehicle.

Explore the beautiful nature scenery with high mountain peaks and lovely waterfalls.Take a cruise on the Telemark canal and visit one of Norway’s famous stave churches.

Northern wilderness

The Arctic area of the Scandinavian countries has a few scattered inhabitants. The indigenous people in this area are the Samis. Some of them are still reindeer herders, but they do not live as nomads any longer. This area is also called “Last Wilderness of Europe.” It consists of the provinces Swedish Lapland, Finnish Lapland and Finnmarka in Norway.

During summer time the sun never sets below the horizon. This phenomenon is called the “Midnight Sun”. The summers are mild, with temperatures reaching 20’C. The temperature during winter time can reach -30‘C. If the weather is clear, you might see the spectacular and colorful Northern Light in the sky!

Swedish Lapland adventure – Icehotel, 5 days

Arrive to Kiruna by air or train. About one hundred years ago, iron ore was found here and people moved here to start working in the mine. Due to expanded underground ore mining, the center of Kiruna is being relocated approximately 3 km east. The indigenous Sami people have populated the area for a very long time. Some Sami people still live as reindeer herders. Reindeer are wild or semi domesticated animals and often seen in the area.

You live close to the “last wilderness of Europe”. 80 km cross-country ski tracks are prepared every winter. Great opportunities for outdoor winter activities! Set out in the wilderness on a Dog sled safari! Make a Snowmobile safari out in the untouched nature. Visit the world unique Icehotel in Jukkasjarvi. If the weather is clear, you might see the spectacular and colorful Northern Light in the sky! Also possible to visit the impressive magnetite mine of Kiruna.

Stockholm and exotic wilderness in Northern Sweden, 11 days

Stockholm, “beauty on water”, is considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful capitals, built on 14 islands. The drive north along the east coast offers spectacular natural sceneries, especially at the “High Coast”. The distinctive geological formations are registered on the World Heritage list.

At Gammlia Open Air Museum in Umea, you find the oldest ski in the world – 5000 years old! The 450 wooden cottages around the old Lulea Church, form a unique settlement, registered on the World Heritage list. At Overtornea we cross the Arctic Circle, and continue north along the Torne River to Karesuando, the only tundra area in Sweden.Turning south again, we reach Kiruna, housing the worlds biggest underground iron mine.

During summer time you can visit the Ice Art Centre in Jukkasjarvi, where in wintertime the Icehotel is located. This is also the area where the indigenous Sami people live, some of them still as reindeer herders. Learn more about the Sami culture at the Ajtte Museum in Jokkmokk.

The Swedish Lapland offers a lot of the “green gold” – forests! Lake Storsjon at Ostersund is the home of the mysterious lake monster! Mora at Lake Siljan is the goal for the biggest ski competition in the world in March every year. Watch the handmade production of the national symbol of Sweden, a colorful painted wooden horse, in Nusnas. Return to your home destination from Stockholm.

Stockholm – Gota Canal – “Crystal Kingdom’ – Stockholm, 7 days

The impressive renaissance castle was built here in the 16th century and the St Bridget nunnery dates back to the 15th century.

During a cruise on the Gota Canal, the “blue ribbon of Sweden”, we pass through some of the 58 locks on this 560 km long waterway between Gothenburg and Stockholm.

A city tour of Stockholm, will give you unforgettable memories from “Venice of the north”, built on 14 islands. The Royal Palace, the City Hall and Vasa Ship Museum are beautifully waterfront located.

The town Vimmerby is well known from the books for children by Astrid Lindgren, who is perhaps most famous for writing Pippi Longstocking. Here you find the family park “The World of Astrid Lindgren” and a museum in honor of the author. In “The Crystal Kingdom” you visit a glassworks and watch how wonderful glass pieces are produced by hand.

In the factory outlet shops you can buy the crystals at very favorable prices. The UNESCO’s World Heritage site Karlskrona has a long tradition as a naval base. Return to your home destination from Malmo or Copenhagen.

Helsinki – Stockholm – Oslo – Copenhagen, 8 days

Helsinki, “daughter of the Baltic”, has a cosmopolitan atmosphere, and is known as a meeting place for Western and Eastern cultures. The architecture has influences from the Swedish and Russian periods, as well as modern Finnish architecture.

Cruise on an overnight ferry to Stockholm, “Venice of the North”. Experience the delightful old city where the Royal Palace and Cathedral are situated. In the City Hall Nobel Prize festivities take place every year. A unique wooden war ship from 1628 is displayed at the Vasa ship museum. The old Viking town of Oslo offers a magnificent view of the Oslo fjord from the Holmenkollen ski jump. The Vigeland sculpture park is one of the highlights, as well as the Viking Ship Museum and Kon – Tiki Museum.

A comfortable overnight ferry will take you to Copenhagen, where the statue of the little mermaid will greet you at the harbour. The waterfront at Nyhavn is called the “longest bar” of Denmark. Tivoli Amusement Park offers great entertainment for every age.

Norwegian fjords and mountains, 7 days

On this tour you have the opportunity to explore some of Norway’s most beautiful fjords: the Hardangerfjord, Nordfjord, Sognefjord and Geirangerfjord. In many of the fjords you can see how the cherry trees and apple trees blossom in the springtime. During a sightseeing tour in Bergen a guide will explain more about Bergen’s rich history as a trading and commercial center.

A ferry across Norway’s longest fjord, the Sognefjord, gives you breathtaking views of steep mountain cliffs coming right down into the fjord can be seen. This scenery also applies to the beautiful Geiranger fjord. On the way back to Oslo, from where this tour starts and ends, you drive through the delightful landscape of the Gudbrand valley, passing the Olympic city of Lillehammer.