20 Days | Best of Scandinavia & The Baltics

Copenhagen: Free Day

Explore Copenhagen at your leisure during the free day today! Copenhagen is a colourful and creative city, home to ornate royal palaces and modernist buildings. There is no chance of boredom setting in today. You could enjoy a visit to Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen’s famous amusement park, and see the Rundetaarn which is an astronomical observatory which offers stunning views of the city and is home to a unique equestrian staircase (a ramp designed to give a horse and carriage access to the library at the top). A visit to Freetown Christiania (a commune established by non-conformist squatters in 1971) is sure to be intriguing! To finish off your free day, enjoying dinner at the Nyhavn Waterfront is highly recommended!

Meals: Breakfast

Copenhagen Odense Aarhus Hirtsals (ferry port)

Take in the marvellous views of the Danish countryside as the coach travels to Hirtshals - a seaport town on the coast. Along the way, enjoy a stop in Odense and embark on an orientation tour before enjoying free time. Denmark’s third-largest city has the claim to fame of being the birthplace of fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen. Next, hit the road and arrive in Aarhus, Denmark’s second-biggest city, and set off on an orientation tour of this lively city. Aarhus is a mix of contemporary artwork and architecture, Viking exhibits and an old town, open-air museum! Later on, arrive in Hirtshals and hop aboard the overnight ferry which will cruise to Bergen in Norway.

Meals: Breakfast

Hirtsals  Overnight Ferry to Bergen

Say hello to Norway! This is the second Scandinavian country of the tour. Admire the views of Norway’s famous fjords as the ferry cruises towards Bergen. Arrive in Bergen and set off on an orientation tour of the city. Bergen is home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bryggen Quay and is known as the gateway to Norway’s spectacular fjords - seeing the fjords is a highlight of any Norway tour package! This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the city. Explore more of the town and enjoy the beautiful green spaces! Alternatively, join the optional excursion outside of the city centre and pay a visit to Gamle Bergen (Old Bergen). You are free to enjoy dinner at your leisure tonight - why not enjoy a meal at the waterside in the famous harbour?

Meals: Breakfast

Bergen: Free Day

Bergen is yours to explore on this free day. There are a number of fun things to see and do around the city! You could enjoy amazing views by taking a trip on the Fløibanen, the Bergen funicular railway, which will hoist you one thousand feet up Fløyen mountain! Or explore some of Bergen’s beautiful natural surroundings on a walk or hike. Alternatively, spend more time in the city centre; admire the medieval architecture, see markets and warehouses and re-visit Bryggen Quay to explore more of the historic area. The choice is all yours today!

Meals: Breakfast

Bergen Gudvangen Flam Borgund Oslo

Journey into the scenic heartland of Norway today! Depart Bergen in the morning and travel towards Gudvangen. This popular village is located at the end of Nærøyfjord, one of Norway’s most famous fjords! Arrive in Gudvangen and choose to join today’s exciting optional excursion to a Viking Village followed by a sightseeing cruise through the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjorden fjords. Marvel at the striking views before arriving in Flam to meet up with the coach again. Travel onwards and enjoy a stop at Borgund’s famous Stave Church. Next, continue the journey to Oslo. Arrive in Oslo in the late evening and enjoy an included group dinner at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Oslo Karlstad

It’s time to discover Oslo, Norway’s compact and captivating capital city. Head out for a walking tour of Oslo with a local guide. Learn more about the city which is surrounded by mountains and water and is home to Norway’s royal family. Highlights of the city include the Royal Palace and the Akershus Castle. Enjoy free time before travelling onwards to a new country this afternoon. The tour makes its way to Karlstad in Sweden - tonight’s overnight destination. Located halfway between Oslo and Stockholm, Karlstad sits on the shores of Lake Vänern and is a hot spot for fun outdoor activities plus great culture and Swedish cuisine.

Meals: Breakfast

Karlstad Sigtuna Stockholm

Swedish adventure is on the agenda today! Sigtuna is the first stop of the day. This picturesque mediaeval town is the oldest in the country! Arrive and enjoy an orientation tour and free time. Next, it’s time to travel onwards to Stockholm, Sweden's vibrant capital which encompasses 14 islands. Arrive in Stockholm and join an expert local guide for a driving and walking tour of the city. See the Royal Palace, AF Chapman ship and enjoy a walk through Gamla Stan - Stockholm’s Old Town. Enjoy an included group dinner in the city centre tonight - Swedish meatballs are on the menu - delicious!

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Stockholm: Free Day

See more of the city during this free day in Stockholm. You could spend time exploring Gamla Stan - the old town complete with terracotta-coloured buildings and cobblestoned lanes. Spend a few hours in one of the city’s museums and learn about Vikings, Abba and more! Or visit one of the numerous islands that make up Stockholm which offer great walks. Djurgården, home to Skansen, the open-air Swedish history museum, is a great destination. Alternatively, you could join the Best of Stockholm optional excursion. Look forward to enjoying a scenic drive, seeing historic seaside towns and visiting the world-famous Vasa Museum. Experience the best that Stockholm has to offer!

Meals: Breakfast

Stockholm  Lidingö Island Overnight Ferry to Helsinki

Today, it’s time to say farewell to Sweden and continue with the next leg of the trip. Journey onwards to Helsinki in Finland. Take a late morning drive to Lidingö Island in the Stockholm archipelago along the way and enjoy free time to explore. Afterwards, travel onwards to the port and get ready to catch the overnight ferry to Helsinki. Hop on board and look forward to great onboard entertainment as well as stunning views as you cruise along.

Meals: Breakfast

Arrive in Helsinki

Welcome to Helsinki, the capital of Finland! This vibrant, seaside city is known for its beautiful islands and gorgeous green spaces. Dock at the port, travel to the harbourside hotel and get ready to meet up with a local guide this evening for a Helsinki walking tour. See famous sights including the Havis Amanda, Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral. Not forgetting Uspenski Cathedral and Kauppatori Market! Helsinki offers a wealth of things to see and experience! Tonight, enjoy an included dinner with the group.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Helsinki: Free Day

Enjoy a free day to experience Helsinki today! Explore the diverse city at your leisure. Helsinki is a quirky city which is a centre for design, architectural innovation and Finnish culture. It is also a hub for delicious Finnish food! You could spend some time relaxing and soak in one of the saunas around town. Beautiful natural spots surround the city offering great escapes into nature. Discover more on the Suomenlinna walking trails and museum. Take a trip back in time and see how Finnish life would have been centuries ago with a visit to the Seurasaari open-air museum or marvel at modern masterpieces as the Kiasma contemporary art museum. Make the most of your time in Helsinki today.

Meals: Breakfast

Helsinki Tallinn

Today, it’s time to travel onwards to the Baltic States! First stop is Tallinn in Estonia. Catch a ferry and sail across the Gulf of Finland. Arrive in Tallinn, Estonia’s wonderful capital city, and enjoy an included lunch at a medieval restaurant in the atmospheric Old Town Square. Afterwards, get ready to embark on a walking tour of Tallinn, led by an expert local guide! See the city’s highlights and historic sites including St Olav’s Church and Tall Hermann Tower. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore before meeting up with the group for an included dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Tallinn Pärnu Latvian Military Cemetary Riga

Wave goodbye to Tallinn and get ready to visit a brand new country today! The tour continues to Riga in Latvia. Along the way, make a stop in the resort city of Pärnu in Estonia to sightsee and shop for keepsakes and souvenirs. Next, cross the border into Latvia and enjoy a visit to Saulkrasti, a scenic, coastal beach town on the Gulf of Riga. Arrive in Riga, Latvia’s capital city, and experience the Brothers' Cemetery before checking into the hotel for tonight. Once settled in, it's time for an orientation walking tour of Riga’s old town and its popular attractions. Highlights of this historic and cosmopolitan Baltic capital city include Riga Dom Cathedral, the Old City Wall and more!

Meals: Breakfast

Riga Hill of Crosses, Vilnius

Wake up bright and early today as the journey continues into the next country - Lithuania! Few people know much about this intriguing Baltic state which makes it the perfect place to explore! The first stop is the Hill of Crosses, a famous religious sight. Next, the capital is calling! Arrive in Vilnius, Lithuania’s historic, cultured and quirky capital city. Explore Vilnius on an orientation tour. This beautiful Baroque city is home to sights like the Vilnius Cathedral, the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and the Church of St Anne. Enjoy free time after the city tour before enjoying an included dinner with the group tonight.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Vilnius Trakai Masurian Lake District Gdansk

Another exciting new country is on the agenda for today - Poland. Along the way, the tour will stop at the stunning Trakai Castle which offers fantastic photo opportunities! Then, it’s time to travel onwards and cross the border in Poland. Next, the tour travels through the spectacular Masurian Lake District in northeastern Poland where there will be an included group lunch in the area. Home to over 2,000 lakes, pockets of dense forest, small farms and charming towns, this popular outdoor destination is a must-see for nature lovers! Later this evening, arrive in Gdansk and embark on an orientation tour of this beautiful, historic port city. Afterwards, enjoy free time for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Gdansk: Free Day

Learn all about Gdansk on a full day in the city! Start off by joining a local guide for a walking tour of the city to see the highlights and important historic areas. Afterwards, the day is free to spend as you wish! Explore more of Gdansk - see the Old Town, Long Market square and admire the historic architecture with its unique Dutch influence. Meander along the waterfront areas or even head to the nearby beach town of Sopot and experience the Polish Riviera! History buffs will enjoy a visit to the European Solidarity Centre which covers the Polish fight for freedom from the USSR while the Museum of the Second World War is another cultural institution well worth a visit.

Meals: Breakfast

Gdansk Malbork Castle Toruń Poznań

Bid farewell to Gdansk as the tour continues. Today’s first stop is Malbork Castle - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest castle in the world! The 13th century landmark is a castle lover’s dream. Next up is Toruń. This mediaeval town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is well known for being the hometown of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus and, charmingly, it is renowned for its Museum of Gingerbread! Here, enjoy taking part in a fun and interactive traditional gingerbread workshop. Finally, it's time to head to Poznań. Arrive and embark on an orientation tour with the tour leader after which there will be free time for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast

Poznań Warsaw

Departing Poznań, the tour travels towards the historic city of Warsaw. Join a local guide for a walking and driving tour. See the highlights of the city and learn more about how Warsaw played a pivotal role during WWII. Admire the city’s architecture which is a testament to the gritty history that shaped Warsaw. See Gothic churches, Neoclassical palaces and stark, Soviet-era apartment blocks side by side with modern skyscrapers. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the city on your own. Tonight, join the group for a final farewell dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Warsaw: Final Day

Enjoy one last breakfast with the tour group as the trip comes to an end this morning. After 20 incredible, fun-filled days, you will have visited nine amazing countries in Scandinavia and the Baltic states! Be sure to swap contact details with your newly made travel friends so that you can stay in contact after returning home. We hope to see you back on an Expat Explore coach again very soon!

Meals: Breakfast