Scandinavia

Tour begins: 4:00 PM, Hotel Reisen. A transfer is included from Stockholm's Arlanda Airport to Hotel Reisen in the heart of Sweden's historic capital city. Late afternoon, join us for an after-hours visit to Stockholm's Vasa Museum, featuring the impressive Vasa, an ornate royal warship that sank in Stockholm's harbor following its launch in 1628 and was raised in 1961. The day concludes with a welcome dinner at a local Stockholm restaurant.

Begin today's discovery of Sweden's capital with sightseeing including a guided visit to Stockholm's iconic City Hall, where the annual Nobel Prize award festivities take place. You'll see the Council Chamber; the Gold Room, whose walls are sparkling with 18 million pieces of gold mosaic and glass depicting events in Swedish and world history; and the famous Blue Room, misnamed because the architect changed his mind and left its beautiful red-brick walls intact. Stockholm sightseeing continues with a panoramic lakeside drive over bridges that crisscross between Stockholm's small islands, offering views of Gamla Stan (Old Town) and a skyline of 17th- and 18th-century buildings, the Baltic Sea, Lake Malaren, the elegant Strandvagen waterfront, the inner harbor, the Royal Palace, the Cathedral and Parliament. The rest of the day is free to explore as you wish – perhaps take a canal tour, or walk through the cobbled streets of medieval Gamla Stan.

Today you'll journey to southern Sweden and Denmark. Your drive this day will take you to Norrkoping for lunch and to Granna Sweden. After passing by Sweden's second largest lake, Vattern, arrive at your hotel in Vaxjo – located in the heart of Småland. Dinner tonight is at your hotel.

Depart for Copenhagen via Helsingborg, Sweden, for a guided visit to lovely Sofiero Slott, with lunch. From Helsingborg, drive south to Malmo and cross 'Orresundbron', the bridge connecting Sweden & Denmark. Late this afternoon, arrive in Copenhagen for your stay at Hotel Phoenix Copenhagen,  set in the elegant Indre By (Inner City) district, one of Copenhagen's most historic and refined neighborhoods. Nestled just off Bredgade, a stately boulevard known for its art galleries, antique shops, and embassies, the hotel is a short walk from the Royal Palace of Amalienborg, the Nyhavn canal district, and Kongens Nytorv (The King's New Square). The area blends aristocratic charm with cultural vibrancy—surrounded by grand 17th- and 18th-century architecture, classical churches, and modern Nordic design boutiques. It's a neighborhood that reflects both Copenhagen's regal past and contemporary sophistication, ideal for exploring the city's cultural landmarks, dining in stylish cafés, or strolling to the harborfront. Late afternoon,  enjoy a visit to the 160-year-old Tivoli Gardens, a Danish experience unto its own.

Head to North Zealand this morning for Tauck's early-entry, private visit to 17th-century Frederiksborg Palace — often called the "Versailles of Denmark" and one of the finest examples of Dutch Renaissance architecture in Scandinavia. Home to the Museum of National History since 1878, the palace tells the story of Denmark through centuries of regal portraits, ornate furnishings, and grand ceremonial rooms. After a traditional Danish lunch at a local inn, return to Copenhagen for an afternoon at leisure. You may choose to explore more of the city on your own, relax at the hotel, or revisit the charm of Tivoli Gardens if you haven't yet had the chance.

Enjoy a bit of free time this morning to say your goodbyes to Copenhagen before boarding a short flight bound for Norway's capital and most populous city - Oslo. Upon arrival, your Tauck Director welcomes you to the city with a brief orientation walk. Late this afternoon, check into your hotel, the Grand Hotel Oslo. Dinner will be served at the hotel tonight.

Your first full day in Oslo offers you an opportunity to see the city your way on a choice of all-included museum visits. You have the option to either visit the Kon Tiki Museum, housing vessels and maps from the Kon-Tiki expedition. Alternatively, you may choose to visit the Fram museum, which highlights the history of Norway's polar expeditions as well as three of its greatest explorers - Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup and Roald Amundsen. The rest of the day is free to explore; your hotel is ideally located within walking distance of the harbor.

Begin your day with breakfast at leisure in the heart of Norway's capital. Then set out with a local guide for a discovery of Oslo that reflects the city's evolving cultural landscape — from storied neighborhoods and world-class museums to contemporary spaces that tell Norway's story in new ways. Following lunch at a local restaurant, return to your centrally located hotel. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore as you wish. 

Head northwest from Oslo to west Norway and the fjord country, a glacier-forged mountain landscape where impossibly narrow deep fjords are etched between steep cliffs and every waterfall has a legend. Following lunch, continue on to a family-run hotel for the evening – where you'll have a traditional Smörgåsbord dinner.

Setting out by boat, travel to the breathtaking Fjaerland fjord, then travel by land to the Norsk Bremuseum (Glacier Museum) where hands-on displays are a perfect introduction to the Natural History of West Norway. Continue along lakes and under mountains for lunch in Skei, then to one of Norway's most inspiring natural wonders, Briksdal Glacier, in a setting of roaring waterfalls and mountain peaks at the end of one of the Nordfjord's three branches. A ride on a motorized "Troll Car" and a short hike to the foot of the glacier lead to stunning views. Spend the next two nights at a family-run hotel set amidst the towering mountains and the spectacular Nordfjord.

Weather permitting, drive to Dalsnibba, the region's highest point reached by road, to experience incredible vistas before embarking on a ferry cruise along the beautiful waters of Geirangerfjord; the scenery is dramatic, past cascading waterfalls and lush vegetation to Hellesylt. Have lunch at Hotel Union Øye, dating back to 1891, this "romantic Fjord Palace" was a favorite retreat of the aristocracy for decades. Return to your hotel this afternoon for a Norwegian history lecture by a local guide, followed by dinner. 

Your travels today take you south through Norwegian fjordlands, and include another ferry ride that takes you from Lavik to Oppedal, then a journey over land to Bergen. Your hotel is within walking distance of the historic wharf district, Bryggen, one of Europe's oldest port cities and a revered UNESCO World Heritage site. Tonight, dinner is included at your hotel.

Set along Norway's west coast, Bergen is one of Northern Europe's oldest port cities, shaped by centuries of maritime trade and cultural exchange. Begin the day with a guided walk through the UNESCO-listed Bryggen harbor district, where narrow lanes and timbered warehouses reflect the city's Hanseatic past. Continue beyond the historic center into the surrounding countryside for a visit to Øvre Eide Farm, offering insight into rural traditions and a sense of place rooted in Bergen's landscape. After returning to the city, the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure – perhaps exploring a museum, strolling along the harbor, or spending time in one of Bergen's neighborhood cafés. Join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner.

Tour ends: Bergen. Fly home anytime. A transfer from Hotel Bergen Bors by Scandic to Bergen Airport is included. Please allow a minimum of three hours for check-in at the airport.