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Overview Itinerary Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

Scandinavia: The Capitals & the Fjords

with St. Petersburg extension

Duration: 14 or 17 days
Group size: 15-38
Reviews: 203

See the wonders of Europe's northern reaches.

From seafaring histories to fantastic fjords, there’s a lot to love about Scandinavia. Marvel at Norway’s amazing green cliffs and blue water, then set sail from Oslo to Denmark’s waterside capital. Hit the remaining Nordic capitals—Stockholm and Helsinki, two of the world’s most livable cities—and explore their maritime pasts and modern architecture.

Your tour package includes

10 nights in handpicked hotels
2 nights aboard a cruise ship
12 breakfasts
6 dinners with beer or wine
6 guided sightseeing tours

Included highlights

Historic Bergen
Norway’s fjord country
Viking Ship Museum
Copenhagen’s Nyhavn district
Vasa Museum

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Bergen today.

Bergen3 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Bergen

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Norway! Meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Bergen

Included meal: Breakfast

Get to know Bergen with a local guide, uncovering the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bryggen harbor district and city center.

• Pass by the Bergenhus Fortress and stroll through the bustling fish and flower market

• Head to the Custom House pier to view the city center and harbor

• Drive to the medieval-style Fantoft Stave church in Fana

• Explore the Edvard Grieg Museum to learn about the famed composer

Day 4: Norwegian Fjords

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend the day journeying through Norway’s fjord country, a region of otherworldly natural beauty.

• Embark on a cruise through the country’s steep cliffs and narrow waterways

• Disembark in the village of Flåm, overlooking Aurlandsfjord

• Explore the Flåm Railway Museum

• Take a scenic train ride along one of the steepest rails in the world

Oslo Region1 night

Day 5: Flight to the Oslo Region & Viking Ship Museum

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Make your way to the airport in Bergen and fly to the Oslo region.

Then, step inside the Viking Ship Museum to learn about Viking history and view the once-feared longships.

This evening, sit down to an included dinner with your group.

Overnight Cruise1 night

Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Oslo & cruise to Copenhagen

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, a local guide introduces you to Oslo's local highlights.

• Step inside Oslo City Hall to see stunning murals

• Enter the Munch Museum, dedicated to the work of famous Norwegian artist Edvard Munch

• Stroll through Vigelandsparken, a sculpture park, as you enjoy a short panoramic tour in the center of the city

• Explore the local Mathallen market

Later, board a cruise ship and sail through the night to Copenhagen, Denmark. Aboard the ship, sit down to an included dinner.

Copenhagen2 nights

Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Copenhagen

Included meal: Breakfast

After docking in Copenhagen, take a guided tour of the bustling maritime city with a local guide.

• Step inside the 16th-century Rosenborg Castle, a royal residence built in the Dutch Renaissance style

• View the iconic Little Mermaid statue and marvel at the wharfside homes and stores in the beautifully preserved Nyhavn district

• Pass by the Amalienborg Palace and Christiansborg Palace, seat of the Danish Parliament

Day 8: Free day in Copenhagen

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend the day exploring Copenhagen on your own or add an excursion.

Frederiksborg Castle & Elsinore

Excursion (additional cost)

Stockholm2 nights

Day 9: Flight to Stockholm

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After one last morning in Copenhagen, board your flight to Stockholm, Sweden.

Later this evening, sit down to an included dinner with your group.

Day 10: Sightseeing tour of Stockholm

Included meal: Breakfast

Explore Sweden’s sophisticated capital on a guided tour led by a local expert.

• Enter the architecturally unique Stockholm City Hall, site of the annual Nobel Prize banquet

• Step inside the Vasa Museum to see a 1628 warship that once sat at the bottom of Stockholm harbor

• Stroll through the medieval Old Town and view the Baroque Royal Palace

Enjoy a free afternoon in Stockholm or add an excursion.

Historic Sweden: A Day in Uppsala

Excursion (additional cost)

Overnight Cruise1 night

Day 11: Cruise to Helsinki

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Spend the morning exploring Stockholm on your own or add an excursion.

This afternoon, board an overnight cruise to Helsinki, Finland. Aboard the ship, sit down to an included dinner.

Drottningholm

Excursion (additional cost)

Helsinki2 nights

Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Helsinki

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Trace Finland’s history and experience its culture during a guided tour of the country’s capital city.

• Pass through Senate Square

• See the modern Olympic Stadium

• Stop to enter Temppeliaukio Church, carved into a rocky hillside

• Recall Finland’s most famous composer in the eponymous Sibelius Park

Tonight, gather with your group for a farewell dinner.

Day 13: Free day in Helsinki

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend the day exploring on your own or add an excursion.

Tallinn

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 14: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on to explore St. Petersburg.

Extension to St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is a city of haunting magnificence. Created by Peter the Great in 1703 to be his “window on Europe,” St. Petersburg combines its fascinating Russian heritage with a distinctly European outlook. Considered the cultural heart of modern day Russia, St. Petersburg is rapidly regaining its reputation as one of the Great Cities of Europe. From the vibrant colors of spring and endless twilights of the famous White Nights to the golden sun of autumn and the crisp brightness of a St. Petersburg winter, the city casts its own unique spell over visitors.

St.Petersburg3 nights

Day 14: Travel to St. Petersburg

Included meal: Breakfast

Journey by train through the historic Karelia region, a romantic land of lakes, rivers and canals, before reaching the historic Russian city of St. Petersburg.

Enjoy a free evening in St. Petersburg or add an excursion.

Russian Theatre Show & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 15: Sightseeing tour of St. Petersburg

Included meal: Breakfast

Meet a local guide for a sightseeing tour of St. Petersburg, Russia’s grand imperial city.

• See Palace Square, one of Europe’s great meeting places

• Walk through the St. Peter and Paul Fortress and Cathedral Church

• Drive down Nevsky Prospekt, a tree-lined boulevard

• Visit the ornate Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

• Discover over three million pieces of art in the Hermitage Museum

Day 16: Free day in St. Petersburg

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend the day exploring St. Petersburg on your own or add an excursion.

This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Peterhof

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 17: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

203

4.5 average

07/19/2019 by 6th time traveler Carol F.

Everything was great! Would have liked a little more time in St. Petersburg felt rushed on the tours of the churches which were awesome.Thanks for the experience.

07/09/2019 by 2nd time traveler Karen V.

Wonderful trip and experience am exhausted from the long trip home, but really enjoyed everything. Room in Copenhagen was a little noisy from the outside, but I guess we hit a party nite in Copenhagen.

07/22/2019 by 3rd time traveler Barbara S.

The trip was pretty much as advertised but I was disappointed in both the quality and the location of some of the hotels. The dinners that were provided were generally mediocre (and that is being generous). The tour guides were good except for Tallinn (could not understand her because of very heavy...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 07/22/2019

Dear Barbara, We are happy to hear that most compo...

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Great Places, a Great Tour Guide

07/22/2019 by 3rd time traveler Mark S.

Our tour guide, Frank Lahr, made the tour a sold experience. He was always anticipating issues, extending extra help to group members and extremely knowledgeable about our visits. The location of several hotels needed to be nearer historic city centers. The group dinners were mediocre. The guide...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 07/22/2019

Thank you for writing us a review of your trip wit...

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I Never knew how little I knew!

06/19/2019 by 3rd time traveler Teresa T.

This trip was amazing and far exceeded any I would have planned for myself. We saw things and learned things that weren't even in our radar! Who would have thought visiting city halls could be so enlightening...and reflective of culture. The itinerary was full of interesting aspects every day. Inva...

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Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Clarion Admiral

This contemporary hotel is located in central Bergen. Guests enjoy Wi-Fi, room service, and laundry services. Nearby, you'll find Bergenhaus Cathedral...

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First Hotel Millenium

This modern hotel is centrally located in Oslo’s city center. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and lounge. Nearby, you’ll find the city’s main shopping...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

This tour visits Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland (plus Russia on the tour extension). In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens for the main tour.
U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in advance in order to enter Russia on the tour extension. You may choose to obtain your individual visa by applying directly to the Russian consulate or by using a visa provider, such as our partner company, VisaCentral. If you opt to apply through the Russian consulate and require additional assistance and/or documentation from Go Ahead Tours, a special arrangements fee of $95 per person may be charged.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 2 hours daily across mostly flat terrain, including cobblestone streets, paved roads, and dirt paths.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times (especially on ferries) as well as getting in and out of trains and boats.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Bergen and depart from Helsinki (or St. Petersburg on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
A flight from Bergen to Oslo, overnight ferries from Oslo to Copenhagen and Stockholm to Helsinki, as well as a flight from Copenhagen to Stockholm are included in the price of your tour.(The tour extension also includes a train ride from Helsinki to St. Petersburg.)
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
Please note that there are often baggage restrictions during internal transfers including ferry rides and internal flights, and packing light is recommended.

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to any of the countries on this tour.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

Norwegian cuisine is varied, offering something for every traveler. Lamb is the most traditional meat, but you’ll also find everything from goose to deer being served in Norway. Seafood lovers will enjoy the country's array of smoked salmon, shellfish, pickled herring, and scrod. Typical meals often incorporate grains, locally-produced cheeses, fresh produce, and wild berries.
Sweden's famous meatballs are typically served with a brown sauce and tart lingonberry jam. Smoked salmon and pickled herring are popular eats, especially atop a crisp bread. Snack on the country's many kinds of pastry and breads during fika, a social coffee hour that occurs mid-morning and mid-afternoon.
When in Denmark, try the beloved open-faced sandwich called smørrebrød: a slice of rye bread topped with local favorites that could include smoked fish, prawns, mayonnaise, horseradish, or caviar. The country is also known for the popular Carlsberg and Tuborg beers.
Fish, meat, potatoes, and bread are staples in Finnish cuisine. Some typical Finnish foods include grillimakkara (grilled sausages), ruisleipä (rye bread), leipäjuusto (mild cheese, often served with jam) and korvapuusti (cinnamon buns).
On the tour extension, popular Russian foods include soups, meat casseroles, cabbage prepared many different ways, and the country’s world-famous vodka. Try pelmeny, Russia’s version of ravioli. Bliny (crepes) or kasha (porridge) are common for breakfast.

Electricity & air conditioning

All destinations visited on this tour operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply. In more remote locations, internet access may be limited and is not guaranteed.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time(ET).
Finland (and Russia on the tour extension) are two hours ahead of GMT and seven hours ahead of ET.
When it’s noon in New York, it's 6pm in Bergen, Copenhagen, and Stockholm and 7pm in Helsinki and St. Petersburg.

Currency

You will use the Norwegian krone in Norway, the Swedish krona in Sweden, the Danish krone in Denmark, and the euro in Finland (plus the Russian ruble in Russia on the tour extension).
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on your tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information. International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.

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83 Departures

Tour prices are per person, before flights from your departure city, and based on two travelers per hotel room. Tour prices include on-tour flights where applicable.