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Gullfoss Waterfall in South Iceland

Best of Scandinavia - Norway Cruise & Iceland

Train, Cruise & Minibus

(17 days / 16 nights)

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The Charm of the Nordics

Spend 17 days on the ultimate Scandinavian tour that combines the history and culture of capital cities and charming towns, along with the breathtaking nature of the Nordics. Explore these modern, yet historical cities by land and sea as you cruise from Copenhagen to Oslo and explore these enchanting cities by foot. The tour also includes the popular Norway in a Nutshell® train journey over the mountains to Bergen, a relaxing Hurtigruten cruise, along with time in idyllic Iceland, touring the Golden Circle and scenic South Coast.

Looking for the winter version of this tour?

17 days / 16 nights

Price p.p. from

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 6450 EUR

— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Seamless travel experience
  • Handpicked hotels and service of Scandinavia train & cruise travel experts
  • Comprehensive itinerary & Scandinavia Travel Guide
  • 24/7 helpline during your tour
  • Great customer reviews
  • Carbon offsetting included

Read more

— Book With Confidence

  • Optional cancellation insurance
  • Affordable deposits from 10%

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • Explore the colourful capitals of Iceland, Norway, Sweden & Denmark
  • Sail along the Norwegian coast on the famous Hurtigruten cruise
  • Board the Norway in a Nutshell® tour for breathtaking landscapes
  • Visit the dramatic deep fjord of Geiranger and explore the charming village
  • Discover the Golden Circle and black sand beaches in Iceland
  • Stroll through Norway’s grand capital, Oslo and visit charming Bergen
  • Enjoy the charms of Swedish Fika in Gamla Stan (Old Town)
  • See the cascading waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss in Iceland
  • Relax by Copenhagen’s harbour at Nyhavn and visit the Little Mermaid
  • Enjoy exploring the capitals at your own time and joining optional guided tours of the cities

Travel style

Independent Tours i

Interest

Castles and Royalty i, City Break i, Culture and History i, Fjords i, Honeymoon & Romance i, Hurtigruten cruise i

Season

May - Sep

Interest

Castles and Royalty i, City Break i, Culture and History i, Fjords i, Honeymoon & Romance i, Hurtigruten cruise i

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

  • Day 1: WELCOME TO SWEDEN

    When you arrive at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport, make your way to Stockholm city centre. Many travellers opt to take the express train to Stockholm Central Station, but we also offer direct private transfers. After settling in at your hotel, spend the day exploring the beautiful city. Stroll the well-known street Drottninggatan where you can shop and feel the vibe of the capital city. Go for a walk in the surrounding area of Östermalm, where you will find interesting shops, cafés, and restaurants for a perfect introduction to Scandinavian culture. It could be fun to pick a cafe and experience Swedish „fika“, an afternoon tea or coffee.

    Spend the night in Stockholm.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 2: THE CHARMS OF SWEDISH CULTURE

    Today you will explore the heart of scenic Stockholm. We recommend exploring the capital by foot, visiting attractions such as the Old Town (Gamla Stan), where you will find the Royal Palace, the parliament, old churces, beautiful cobble stone streets and medieval houses.

    After some time at Gamla Stan, you can take a short ferry ride to the nearby island Djurgården, a cultural oasis with something for everyone. Here you will find the kitschy Abba Museum, the Nordic Museum, the Gröna Lund amusement park, and the Skansen open-air museum. It is ideal to spend the afternoon here, exploring the grounds and many attractions.

    Spend the night in Stockholm.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 3: TRAVEL FROM STOCKHOLM TO LOVELY COPENHAGEN

    Today you will take a short flight to Copenhagen. After settling in at your hotel, go for a walk along the enchanting old harbour area of Nyhavn, where you will see colourful houses and lively restaurants among the docked boats. Walk the narrow side streets, visit some shops and try out the traditional Danish open-faced sandwich, Smørrebrød. In the evening, visit the amusement park Tivoli Gardens, which has something for everyone. It’s a lovely place to admire the architecture and gardens and to enjoy some carnival rides. 

    Spend the night in Copenhagen.

    *For those interested, we offer the option of travelling by train instead of flight between Stockholm and Denmark. For more details click the optional activities.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 4: A DAY IN CAPTIVATING COPENHAGEN

    You have the whole day to explore Copenhagen. We recommend seeing the city by foot, visiting landmarks including Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace, and the famous Little Mermaid statue. An optional cruise from the harbour is also highly recommended as you can appreciate the architecture and beauty of the city by water. Next, stroll Ströget street for some shopping and grab something to eat at Torvehallerne food hall.

    Spend the night in Copenhagen.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 5: SET SAIL FOR NORWAY

    Spend the morning touring Copenhagen. Some interesting attractions include the observatory of The Round Tower, the most famous church in Copenhagen, Church of Our Saviour, as well as the impeccable King’s Garden, and the regal Rosenborg Castle. In the early afternoon, it’s time to board your cruise to Oslo, which sails gently up the Kattegat Sund on its way to Norway’s capital city. You can enjoy dinner in one of the restaurants, check out the entertainment on board or just relax and watch the sunset from the deck.

    Spend the night on the cruise.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 6: ENJOY ENCHANTING OSLO

    After the cruise ship docks, get ready to see the best of Oslo. The city is quite walkable and recommend exploring by foot and the convenience of public transport. Notable attractions include the beautiful Vigeland Sculpture ParkFram Polar Ship Museum and spending some time along the beautiful harbour area. Other interesting stops include the Munch MuseumRoyal PalaceAkershus Fortress, and Oslo City Hall.

    Spend the night in Oslo.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 7: JOURNEY OVER THE MOUNTAINS

    Head to Oslo Central Station this morning where you will board the Dovrebanen train for a scenic ride over the Dovre mountain plateau through historic towns and nature reserves. As the second highest line after the Bergen Railway, the Dovre Railway includes a great variation in terrain and scenery.

    In Dombås you will change trains for the Raumabanen Railway, often referred as the most spectacular railway line in Norway with endless sights to enjoy, including the "chicken bridge" and the Vermafossen waterfall. On arrival to Åndalsnes you will take a bus for 2 hours to Ålesund.

    Spend the night in Ålesund.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 8: THE GEIRANGER FJORD CRUISE

    Today you will explore Geirangerfjord by boat, taking a 120 km cruise through three fjords revealing spectacular landscapes.  The Geirangerfjord features peaceful waters, majestic mountains and magnificent waterfalls, including the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil. The cruise, which is 3-hours each way, includes a stop in Geiranger village for a few hours.

    In the late afternoon you will take the boat back to Ålesund. We recommend visiting one of the restaurants in town and in the evening and relax until you head for the Hurtigruten harbour where your cruise departs shortly after midnight.

    Spend the night on board the Hurtigruten in a private cabin.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 9: SAIL TO HISTORIC BERGEN

    During the night, the ship calls at Torvik, Maløy, and Florø as the journey weaves through islets and stunning landscapes before coming within view of its final destination—Bergen. Here you will disembark the ship at 14:30 to enjoy some leisure time. Bergen, “The Capital of the Fjords”, has all the charms of a small town. Here you’ll find Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with remarkably preserved old houses, a lively fish and flower market, cable cars offering stunning views, great museums and more. We recommend riding the Fløibanen Funicular to Mount Fløyen to enjoy the panoramic view of the city or a cable car up Mt. Ulriken. Bergen is surrounded by 7 mountains so a good place for hiking.

    Spend the night in Bergen.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 10: NORWAY IN A NUTSHELL BY LAND AND SEA

    Today will be an especially scenic day with a lot of travel. From Bergen, the early Bergensbanen train transports you to Voss, where you’ll be transported by bus to Gudvangen.

    There, you will embark on a scenic 2-hour fjord cruise to Flåm, including a trip through Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord in all of Europe. This UNESCO World Heritage site is perhaps the most breathtaking part of Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, with its mighty peaks, tumbling waterfalls, and small farms dotting the mountainsides. Finally, the boat sails up Aurlandsfjord to Flåm, a charming village, where you will spend the evening. 

    Spend the night in Flåm.

    We recommend booking luggage transfer for the travel between Bergen and Oslo.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 11: THE FLÅM RAILWAY EXPERIENCE

    Spend the early part of your day exploring the village of Flåm by following one of the many hiking trails in the mountains around the village. At noon, you’ll get to experience the famous Flåm Railway as it climbs 900 metres over a span of 20 kilometres up the winding track to the Myrdal Station. Here you will switch to the Bergensbanen train that takes you over the mountainous rooftops of Norway. This ride will take you through the charming villages of Geilo and Gol before concluding in Oslo, where you will spend your last night in this amazing country.

    Spend the night in Oslo.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 12: BEAUTIFUL OSLO TO IDYLLIC ICELAND

    This morning, enjoy some last-minute shopping, visit one of Oslo’s many museums or relax at a café, before heading to the airport for your flight to Iceland. On arrival to Keflavik International Airport, you will be greeted by a driver who will take you to your accommodation in Reykjavík. After settling in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore. We recommend strolling the streets of the charming capital city, visiting museums, and exploring landmarks like Hallgrímskirkja and the Sun Voyager.

    Spend the next five nights in Reykjavik.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 13: REYKJAVÍK CITY WALK & BLUE LAGOON

    After breakfast, enjoy an exclusive walking tour in the heart of Reykjavík. You’ll join a small group and a friendly local guide. The tour starts at Ingólfur Square (“Ingólfstorg”) in the city centre.  

    Over the course of the 2-hour walk, your guide will introduce you to the bustling downtown area. They will also point out great restaurants, charming cafés and museums in the area.

    The highlights you’ll see on this tour include the Harpa concert hall, the old harbour area, the parliament building, the Reykjavík pond and more! This is a great way to see the best of the Icelandic capital and get some insider knowledge on hidden gems in the city.

    Later in the afternoon, you will be picked up for a bus transfer to the famous Blue Lagoon spa. Here, you can spend your time bathing in the heated geothermal outdoor pool, which is rich in silica and soothing for your skin. There is also a mask bar, a sauna and steam room to take advantage of. Or enjoy a spa treatment (must be booked in advance).

    After relaxing in the warm waters, you can choose to dine at the luxurious Lava Restaurant on-site, before taking the bus back to Reykjavík.

    Spend the night in Reykjavík.

    Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 14: Exploring the Golden Circle

    Today you visit some of Iceland’s most famous attractions with a small guided group tour of the classic “Golden Circle” route in South Iceland. You will start the day heading to Hveragerði where the bus will make a short stop before continuing on your journey.

    One of the many highlights you’ll see today is the impressive Kerið Crater. Other attractions include the magical two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall and the spouting hot springs of Geysir. While Geysir lies dormant, its neighbour Strokkur erupts every few minutes, gushing steam and water high into the air.

    The last stop of the day is Þingvellir National Park, a place of great historical and geological significance. It is also one of Iceland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Þingvellir is the site of the country’s first parliament and is located along the edge of the great rift between the Eurasian and American tectonic plates.

    Spend the night in Reykjavík.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 15: The South Coast - Glaciers and Black Sand Beaches

    Enjoy a guided group tour along the striking south coast of Iceland on another day of adventures. Start your journey with a stop at the picture-perfect, 60-metre-high (197-foot-high) Skógafoss waterfall. Next you’ll stop at Reynisfjara, a hauntingly beautiful black sand beach. You will then continue towards the town of Vík where you’ll make a photo stop at the local church, which offers expansive views of the landscape.

    Then it is time to head back along the south coast. You will stop at Sólheimajökull glacier where you will learn everything about glaciers and the area. The last highlight of the day is the picturesque Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which is 40 metres (131 feet) high. Its main attraction, besides the scenery, is the pathway leading behind the waterfall, giving you a chance to admire the falls from all angles. Later, you’ll return to Reykjavík.

    Spend the night in Reykjavík.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 16: YOUR ICELANDIC ADVENTURE

    Today you will create your own adventure! You could choose to join an exciting optional activity like snorkelling in the Silfra fissure at Þingvellir National Park, or riding a stocky and adorable Icelandic horse, or even venturing inside a volcano. Other options include enjoying a whale watching tour, riding an ATV on rugged tracks, sightseeing high above in a helicopter and exploring an ice tunnel by going Into the Glacier.

    If you are up for a more leisurely day, you could choose to relax in Reykjavik. Options include visiting a local swimming pool, checking out museums, or strolling the charming streets to see where the day takes you. Keep in mind that your travel consultant can fulfil customised requests like renting a car or booking activities that you enjoy.

    Spend the night in Reykjavik.

    See Activities for this day
  • Day 17: DEPARTURE FROM ICELAND

    Your adventure in Scandinavia and Iceland has come to an end. Depart to Keflavik International Airport via a semi-private transfer. If your flight is in the afternoon, you will have time to visit some of Reykjavik´s boutiques or museums. You may also opt to take an exciting optional activity (not included).

    See Activities for this day

Optional extras

Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

What's included

Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.

17 days / 16 nights

Price p.p. from

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 6450 EUR

Reviews

We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.

Good and accurate organising

We found that the organising was good and accurate. For us parts of the overall tour was very rushed. For instance we would have preferred more time in Bergen and Oslo. The UNESCO Geirangerfjord tour was too much in one day and to then depart very late that night on the Hurtigruten to Bergen. We would have preferred to go direct to Bergen from Oslo. Geiranger was so busy because of two cruise ships.

I'd be happy to use Nordic Visitor again

I didn't need to use the 24/7 helpline, however I did appreciate the timely responses from Liza on occasions when I had concerns. Overall I would be happy to use Nordic Visitor again.

The tour was an adventure

The tour was an adventure. Learning to navigate ourselves in each city was challenging but part of learning about the different cities! All accommodations were fine, most were quite excellent. The day tours were a great idea.

Accommodation

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

Comfort Plus

Standard rooms in good quality and comfortable three-star hotels in combination with charming country hotels.

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Superior

Standard rooms in four-star hotels in combination with Superior rooms in premium three-star hotels.

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Price per person from

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 6450 EUR

Tour Information

We recommend that all Nordic Visitor travellers read through the following information about our self-guided tours, travelling with the DFDS ship, boarding flights or trains, and other useful information for your travels.

We recommend you wait to book flights to Scandinavia, and other parts of your travels, until we can confirm your desired travel dates for this tour. This is due to varying availabilities aboard Norway cruises, as included in this package. Contact us for more details.

OUR SELF-GUIDED TOURS
This is an independent, self-guided tour. All accommodation, flight, cruise and ferry tickets (as specified in the itinerary) will be pre-booked by Nordic Visitor, but travellers are ultimately responsible for getting to hotels and to any airport or ferry departure points by the specified times.

Please note, for each planned activity in Iceland, you can expect a different tour operator and guide, and you will have free time between activities. Nordic Visitor works with a small group of handpicked suppliers that are highly rated and deliver excellent service that meet our high standards.

FLIGHT FROM STOCKHOLM TO COPENHAGEN
Included in the package is a flight between Stockholm and Copenhagen. The direct flight takes approximately 1h10 min. Baggage allowance per person is 20kg per checked bag and 8 kg per carry-on bag. Most days offer flights at mid-day but in some cases, you may be booked on a morning or evening flight. Your travel consultant will book the best option for your travel dates. Please note that airport transfer from your hotel in Stockholm to the airport is not included nor the train from Copenhagen airport to the hotel. We recommend Arlanda Express Train, a short 18-minute train ride to the airport from city center.
 

WOULD YOU RATHER TAKE THE TRAIN?
If you prefer to travel from Stockholm to Copenhagen by rail instead of flying, we would be happy to arrange that for you. In the summer months, the trains conduct track maintenance and there might be changes in the route and extending the journey from the standard duration of 5 hours and 10 minutes. The train tickets might not be bookable until 30 days prior departure. In the meantime, we will book the rest of the travel arrangements for you. Please select the train option during the booking steps online.

DFDS CRUISE
The overnight cruise from Copenhagen to Oslo includes cabin accommodation (Comfort Plus or Superior cabin with windows) with private facilities, and breakfast is included. There are two ships operating the route, Pearl Seaways and Crown Seaways, and each ship can accommodate approx. 1800 passengers. On board you will find restaurants, bars and activities.

  • Departure from Copenhagen: 14:15
  • Arrival in Oslo: 09:15
     

HURTIGRUTEN CRUISE-LINE
The cruise includes cabin accommodation with private facilities. Your reservation is for an unspecified cabin with windows or port holes. Please note that views may be obstructed, but you can always go up to the deck for the best views around. Your daily breakfast is also included.

The Hurtigruten coastal voyages differ from conventional cruises. There are 11 different ships that vary in size and age that sail the Norwegian coast on different dates. All ships have restaurants, a cafeteria, laundry room, WI-FI and on-board activities.

Optional shore excursions are available, and we strongly recommend that you pre-book all excursions. You can disembark at ports where the stop is scheduled for more than 15 minutes.

Please note that we are unable to offer guaranteed cabin numbers for port-to-port calls and short voyages (less than 5 nights).

GEIRANGER CRUISE 
Included is a cruise through Geirangerfjord on the ship, MS Geirangerfjord II. This fjord cruise journey is about 120 km each way and departs from the harbour by the Rutebilstasjonen. On board you can purchase coffee and light refreshments while travelling from the ocean to the fjord, enjoying spectacular views along the way.

 

June to August departures:

  • Departure from Ålesund: 08:30 - Arrival in Geiranger: 11:30
  • Departure from Geiranger: 14:30 - Arrival in Ålesund: 17:30

May departures:

  • Departure from Ålesund: 10:30 - Arrival in Geiranger: 13:30
  • Departure from Geiranger: 16:00 - Arrival in Ålesund: 19:00

September departures:

  • Departure from Ålesund: 09:00 - Arrival in Geiranger: 12:00
  • Departure from Geiranger: 14:00 - Arrival in Ålesund: 17:00

NORWAY IN A NUTSHELL® TOUR

This tour includes the famous Norway in a Nutshell® tour from Bergen to Oslo. This is one of Norway’s most iconic journeys. You’ll travel by train, bus and ferry, seeing beautiful landscapes of steep mountains, cascading waterfalls, shimmering fjords, charming villages and scenic coastline.

The first leg of the journey is from Bergen to Flåm. Then you’ll travel from Flåm to Oslo. The duration of both days will be around 6 hours. 

The connections will be announced and clearly explained in your travel documents. You will receive a ticket with all the information about transfer points and timings with your final travel documents.

There are places to store your luggage during each leg of the journey. Be advised that if you do not book luggage transfer you have to carry your luggage yourself from train to bus to boat etc, but the connections are all within proximity for easy transfer.

FLIGHT FROM OSLO TO REYKJAVIK
Included in the package is a direct flight between Oslo and Reykjavik. The flight takes approx. 2hr 50min. Baggage allowance per person is 20kg per suitcase and 8 kg per hand luggage. The flight schedule varies, and your travel consultant will book the best option for your travel dates. Please note that transfer to Oslo airport is not included.

THE BLUE LAGOON
Please note that your scheduled transfer to the Blue Lagoon can be on a coach bus, with up to 70 fellow travellers. The minimum age requirement for children at the Blue Lagoon is 2-years old. It is mandatory for children aged 2 to 8 to wear inflatable armbands while in the lagoon. These are provided free of charge. Please note that only two (2) children under the age of 10 can be admitted into the lagoon per guardian.

WHAT TO PACK

  • If booking the additional luggage transfer - an overnight bag in Flåm
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Rain pants
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Sturdy walking shoes with a good tread/grip is useful for some activities in Iceland
  • Umbrella
  • Light gloves, hat and scarf
  • Swimsuit
  • Camera
  • Lip balm and moisturiser
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Eye shades, as some visitors find it difficult to sleep with the light of the midnight sun in Iceland
     

CURRENCY RATE
All bookings are charged in Euros (EUR). Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. Therefore, conversions from EUR to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

AFTER BOOKING WITH NORDIC VISITOR
After booking your package with Nordic Visitor, you will be contacted within two working days by one of our travel consultants, who will serve as your dedicated contact person for all of your travel needs before, during and even after your holiday. Your travel consultant will provide you with details about your booking and your remaining payment (if not paid in full). You will also receive more information about what to expect during your holiday.

CARBON OFFSETTING YOUR TOUR
Nordic Visitor is working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours. Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund.

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