Scandinavian Escape
Scandinavian Escape
$2980
Scandinavian Escape
10 Days Starting and ending in Hotel in Copenhagen
Visiting: Copenhagen, Odense, Aarhus, Hirtshals, Bergen, Gudvangen, Flam, Borgund, Oslo, Karlstad, Sigtuna, Stockholm
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ESY
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 12
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Discover the top sights in Scandinavia over 10 days! Travel through Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Start in Copenhagen, Denmark’s charming capital city and take an overnight ferry to Bergen in Norway - known as the gateway to the Fjords! See Oslo, Norway’s capital on a guided tour and visit Sigtuna, Sweden’s oldest town, before ending the tour in Stockholm, the Swedish capital. Look forward to spectacular natural landscapes, modern cities and Viking history. This adventure-filled Scandinavia tour ticks all the boxes!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Of Tour In Copenhagen
Location: Copenhagen
Meals Included: Dinner
Today marks the start of this unforgettable 10-day journey through Scandinavia! Starting in Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark, meet up with your tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel this morning. After an introduction to the upcoming itinerary, get ready for a driving and walking tour with a local guide. Look forward to seeing some of Copenhagen’s highlights including the Little Mermaid statue and Rosenborg Castle and learn more about the city’s history. Tonight, enjoy an included welcome dinner with the group.
Enjoy a guided tour of Copenhagen; Denmark's capital city
Day 2: Copenhagen: Free Day
Location: Copenhagen
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a full free day to discover the vibrant city of Copenhagen. This effortlessly cool city is known for its architectural delights as well as its modern, sustainable way of living. There are so many things to do and places to see in Copenhagen that you’ll be spoilt for choice today. Today’s optional excursion offers a canal cruise, a unique insight into Denmark’s history and culture with a visit to the National Museum, and lunch at Reffen market. Alternatively, explore on your own and bring out your inner child at Tivoli Gardens, a world-famous amusement park, or relax in one of Copenhagen’s many cosy cafés.
Day 3: Copenhagen - Odense - Aarhus - Hirtshals (Ferry Port)
Location: Copenhagen, Odense, Aarhus, Hirtshals
Meals Included: Breakfast
More Danish discoveries are on the cards today as the tour departs Copenhagen and makes its way to the seaport town of Hirtshals. On the way, visit Odense, known as the birthplace of Hans Christian Anderson, author of the beloved fairy tales The Ugly Duckling andThe Little Mermaid. Enjoy an orientation tour of the city before taking some free time to explore on your own. Then, travel to Aarhus, Denmark’s second-biggest city. Embark on an orientation tour and discover Den Gamle By, an open-air museum. Finally, arrive at the ferry port in Hirtshals and board the overnight ferry to Bergen in Norway!
Explore Odense; hometown of Hans Christian Anderson
Visit Aarhus; a captivating Danish city
Catch an overnight ferry to Norway
Day 4: Overnight Ferry - Bergen
Location: Bergen
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wake up onboard the ferry and say “god morgen” to Norway! Arrive in the enchanting city of Bergen this morning. This coastal city is known as “the city among the seven mountains” as well as the gateway to the fjords - a true Norway travel highlight. Look forward to an orientation tour of Bergen and see the historic harbour district of Bryggen Quay, a UNESCO-listed attraction. The afternoon is free to explore as you wish or to join the optional excursion to some of the fishing villages around Bergen. The excursion also includes a traditional Norwegian dinner at a former trading post turned café.
Cruise through Norway’s magnificent fjords
Explore Bergen; known as “the city among the seven mountains”
Day 5: Bergen: Free Day
Location: Bergen
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, the day is free to spend as you wish in Bergen. This charming city is the second largest in Norway and offers a wide range of activities to those who visit. For the ultimate Bergen exploration, join today’s optional excursion. During the Bergen+ experience, enjoy a guided tour of Bryggen and a ride up one thousand feet in the Fløibanen funicular to Fløyen mountain! From here, take in the sweeping views of the city. Head back down to ground level and end the excursion with a drink at the Magic Ice Bar which is home to quirky ice sculptures and delicious cocktails!
Day 6: Bergen - Gudvangen - Flam - Borgund - Oslo
Location: Bergen, Gudvangen, Flam, Borgund, Oslo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Spectacular Norwegian scenery awaits today! Depart Bergen after breakfast and head towards Oslo, enjoying many scenic spots on the way. Today’s first stop is Gudvangen, a gorgeous village at the foot of the truly spectacular Nærøyfjord. To get up close to the fjords in this area, join the optional excursion. Visit the nearby Viking Village and then embark on a sightseeing cruise which offers jaw-dropping views of the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjorden fjords! Arrive in Flam where the coach will meet up with the group. The next stop is Borgund, home to the unique Stave Church. Finally, arrive in Oslo, Norway’s capital city and check into the hotel for the evening. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Marvel at Norway’s spectacular natural scenery
Visit Gudvangen near Norway’s most famous fjord
Enjoy a photo stop at Borgund’s Stave Church
Day 7: Oslo - Karlstad
Location: Oslo, Karlstad
Meals Included: Breakfast
Set off on a locally guided walking tour of Oslo this morning. This capital city is home to the Norwegian royal family so spot the Royal Palace and admire the medieval Akershus Castle. Then, explore more on your own or choose to be guided through more highlights including some of Oslo’s best parks and museums on the Oslo+ optional excursion. Afterwards, the tour makes its way to another country - Sweden! Spend the night in Karlstad, which is situated between Oslo and Stockholm, Sweden’s capital. Karlstad is known as one of the sunniest towns in Sweden and is popular with outdoor enthusiasts.
See the highlights of Oslo with a local guide
Day 8: Karlstad - Sigtuna - Stockholm
Location: Karlstad, Sigtuna, Stockholm
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Swedish sights await as the tour travels towards Stockholm. On the way, visit Sigtuna - the oldest medieval town in Sweden! Discover Sigtuna’s traditional wooden houses and its thousand-plus years of history on an orientation tour. After, take some time to grab lunch or explore more on your own. Then, it's on to the Swedish capital! Meet up with a local guide straight away and set off on a driving and walking tour which will reveal top Stockholm attractions. Admire the Royal Palace and the AF Chapman ship before strolling through the Old Town, Gamla Stan. Tonight, look forward to a taste of authentic Swedish meatballs for dinner!
Visit Sigtuna; Sweden’s oldest town
Explore Stockholm with a local guide
Tuck into Swedish meatballs in Stockholm
Day 9: Stockholm: Free Day
Location: Stockholm
Meals Included: Breakfast
Say “hej” to a free day in Sweden! Some ways to spend your free day include exploring more of the cobblestone streets winding through Gamla Stan or visiting one of the city’s many acclaimed museums. The ABBA museum is a fun, interactive experience that celebrates the world’s favourite Swedish band! Alternatively, experience Sweden’s imperial history with a guided tour of Drottningholm Palace and its immaculate gardens as well as a visit to the Vasa Museum. This is the last night on tour so why not enjoy one last tasty Scandinavian meal?
Day 10: End Of Tour In Stockholm
Location: Stockholm
Meals Included: Breakfast
Over 10 days, this jam-packed itinerary has covered many Scandinavian highlights and top sights! The tour concludes this morning after breakfast where you can swap contact information with your new travel buddies if you haven’t already. Have a safe journey onwards and we’ll see you on tour soon!
What's Included
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Accommodation
9 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms and cabins with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room/cabin (subject to availability) -
Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Overnight ferry from Denmark to Norway
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) -
Meals
9 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners
*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request -
Tour Leader
Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details
What's Not Included
International flightsTravel to the start point and from the end point is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.Travel insuranceFor a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance.
Mode of Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Overnight ferry from Denmark to Norway
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
Accommodation
9 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms and cabins with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room/cabin (subject to availability)
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Health and Fitness
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
Experiences
Enjoy a guided tour of Copenhagen; Denmark's capital city
Explore Odense; hometown of Hans Christian Anderson
Visit Aarhus; a captivating Danish city
Catch an overnight ferry to Norway
Cruise through Norway’s magnificent fjords
Explore Bergen; known as “the city among the seven mountains”
Marvel at Norway’s spectacular natural scenery
Visit Gudvangen near Norway’s most famous fjord
Enjoy a photo stop at Borgund’s Stave Church
See the highlights of Oslo with a local guide
Visit Sigtuna; Sweden’s oldest town
Explore Stockholm with a local guide
Tuck into Swedish meatballs in Stockholm
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. Please see the meeting point information for details on how to reach the meeting point.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No, entrance fees are not included. Are all entrance fees included in the price?
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No, visas are each traveler’s personal responsibility, and we recommend that plenty of time is allowed for visas to be applied for. When applying for your visa, please ensure that the proper research is carried out before you apply, and that you deal directly with the embassies or certified agents with regard to acquiring correct and timely information. We cannot take responsibility for customers
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination for the first day of your tour. Make sure you keep departure times and possible delays in mind when booking flights.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
All our tours are conducted in English.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
We are committed to curating excellent travel experiences and to do so we need all of our travelers to feel safe.
In order to ensure the peace of mind and safety of our travelers and staff on board the coach, we are still requesting that all travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, produce a negative Covid test. This test can be a PCR test -
Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Certain nationalities may require a visa(s) for this tour.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
All of the hotels on this tour offer Wi-Fi, which is available free of charge as part of your Expat Explore tour.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes, Full air-conditioning
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Due to weight and space limitations, you are allowed to bring one main piece of luggage weighing no more than 20kg, and one small soft bag for hand luggage weighing a maximum of 7kg. On all tours, you will have to carry your own luggage (e.g. into hotels and up to your room if hotels don’t have elevators). Please bear this in mind when you are deciding what to pack
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our customer services team. Please note that the room provided may be a single room with a single bed.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes, As detailed in the itinerary
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
All travellers are required to carry their own bags, get on and off the coach, and use public transport. Our city walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down lots of steps. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.
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What is the maximum group size?
It depends on how many other people book! There could be up to 51 other passengers, so you will have the opportunity to make lots of friends!
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
We have searched and invested in excellent accommodation options, either located in cities or well placed with public transport connections. Clean linen, towels is always included. Toiletries (shampoo, shower gel etc) and hair dryers are not always included, so you may wish to bring these with you. Accommodation is provided in twin share en-suite rooms. We use a mix of mostly 2, 3 & 4-star hotels.
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What is the tipping policy?
Whilst we fully understand that some nationalities are not accustomed to tipping, this is a normal part of the culture in many of the countries we visit. Tipping has become an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis worldwide. Expat Explore crew members
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
A full list of confirmed accommodation names and addresses for your particular departure will be emailed to you around 1 week before the tour starts.
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Our travelers come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Our tour leaders come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests. They are all confident and well-travelled with an in-depth knowledge of the destinations they are working in, and a passion for helping you make the most out of your Expat Explore tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
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Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
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Free Date Changes
Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 76 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.
Up to 45 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.