16 Day Grand Scandinavia

Welcome to the White City of the North, Helsinki! Finland's buzzing capital city is best-known for its art and culture, and innovative architecture. From Helsinki airport, make your own way to the hotel, meet the tour director and spend the rest of the day at your own leisure. Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.

This morning, after breakfast, you'll be met by your guide and explore the highlights of Helsinki. Pass by Senate Square, home to Helsinki Cathedral, the Market Square, and the elegant Esplanade. The coach continues past key landmarks, including Finlandia Hall, the Opera House, and the Olympic Stadium, before a walking tour of the historic centre. We'll move on to the Temppeliaukio Church, a Lutheran church which opened in 1969 and is built directly into solid rock (also known as the Church of the Rock and Rock Church), and is frequently used as a concert venue due to its amazing acoustics. After touring the city, we'll travel to Kuopio. You will arrive at your hotel in the afternoon, where you will have the evening at your leisure. Inspiring Highlights Helsinki Cathedral Market Square Temppeliaukio Church Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.

Today, we set off after breakfast on a picturesque drive to our next destination in northern Finland, Rovaniemi. We'll be driving through the scenic Finnish Lakeland region, where there will be refreshment stops along the way, including a break at a lakeside cafe. We'll arrive at tonight's hotel, where we'll check in and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

After breakfast, begin the day with an exploration of Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland. Visit the Arktikum Science Centre and Museum, where the highlight is the Arctic in Change exhibition. Gain insight into the unique Arctic environment, its rich cultural heritage, and even experience the cold of the Arctic and the mesmerizing beauty of blue ice in the museum's cold room. The afternoon is at leisure, offering an opportunity to take a scenic stroll along the picturesque banks of the Kemijoki River or explore more of Rovaniemi at your own pace. Inspiring Highlights Arktikum centre

After breakfast, we'll set off for a scenic drive from Rovaniemi to Ivalo, a town deep in the Arctic Circle and home to around 3,000 people, via Saariselkä. This Finnish municipality is famous for its vast landscapes, fresh air and nature. There are over 200 km of cross-country ski trails, some of which pass through the Urho Kekkonen National Park. The park, a 15-minute drive from Saariselkä, is Finland's second largest and is known for its superior hiking and trekking, and of course, skiing and snowboarding pursuits. Inspiring Highlights Saariselkä Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.

We say goodbye to Finland this morning and head to Honningsvåg in Norway, the northernmost point in mainland Europe. This quaint little town is a gateway for amazing Arctic experiences—one will take place this evening at the North Cape, where you'll witness the midnight sun with a glass of sparkling wine. An incredible evening you won't forget! Inspiring Highlights Visit to the North Cape hall with a glass of sparkling wine Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.

After a relaxed morning, depart the hotel in the late morning and travel to Alta, a picturesque town on Norway's northern coast at the head of Alta Fjord. Renowned for its breathtaking Northern Lights displays, Alta is also home to the remarkable Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, which melts away each spring. The journey takes you through the stunning landscapes of Finnmark County, with scenic viewpoints along the famed 129 km-long E69 highway. Often referred to as the "Last Road on Earth," this route is the final roadway connecting Norway to the North Pole, offering an unforgettable glimpse into the Arctic wilderness. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

We begin the morning with a visit to The World Heritage Rock Art Centre at Alta Museum. Here, you can discover around 6,000 UNESCO-listed rock art paintings and engravings, some of which are up to 7,000 years old. You'll then have some free time to enjoy lunch in Alta before departing for Kilpisjärvi. The journey to Kilpisjärvi is truly memorable, offering stunning views through the majestic Lyngen Alps. We'll arrive in Kilpisjärvi in the early evening. Inspiring Highlights Alta Museum Lyngen Alps Scenic Drive Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

This morning, after breakfast, we travel from Kilpisjärvi to Narvik, a city dominated by an impressive 900-meter-deep fjord. As we travel, we'll continue to take in the incredible coastal views, including Tysfjord and Ballangen. You'll arrive at your hotel in Narvik and tonight is at your leisure. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Today we travel from Narvik to Mo i Rana, the third largest city in northern Norway, situated just outside the Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park. This town has evolved from a bustling trading post to a modern metropolis. The scenic drive takes us through Saltdal, a national park municipality. A highlight of today is the included ferry crossing from Skarberget to Bognes, which provides a scenic vantage point. Inspiring Highlights Saltdal scenic drive Ferry crossing from Skarberget to Bognes Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 7hours.

Enjoy a scenic drive to Trondheim today, appreciating the picturesque Norwegian landscapes. We will visit Nidaros Cathedral, which is Norway's national shrine and is built over the tomb of St. Olav, the Viking king who converted Norway to Christianity. Today, Norwegian monarchs are still crowned here. Afterward, we'll move on to a tour of the charming old town of Trondheim, with its colourful painted wooden buildings and cobbled streets Inspiring Highlights Nidaros Cathedral Trondheim's Old Town Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

After check-out and breakfast, we drive to Lillehammer today, a journey of approximately five hours. Lillehammer is a ski resort town known for its stunning surroundings and love of winter sports, having hosted the 1994 Winter Olympic Games. Take a leisurely stroll by the scenic Lake Mjosa to stretch your legs and appreciate the natural beauty of the area. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

We'll drive two hours today to Oslo, Norway's capital. The journey passes through the beautiful Gudbrandsdalen, nicknamed 'the king of the valleys' for its size and diverse landscape of mountains, rivers, and forests. Keep an eye out for farms with ancient wooden buildings, some dating back to the Middle Ages. In Oslo, we'll explore notable landmarks such as the Vigeland Park and the vibrant Aker Brygge neighborhood Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Enjoy a relaxed start to the day with some free time this morning before we set out around midday to explore Oslo on a guided city tour. Highlights include a walk around the Royal Palace and its beautiful surrounding park, as well as a visit to the Oslo Opera House, an architectural masterpiece renowned for its striking design and panoramic rooftop views. In the afternoon, a coach transfer will take you to the DFDS port for your overnight sailing to Copenhagen. Dinner is included on board the cruise. Inspiring Vacations Oslo City Tour Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 18 hours.

Welcome to beautiful Copenhagen! This morning, when we disembark the ferry, you'll enjoy a panoramic drive through Copenhagen, taking in the city's key landmarks. Highlights include the picturesque harbour waterfront and the iconic Little Mermaid statue, as well as passing by Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace, City Hall, and the renowned Tivoli Gardens. After the city tour, you will be dropped off at your hotel to check in and have the rest of the day at leisure. Inspiring Vacations Copenhagen City Tour

Today marks the end of your unforgettable tour through Scandinavia. At the appropriate time please make your own way to the airport for your onward journey. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special Information Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.