Highlights
- Go on a guided wildlife-themed tour through a forest near Stockholm
- Get into Scandi spa culture and rejuvenate at a floating sauna on the sea
- Take one of the world's most beautiful railway journeys from Oslo to Bergen
- Set off by boat to see the spectacular fjords of Nærøyfjord and Osterfjorden
Brief Itinerary
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Arrive in Stockholm (Sweden), Sturebadet Spa | Stockholm |
Day 2 | Free Morning in Stockholm, Wilderness Wildlife Safari | Stockholm |
Day 3 | Stockholm Hidden Gems Tour & Centralbadet Spa | Stockholm |
Day 4 | Transfer to Jönköping, Guided Food Walk | Jönköping |
Day 5 | Skullaryd Moose Park & Rosenlundsbadet Water Complex | Jönköping |
Day 6 | Transfer to Gothenburg, Customized Private Tour | Gothenburg |
Day 7 | Romantic City Tour & Hagabadet Spa | Gothenburg |
Day 8 | Train to Oslo (Norway), Free Afternoon | Oslo |
Day 9 | Walking Tour of Oslo | Oslo |
Day 10 | The Flåm Railway: Oslo to Flåm | Flåm |
Day 11 | The Flåm Railway: Flåm to Bergen | Bergen |
Day 12 | Osterfjorden Cruise, Free Afternoon in Bergen | Bergen |
Day 13 | City Sea Sauna in Bergen, Train to Oslo | Oslo |
Day 14 | Depart Oslo |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Stockholm (Sweden), Sturebadet Spa
![Stockholm](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/60f875ef30e750088bec5dd8b692cb6432ad845b/big-20bf4df119f46d72c24ff585668d23e4.jpg)
Welcome to Stockholm! Cutting-edge design meets elegant architectural heritage in Sweden's cool capital. Built across a 14-island archipelago, where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea, the city's nickname is the "Venice of the North." Style runs through Stockholm's veins, from minimalist interiors to its fashion-forward locals. It's also known for its innovation as the home of Spotify, Skype, and furniture behemoth IKEA.
Set a holistic tone for your first day with a trip to the luxurious Sturebadet Spa. It opened in 1885 to provide an oasis for the city's growing population and to promote healthy living. Swim in the ornate pool beneath a glass ceiling, warm up in the steam room, and choose between treatments such as full-body scrubs, deep-tissue massage, and a soothing hot lava stone experience.
Day 2: Free Morning in Stockholm, Wilderness Wildlife Safari
![](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/43fba01a2beb0caa9771e54ae0bd694d367d7a44/original-3645c7acdf1ef910450fbaa1a6ee10c6.jpg)
Start the day with the Swedish tradition of fika: coffee or tea accompanied by a sweet treat, typically a cinnamon bun or cookie. Some of the best spots in Stockholm serving fika include Konditori Vete-Katten, the oldest café in town, having opened in 1928, Chokladkoppen in the heart of the Old Town, and Ritorno Konditori, which has retained its charming 1950s decor through the decades.
Fueled up, head off to explore the city independently. Stockholm's districts each have a distinctive vibe and are linked by efficient public transport. Ferry-hop between laid-back Södermalm, the vibrant Norrmalm downtown, and Gamla Stan (Old Town), a medieval wonder of cobbled streets and colorful buildings. Tour key sites like the Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace), 13th-century Storkyrkan Cathedral, and the Vasa Museum, home to the world's only preserved 17th-century ship.
Later, you'll join a small group tour for a four-hour excursion into the forest beyond the city. Setting off in a minivan, your guide will drive you into a forest for a taste of Swedish wilderness despite being a stone's throw from the capital. As you walk between the trees, the focus will be on spotting wildlife, such as moose, elk, deer, red squirrels, and wild boar. There'll be a break for dinner, then, as the light fades and the moon rises, you'll venture back into the forest to search for creatures that stir after dark.Day 3: Stockholm Hidden Gems Tour & Centralbadet Spa
![Stockholm Hidden Gems Tour with a Private Guide](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/c0617e677a5570726df7652f3494fa24796b2bf0/original-88c59209285149bec0a6d5dd19fe63a6.jpg)
Discover Stockholm's best-kept secrets by joining a local guide who will put together an itinerary based on your personal interests. From lesser-known islands to cutting-edge design, you'll get to focus on the sites that most interest you. You could choose to end the tour at Centralbadet, an Art Nouveau palace transformed into a spa with Roman baths and saunas, plus an organic restaurant.
Day 4: Transfer to Jönköping, Guided Food Walk
![Jönköping](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/31f95a3d3e383e35d464e75b4888e877b2366b78/big-545ce14ba9d9edda6134e27eb3acbbf1.jpg)
Travel south to Jönköping today, a city on the southern shore of Sweden's second-largest lake, Vättern, in the province of Småland. This island region is a magnet for outdoor lovers, with hiking, biking, and boating adventures across a landscape of forests and lakes. Settle into your hotel and wander the city's sights, such as the neo-Gothic church and Jönköping County Museum, home to artworks by fairy tale illustrator John Bauer.
This evening, you'll take a guided food walk of Jönköping with a local, who'll take you to their favorite restaurants and share stories of the city's food history. You'll get to sample typical Swedish dishes, including pickled herring, falukorv sausage, meatballs with lingonberry sauce, and kroppkakor (potato dumplings). Afterward, return to your hotel for a relaxing evening.
Day 5: Skullaryd Moose Park & Rosenlundsbadet Water Complex
![Skullaryd Moose Park](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/3aea38d8d971271a84d22f5d11024c2c574982ff/original-cbb6e72a9df9493ee76748fdeabc9fc0.jpg)
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
After breakfast, a private taxi will take you to Eksjö, around 50 minutes from Jönköping. Here, you'll meet Sweden's "king of the forest": its native moose, which measures up to 6.5 feet (2 m) tall from the ground to shoulder. Several of these beasts roam around the forests and marshland of Skullaryd Moose Park, which you'll tour via tractor-pulled wagon.
Back in the city, spend a few hours at the 10-pool complex of Rosenlundsbadet. From a warm pool to a whirlpool, diving boards to hydro-massage areas, there are countless ways to enjoy the water. Join one of the 10-minute "sauna sessions," where essential oils are poured on hot stones, and the fragrances fanned through the room. During the summer, this is replaced by salt-sitting in the mosaic sauna (said to help you relax and resolve skin conditions/allergies).
Day 6: Transfer to Gothenburg, Customized Private Tour
![](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/feab6624f3e9c9e24dd9b7a42202e4fb8469ed06/original-5d2d99dacfcfbf34f41274f6faec1c33.jpg)
Take the train from Jönköping to the west coast city of Gothenburg, a journey of two hours. After checking into your hotel, you'll meet a guide and set off on a private customized tour. With a rich history dating back to the 17th century, Gothenburg offers a mix of historic and modern attractions. You could visit the Gothenburg Museum of Art, which features works by Rembrandt, Rubens, and other masters, or the Universeum—a science center and aquarium with hands-on exhibits.
Consider a walk through the Haga district, with its cobbled streets and boutiques, or request a boat tour along the Göta Canal, a 19th-century waterway that spans the width of the country. You could also add a trip to the jewel in Gothenburg's crown: one of Northern Europe's biggest botanical gardens, spread over 40 acres (16 ha) and with 12,000 species of flora. Strolling through the gardens reveals a series of themes, including a kitchen garden, an herb garden, a Japanese glade, a rhododendron valley, and a rock garden complete with a mini waterfall.
Day 7: Romantic City Tour & Hagabadet Spa
![](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/9eaac9e2673a3f2b66409eec9af29b0b0cccd954/original-36e05717d1ac34c74d11c58c02ee02c6.jpg)
Sprinkle a little romance over your vacation on a two-hour guided tour of Gothenburg's most romantic spots. You'll hear fascinating love stories from the city as you stroll through the streets and parks. The tour's highlight is a trip to Liseberg amusement park, where couples have met and romanced since 1923. For its 100th anniversary, Liseberg is launching a state-of-the-art ride called Luna. With the tagline "fly to the moon," this boomerang roller coaster carries thrillseekers forward and then backward over a 738-foot (225 m) long track.
Day 8: Train to Oslo (Norway), Free Afternoon
![](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/7ffa1af190f4c12367f73f179804057299998b51/original-02b7b15ae60041a773430b35fa048e4f.jpg)
Say goodbye to Sweden this morning, and cross the border to Norway. A 3.5-hour train ride will deliver you to the heart of Norway's capital, Oslo—a city of grand palaces, genteel parks, striking contemporary architecture, world-class museums, and innovative restaurants. On the outskirts, colorful houses are hugged by green spaces, lending a relaxed and livable feel to the metropolis.
A highlight is the Norwegian Museum of Science & Technology, a 12-minute train ride from the central station. This is Norway's biggest showcase of technology, industry, natural science, and medicine, so it's a great way to get to know the country in a short space of time. In the Science Centre within the museum, you can stretch your mind by exploring the planetarium, a sound studio, a robot programming room, and an experimental lab for regenerative energy.
Day 9: Walking Tour of Oslo
![](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/69bf31c5931c22ec0575dd64eaa26b7d1e4c6ec2/original-ee4c6a2d787db386568a32ba3c02705c.jpg)
Join a local guide for a city walk to get a deeper insight into Oslo. Commanding attention at the edge of Oslo Fjord is the Oslo Opera House, clad with white Carrara marble and with an exterior shaped like a ski slope. This city icon was the largest cultural building erected in Norway since the 14th century when it opened in 2008 to the tune of 4 billion kroner.
Day 10: The Flåm Railway: Oslo to Flåm
![](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/6adefd1cf681aebe11a8b5e8176f108b43eff964/original-2e7a07fd68d7ca3a0af2bc3d1a7ed6a7.jpg)
Hailed as one of the world's most beautiful train journeys, the Flåm Railway cuts through some of the most magnificent scenery in the Norwegian fjords. You'll ride two trains today, one from Oslo to the mountain station of Myrdal (4.5 hours), followed by the 12.5-mile (20 km) section from Myrdal and Flåm aboard the Flåmsbana. The latter is one of the planet's steepest standard gauge railway lines: as you ascend, astonishing views open up of deep blue fjords, cut by the ice age through the mountain massif.
The station in Flåm is almost directly outside your accommodation, the luxury Fretheim Hotel, which delivers dramatic views of mountains and the Aurlandsfjord. After check-in, there's time for one more spectacular treat—a boat trip across the Nærøyfjord from Flåm to Gudvangen. At a leisurely pace, the skipper will steer through the narrow fjord among snow-covered peaks and picturesque villages. Return to Flåm by bus, where a delicious dinner awaits at the hotel.
Day 11: The Flåm Railway: Flåm to Bergen
![](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/8efc66ab2e9a3a5a5b62d8fdb46cdd6038491a08/original-3b5bc184247bdc83a3228c53556c79a1.jpg)
The splendor of the fjords continues today as you board another train and descend into the valley, taking in amazing views of waterfalls and passing through Norway's "adventure hub" of Voss. Eventually, you'll reach the city of Bergen. Wrapped by ocean, mountains, and fjords, Bergen's setting is utterly beguiling.
You'll get to know the "City with the Seven Mountains" on a guided bus tour, from the outdoor fish market to Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf. The tour ends at Troldhaugen, a museum set in the former home of composer Edvard Grieg (one of the leading Romantic era composers) and his wife Nina Grieg. It features Edvard Grieg's "composer's cabin," the couple's burial site, and a concert hall.
Day 12: Osterfjorden Cruise, Free Afternoon in Bergen
![](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/974bc0e1e5b3a8690ac70d077eee8d3bd583365d/original-ca7300e31b6f061518ed34b21af3b37e.jpg)
Set off on a cruise aboard a schooner boat from the jetty at Fisketorget. Keep your camera close, as this is the best place to see the UNESCO-protected district of Bryggen, its painted wooden houses from the 1700s lining the waterfront. As the boat continues onto the Osterfjorden, you'll be dwarfed by steep mountains on both sides and come face to face with several foaming waterfalls.
After the cruise, you'll have some more free time to explore Bergen. The Hanseatic Museum and the Bergen Art Museum are two highlights, or you could ride the funicular up the 1,066-foot (325 m) high Fløyfjellet hill. Linger at the summit to take in a magnificent panorama of the city, the fjord, and the surrounding mountains. If you want more action, head to nearby Mount Ulriken to ride a zipline through hilly forests.
Day 13: City Sea Sauna in Bergen, Train to Oslo
![](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/0d1842934cb19d70cf2aa8c2b7aaba145e67d843/original-1b77ee40bee41e38d7f2e4f7a12c196a.jpg)
This morning you'll have two hours to relax at Bergen's City Sauna, a floating structure moored at the docks. A sauna session will increase your blood flow and help release muscle tension—but for the full Scandi hot-and-cold experience, descend the ladder for an invigorating dip in the sea. Refreshments are available, so you can sip a wine or beer while watching the world go by from your own floating island.
Day 14: Depart Oslo
![](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/images/eeeef771db31b180c21cf25b506bb6b23ba644c7/original-5224aae3c8a2c820c173c9d3a2fa678f.jpg)
Enjoy a final morning walking around Oslo's neighborhoods, relaxing in cafés, and maybe grab one of the hot dogs for which the city is so well-known. Finally, your Scandi adventure has come to an end, and you'll take the easy 20-minute train to the airport to catch your flight. Safe travels!
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