The smallest and southernmost of the Scandinavian countries, Denmark is the gateway to Scandinavia. It offers a beguiling mix of lively cities and rural countryside.
Norway is a country of dramatic contrasts with Rugged Fjords snarling at angry seas, spectacular waterfalls streaking down deep ravines, rolling farmlands, enchanted forests, Viking ships, medieval churches presiding over remote little towns, modern cities like Oslo, Bergen which have distinctive Scandinavian personalities.
From berserker Vikings to Nobel Prize in just a few centuries - Sweden really has earned its reputation as a model for progressive society. Throw in its gorgeous people, high standard of living, clean-lined design and magically archipelagic capital, Stockholm, and you're onto a very good thing.
Finland is a thoroughly modern country with well-planned and comfortable small towns and cities, but still offers vast areas of unspoiled nature. In the northernmost part of the country the Northern Lights can be seen in the winter and midnight sun in the summer. Finns also claim the mythical mountain of Korvatunturi as the home of Santa Claus, and a burgeoning tourist industry in Lapland caters to Santa fans.
Itinerary :
Day 01 : Mumbai – Helsinki
Take your flight from India to Helsinki. On arrival meet and assist and transfer to your hotel. Helsinki retains a small-town feel: there are no high-rise buildings and the market square is still surrounded by 19th-century architecture. Its green parks and waterways, fresh sea winds with seagulls flying over the busy market square, and many open-air cafes make it a perfect summer destination.
Helsinki is Finland's capital and the centre of its cultural, financial and economic activity. While it embodies much of the Finnish spirit and its progressive hi-tech push, it is unlike any other Finnish city, due in part to the fascinating combination of Swedish and Russian influences.
Overnight in your Helsinki hotel.
Day 02 : Helsinki City Tour
After breakfast take your exciting city tour of Helsinki.
The many sights include the Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, the Parliament Building and the Olympic Stadium. Stops are made at the Sibelius Monument and, when possible, the Temppeliaukio Church. Rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city on own.
Overnight in your Helsinki hotel.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 03 : Helsinki – Stockholm
After breakfast, morning is free at leisure. In the evening proceed to the port for an overnight ferry to Stockholm. The cruise sails down the glorious archipelago past numerous islands. Enjoy your dinner in board, also choice of entertainment, bars, shops and casino.
Overnight on board cruise
Meals : Breakfast in the hotel, Dinner on board cruise
Day 04 : Stockholm City Tour
On arrival, meet and assist at the cruise terminal and transfer to your hotel. Check in hotel. Later in afternoon take the city tour of Stockholm.
The famous sights include the Royal Palace, Parliament buildings, Cathedral, Royal Theatre etc. You will also visit the old Gamla Stan with its narrow cobbled streets and numerous antique shops. Highlight of the tour is a visit to the City Hall with its famous Blue and Golden Halls, where the Noble Prize banquet is held every year.
Overnight in your Stockholm hotel.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 05 : Stockholm – Day at leisure (Lifestyle Holidays recommends optional tour to either Skansen, Drottningholme Palace or Birka Island)
After breakfast, day is free at leisure. Perhaps we suggest you to take one of the optional sightseeing tours like:
Skansen – which is an open air museum where you can see the traditional Swedish houses and animals.
Drottningholme Palace – which was built in 1662 and is the residence to the Royal family of Sweden. It is situated outside Stockholm with a wonderful view of the canal water, and has very nice gardens.
Birka Island Tour - Twelve hundred years ago Birka was established as a trading port. It also became the first real town in Sweden. Birka was founded in the last part of the 8thcentury, but people inhabited the island before the town was established. There was a well traveled water way here where they could go to places like Vendel and Uppsala. Since the island was located in a protective bay it was easily defended from invaders.
Overnight in your Stockholm hotel.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 06 : Stockholm - Oslo (Lifestyle Holidays recommends an optional Oslo Fjord Cruise or Shopping)
After breakfast, proceed to the train station to board your train to Oslo. On arrival, check in to hotel. Rest of the day is free at leisure.
Perhaps you may take an exhilarating two hours Oslo Fjord Cruise which gives you a close view of the beautiful Norwegian Fjords.
If you love shopping or strolling we recommend you for a walk down Karl Johan, Oslo’s main street, famous for shopping. Also stroll along the Aker Brygge with its numerous shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, the Akershus Fortress, and some of the excellent museums in town, like the national art gallery (free entrance), or the Munch museum.
Overnight in your Oslo hotel.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 07 : Oslo City Tour
After breakfast, proceed for Oslo City Tour.
The tour includes a visit to the famous Vineland’s Sculpture Park, the Holmenkollen Ski jump and the Viking Ship Museum. Other sights of interest are the Royal Castle, the City Hall, the Parliament Building (Stortinget) and a trip to Bygdøy to see some of the famous museums, such as the Fram Exploration Museum where you will see the 39 meter rigged schooner used by Fridtjof Nansen, the Kon-Tiki Museum dedicated to the balsa raft which Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl sailed from Peru to Polynesia, and the Viking Ship Museum which houses three Viking ships excavated from the Oslo fjord.
Overnight in your Oslo Hotel.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 08 : Oslo – Copenhagen
After breakfast, proceed to the train station to board your train to Copenhagen which goes through Sweden. On arrival meet and assist at the train station and transfer to your hotel. Check in to your hotel and evening at leisure to relax.
Copenhagen city was once a humble fishing village, but today is the glittering capital of the Danish empire. Copenhagen actually means merchants’ harbour in the Danish language. The city’s maritime character is enhanced by a series of canals and a number of surrounding lakes, creating a backdrop of natural beauty which provides a contrast to Copenhagen’s mix of modern and historic structures.
Overnight in your Copenhagen hotel.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 09 : Copenhagen City Tour
After breakfast proceed for the guided city tour of Copenhagen.
Famous sights include the Christiansborg Palace (Danish parliament buildings), the Royal Theatre, the Town Hall, the Royal Palace Amalienborg, the old harbour of Nyhavn, the Little Mermaid, the Gefion Fountain and the Rosenborg Castle. It is also possible to visit one of the many museums the city has to offer, e.g. the National Museum of Denmark which offers an excellent primer in Viking history and shows Viking artifacts along with other art and antiquities (entrances not included). Afternoon free for exploring the fairytale city. In the evening you may enjoy dinner at the Tivoli Gardens (on own).
Overnight in your Copenhagen hotel.
Meals : Breakfast
Day 10 : Copenhagen – Mumbai
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight back to Mumbai. Return home with fond memories of your Scandinavian Tour.
Meals : Breakfast |