Scandinavia by Rail, Road and Sea

This morning after breakfast we’ll enjoy a tour of Stockholm by private coach and on foot with a private guide. The extraordinary architectural styles of the impressive City Hall, home of the Nobel Prize receptions, and the mediaeval and baroque-era old town areas are highlights.

Later, we’ll board a historic ship, the SS Drottningholm for a leisurely luncheon cruise around the islands to the Royal Palace of Drottningholm, the permanent residence of Sweden’s King and Queen. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is considered the most well-preserved royal castle built in the 1600s in Sweden and at the same time is representative of all European architecture for the period. The combination of the exotic Chinese Pavilion pleasure palace, the palace theatre, the spectacular art and furniture collections, and the magnificent palace gardens make a visit to Drottningholm a unique experience.

Dinner tonight is at leisure, giving you a chance to experience the array of dining options Stockholm offers.

Overnight: Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, Stockholm (B, L)

This morning is a free morning to explore the waterfront area around the hotel, wander the streets of Gamla Stan – Stockholm’s old town, or just enjoy a lie-in and a leisurely breakfast. Lunch today is on our privately chartered vintage restaurant tram as we roll around the city on the tramlines, a truly novel way of exploring any city.

Our tram tour terminates at the world-renowned Vasa Museum, where you’re free to spend the afternoon exploring, in all its glory,  the only almost fully intact 17th-century ship that has ever been salvaged, the 64-gun warship Vasa, which sank on her maiden voyage in 1628. The museum also features four other museum ships moored in the harbour outside: the ice breaker Sankt Erik (launched 1915), the lightvessel Finngrundet (1903), the torpedo boat Spica (1966) and the rescue boat Bernhard Ingelsson (1944), along with numerous other historical maritime collections.

Our private coach will return you to your hotel in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure.  Alternatively, you can ride the tram system back in your own time.

Overnight: Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, Stockholm (B, L)

This morning after breakfast and check out, we begin our journey into the Swedish countryside, taking our coach for a short ride north to Marielund on the edge of the Uppsala forest for a very special treat – a journey in time on the “Lennakatten”, a heritage narrow-gauge railway, on which steam hauled devotedly restored coaches take you along one of Sweden’s most beautiful rail routes.   

Uppsala is renowned for its rich history, academic prestige, and vibrant cultural scene. Home to Scandinavia’s oldest university, Uppsala University, founded in 1477; Uppsala Cathedral, the tallest church in Scandinavia, and the burial place of Sweden’s early Kings and Queens; and Uppsala Castle, perched on a hill offering stunning views of the city, the city buzzes with civic pride and intellectual energy.  We’ll enjoy a tour of the town before continuing by coach to the busy port city of Sundsvall.  Originally a city constructed almost entirely of wood, a devastating fire in 1888 razed it to the ground in just nine hours. Rebuilt entirely in stone, the old town is known as Stenstan, meaning stone city.

Here, we’ll say goodbye to our coach and board a cross-country train on a scenic journey to Östersund, nestled on the shores of beautiful Lake Storsjön, Sweden’s fifth largest lake.

Dinner tonight is hosted in a local restaurant.

Overnight: Hotel Clarion Grand Östersund (B, D)

This morning, we’ll wander down to the railway station to board the unique Inlandsbanan train, a retro diesel railcar offering a unique and scenic journey through the heart of Sweden, providing an unparalleled way to experience the country’s vast and diverse landscapes. This historic railway winds its way through picturesque forests, serene lakes, and charming small towns. As the train traverses the scenic wilderness, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views and the chance to spot local wildlife, including reindeer and moose. The journey is not just about the destination; it’s about the adventure along the way, with opportunities to stop and explore local attractions, such as the Sami culture, historical sites, and natural wonders. The Inlandsbanan Train is more than a mode of transportation; it’s an unforgettable voyage into the heart and soul of Sweden.

Our journey today takes us north through some of Sweden’s most remote and wild landscapes, to Arvidsjaur in Lapland.

Arriving in the late afternoon, we’ll transfer directly to our hotel and check in before enjoying an early dinner in the hotel’s lakeside restaurant.

The train arrives in Arvidsjaur in the late afternoon. After checking in to our hotel, enjoy some free time to relax. An early supper is offered in the hotel’s lakeside restaurant and an evening at leisure.

Overnight: Hotel Laponia, Arvidsjaur (B, D)

Today, enjoy some free time until mid-afternoon when our train departs. Relax at the hotel or explore the town of Arvidsjaur and its many charms. Nestled by Lake Boliden, the town boasts a neatly laid out Sami village, a pristine old timber church, and several museums. The Inlandsbanan will collect you at the station for the second stage of the journey through landscapes of crystal-clear lakes and towering forests, crossing the Arctic Circle into the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’ and on to the town of Gällivare for a late evening arrival.

Overnight: Grand Hotel Lapland, Gällivare (B)

Today after breakfast, we’ll explore the town of Gällivare on a walking tour. Walk in the ”Time Tunnel”, taking a look at historical pictures of the old mining town of Malmberget and listening to the story wall.

Early afternoon we’ll stroll across the street to catch the local train to Norway. The train glides past vast iron ore mines in northern Sweden, including Kiruna, the location of Swedish noir TV like “Midnight Sun”, and then drops down to the Norwegian port city of Narvik via the extraordinary Ofoten Railway, which is literally carved into the side of a spectacular fjord.

On arrival in Narvik check into our hotel, before heading to a local restaurant for dinner

Overnight: Scandic Hotel, Narvik (B, D)

After breakfast we have the morning to relax before heading on a visit to the Ofoten Museum in Narvik, located in the old NSB railway administration building that dates back to 1902. The museum tells the story of the construction of the Ofotbanen railway and operation, the iron ore’s long journey from Kiruna to Narvik’s ice-free harbour and further out into the world, and the development of Narvik city through more than 100 years. The museum also hosts an exhibition on the electrification of the Ofotbanen railway, and displays exhibitions from the battle of Norway, as well as the history and culture of this wild region.

You’ll also have time to pay a visit to the Narvik War Museum, one of the other great museums in Narvik before time to enjoy lunch and afternoon at leisure.

Late afternoon we take a coach tour visiting the surrounds of Narvik before heading to the cable car to take us to top of Narvikfjellet Mountain, where you can have supper in the cafe while enjoying magnificent views of the surrounding landscape in the glowing midnight twilight.

Overnight: Scandic Hotel, Narvik (B, D)

After breakfast and check out, we’ll join our private coach for a scenic journey to the charming town of Sortland to board the famous Hurtigruten for a six-hour cruise of the Lofoten Islands, sailing down to stunning Svolvaer, located on the island of Austvågøya in the Lofoten archipelago. From the comfort of this fully appointed liner, you’ll be gobsmacked by the stunning scenery, including the astounding Troll Fjord, and understand why this is considered the most beautiful of all the Hurtigruten cruises. Apart from the astounding physical beauty of the islands, early human civilisation tells an astounding story, with evidence of human settlement extending back at least 11,000 years in Lofoten.

After disembarking, we’ll walk directly to our hotel, handily situated right between the waterfront and the town square.

Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Hotel Thon Lofoten, (or similar), Svolvaer (B, D)

This morning after breakfast and check out, we’ll load our luggage into our private transport, meet our knowledgeable expert local guide and head off for an eye-opening, interactive half-day tour down to the Viking Museum at Lofotr. Here, you can travel 1000 years back in time and experience the Viking Age in an active and vibrant environment. At Borg you will find the world’s longest reconstructed longhouse. Smell the tar and fire, hear the local Norse stories, learn about crafts and experience how people lived in the Viking Age. We’ll enjoy a light lunch with a twist in the Viking longhouse before continuing through the craggy mountains and past the wild and bountiful coast to Moskenes, where the car ferry that will take us across to the busy port city of Bodø, the gateway to the Arctic.

After checking into our hotel, dinner tonight will be a feast at a local alehouse on the old wharf.

Overnight: Scandic Havet, Bodø (B, L, D)

This morning after breakfast and check out, enjoy a morning visiting the sites of Bodø or take an optional tour to the Norwegian Aviation Museum, Northern Europe’s largest exhibition of 10,000 square metres. Full of big planes, strange inventions and historic objects, you’ll learn about the aviation pioneers Roald Amundsen and Hans Dons, about the development of passenger aviation, about the efforts in World War II, and much more.

Bodø is the northern terminus of the main Norwegian railway network, a journey that traverses a variety of climate zones and landscapes, and today we’ll be taking the midday Nordland Express train to Trondheim, situated on the south shore of Trondheim Fjord at the mouth of the River Nidelva. This 720-kilometre journey, Norway’s longest continuous train line, takes us back over the arctic circle, crosses 293 bridges, and travels through 154 tunnels.  From your seats, bolstered by a well-catered cafe car, you’ll enjoy almost continuous panoramic views of beautiful, untouched wilderness, and several historic places including many World War II sites.

Upon arrival at around 10.00pm, we’ll transfer directly to our hotel, the magnificent Britannia Hotel, our luxury home for the next two nights.

Overnight: Britannia Hotel, Trondheim (B)

This morning is devoted to exploring atmospheric Trondheim, one of the most historic cities in Norway, a captivating blend of medieval charm and vibrant modernity, and home to the magnificent Nidaros Cathedral, the northernmost medieval cathedral in the world and a site of pilgrimage for centuries.  After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a walking tour of the old town, ending at the cathedral. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of this 800-year-old precinct. Built over a 230-year period on the burial site of King Olav II (c. 995–1030), the patron saint of the nation, the cathedral is still the traditional location for the consecration of new kings of Norway.

The rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.  For those interested in military history, Trondheim was the largest German naval base in Northern Europe between June 1940 and May 1945 – you may like to visit the site of the German U-boat headquarters.

Overnight: Britannia Hotel, Trondheim (B)

This morning after breakfast and check out, we’re back on the wonderful Nordland Railway to Ålesund. This magical journey snakes around lakes and rivers, climbs the ranges and traverses the wild treeless alpine plateau, again confirming Norway as one of the most beautiful countries in the world. We’ll pause in the junction town of Dombas to have a lunch break and change trains for the breathtaking descent on the Rauma Railway and on to Åndalsnes, where we’ll be met by our private coach for the last leg of today’s journey past the lakes, waterways, and mountains of this glorious coastal region to the wonderful art nouveau city of Ålesund.

After checking into our hotel, we’ll take a late afternoon walking tour of this unique town, finishing off the day with dinner at a local favourite.

Overnight: Scandic Parken Hotel, Ålesund (B, D)

This morning after breakfast and check out, we’ll board our luxury coach for the overland journey to Bergen. While there is a train service, this is the fastest way of completing this journey. It’s still an epic excursion but as one traveller put it, “the trip cuts through many fjords along the way, with picture postcard scenery all day. In hindsight, I can safely say it was the most scenic bus trip of my life!”

To break the journey up, there are a couple of interesting car ferry crossings, stops for regular breaks and refreshments, and of course photo stops at many awe-inspiring lookouts and views. We’ll arrive in Bergen in the evening and settle into our hotel right in the heart of the historic wharf district, where we’ll stay for the next three nights.

Dinner this evening will be hosted at a popular local restaurant close to the hotel.

Overnight: Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz or similar, Bergen (B, D)

This morning after breakfast, we’ll wander across the wharf to board one of Bergen’s most historic steamships, the D/S Stord 1. Built by Laxvaag in 1913 for the Norwegian coastal run, and originally weighing a massive 376 tons, she was retired in 1969 and then completely rebuilt after a destructive fire in 1987. She now lives out her days in and around Bergen hosting private charters, public cruises, and featuring in steamboat festivals.

Sailing up the harbour and along the estuary, we’ll disembark at the wharf at Garnes and stroll across to board the Gamle Vossbahan, a vintage steam train complete with a teak dining car, in which we’ll enjoy lunch while it runs along the original isolated Bergen railway back toward the city. It’s a lovely round trip back in time and returning to your hotel by the mid-afternoon, leaving plenty of time to explore the atmospheric surrounds of the World Heritage-listed “Wooden City”.

Overnight: Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz or similar, Bergen (B, L)

After breakfast, we take a walk across town to the railway station to board a train for Voss. Upon arrival, we’ll meet our private coach for the incredible journey down the sweeping escarpment of Geiranger Fjord, to connect with the ferry that will cruise us through the dramatic waterways to the charming hamlet of Flam, nestled in the Aurlandsfjord, and home to the Flam Railway, one of the most scenic and dramatic train journeys in the world.   

Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy lunch at Flam’s very own brewery, where you’ll have a chance to enjoy not only fine local fare but also a tasting paddle from the taps. After lunch it’s time for the jewel in the crown – the famous Flam Railway. This marvel of engineering descends nearly 900 meters over a 20-kilometre stretch, connecting Flam with the mountain station of Myrdal, 865 metres above sea level. As the train winds through steep mountains, cascading waterfalls, and lush valleys, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views that showcase the raw beauty of Norway’s natural wonders. Highlights of the journey include the thundering Kjosfossen waterfall, where the train makes a brief stop, allowing passengers to step out and marvel at the powerful cascade. The Flåm Railway also offers insights into the region’s history and culture, with informative commentary about the construction of the railway and the lives of those who built it. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or simply seeking a unique travel experience, the Flåm Railway promises a memorable adventure through one of Norway’s most picturesque regions.

At Myrdal, the Flam Railway meets up with the Oslo-Bergen Line for a connecting train that will take us on the stunning rail trip back to Bergen, where your evening is at leisure.

Overnight: Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz or similar, Bergen (B, L)

This morning after breakfast and check out, we’ll embark on our last rail journey of the tour, the scenic railway from Bergen to Oslo. This is yet another Norwegian railway described as one of the most scenic routes in the world.  The 500-kilometre journey takes you through endless mountains, valleys, and fjords, rising to the highest point of any railway in Norway, where the tundra landscape of lakes and glaciated plateaus is dusted with snow. We then drop down into rich agricultural land, past prosperous towns and cities, and snaking rivers all the way to the capital, arriving in Oslo in the mid-afternoon.

Our private coach will meet us at the station and transfer us to our historic hotel, located in the heart of town, to check in and relax.  Your evening is free to take advantage of the facilities of the hotel and explore the vibrant area surrounding it.

Overnight: Grand Hotel, Oslo (B)

Oslo has a vibrant cultural life, and we begin our city tour this morning after breakfast in the company of our expert local guide by visiting the stunning new Opera House, which looks like it’s arising from the waters of Oslo Fjord, before continuing to Akershus Castle and Fortress, home to several fascinating museums, including the Museum of the Resistance.

A real highlight of this morning is a guided stroll through one of the most amazing sculpture parks in the world, Vigeland Park, one of Oslo’s most iconic attractions and the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist. Designed by renowned Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland, the park features over 200 bronzes, granite, and cast iron sculptures, all vividly portraying the human form and various aspects of the human experience.  Marvel at the intricate details of famous pieces such as the towering Monolith, which stands 14 metres tall and is composed of 121 intertwined human figures, and the strikingly expressive Sinnataggen, affectionately known as The Angry Boy.

You’re free from here to enjoy lunch on your own around the trendy Radhusgata and explore more of Oslo, returning to the hotel at leisure.  You might be interested in the Viking Ship Museum, showcasing ancient maritime history, or the Munch Museum, dedicated to the iconic works of Edvard Munch and home to the famous ‘The Scream’.  Or you may like to stroll Oslo’s waterfront, with its modern architecture, bustling harbor, and scenic promenades.   

This evening join your fellow travellers for a sumptuous farewell dinner.

Overnight: Grand Hotel, Oslo (B, D)

Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. The airport bus or fast airport train both leave from close to the hotel or if you’re staying on and just can’t resist another train journey, the main railway station is just down the road.