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Peregrine Travel Centre

Essential Scandinavia

Essential Scandinavia

From $ 2,450 AUD

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Description

See the essential sites and cities of Scandinavia in Northern Europe with this nine-day adventure through Denmark, Sweden and Finland. Starting your journey in colourful Copenhagen, you’ll tick off bucket list cities, walk along nature trails off the tourist track, relax in a Finnish sauna and head out on a pub crawl with newfound friends. Learn the art of Swedish Fika, take walking tours with your handy leader and enjoy heaps of free time to spend your way – on optional bike rides, dinners, day trips, boat rides and museum visits. This is the perfect intro to three amazing countries and will surely have you coming back again and again!

Trip Name
Essential Scandinavia
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
9
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Take some time away from the city with a day trip to Donso Island in the archipelago of Gothenburg. Head out on a walk with your leader on one of the nature trails, looking out for birds, enjoying coastal views and taking photos of some iconic Swedish sights.
  • Sweat the day away at a relaxing Finnish sauna – a quintessential experience in Helsinki and known as one of the key experiences to happiness – and maybe take a quick refreshing dip in the Baltic Sea!
  • Tick trendy Copenhagen off your bucket list and wander the colourful houses, then explore Copenhill and learn about their sustainability efforts while taking in the views of the city from above.
  • Head out on a pub crawl in Gothenburg – what walkable city doesn’t get better when the sun goes down? Enjoy a couple of drinks with new friends and explore the nightlife of Sweden's second-largest city.
  • Choose your own adventure with heaps of free time to customise your trip however you like – maybe rent bikes and cycle through the cities, see museums and soak up the history, art and culture, or cafe hop to sample some local delicacies.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. MUSEUM VISITS & OPENING TIMES Many sites, attractions and museums are closed on Mondays (and sometimes Tuesdays). We recommend checking the opening times of anywhere you're interested to visit and making reservations where required/possible.

Day 1 - Copenhagen
Velkomst! Welcome to Denmark. Your adventure kicks off in colourful Copenhagen with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, which is highly recommended, why not visit the pastel waterfront houses in the Nyhavn area (and grab the iconic I’m-in-Scandinavia-pic), drop in at an industrial bar for a drink or stroll around the famous Tivoli Gardens – home to the world's oldest rollercoaster. Maybe venture into the Freetown of Christiania – a self-proclaimed autonomous neighbourhood that has been the source of controversy since 1972, when squatters took over a former military area. After your meeting tonight, maybe head out for an optional welcome dinner with your local leader.
Day 2 - Copenhagen
Head out on an orientation walk this morning and get to know the area. You’ll then have some free time to explore – maybe hire a bike or stroll along the harbour. See the Little Mermaid statue and maybe sit by the seaside while you have lunch with her. You can head out to the classicist palaces of 18th-century Amalienborg – the main residence of the Danish Royal family – or visit Frederik's Church, the Court House, the National Museum or the Christiansborg Palace. Later this afternoon, rejoin your group and head to Copenhill for a guided tour. This artificial ski slope sits on the roof of a modern energy plant and is used for hiking, climbing, skiing, sledding and rooftop views. You’ll learn how they combine heat and power at this waste-to-energy plant, then you have the option to join your leader for dinner at Reffen – the largest street food market in the Nordics, full of delicious food, local music and craft beers.
Day 3 - Gothenburg
Take the train to Gothenburg today – Sweden's second-largest city, Gothenburg is known for its trendy neighbourhoods, seafood restaurants, vibrant cultural mix and world-class craft beer scene. When you arrive, you’ll have a free afternoon to maybe take a paddan boat tour through the canals and see the city from the waterways. You might also like to check out the World of Volvo Museum or the Aeroseum – this Cold War museum sits within a subterranean hangar and features historic aircraft and a flight simulator. Later tonight, meet back up with your leader for a classic pub crawl for a couple of drinks.
Day 4 - Gothenburg
Today, hop on public transport to the ferry terminal, then travel to Donso Island – one of the most popular islands among locals here. This little island is home to lots of hidden beaches, swimming spots for summer and the classic little red houses you’d expect from a small Swedish town. When you arrive, you’ll head out on a hike to soak in some of the landscape. Enjoy the scenic walk through woodlands and viewpoints of the archipelago. This walk can be extended, depending on the desires of the group. Tonight is a free night back in Gothenburg.
Day 5 - Stockholm
Take the train to Stockholm – often referred to as the 'Venice of the North' and arguably Scandinavia's most beautiful city. Stockholm is packed with amazing architecture, leafy parks and clear waters. When you arrive, you’ll join your leader for an orientation walk, strolling by the narrow cobblestone streets and colourful merchant houses. You’ll then be introduced to the delicious art of Swedish Fika – enjoying a cup of coffee or tea with something sweet, often with friends or family. More than just coffee and cake, this practice is believed to promote social wellbeing, mindfulness and the enjoyment of life. Tonight, maybe head to Stockholm's Sodermalm district – the inner-city island with the best nightlife.
Day 6 - Stockholm
Today is a free day to explore Stockholm at your own pace. Maybe grab a cinnamon roll in Stockholm’s oldest café – Sundbergs Konditori in Jarntorget Square – dating back to 1785. You could take a self-guided millennium walking tour or visit the ABBA Museum. Maybe take a trip to Drottningholm Palace – the residence of the Swedish royal family – or head to the Nobel Prize Museum, the Vasa Museum or the Nordic Museum. If you’re not sure what to check out today, your leader will always be on hand with some tips! Tonight, maybe sit down at one of the restaurants on the cobblestoned islet of Gamla Stan or in Kungsholmen.
Day 7 - Stockholm - Overnight Ferry
Today after breakfast, you have a free day to take up any optional activities that you didn’t get a chance to yesterday. If you haven’t already, go in search of some classic Swedish meatballs with lingonberry sauce or pickled herring. If the season is right, hire a handcrafted wooden bike and tour the city’s bike lanes. In winter, you can take in the waterways, which often completely freeze over. You may even spot some people daring enough to walk over the ice! Tonight, you’ll take an overnight ferry to Helsinki.
Day 8 - Helsinki
Arrive in Helsinki late this morning. After you disembark from the ferry, head to your accommodation and drop off your bags. Helsinki has long celebrated the soothing ritual of the sauna, weaving it seamlessly into daily life and Finnish culture. The city boasts an array of saunas known as one of the keys to happiness – Finland has topped the World Happiness report for the last six years! Chill out in one of the city’s traditional public saunas today, mixing with the locals and maybe taking a quick dip in the Baltic Sea. After, maybe head to one of the contemporary art museums or Helsinki Cathedral. You might want to see the unique Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Church), which has been built directly into the rock around it and looks almost subterranean. Tonight, why not head out with your group for some dinner and drinks and celebrate the end of an amazing trip.
Day 9 - Helsinki
After breakfast, your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Helsinki, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. If you do decide to stay, why not spend the day at Suomenlinna Sea Fortress – this UNESCO World Heritage site was built gradually from 1748 on a group of islands just off the city’s coast.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
28-05-202505-06-2025AUD $ 2,450-
11-06-202519-06-2025AUD $ 2,550-
25-06-202503-07-2025AUD $ 2,645-
09-07-202517-07-2025AUD $ 2,645-
23-07-202531-07-2025AUD $ 2,645-
06-08-202514-08-2025AUD $ 2,645-
20-08-202528-08-2025AUD $ 2,550-
03-09-202511-09-2025AUD $ 2,550-
17-09-202525-09-2025AUD $ 2,550-
01-10-202509-10-2025AUD $ 2,450-
26-11-202504-12-2025AUD $ 2,450-
10-12-202518-12-2025AUD $ 2,450-
14-01-202622-01-2026AUD $ 2,570-
11-02-202619-02-2026AUD $ 2,570-
18-03-202626-03-2026AUD $ 2,570-
15-04-202623-04-2026AUD $ 2,570-
13-05-202621-05-2026AUD $ 2,570-
27-05-202604-06-2026AUD $ 2,570-
10-06-202618-06-2026AUD $ 2,570-
24-06-202602-07-2026AUD $ 2,570-
08-07-202616-07-2026AUD $ 2,570-
22-07-202630-07-2026AUD $ 2,570-
05-08-202613-08-2026AUD $ 2,570-
19-08-202627-08-2026AUD $ 2,570-
02-09-202610-09-2026AUD $ 2,570-
16-09-202624-09-2026AUD $ 2,570-
14-10-202622-10-2026AUD $ 2,570-
25-11-202603-12-2026AUD $ 2,570-
09-12-202617-12-2026AUD $ 2,570-

Accommodation

Hostel (multi-share) (4 nights),Bed and Breakfast (2 nights),Overnight Ferry (1 night),Hotel (multi-share) (1 night)

Transport

Train,Tram,Boat,Bus

Map

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