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Best Scandinavia Tours by Duration
Find the perfect tours to Scandinavia to suit your schedule with our selection of tours categorized by duration. Whether you are seeking a short getaway or an extended adventure, these tours offer flexibility and excitement for every traveler.
Best Scandinavia Tours by Price
Explore Scandinavia without breaking the bank with our curated selection of tours by price. Discover incredible destinations, enjoy unique experiences, and make the most of your travel budget on these Scandinavian tours for every budget.
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Scandinavia Tours & Travel
Encompassing the lands of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland, Scandinavia is known for its beautiful scenery and lovely locals. It's a land where a blend of traditional culture and innovation has led to some of the coolest cities in the world.
Fashion-forward and cutting-edge, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and the like remain remarkably approachable and charming, thanks to neighborhoods with grand palaces, cobblestone streets, and a workmanlike but immensely pleasant approach to life.
Scandinavia has a whimsical air about it. Outside cities, one encounters jaw-dropping landscapes, from glaciers to fjords to a veritable winter wonderland.
Scandinavia is a perfect travel destination because of its jaw-dropping beauty, endless history, celestial phenomena, and stunning attractions. It has so much to offer adventure seekers, luxury travelers, history buffs, and naturalists.
Not only do tourists flock to it, but according to the World Happiness Report, its residents are among the happiest people in the world.
Scandinavia comprises five captivating countries, each offering its own unique charm and allure. From the rugged landscapes of Norway to the modern design of Denmark, the rich cultural heritage of Sweden, the pristine natural beauty of Finland, and the ethereal landscapes of Iceland, Scandinavia beckons with diverse experiences waiting to be discovered.
Sweden takes up the largest part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It came from a history of poverty and developed into an advanced economic state with a standard of living and life expectancy that ranks one of the best in the world.
Sweden has thousands of coastal islands, lakes, lush forests, and glaciated mountains. Its main cities are the eastern capital, Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. It is the fourth largest country in Europe, but even in a large city like Stockholm, which is spread over 14 islands, you can easily escape to the shoreline, a lovely park, or even hop on a ferry to a resort island in the Stockholm Archipelago.
Viking history has deep roots in Sweden. Around 700 A.D., Scandinavian shipbuilders perfected the Viking ship, which they used to conquer by sea. If you visit the Swedish city of Birka, you can visit one of these ships.
You can also visit the Vasa, the most powerfully armed warship that sank within 20 minutes of its first journey. The ship is on display at Stockholm's Vasa Museum, where you can learn more about this embarrassing mishap and see the ship in its true beauty.
Sweden loves its music! It has produced big-time artists like Abba and Swedish House Mafia. You can visit the ABBA City Walk in Stockholms Stadsmuseum and ABBA The Museum in the Djurgården area of the city. It is the third biggest exporter of music, following the U.S. and U.K.
If you plan on visiting in the summer, there are many Swedish music festivals you can choose to attend.
Also known as the "Land of a Thousand Lakes," Finland has 188,000 lakes and the highest water-to-land-mass ratio of any country in the world.
Perfect for hiking, two-thirds of Finland is covered by woodlands, making it the most forested country in Europe.
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is one of the most fantastic food scenes in Europe. Market stalls overflow with seasonal produce and local delicacies. Most dishes contain potatoes, and bread is a part of every meal.
For a gastronomic experience, you will want to try a Finnish banquet. It begins with a fish course, such as salted herring, followed by meat, such as reindeer, served with a salad, cheese, and possibly a meat or vegetable side dish.
Desserts are usually made from cooked berries or fresh with a warm sauce.
A popular leisure activity in Finland is relaxing in a sauna. There are around two million saunas for a population of less than six million. International sauna championships are held each year to see who can last the longest in the hottest temperatures.
Finland is also the safest place in the world. People feel safe walking alone anywhere at any time of day here. According to Reader's Digest, 11 out of 12 wallets purposely left around Helsinki were returned. Try doing that in Los Angeles!
Finland also has the cleanest tap water and air in Europe. It took the number one spot for the happiest place in the world. Wouldn't you love to go and see for yourself why it won that title?
What was once a land run by ruthless Vikings has become one of the most peaceful communities in the world. It also has one of the world's oldest monarchies.
Danish people follow hygge (say "hoo-ga"), a way of living well each day and living in the moment. It is a feeling of cozy contentment and enjoying the simple things in life. At its core, hygge is about building trust and intimacy with others. It's one of the reasons Denmark was ranked so high on the happiest countries list.
Public transport is very efficient. Most people ride bikes, one of the best ways to enjoy the city. Even the royal family transport their children on bikes when they go to school in the mornings.
The country is so beautiful it's no wonder people want to be outdoors riding a bike. Others who choose not to ride use the metro, bus, train, taxi, and car. It only takes 15 minutes to travel from the airport to the city center by metro, and trains run 24 hours a day.
Norway is the northernmost, easternmost, and westernmost Scandinavian country. Nearly 70% of Norway is uninhabitable and covered by mountains, glaciers, moors, and rivers.
Like Finland, Norway is a very safe place to visit. People come here to experience the midnight sun, and a 24-hour day leaves much time for attractions and exploring.
Polar bears are a famous sight on guided tours and boat rides. Norway also boasts the best and freshest-tasting salmon in the world. In fact, the salmon is so good that the Norwegians introduced salmon sushi to the Japanese back in the '80s!
There is much debate about whether Iceland is part of Scandinavia or not. Many say that Icelandic culture, history, and language are too closely tied to that of Scandinavia for it not to be Scandinavian.
Conversely, Iceland is listed as a Nordic country, whereas Scandinavia is a peninsula of which Iceland is not a part geographically.
Regardless, Iceland is a place of extreme geological contrasts. The striking landscape consists of volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, glaciers, and lava fields. Known as "The Land of Fire and Ice," Iceland has some of the largest glaciers in Europe and is home to the world's most active volcanoes.
Equality and freedom are at the top of Iceland's totem pole. The country ranks extremely high in quality of life, gender equality, and democracy.
It is also one of the countries with the highest rankings in the world for education, health care, and internet availability.
Iceland's history is full of violent Viking blood feuds and family traditions. Icelandic authors write tales of their culture in books, and more books per capita are published here than in any other country in the world.
Discover the wonders of Scandinavia through its top attractions, where ancient history meets modern innovation amidst breathtaking landscapes. From iconic landmarks to natural wonders, each attraction offers a glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry and stunning beauty of the Nordic region.
You can plan an unforgettable trip to Scandinavia by choosing your own itinerary. Each Scandinavian tour package offers a unique way to explore the region's diverse landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage.
Here are some popular ways to experience this captivating region:
Whether you prefer the freedom of the open road, the romance of train travel, the luxury of cruising, or the convenience of guided tours, every traveler has a perfect Scandinavian experience.
In Scandinavia, coffee culture reigns supreme, with the region boasting some of the highest coffee consumption rates in the world. Renowned for its strong brews and rich flavors, Scandinavian coffee is typically enjoyed as a daily ritual, with locals favoring dark roasts and bold blends. Varieties like Swedish Fika and Norwegian Kaffe are synonymous with social gatherings and cozy moments.
However, tea culture is also gaining momentum, particularly among health-conscious Scandinavians seeking alternatives to coffee. Green tea, herbal infusions, and specialty blends like lingonberry and elderflower teas are becoming increasingly popular, offering a refreshing and aromatic beverage option.
In countries like Sweden and Norway, coffee remains the beverage of choice, often accompanied by traditional pastries like cinnamon buns and cardamom rolls. In contrast, tea is more prevalent in Finland and Denmark, where it is enjoyed alongside sweet treats and savory snacks.
While wine may not be as central to Scandinavian culture as coffee and tea, there's still a burgeoning wine scene to explore.
Countries like Denmark and Sweden are known for their wine industries, producing high-quality wines from local grapes and imported varieties. Visitors can sample crisp whites, robust reds, and sparkling wines at vineyards and wineries across the region, offering a delightful complement to the Nordic culinary experience.
Scandinavia's diverse landscapes offer sanctuary to a rich array of wildlife species, both on land and at sea. The vast forests, rugged mountains, and expansive tundra provide habitats for various iconic animals, making the region a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers alike.
In addition to the abundant reindeer populations roaming freely across Norway, Sweden, and Finland, Scandinavia is also home to majestic predators such as the tundra wolf and the elusive wolverine. Brown bears and moose are common sights in the dense forests of Sweden and Finland, while the Arctic fox adapts to the harsh conditions of the northernmost reaches.
Along the coastline, the frigid waters teem with marine life, offering opportunities for breathtaking encounters with whales, seals, and sea eagles. With its impressive wingspan, the majestic white-tailed sea eagle symbolizes the region's untamed beauty and can often be spotted soaring overhead or perched on rocky cliffs.
During certain times of the year, lucky travelers may even glimpse the mighty polar bear, especially in the remote reaches of Svalbard, an archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole. These magnificent creatures epitomize the Arctic wilderness and serve as a reminder of the fragile balance of the region's delicate ecosystems.
Exploring Scandinavia's wildlife is a thrilling adventure. It is an opportunity to connect with the natural world and gain a deeper appreciation for the delicate ecosystems that sustain these remarkable creatures. Whether trekking through the wilderness or cruising along the coast, encountering Scandinavia's wildlife will leave a lasting impression on visitors.
Scandinavian art greatly influenced the social and political landscape. In the 1950s, minimalistic Scandinavian design, with its simple lines and functionality, became known. It has become trendy worldwide.
Their love for nature is intertwined with the furniture design, displaying wood floors and finishes, live plants, and neutral colors. If you've ever shopped at Ikea, you can understand the minimalistic art that has swept the nation.
Scandinavians are big on their legends and mythology. Scandinavian folklore represents the entirety of myths, traditions, customs, fables, and superstitions that originate from Norse mythology and are shared by the countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands.
While visiting a museum in Sweden or listening to a tour guide, you may hear of mythical creatures such as dwarves, trolls, elves, the holder, the Nokken, and the mare. While some may be more hesitant to believe, one thing is for sure — the fairytale-like men who plundered and pillaged by sea on dragon ships known as the Vikings were very real, and Scandinavia can teach you all about them.
Consider spending a day watching or even participating in one of the strange sports Scandinavia has to offer.
These unusual yet very entertaining sports include underwater rugby, wife carrying (men carrying their wives around town doing obstacle courses) in Finland, bandy (a common ball game with the rules of football and hockey combined), betting on reindeer races, and ice yacht races.
Of course, skiing, a trendy sport in Norway that can be done all year round, is a staple sport in Scandinavia.
If you love fish, Scandinavia is the place for you. Fish is a staple food in Scandinavia, so many dishes contain it. For example, Gravlax, which is raw slices of salmon cured with sugar and salt served with sweet mustard sauce, or creamed potatoes with dill. Pickled and fried herring is also very popular.
If you're not a fan of seafood, there are many meat options, too. Raggmunk is fried Swedish potato pancakes served with pork and lingonberries, a tasty delicacy.
Smoked reindeer meat, known as Souvas, is a popular Nordic tradition. Smorrebrod is a traditional Danish dish that consists of rye bread topped with liver patė, bacon, and deep-fried onions. And if you're in Sweden, you'll find Swedish meatballs on the menu everywhere you go.
This glorious trip is 1 week with people on the Taste of Scandinavia tour then 2 weeks with those on the Scandinavian Explorer trip (I’m so glad I chose all 3 weeks)...
Simply an amazing trip - so much seen and done. Each country is uniquely different and it has been great to experience them all. This trip provides a complete Scandi...
We did “Complete Scandinavia” trip and had a fabulous time. We enjoyed every place we stayed, from the capital cities to smaller towns like Lillehammer and Gudvangen...
Fantastic insight into Scandinavia. Highlights were the local guide who took us cycling in Copenhagen and a 4th generation local guide at wild, beautiful Vrångö Isla...
The Taste of Scandinavia trip was fantastic and a great way to get an introduction to this beautiful part of the World! The travel and accommodation was great and al...
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