Essential Scandinavia - Winter Capitals & Fjords by Rail & Sea (Classic)

Welcome to Stockholm, one of Scandinavia's most beautiful and captivating capitals. Spread across fourteen islands where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea, this is a city of water, light, and history in equal measure. Settle into your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring at your own pace, taking in the waterfront, the cobbled lanes of the old town, or simply watching the city go about its business.

In the morning, join a small group walking tour through the heart of Stockholm, uncovering the city's most celebrated landmarks alongside its lesser-known secrets. A knowledgeable local guide will lead you through Gamla stan, Stockholm's remarkably preserved medieval centre, past the oldest square of Stortorget and down the city's narrowest street, weaving together stories of Swedish kings, Viking heritage, and the customs and traditions that have shaped this remarkable city over centuries. The rest of the day is yours to continue exploring at your own pace.

Board the train and head south through the Swedish and Danish countryside, crossing into Denmark as you make your way to Copenhagen. The journey itself is a pleasure, with the iconic Øresund Bridge carrying you across the strait between the two countries. Settle into your hotel and spend the evening discovering one of Europe's most charming and liveable capitals.

In the morning, explore Copenhagen with an expert local guide on a small group walking tour through the city's historical and cultural highlights. You will wander past the colourful canal-side houses of Nyhavn, take in the medieval square of Amagertorv, and visit Christiansborg Palace, home of the Danish parliament, before venturing off the tourist trail into the city's quieter and lesser-known districts. The afternoon is free to explore further, whether that means the famous Tivoli Gardens, the contemporary food scene, or simply cycling through the streets as the locals do.

This evening, board the overnight ferry from Copenhagen to Oslo. A classic Scandinavian experience in itself, the crossing takes you through the waters of the Oslofjord as you sail through the night, arriving refreshed and ready to discover Norway's capital.
Overnight on board.

Arriving into Oslo, the day is yours to settle in and begin discovering the city at your own pace. The waterfront, the Aker Brygge harbour district, and the leafy streets of the west end are all within easy reach, and with over 1,000 years of history woven into its streets, there is plenty to explore before your tour continues tomorrow.

In the morning, get to know Oslo on a three-hour small group walking tour through the city's iconic landmarks and quieter backstreets. A local guide will lead you from the grand Royal Palace to the striking Opera House, sharing the stories, contrasts, and everyday rhythms that give this city its character, from its Norse heritage and royal history to its reputation as one of Europe's most forward-thinking and sustainable capitals. Later, board the train west towards the fjords, descending to Myrdal where you switch to the Flåm Railway, one of the steepest standard gauge railway lines in the world, winding down through frozen waterfalls and dramatic mountain gorges to the village of Flåm at the water's edge, ready for tomorrow's fjord adventure.

From Flåm, you embark on a cruise along the Aurlandsfjord and the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord. In winter the fjords take on an entirely different character, with waterfalls frozen solid against the steep mountain walls, the water calm and glasslike, and a deep layer of snow draped over the high peaks above. On the return journey, the boat calls in at Undredal, a tiny and idyllic village clinging to the fjord's edge and surrounded by mountains on all sides. Here you will be welcomed into the local shop for hot drinks and a chance to hear first-hand from one of the villagers what life is really like in this remote and remarkable corner of Norway. Before leaving, look out for the award-winning local goat cheese, a fitting taste of the fjord to take home with you.

Few journeys in Europe can match what unfolds today. The Norway in a Nutshell route carries you west from Oslo through the dramatic high mountain scenery of the Hardangervidda plateau on the Bergen Railway, before the descent to Myrdal and a fjord cruise along the Aurlandsfjord and into the narrow, UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, before a bus and final train leg bring you into Bergen. All transport is included on a single ticket and the route runs like clockwork, so simply sit back and let Norway unfold around you.

After breakfast, your journey through Scandinavia draws to a close in one of Norway's most beloved cities. Bergen's colourful Bryggen wharf, bustling fish market, and the funicular up to Mount Fløyen are all worth a final morning visit before you continue your journey home. If you would like to extend your stay, we would be delighted to help with ideas.