The Award Winning Leader in Escorted Worldwide Rail Tours
Immerse yourself in the ethereal beauty of the countries of Scandinavia
The historic ports of Scandinavia have been a melting pot of culture and trade for centuries. Take a deep lungful of the fresh arctic air, or cruise along the banks of fjord country. Our Scandinavian and Baltic rail journeys are a way to enjoy beautiful sights, investigate fascinating history and experience the rich culture of these northern lands.
The excursions and day trips we include as part of our Scandinavian itineraries are designed to give our guests an almost unrivalled insight into the Nordic way of life, but should you choose to explore on your own there are plenty of other sights to see. In Oslo there are the black bunnies of Gressholmen, Stockholm has the museums of Skeppsholmen, and on a day trip out of Trondheim it is possible to escape to Meråker, a region of peculiar beauty which is a favourite of the locals but almost unknown outside of Norway.
With their towering cliff faces, rugged rocky ledges and waterfalls that drop straight into the sea, the awe-inspiring Norwegian fjords really have to be seen to appreciate their beauty and majesty. On this fantastic tour we visit these natural wonders and cross spellbinding landscapes to visit Norway's magnificent cities.
… see more7 days from $2,355 pp
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On this remarkable adventure we explore Norway and Swedish Lapland, journeying north far into the Arctic Circle where we seek out the magical Northern Lights, all whilst travelling on some of Scandinavia's most scenic railways.
… see more11 days from $4,385 pp
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Discover the contrasting cultures of the fascinating Baltic region, from colourful Scandinavia to the splendour of Russia, via the historic countries of Latvia and Estonia. Explore glorious palaces and UNESCO World Heritage sites on this unique Baltic Explorer rail tour.
… see more14 days from $4,995 pp
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Travel the length of Norway aboard some of the world's most impressive railway lines, discovering its delightful cities and island communities along the way. Experience life in the Arctic Circle and feast like a Viking on our new eleven day tour.
… see more12 days from $5,625 pp
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Majestic mountains and heavenly fjords in Norway combine with the tranquil landscapes of Sweden on an epic journey that includes every great Scandinavian rail experience. On this exciting 16-day tour you'll visit the fascinating cities Oslo and Stockholm and travel beyond the Arctic Circle to the 'Land of the Midnight Sun.'
… see more16 days from $6,120 pp
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High above the Arctic Circle lies a land of myths, legends and phenomenal natural light displays. Discover Swedish Lapland in all its winter glory, home to the gravity defying Ice Hotel, frozen seas and some of the best spots in the world from which to be entranced by the life changing Northern Lights.
… see more8 days
View tour details >While Scandinavia, a region made up of Denmark, Sweden and Norway, is a delight whatever time of year you visit, winter often sees the mercury dip will below zero degrees centigrade, which means first and foremost, appropriate cold weather clothing is essential. Gloves, hats and scarves are all a must, as well as a properly insulated winter coat. We recommend visiting an outdoor adventure store, as they will be able to personally assist you when it comes to making sure you won't get chilly, especially on a Northern Lights tour whilst waiting for a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis. You may also want to invest in some hiking boots as, even though you won't be going on long, arduous rambles, they are designed to protect the feet from the elements over long periods of time. Another accessory to consider are clip-on ice grips for added security when you're out and about.
What should you pack for a trip to Scandinavia?
Layering your clothing is a great way to combat against low temperatures, and in our experience there's no better base than proper thermal underwear and thick socks, made of a natural material. And as there will be times when you're taking part in activities you may even get a bit warm, so having something to take off without leaving you completely at the mercy of the elements is the ideal situation. Don't forget your sunglasses and sunblock though, as any glare off the snow may be much stronger than you are used to.
When you're indoors, normal clothing such as jumpers, skirts and trousers will be absolutely fine as all your accommodation will have adequate heating. Many hotels do have saunas and hot tubs however, as is the Scandinavian way, so if you want that authentic experience, you'll want to make sure there's some swimwear in your suitcase.
Where can you see the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon famed across the world, and every year many tourists enjoy the experience of a lifetime as high solar activity and geomagnetic storms in space collide with the earth's atmosphere, creating the most fantastic light show you could ever hope to see. And to make the most of any sightings, some budding photographers will want to try and capture the moment for prosperity. For this a long-exposure is needed which means a tripod is an essential piece of kit. Camera batteries also have a tendency to drain quicker in cold temperatures, so remember to pack plenty of spares so you don't miss the big moment!
Throughout the rest of the year, the climate varies and coastal areas remain warmer than more mountainous regions that lie inland. A good rule of thumb is to plan as if you were holidaying in the UK and prepare for all eventualities! English is spoken widely, and pretty much fluently, throughout and there are no travel warnings in place or visas required when travelling from Britain.
Very well organised throughout and excellent value for money. Our tour guide, Ray Ellis, could not be faulted; he was extremely conscientious and worked very hard to ensure that everything went smoothly, down to the last detail.
The tour met our expectations although we enjoyed the Norway section the most. Our tour Manager was very efficient and ensured everything ran smoothly.
Beautiful sights and scenery, the northern lights danced magically for us and that was the icing on the cake. Plenty of opportunities to do extra things such as snowshoeing and snowmobiling. The ice breaker boat trip was fantastic with the opportunity to don special suits and float in icy waters. Tour guide was great and helpful if you had a problem. Altogether a fabulous experience which I would do again and happily recommend to others.
By Sukie Chapman
26 March 2018
Happiness seems like it's in short supply sometimes, which is why this week's annual announcement of the World Happiness Report may seem like a nice reminder that there are plenty of wonderful places all across the globe.
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By Sukie Chapman
17 November 2017
The world is a weird place. It’s not something we always appreciate as we go about our day-to-day lives, but every so often you learn something about this planet of ours, suspended in a potentially infinite cosmos, that makes you stop and pause for thought.
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By Peter Liney
25 August 2017
Welcome to the land of the midnight sun – where it really never does get dark in mid-summer. If you wait up late enough you can watch the sun graze the horizon, a blazing ball of orange, before it immediately starts to rise again.
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By Joel Draba-Mann
23 March 2016
Brilliant, bold and brimming with elegance – BBC’s War and Peace may have ended, but you can join us on our own tour of the cities featured in Tolstoy’s iconic novel.
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Excellent experience throughout. Exceptionally well led. Evening meals in hotels the only weak area.