Grand Tour of Norway & Sweden

Your Scandinavian vacation starts today in the waterside city of Stockholm, Sweden. When you arrive, make your way to our central hotel to meet the Tour Manager and your fellow travelers. Check in for the first of two nights, and then you are free to get your bearings in your new surroundings.

Stockholm is one of Europe's most attractive and unusual capitals, built across 14 islands connected by no fewer than 57 bridges. Situated at the edge of Lake Mälaren where it flows into the Baltic Sea, much of the city's charm is that, wherever you wander, you are always close to water. You have time to get to know the local area independently before dinner at our hotel this evening. Overnight Stockholm.

• Dinner

Stockholm has more than 750 years of history and culture, which we are introduced to on a guided sightseeing tour. We stop to enjoy a view of City Hall and admire the Baroque official residence of the Swedish monarch. Afterward, we tour the areas of Östermalm, Långholm and the parkland island of Djurgården. We continue to Stockholm's Old Town, Gamla Stan, one of the best-preserved medieval centers in the world, with charming colorful buildings lining the cobbled streets.

During our tour we stop for "fika," a cherished Swedish tradition to promote wellbeing, where friends meet over a hot drink and cake. The rest of your afternoon is free to explore the city. Browse the boutiques and souvenir shops of Gamla Stan or visit Museum Island, where the Vasa Museum displays a fully intact 17th-century ship.

This evening, you are free to dine independently; the city has an excellent range of dining options, from traditional Swedish dishes to Mediterranean and Asian cuisine.

• Breakfast

This morning, we board an InterCity train to Östersund for an overnight stay. Set on the shores of Sweden's fifth largest lake, Storsjön Lake, Östersund is a major cultural and transportation center and boasts the title of Sweden's only UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

The town also nurtures an enduring legend about the lake's rarely sighted monster. Storsjöodjuret ("the great lake monster") reportedly emerged from the chilly waters into the town in 1635 and has been spotted infrequently ever since. Generally described as a serpent with multiple humps, it's yet to be caught on camera, but for a time had a law ensuring its protection.

Enjoy some free time to admire the mirrored surface of the tranquil lake or head across the bridge to the island of Frösön to see the world's northernmost runestone. You might like to visit Jamtli Museum - an open-air museum complex showcasing the culture and history of the region. This evening, we reconvene at our hotel for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After an early breakfast this morning, we begin our leisurely train journey toward the untamed wilderness of Swedish Lapland. The scenic Inlandsbanan* snakes northward through a fairytale landscape of pine and birch forests. As we travel into this magical landscape, look out for local wildlife, including moose and reindeer, and enjoy informative commentary about the sights outside our windows from the knowledgeable train guard.

We arrive in Sorsele, where we visit the Inlandsbanan Museum before making our way by coach to a nearby Sámi village to learn about the lives of Scandinavia's indigenous people. We view the traditional buildings, learn about their culture and are introduced to their reindeer.

We continue to our hotel for the next two nights in Arjeplog, on the shores of Sweden's deepest lake, Hornavan. Tonight, we enjoy an authentic Sámi dinner showcasing local ingredients, served in a tipi around a campfire.

*Please note: departures before mid-June & after mid-August will travel by coach to the Sorsele, rather than on the Inlandsbanan train.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today, we experience a highlight of the tour - an all-day excursion by coach to the remote Sámi town of Jokkmokk. Driving even further north, we travel along long straight roads, passing dense forests and glassy lakes. On our approach to the "Land of the Midnight Sun," we cross the Arctic Circle and take part in a small ceremony to mark our entry into the Arctic.

Jokkmokk, meaning "river's curve" in the local Sámi language for the river that winds through the town, is an important location for Sweden's Sámi population, and offers plenty of educational and cultural institutions. On arrival, we visit the Ájtte Sámi Museum, seeing historic artefacts including intricate silver-work and traditional dress of the indigenous Sámi people. We learn more about their semi-nomadic way of life and traditions of fishing, reindeer herding and agriculture. There is time to find lunch independently at one of Jokkmokk's unique eateries serving Arctic delicacies.

Heading back across the Arctic Circle, we return to Arjeplog. After a long and scenic journey, we arrive in time for dinner at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our journey continues by coach toward the Norwegian town of Bodø, as we set off along the Silver Road, known as Silvervägen. Connecting Skellefteå on the Swedish coast and Bodø on the Norwegian coast, this road was historically used to transport silver and crosses the stunning Arjeplog mountains. Passing forests, rolling hills and crystalline lakes, we travel through beautiful river valleys and see the spectacular Saltdal Fjord.

On arrival in Bodø, a former European Capital of Culture, we visit the Norwegian Jekt Trade Museum. A jekt is a type of historic boat, used to transport dried fish along the Norwegian coast over centuries of trade. There are only three of these boats surviving in Norway and we can view one of them here: the Anna Karoline, built in 1876.

This afternoon is at leisure to explore Bodø before dinner at our hotel tonight. Located just north of the Arctic Circle on a peninsula surrounded by dramatic mountains, Bodø blends urban comforts with extraordinary natural beauty.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we set out on an epic four-hour boat tour, taking us out onto the Norwegian Sea. Aboard a hybrid-electric ship, peaceful views can be enjoyed from the large decks or through panoramic windows. As we sail, we visit the incredible maelstrom, Saltstraumen, where the world's strongest tidal current pushes through a small strait, creating captivating vortexes in the water.

Next, we continue to Beiar fjord, passing by rugged mountain peaks, reflecting in the mirrorlike water. As one of Norway's lesser-known fjords, this is an area of pristine natural beauty and tranquility and exploring it by boat provides greater access to the magnificent views.

Returning to land, the afternoon is at leisure. Soak up seascapes and mountain views from Bodø's waterfront promenade or learn about Nordland's history and culture at of the of the city's museums and galleries. Dining independently tonight, you can discover a great variety of cuisines in the city's restaurants, from traditional Norwegian fare to sushi and tapas.

• Breakfast

There's time to enjoy a leisurely morning in Bodø today. You could take the opportunity to do some last-minute sightseeing, pick up some traditional souvenirs or simply take in the magical waterfront views, before we set out on an iconic rail journey south aboard the 'Polar Express' to Trondheim.

The Nordlandsbanen is the longest train route in Norway, covering 453 miles and crossing the Arctic Circle, which lends its nickname of the "Polar Express." Traversing nearly the length of the country, this incredible journey provides amazing views of Norway's diverse landscapes. As our train glides past immense fjords, rugged mountains and deep valleys, we marvel at the ever-changing scenery, witnessing many natural wonders including the spectacular Svartisen Glacier.

Lunch and dinner are independent today; you can choose to bring prepared meals with you or purchase food at the café on board. Arriving in Trondheim late this evening, we take a short walk to our central hotel.

• Breakfast

Ahead of us today is a picturesque journey by rail, road and ferry to beautiful Geiranger. Leaving Trondheim by train, we wind past pretty villages and hamlets to Dombås where we change trains for a journey along the stunning Rauma Railway.

Considered one of Norway's most beautiful train lines, the scenic route glides beside azure rivers and emerald forests before the vistas become even more spectacular. After crossing the 100-year-old Kylling Bridge, we pause to admire the Verma waterfall before entering the Romsdalen Valley. Here, we marvel at the majesty of nature, including the Trollveggen, or Troll Wall, Europe's tallest vertical rock face.

Arriving at Åndalsnes on Romsdalfjord, we travel by coach up the twisting Troll's Ladder, glimpsing incredible scenery at each turn. This spellbinding trip continues as we cross serene Norddalsfjord by ferry. Stepping off the boat into fresh, crisp air, we continue by coach to Geiranger and our hotel, which has astounding views of the iconic fjord. We enjoy a buffet dinner at the hotel this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast this morning, we set out on a guided coach tour of the Norwegian capital, beginning at the modern Opera House. Appearing as if it is rising from the water, the angled exterior of the auditorium is covered with marble and white granite. People are encouraged to walk on the building's slopes when the weather is appropriate, for amazing views across Oslofjord. We also view the Royal Palace, a 19th-century neoclassical palace that serves as the official residence of Norway's monarch.

With a free afternoon, you could visit one of the city's many galleries or museums such as the Munch Museum and the National Museum, containing works by the expressionist painter Edvard Munch, renowned for The Scream. You could also take a gentle cruise around idyllic Oslofjord, possibly stopping at the Fram Museum to view a 19th-century ship used for polar exploration, or visit the Norsk Folk Museum, which contains historic Norwegian buildings.

After taking in Oslo's sights, we reconvene this evening to celebrate our time in Norway with a three-course dinner at a local restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

On this Scandinavian adventure we've experienced breathtaking glaciers, azure fjords and the untamed wilderness of the Arctic Circle. We've also taken unforgettable journeys on northern Europe's most spectacular railways and toured fascinating Nordic cities, discovering the beauty and culture of this incredible region.

After a relaxed morning in Oslo to revisit a favorite café or do some last-minute sightseeing or shopping, your tour comes to a close. You are free to transfer to the airport for your journey home or continue on at leisure.

• Breakfast