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Denmark/Norway/Sweden/Finland

Four Nordic Capitals

Program No. 3332RJ
Discover the secrets of Europe’s most northern cities, diving deep into culture, art and the traditions of Scandinavian design.
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Small Group
Length
18 days
Rating (4.95)
Activity Level
Starts at
9,499
Flights start at
1,050

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
18 days
17 nights
What's Included
42 meals ( 16B, 13L, 13D )
10 expert-led lectures
25 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
16 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously). See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Afternoon:
After checking in to the hotel, we’ll have some time to relax and settle in to our rooms before meeting in the lobby at 5:30 p.m. ahead of our welcome dinner and Orientation meeting.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. After our Orientation meeting, the rest of the evening is at leisure.
Activity Note
Walking about 4 miles throughout the day, and 1 hour of walking and standing at the museum. Walking on uneven terrain and cobblestone. Getting on/off motorcoach; driving under 1.5 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll begin the morning with a lecture, Welcome to the Nordics, to hear an overview of the four countries which we will visit throughout the program. After the lecture, we’ll take a short panoramic motorcoach ride to familiarize ourselves with more of central Copenhagen followed by a field trip through Copenhagen’s medieval quarters. We’ll walk through a maze of narrow streets to admire this bustling neighborhood’s charming old houses, churches, unique shops, cafes and delis.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll have an expert-led tour at the Danish Design Museum highlights Denmark’s rich design heritage and it shapes everyday life and society. We will see works of iconic Danish designers such as Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner and Kaare Klint. We will then board the motorcoach to head back to the hotel. You will have some down time before meeting to walk to dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant we’ll have a traditional Danish Christmas dinner of pork, potatoes, cabbage and rice pudding.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking 3 miles throughout the day with some unavoidable stairs at the palace. Getting on/off boat, cruising under an hour. Getting on/off metro/train.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At the hotel, we’ll attend a lecture hosted by our local guide, Denmark, Danes, and Democracy, which will provide insight into the country’s social welfare system, politics, and the Danish way of life. Afterward, we’ll set off on foot toward a nearby metro station, where we’ll catch the metro to Nordhavn’s water bus station. From there, we’ll board the water bus and enjoy a scenic tour along the harbor front as our guide shares fascinating insights about historic buildings, modern developments, and the vibrant waterfront life we pass along the way. We’ll disembark at the Royal Danish Library harbor bus stop and take a short walk to lunch.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant, we will experience a typical Danish workplace lunch. In Danish work culture, meals are valued as a time for hygge and socializing, making lunch an opportunity to relax and connect with colleagues.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll set out on foot to visit Christiansborg Palace, home to Denmark's three branches of government: the executive, legislative, and judicial powers. It is the only building in the world that houses all of a nation's supreme powers under one roof. During our visit, we will explore the Royal Reception Rooms, where official state events are held. Afterward, we’ll take public transportation back to the hotel, where you’ll have some down time to relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles. Getting on/off metro/train. Extent/duration of walking and other activities during independent time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Denmark’s Golden Age for art, literature and architecture took place from 1800 to 1850. Our morning lecture by a local expert will introduce us to two famous Danes, Soren Kirkegaard and Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark’s literary giants in the Golden Age. Afterward, we’ll walk to the nearest metro station and travel to King’s Square. From there, our lecturer will lead a walking tour through the Old Town, exploring its influence on Danish literature.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approximately 60 miles. 2.5 hours riding time. Walking about 2 miles and walking/standing at sites. Approximately, 75 unavoidable stairs at Kronborg Castle. Due to limited space in the cabin on the overnight ferry to Oslo, your luggage will be kept in storage. Therefore, please bring a smaller bag to pack your essentials in for the ferry overnight. You will receive your luggage at 3:00 p.m. on Day 7, after the city tour of Oslo.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board a motorcoach for a field trip to Kronborg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is perhaps better known as Elsinore, the setting for much of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet.’ From the UNESCO inscription: “Located on a strategically important site commanding the Sund, the stretch of water between Denmark and Sweden, the Royal castle of Kronborg at Helsingør (Elsinore) is of immense symbolic value to the Danish people and played a key role in the history of northern Europe in the 16th to 18th centuries. Work began on the construction of this outstanding Renaissance castle in 1574, and its defences were reinforced according to the canons of the period's military architecture in the late 17th century. It has remained intact to the present day.” After our field trip to Kronborg Castle, we’ll board the ferry for our journey to Oslo.
Lunch:
Onboard the ferry.
Afternoon:
Free time to enjoy the ferry’s facilities.
Dinner:
In the ship’s dining room.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for arrival to Oslo in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking about 4 miles with some unavoidable stairs at the sculpture park. Getting; on/off motorcoach driving approximately 3 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
In the cruise ship’s dining room.
Morning:
Welcome to Oslo! Once ashore, we’ll board a motorcoach for a panoramic field trip through the city. We’ll then have an introduction to Norway's great sculptor, Gustav Vigeland, contemplating this artist's talents as we view the Vigeland sculpture park, Frognerparken. This wonderful park’s architect was Vigeland himself, and it is home to 212 sculptures that depict the life of man from birth to death. We’ll take a walk through the entire park.
Lunch:
We’ll delight in lunch with a view as we dine at the Frognerseteren restaurant. This destination will afford us a great vista of the city.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our transfer by motorcoach to the hotel, stopping at the Holmenkollen ski jump arena for another great viewpoint across the city. Once we arrive at the hotel, we’ll check in and have some time to relax and unpack before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
After dinner, we’ll convene for a short vicinity walk with our local guide sharing information about the Oslo portion on your journey. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking about 2 miles throughout the day; walking/standing at sites.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll begin the morning with a short lecture at the hotel on Norway’s past and present. After the lecture, we’ll board a motorcoach and ride to the Nobel Peace Prize Museum, where we’ll hone our artistic eyes during an expert-led field trip. We’ll then walk to our lunch spot, where we’ll start with a brief lecture on Norwegian salmon, followed by a salmon tasting.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll walk along Aker Brygge to the National Gallery to see the world famous Edvard Munch painting, “The Scream.” Afterwards, feel free to explore independently, or return to the hotel.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Walking up to 3 miles with some uneven terrain, and walking/standing at the museums; unavoidable stairs inside the ship Fram.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll begin the day with a short briefing at the hotel about today’s program, followed by a lecture on Norwegian literature, with an emphasis on modern works. We’ll then board a motorcoach for a field trip to Bygdøy. The Bygdøy peninsula hosts several great museums, and our field trip will take us to see some of the most important ones. We’ll pay a visit to the Open Air Folk Museum to learn about living in Norway during the last 200 years. We’ll then take a short bus ride to the Fram Museum, a museum dedicated to the late 19th-century polar exploration ship Fram.
Lunch:
On own on the peninsula
Afternoon:
We’ll re-gather at a pre-determined time to board the motorcoach and travel to the Oslo Opera House. Here we will have an expert-led tour for a behind-the-scenes look at one of Norway’s most iconic architectural landmarks. After, we’ll board the motorcoach and head back to the hotel. You’ll have some down time before our walk to dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 330 miles, approximately 8 hours total riding time, not including breaks.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board a motorcoach for our transfer to Stockholm, Sweden.
Lunch:
We’ll stop for lunch in Karlstad en route.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our motorcoach transfer to Stockholm, stopping en route at the city of Örebro. Upon arrival in Stockholm, we’ll check in to our hotel and have some time to relax and unpack before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
After dinner, we’ll set out for a brief vicinity walk with our local guide. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 3 hours riding time. Getting on/off public transportation. Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At the hotel, we’ll begin the day with a lecture teaching us about the unique qualities of Swedish culture and the economy today in light of its historical roots. After the lecture, we’ll enjoy a panoramic orientation field trip including Fjällgatan with the breathtaking view over the Stockholm skyline ending at the island of Djurgården to have lunch.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll visit the Vasa Ship Museum. This outstanding museum features the full body and ornamentation of a warship that sunk on its maiden voyage in Stockholm in 1628 and was salvaged 333 years later. The prime condition of this ship has made it internationally unique. An expert-led excursion through the museum will include a 30-minute film showing the complex salvage operation of the ship. After this, free time to visit other museums on Djurgården. After, we’ll board a public tram back to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free time.
Dinner:
On your own to explore local cuisines.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off public transportation. Getting on/off boat. Walking about 3 miles, plus standing/walking at museums, uneven and steep ground in Gamla Stan.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At the hotel, we’ll gather for a lecture on “Sweden Today,” in which an overview of the political and cultural landscape of Sweden will give us an understanding of a system which has given the Swedish citizens an exceptionally high standard of living across the board. Today the "Swedish model" is rapidly changing. After the lecture, we’ll set out on foot to stop at the Stockholm City Hall. This remarkable building, inaugurated in 1923, combines many architectural and ornamental styles into a unique structure that is the pride of Stockholm. Many people worldwide have seen the magnificent Nobel Prize gala dinner taking place in the “Blue Hall” of City Hall. explore Stockholm’s Old Town.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll start exploring on foot the narrow and cobblestoned streets of Gamla Stan. After the walk, the rest of the afternoon is free time for independent exploration. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions. Choices include The Nordic Museum, The History Museum, The National Gallery, The Modern Museum of Art, and the Museum of Photography.
Dinner:
Dinner cruise amongst Stockholm’s archipelago.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Walking about 3 miles, walking/standing at sites.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board a motorcoach for a field trip to the UNESCO site, Drottningholm Palace. We’ll enjoy an expert-led exploration of most of the Palace, as despite being the permanent home residence of the King and Queen of Sweden much of it is open to the public. The portrait gallery and exquisite furniture are prime examples of Swedish craft and art from the 18th and 19th centuries. Following, we’ll walk to the Drottningholm Palace Theatre for another expert-led visit exploring the preserved 18th century Baroque theatre which is still in use today.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Once we return to central Stockholm, we’ll have some time to explore and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
We'll attend a cultural event. The date and time are tentative, until further details are available. These will be confirmed during the program.
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles, walking/standing at field trip sites. Getting on/off a motorcoach. Due to limited space in the cabins on the overnight ferry to Helsinki, your luggage will be transported via bus to the hotel in Helsinki. Therefore, please bring a smaller bag to pack your essentials in for the ferry overnight. You will receive your luggage at 3:00 p.m. on Day 15, after our visit to the National Art Gallery of Finland.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board the motorcoach for an expert-led visit to the ABBA Museum. This interactive experience takes us on a journey into the world of Sweden’s most famous pop group. As we explore exhibits featuring original costumes, instruments, and memorabilia, we’ll fully immerse ourselves in the legacy of ABBA.
Lunch:
Explore local fare on your own at one of the cozy restaurants and cafés at Skansen.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll reconvene at a designated time and board the motorcoach for a visit to a charming, locally operated café. Here, we’ll take part in the beloved Swedish tradition of Fika—a cozy coffee break enjoyed with freshly baked pastries. As we sip coffee and savor a classic Swedish bun, we’ll have the chance to experience this cherished daily ritual alongside local Swedes. Afterward, we’ll board the ferry for the next leg of our journey.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship, we’ll enjoy a traditional smörgåsbord in the dining room.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for arrival to Helsinki in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 6.5 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time during panoramic field trips. Walking about 1.5 miles, and walking/standing at the gallery.
Breakfast:
In the cruise ship's dining room.
Morning:
Once we arrive in Helsinki, we’ll board a motorcoach for a panoramic field trip with our Group Leader to familiarize ourselves with some of the city’s key landmarks, including Sibelius Monument and Senate Square, finishing at our hotel.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll take an expert-led field trip to the Ateneum, the National Art Gallery of Finland. We’ll contemplate some of the Ateneum’s most famous and interesting paintings, followed by time to explore the Ateneum independently. We’ll return independently to the hotel, three blocks away from the Ateneum.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 1 mile; walking/standing at the music hall.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At the hotel, we’ll gather for a lecture from a local expert who will provide us with a short history of Finland. We’ll follow the country’s story from the early years to the present as we focus on Finland’s relations with the world and especially with the United States. We’ll then learn about daily life in Finland with a glimpse into the everyday life of a typical Finnish citizen. After the lecture, we will board a motorcoach for a visit to the Temppeliaukio Rock Church.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll walk over to explore the Musiikkitalo Music Hall on an expert-led field trip. This music center is Finland’s most modern, and is home to the Sibelius Academy, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. We’ll then have some free time for independent exploration. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
Explore local fare on your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 45 miles, approximately 1.5 hours. Walking at sites.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We’ll board a motorcoach and ride to the Lotta Museum in Tuusula, where a musician will give us insight into Finnish music and delight us with the sounds of a kantele, a traditional Finnish instrument. We’ll then take a field trip to Ainola, Jean Sibelius’ home and museum. Here we will see the composer’s home as it was while he lived there with his family, as well as the graves of the composer and his wife.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, the rest of the afternoon is free time for independent exploration. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 12 miles, approximately 0.5 hours riding time. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll transfer by motorcoach to the Helsinki airport. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys.
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