MENUOur list of articles tagged with "Scandinavia."
We recently returned from a private Sweden tour featuring the highlights of Swedish Lapland, including pristine landscapes, luxury camps in the Arctic Circle, unique cultural experiences, spotting the Northern Lights and active touring.
For travelers who love books, history, architecture and design, incorporating visits to some of the world’s most beautiful libraries into private touring is a wonderful way into a destination’s cultural and literary heritage.
One of our favorite excursions from Stockholm, Sweden, is Drottningholm Palace, the residence of the Swedish royal family. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the palace is known for its well-preserved lavish interiors, Baroque architecture, well-preserved 18th-century theater and expansive gardens.
We love experiencing hot springs and thermal baths around the world—such as serene Japanese onsen and open-air baths at spas in cities such as Budapest and Reykjavik—in spectacular settings.
Artisans of Leisure can incorporate local thermal bath experiences and bathing traditions in all of our private international tours.
Photos of the Northern Lights and more, taken by an Artisans of Leisure traveler taken during a private luxury tour of Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
Every year from mid-November through late December, thousands of Christmas markets transform town centers throughout Europe into winter wonderlands with twinkling lights, Christmas music and alpine-style wooden chalets overflowing with local crafts and seasonal treats. They’re a highlight of winter holiday travel and a wonderful way to experience a destination’s seasonal cheer. Read more about our favorite Christmas markets in Europe.
Highlights from our visit to Iceland and Norway, including active and cultural touring in Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, Bergen, Fjord Norway and Oslo.
For adventurous travelers looking for off-the-beaten-path experiences, Artisans of Leisure can incorporate stays at ice hotels, tree hotels, igloo hotels or other unique hotels in the Nordic countries as part of a private tour in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland.
Some of our favorite landmark buildings in Reykjavik are inspired by the country’s incredible basalt landscapes. Artisans of Leisure arranges private Iceland tours that feature the country’s spectacular landscapes and sophisticated cultural touring.
Artisans of Leisure can incorporate Pride events into any of our private tours.
Exclusive Deplar Farm in North Iceland is one of the country’s most luxurious lodges and an ideal base for touring the spectacular region.
Dragsholm Slot, a luxury castle hotel in Denmark, is a beautiful Relais & Chateaux hotel and the perfect destination for relaxing in a rural setting.
For art and architecture lovers visiting Denmark, Aarhus on the country’s Jutland peninsula is a great destination. A highlight of Aarhus is the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, one of the largest art museums in Scandinavia.
Tivoli Gardens is one of the world’s oldest theme parks and an enduring landmark in the heart of Copenhagen, a must-see during any visit to the city. Artisans of Leisure arranges tickets, transportation and restaurant reservations for travelers on our private, luxury tours of Denmark.
Artisans of Leisure arranges private excursions to Norway’s spectacular Atlantic Road, an incredible off-the-beaten-path experience.
Built on a series of small islands in an archipelago in the fjord region, Alesund is a jewel in Norway known for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture and proximity to one of the country’s most famous fjords, Geirangerfjord. Artisans of Leisure arranges in-depth private cultural and scenic touring in and around Alesund. Devastated by a […]
Artisans of Leisure founder and CEO on her most recent trip to Iceland and what makes this destination so popular for families.
For travelers interested in Scandinavian design and textiles, the Svenskt Tenn store in Stockholm is a must. Founded in 1924, Svenskt Tenn began as a pewter shop run by local art teacher Estrid Ericson and has since grown into one of Sweden’s most highly regarded design and textile shops. The store received the “Purveyor to […]
Just off the west coast of Estonia is rural Muhu Island, an idyllic destination for luxury, relaxation and fine regional cuisine. The highlight of Muhu Island is beautiful Padaste Manor, one of our favorite resorts in the Baltic States. Surrounded by a scenic landscape of forest, farmland, marsh and beach, Padaste Manor is a restored […]
Iceland, “The Land of Fire and Ice,” is packed with dramatic natural features: the largest glaciers in Europe, several of the most active volcanoes in the world, rugged lava fields, bubbling geothermal pools, thundering waterfalls, jagged peaks and spouting geysers. One of Iceland’s most famous sights is the Blue Lagoon, a pale-blue slash of geothermal-heated […]
One of our Denmark luxury travel experts, Arden, lived in Copenhagen for six years and is a wealth of knowledge about the city and region. Read about some of her favorite experiences and recommendations in this in-depth interview. Q: Why did you move to Copenhagen? A: I studied abroad in Copenhagen for a semester during […]
Iceland has been one of our most popular destinations since we launched our private Iceland tours. Luke Pyenson, one of our Iceland travel specialists, has visited the country several times and closely studied its tourism industry while in graduate school. We chatted with Luke about what makes the island so compelling, and why he can’t stop […]
Stunningly beautiful Iceland is known for its unique, otherworldly landscapes including rugged hills, icy blue glaciers and black-sand beaches. But Iceland’s stylish capital city, Reykjavik, is also home to impressive cultural attractions, such as Harpa, the magnificent concert hall designed in part by Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson and opened in 2011. The mesmerizing glass-paneled facade […]
We love visiting European cities during the holiday season, especially to visit the wonderful Christmas markets that take place throughout the region. The markets—which showcase local holiday traditions, seasonal cuisine, and regional crafts—are an amazing way to join in the local holiday cheer. Many cities in Europe—from Salzburg, Austria to Waterford, Ireland—have Christmas markets. Some […]
Located along the peaceful coastline north of Copenhagen, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is one of our favorite museums in Scandinavia and a highlight of the region. Named for the three wives of the estate’s 19th-century owner (all named Louise), the museum comprises a beautiful sculpture park, galleries displaying modern and contemporary American and European […]
Artisans of Leisure’s founder and CEO, Ashley Isaacs Ganz, recently returned from an incredible private tour of Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Finland and Russia. Read about favorite cultural, scenic and culinary highlights from her trip.
We’ve recently launched new private tours featuring the very best of Scandinavia and the Baltic States. This is one of our favorite parts of the world, and we’re excited to offer tours that incorporate our unique expertise and perspective on Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The comprehensive private tours include exclusive access […]
One of our favorite excursions from Helsinki is to the Iittala glass factory. We can arrange a private tour of the factory to watch artisans creating the glass vases, tableware and objets d’art that are synonymous with modern Finnish design. This tour is especially recommended for collectors of Oiva Toikka—designed Iittala annual birds, eggs and other works of art. All of the vases designed by master Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, including the iconic Savoy vase, are made in the main factory.
Artisans of Leisure arranges private Iceland tours including Reykjavik and the Golden Circle. Visit Geysir geothermal area, Strokkur geyser, Gullfoss waterfall, Thingvellir National Park UNESCO site. Diving, farm visits, hiking also. Iceland tours, luxury Iceland tours
If you want to experience Stockholm as the locals do, we recommend visiting Rosendals Tradgard, one of our favorite places in the Swedish capital. Located on the leafy island of Djurgarden—which is also home to major cultural sites such as the Vasa Museet and the Skansen open-air museum—Rosendals is a large garden and one of […]
Our private Scandinavia tours bring the Artisans of Leisure style of travel to Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland. Here are a few of our favorite destinations and activities in the region. Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is a wonderful introduction to Scandinavia. The beautiful city is built on several islands, and we usually recommend taking […]
Europe is one of our favorite regions to visit in the summer, and there’s still time to plan an incredible summer vacation. Here are a few ideas from our travel specialists. 1.) For the Mediterranean at its best Recommended destinations: Italy & Sicily, French Riviera, Greece & more Inspiration for your tour: Enjoying beautiful views […]
Garden Tour of France
(8 Days)
Versailles, Loire Valley, Paris & Giverny
Turkey in Style
(10 Days)
Istanbul, Izmir & Ephesus, Bodrum
Gardens of the Netherlands
(8 Days)
Amsterdam with Keukenhof Gardens, Leiden, Delft & Gelderland
Journey Through Mexico
(16 Days)
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico City & Teotihuacan, Puebla, Oaxaca, Merida, Riviera Maya
Istanbul in Depth
(6 Days)
Istanbul