Food, Design & Culture of Sweden & Copenhagen

(12 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Stockholm, Kingdom of Crystal, Wanas, Malmo, Copenhagen

This ultimate private tour of Sweden and Denmark features the best of each country's art, design and cuisine. This tour can be fully customized to include after-hours visits to museums, tickets to performances and reservations at the best restaurants in each location.

Begin in Stockholm, the seaside capital of Sweden. With your own private guide, explore the many highlights of the city. Walk the medieval streets of atmospheric Gamla Stan (Old Town) to see the Royal Palace, Nobel Museum and other interesting places. Visit the city's best food hall, and perhaps have lunch at one of its renowned restaurants. Tour City Hall, where the Nobel Prize dinner is held, to see its magnificent interiors, including the Gold Room, which sparkles with mosaics. Visit the best-known boutiques for Swedish design, including Svenskt Tenn. Also see the impressive and well-preserved 17th-century ship at the Vasamuseet. If desired, learn about traditional rural Swedish life at Skansen, an open-air museum filled with historic buildings from around the country. Also enjoy a cruise on the harbor and along the Djurgarden Canal. Other touring options include visiting the Moderna Museet, Rosendal's Garden, Haga Park, Hallwyl Museum, ABBA The Museum or the National Museum.

One day, take a private excursion to Drottningholm Palace, the residence of the Swedish royal family and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see the beautiful interiors and theater. Alternatively, take an excursion to Sturehov Manor to tour its well-preserved 18th-century interiors.

Another day, enjoy a private excursion to Artipelag, located on the outskirts of the city in the Stockholm Archipelago, to enjoy the art, architecture, cuisine and wooded trails overlooking the sea.

Artisans of Leisure can also arrange reservations at the top restaurants in and around Stockholm, private cruises through the Stockholm Archipelago, and excursions to Uppsala, Sigtuna and other destinations.

Next, venture into Sweden's Kingdom of Crystal, a region with centuries of history in glassblowing and artisanal glass making. En route, opt to see the historic wooden architecture in Eksjo or the 19th-century factory architecture of Norrkoping. Around the Kingdom of Crystal (also known as the Glass Country), stay at a glass art hotel or city hotel, and enjoy flexible private touring such as visits to Kosta Boda, Maleras and other glass factories; touring the Swedish Glass Museum in Vaxjo; visiting a handmade paper factory; and exploring the IKEA Museum.

Continue to Wanas, a private estate with a historic castle, an atmospheric hotel and an art collection known as Wanas Konst that features dozens of art installations in the surrounding parkland and forest. During time at leisure, explore the estate and artworks, and relax at the hotel.

Next, visit Malmo to see the iconic Turning Torso building and tour top museums such as Malmo Museer complex and the Moderna Museet Malmo.

Continue across the landmark Oresund Bridge to Copenhagen, Denmark. With your own private guide, tour the highlights of the Danish capital, and see local landmarks such as picturesque Nyhavn harbor, Radhuspladsen square, the Copenhagen Opera House and the Old Stock Exchange building. Cruise through Copenhagen's harbor and canals, keeping an eye out for the Little Mermaid and interesting contemporary architecture. Visit boutiques dedicated to fine Danish design. Also visit the Torvehallerne market, a great place to have excellent coffee, delicious Danish pastries and traditional smorrebrod (open-faced sandwiches). Or perhaps explore the street food stalls of Reffen market. If desired, visit some of Copenhagen's palaces and museums, such as Rosenborg Castle, the Danish Jewish Museum, the National Museum of Denmark or Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Perhaps also walk through Christiania, and see the nearby Church of Our Saviour and its famous corkscrew spire. One night, visit magical Tivoli Gardens to enjoy the twinkling lights, evening entertainment, and great cafes and restaurants

One day, enjoy a private excursion to Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, an outstanding cultural institution in a beautiful setting along the coast. Nearby, perhaps visit the Karen Blixen Museum or continue to Frederiksborg Castle, one of Denmark's finest castles.

Another day, enjoy behind-the-scenes access to high-end Danish design with a private porcelain painting experience at Royal Copenhagen or a private tour of the Georg Jensen workshop to see master silversmiths at work.

Artisans of Leisure can also arrange reservations at top restaurants renowned for contemporary Nordic cuisine, as well as tickets to performances at the Royal Danish Opera, Royal Danish Theatre and other venues.