Best of Scandinavia & Iceland

(14 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Bergen & Sognefjord, Reykjavik & environs, South Iceland

This comprehensive private tour features Scandinavia's most interesting cities (including Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo), the spectacular Norwegian fjords and Iceland's capital city and stunning landscapes.

Begin in Copenhagen, the charming capital of Denmark. With your own private guide, tour the highlights of the historic center, 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). 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. Alternatively, opt for a private excursion to Roskilde. Visit the Viking Ship Museum to learn about Viking history and culture, and perhaps go sailing in a traditional wooden boat. Also visit Roskilde Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoy time to explore the historic town.

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

Next, travel by first-class express train to Stockholm to explore the many highlights of Sweden’s seaside capital. Walk the medieval streets of atmospheric Gamla Stan (Old Town) to see the Royal Palace, Nobel Museum and other interesting places. Visit Stockholm’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 Rosendals Tradgard, Haga Park, Hallwyl Museum, ABBA The Museum or the National Museum.

One day, enjoy an 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. Alternatively, 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.

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

Continue to Oslo, the attractive seaside capital of Norway. During flexible private touring, see cultural highlights, top museums, beautiful parks, charming neighborhoods, and historic and contemporary architecture. Take in panoramic views of the harbor from the Akershus Fortress, walk on the roof of the Oslo Opera House, see iconic Vigeland Park, learn about Norwegian history inside the Oslo City Hall, and explore masterpieces of Norwegian art, architecture and design at the National Gallery. Other options include visiting the Munch Museum, touring the Nobel Peace Center, learning about rural traditions at the Norwegian Folk Museum, touring the Royal Palace or Oscarshall, delving into the life of one of Norway's most renowned playwrights at the Ibsen Museum, seeing Norwegian modernist architecture at Villa Stenersen, learning about the World War II history of Norway at the Holocaust Museum or Resistance Museum, visiting Holmenkollen ski jump and the Ski Museum, and biking along the Akerselva River. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange tickets to performances at the Oslo Opera House and other venues around the city.

Next, fly to Bergen, a historic port city and the gateway to Fjord Norway. During private touring, explore the picturesque Bryggen wharf district, a former Hanseatic trading post that's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the bustling fish market, and tour the Hanseatic Museum and Schotstuene to learn about life in medieval Bergen. Walk through the pretty backstreets of the town, and venture up the Floibanen funicular for panoramic views of Bergen and the harbor from the top of Mount Floyen. Other options include delving deeper into the city's history at Rosenkrantz Tower and the Bryggens Museum and shopping for local handicrafts. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange optional excursions to Troldhaugen (Edvard Grieg's home), Old Bergen or the Bergen Aquarium. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange tickets to performances at Grieg Hall and other venues around Bergen.

One day, enjoy a full-day excursion with your private guide through some of Norway's most spectacular mountain and fjord scenery. Ride the renowned Flamsbana train on one of the world's most scenic rail journeys through a glacier-carved valley past small farms, tumbling waterfalls and high peaks. Cruise the most dramatic sections of beautiful Sognefjord, including impressive Aurlandsfjord and breathtaking Naeroyfjord, the narrowest fjord in Norway and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Next, with your own private guide, enjoy insider touring of the highlights of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. See iconic buildings such as historic Hallgrimskirkja Church and Harpa, the contemporary concert hall designed in conjunction with renowned artist Olafur Eliasson. Explore the colorful backstreets of the town, walk along the scenic harbor and stop at renowned culinary spots. Visit Perlan, a landmark building on a hill, for views over Reykjavik. If desired, visit the National Museum of Iceland or Reykjavik Art Museum to gain further insight into Iceland's history and contemporary culture. Also enjoy time to browse top boutiques for Icelandic crafts such as hand-knit wool sweaters and blankets. Other options include visiting the Arbaer Open Air Museum, the Viking Village, the Imagine Peace Tower or FlyOver Iceland to enjoy a simulated flight ride over Iceland's spectacular scenery.

One day, enjoy private touring in the iconic Golden Circle, one of Iceland’s most popular regions. See Gullfoss, Iceland's most famous waterfall, and watch Strokkur and other geysers erupt. Visit Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Althing (Icelandic assembly) met for more than 850 years in a spectacular rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Enjoy a private tour and lunch at a geothermally heated greenhouse. Also see other highlights of the area, such as Kerid crater lake. Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities such as seeing Icelandic horses, riding ATVs, and soaking in open-air hot springs at the Secret Lagoon or at Laugarvatn Fontana, including a visit to its geothermal bakery.

Another day, enjoy an excursion along the spectacular southern coast to see some of Iceland’s most impressive and dramatic scenery. Visit Reynisfjara Beach to see its unusual black sand and basalt columns, and take in views of monumental sea stacks off the coast. Also see the amazing Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, and tour cultural highlights such as the Skogar folk museum and the Lava Center, a fascinating interactive museum dedicated to Iceland's geological forces. If desired, also visit an Icelandic horse farm. During winter, this region is an ideal base for hunting for the Northern Lights (aurora borealis).

Also take a Super Jeep ride on a glacier such as Solheimajokull Glacier, including a guided glacier walk.

En route to or from the airport, visit the famed Blue Lagoon to soak in the enormous geothermal pool located among lava fields—a quintessential Icelandic experience!

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange hiking and biking excursions, whale watching and puffin spotting cruises, appointments at geothermal spas, Northern Lights (aurora borealis) excursions, tickets to performances, Icelandic cooking classes, food tours, art and architecture tours, ATV rides, snow adventures, horseback riding, the Inside the Volcano experience, scenic helicopter flights, reservations at top restaurants and more.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Copenhagen, Denmark Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights Day 2 Copenhagen Full-day private city tour, including shared harbor cruise Day 3 Copenhagen Full-day private excursion to Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. Time and interest permitting, also visit Karen Blixen Museum and/or Frederiksborg Castle. Tickets to Tivoli this evening Day 4 Copenhagen – Stockholm, Sweden Private transfer to train station. First-class express train to Stockholm. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights Day 5 Stockholm Full-day private tour Day 6 Stockholm Morning private excursion. Afternoon at leisure. Tickets for shared canal cruise Day 7 Stockholm – Oslo, Norway Private transfer to airport for flight to Oslo (flight not included). Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 8 Oslo Full-day private tour Day 9 Oslo – Bergen Private transfer to airport for flight to Bergen. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private touring of Bergen Day 10 Bergen, Flamsbana & Sognefjord Full-day privately guided excursion on Flamsbana train and cruise on Aurlandsfjord and Naeroyfjord Day 11 Bergen – Reykjavik, Iceland Private transfer to airport for flight to Reykjavik (flight not included). Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights, with VIP access at the Blue Lagoon en route. Private introductory city tour this afternoon Day 12 Reykjavik & Golden Circle Private touring of Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall, geothermal farm and other highlights Day 13 Reykjavik & South Iceland Full-day private excursion including Reynisfjara black sand beach, Reynisdrangar sea stacks, waterfalls, and glacier hike on Solheimajokull Day 14 Depart Reykjavik Private transfer to airport

Hotels

Copenhagen: Hotel d'Angleterre Stockholm: Grand Hotel Stockholm or Hotel Villa Dagmar Oslo: Hotel Continental Bergen: Opus XVI or Solstrand Hotel & Bad Reykjavik: Canopy by Hilton, Konsulat Hotel or Hotel Borg *The Reykjavik EDITION can be booked, upon request (supplement applies)

Cost

$29,160 Per person (based on four travelers/two rooms) $37,600 Per person (based on two travelers/double occupancy)