Scandinavia – The Best of Denmark & Sweden – 9N/10D

Itinerary:

Day 1-4 : Aalborg and sightseeing – eagles, the coast, outdoors

Arrive Copenhagen and across the bridge to the Jutland Peninsula en route to Aalborg, a charming town with a history dating back over 1000 years. The burial sites at Lindholm Hoje offer something for Viking enthusiasts of all ages. Or learn all about the city on a historical walking tour. Try some locally produced Aalborg schnapps. The onus here is on enjoying life and this is reflected in the city’s countless bars, gourmet restaurants and cafes. Head off into north Jutland from Aalborg, an ideal starting point for natural adventures. As well as the lookout tower at Lille Vildmose – ‘little bog on the heath’ – where you can spot golden eagles and red deer, try canoeing on the Aalborg Coast, go fishing in Limfjorden, tee off at one of the breezy coast golf courses, or explore the wonderful green area further on foot or by bike.

Day 4&5 : Copenhagen

Explore Copenhagen on foot, the city is small and compact. Take a walking tour around the Amalienborg Palace district – an elegant quarter featuring 18th century buildings. In the historic centre, view the 17th century Stock Exchange, the Christiansborg Palace and the Neo-Classical Cathedral. View the Little Mermaid – the statue inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s sad fairytale – sitting on a rock in the harbour. Hop on a bike and take in the city’s laid-back atmosphere and historic streets packed with cafes, shops and the best restaurants in Scandinavia.

Day 6-9 : Malmo – Gothenburg – Lake Varnen – Gota Canal

Take a train, or drive, across the Oresund Bridge that links Copenhagen to Sweden’s Malmo. Buy a Malmo City Card and see all there is to see in this small, friendly and ‘green’ city. On to Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city, and built on Sweden’s southern archipelago. Enjoy the city’s ornate architecture that lines its tram-rattled streets. Or stroll across one of the city’s 17th century canals, through the green King’s Park to the shop-lined ‘Avenyn’ that leads to the city’s dramatic Poseidon fountain and the Konstmuseet, one of the many fine museums around the city. Stroll through Gothenburg’s Botanical Garden, one of Europe’s finest featuring 20,000 species of plants, flowers and trees, and have a steam at the 19th century Hagabadet (bathhouse). The Gothenburg Culture Festival takes place in August each year. A giant street party attracting around 700,000 festival-goers. Hop on a boat for a blissful cruise along the Gota River enjoying Sweden’s glorious landscapes and peaceful countryside along the way. Through the Berg Lock with its intricate and unique hillside set of locks, and across Lake Vanern – the largest and most beautiful lake in Sweden. Transfer to Stockholm.

Day 9&10 : Stockholm

Explore Stockholm, a stunning mix of old and new architecture with a vibrant city feel, surrounded by shimmering blue water and an archipelago of around 24,000 islands. Have fun squeezing through Sweden’s narrowest alleyway in the Old Town – Gamla Stan, great for shopping too. Be transported up 130 meters in a glass gondola to the top of the Ericsson Globe, the views of the city and its islands are spectacular. And marvel at the 600-room Royal Palace, sitting atop the Gamla Stan. Witness Viking history at the Vasa museum. Visit Uppsala and Sigtuna, two nearby ancient cities, full of charming wooden buildings. Take advantage of extra daylight and stay out late at one of the city’s nightclubs, they’re open until 3 am.

Things To Do:

Drottningholm Court Theatre, Stockholm: Watch a play at one of Europe’s finest 18th century theatres, the adjoining Drottningholm Palace is a spectacular UNESCO preserved 17th century royal palace.

Abba The Museum, Stockholm: Strut your stuff on the dance floor at the ABBA Museum on the island of Djurgarden, here the ABBA legend lives on.

Ferry Around The Archipelago And Take In An Activity: Take the local skar garden ferry and explore the Stockholm archipelago, the largest in Sweden. You can hike, fish, sea kayak and even ice yacht in the winter.

The Berg Locks – Gota Canal: Be amazed at this unique Carl-Johan lock staircase combination of one flight of seven locks and another two double locks.

The Canal Museum In Sjotorp – Gota Canal: An old harbour warehouse exhibiting the history of the Gota Canal, the Sjotorp shipyard and the boat traffic on the canal.

Lock Staircase At Trollhattan – Gota Canal: See the impressive lock staircase in action in Trollhattan with a total drop of 32 metres.

Feskekorka (The Fish Church), Gothenburg: For some fishy architectural history and delicious west coast Sweden seafood visit the Fish Church at Rosenlundsgaten.

Charter A Fishing Boat, Gothenburg: Sail out with a fishing boat on to the western seas north of Gothenburg and fish for sea trout, salmon, garfish, mackerel, cod, wolf-fish and much more.

Go Treasure Hunting In Aalborg: Go geocaching in Aalborg – a kind of modern treasure hunt where you need to find hidden treasures. Get help from the local geocachers.

See 12Th Ruins Of A Bishop’S Castle, Copenhagen: See the underground ruins of Bishop Absalon’s Castle, Denmark’s principal castle of the middle Ages.

The Bergen Ulriken643 Panoramic Tour: Take the unique Floibanen funicular cable car tour to the highest of Bergen’s famous ‘seven mountains’ to spectacular scenery and mountain terrain 643 metres above the city streets.

Bryggen, Bergen’S Hanseatic Harbour: Wander around Bryggen, the UNESCO-protected Hanseatic harbour, and its colourful Fish and Flower market, open most days throughout the year.

Itinerary:

Day 1-4 : Aalborg and sightseeing – eagles, the coast, outdoors

Arrive Copenhagen and across the bridge to the Jutland Peninsula en route to Aalborg, a charming town with a history dating back over 1000 years. The burial sites at Lindholm Hoje offer something for Viking enthusiasts of all ages. Or learn all about the city on a historical walking tour. Try some locally produced Aalborg schnapps. The onus here is on enjoying life and this is reflected in the city’s countless bars, gourmet restaurants and cafes. Head off into north Jutland from Aalborg, an ideal starting point for natural adventures. As well as the lookout tower at Lille Vildmose – ‘little bog on the heath’ – where you can spot golden eagles and red deer, try canoeing on the Aalborg Coast, go fishing in Limfjorden, tee off at one of the breezy coast golf courses, or explore the wonderful green area further on foot or by bike.

Day 4&5 : Copenhagen

Explore Copenhagen on foot, the city is small and compact. Take a walking tour around the Amalienborg Palace district – an elegant quarter featuring 18th century buildings. In the historic centre, view the 17th century Stock Exchange, the Christiansborg Palace and the Neo-Classical Cathedral. View the Little Mermaid – the statue inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s sad fairytale – sitting on a rock in the harbour. Hop on a bike and take in the city’s laid-back atmosphere and historic streets packed with cafes, shops and the best restaurants in Scandinavia.

Day 6-9 : Malmo – Gothenburg – Lake Varnen – Gota Canal

Take a train, or drive, across the Oresund Bridge that links Copenhagen to Sweden’s Malmo. Buy a Malmo City Card and see all there is to see in this small, friendly and ‘green’ city. On to Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city, and built on Sweden’s southern archipelago. Enjoy the city’s ornate architecture that lines its tram-rattled streets. Or stroll across one of the city’s 17th century canals, through the green King’s Park to the shop-lined ‘Avenyn’ that leads to the city’s dramatic Poseidon fountain and the Konstmuseet, one of the many fine museums around the city. Stroll through Gothenburg’s Botanical Garden, one of Europe’s finest featuring 20,000 species of plants, flowers and trees, and have a steam at the 19th century Hagabadet (bathhouse). The Gothenburg Culture Festival takes place in August each year. A giant street party attracting around 700,000 festival-goers. Hop on a boat for a blissful cruise along the Gota River enjoying Sweden’s glorious landscapes and peaceful countryside along the way. Through the Berg Lock with its intricate and unique hillside set of locks, and across Lake Vanern – the largest and most beautiful lake in Sweden. Transfer to Stockholm.

Day 9&10 : Stockholm

Explore Stockholm, a stunning mix of old and new architecture with a vibrant city feel, surrounded by shimmering blue water and an archipelago of around 24,000 islands. Have fun squeezing through Sweden’s narrowest alleyway in the Old Town – Gamla Stan, great for shopping too. Be transported up 130 meters in a glass gondola to the top of the Ericsson Globe, the views of the city and its islands are spectacular. And marvel at the 600-room Royal Palace, sitting atop the Gamla Stan. Witness Viking history at the Vasa museum. Visit Uppsala and Sigtuna, two nearby ancient cities, full of charming wooden buildings. Take advantage of extra daylight and stay out late at one of the city’s nightclubs, they’re open until 3 am.

Things To Do:

Drottningholm Court Theatre, Stockholm: Watch a play at one of Europe’s finest 18th century theatres, the adjoining Drottningholm Palace is a spectacular UNESCO preserved 17th century royal palace.

Abba The Museum, Stockholm: Strut your stuff on the dance floor at the ABBA Museum on the island of Djurgarden, here the ABBA legend lives on.

Ferry Around The Archipelago And Take In An Activity: Take the local skar garden ferry and explore the Stockholm archipelago, the largest in Sweden. You can hike, fish, sea kayak and even ice yacht in the winter.

The Berg Locks – Gota Canal: Be amazed at this unique Carl-Johan lock staircase combination of one flight of seven locks and another two double locks.

The Canal Museum In Sjotorp – Gota Canal: An old harbour warehouse exhibiting the history of the Gota Canal, the Sjotorp shipyard and the boat traffic on the canal.

Lock Staircase At Trollhattan – Gota Canal: See the impressive lock staircase in action in Trollhattan with a total drop of 32 metres.

Feskekorka (The Fish Church), Gothenburg: For some fishy architectural history and delicious west coast Sweden seafood visit the Fish Church at Rosenlundsgaten.

Charter A Fishing Boat, Gothenburg: Sail out with a fishing boat on to the western seas north of Gothenburg and fish for sea trout, salmon, garfish, mackerel, cod, wolf-fish and much more.

Go Treasure Hunting In Aalborg: Go geocaching in Aalborg – a kind of modern treasure hunt where you need to find hidden treasures. Get help from the local geocachers.

See 12Th Ruins Of A Bishop’S Castle, Copenhagen: See the underground ruins of Bishop Absalon’s Castle, Denmark’s principal castle of the middle Ages.

The Bergen Ulriken643 Panoramic Tour: Take the unique Floibanen funicular cable car tour to the highest of Bergen’s famous ‘seven mountains’ to spectacular scenery and mountain terrain 643 metres above the city streets.

Bryggen, Bergen’S Hanseatic Harbour: Wander around Bryggen, the UNESCO-protected Hanseatic harbour, and its colourful Fish and Flower market, open most days throughout the year.