This tour is conducted at a medium-fast pace. Some long travel days may be required to complete this itinerary and you will typically spend two nights at each destination, with some one night stays required. This trip includes a mix of sightseeing and free time to explore at your own pace. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage.
On these packages you will travel from city to city on your own, exploring at your own pace. We have arranged transportation in most cases and day tours for you to see the destination. Enjoy the time and flexibility to linger longer or pick up the pace and see as much as possible. The choice is yours.
✓ Add return international airfares for only $999
✓ Incredible sightseeing, including city tours of Helsinki, Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen, cruising the fjords in Tromsø, witnessing the mighty Saltstraumen whirlpool, cruising the canals of Copenhagen and the waterways of Stockholm, riding the scenic train across Finnish Lapland, and more
✓ 17 nights in centrally located, 3 and 4 star accommodation
✓ Breakfast daily
✓ All transport including coach, trains and local buses
✓ Ride the iconic Nordland Railway from Bodø to Trondheim
✓ Witness the midnight sun above the Arctic Circle in summer (from approximately May to August)
✓ Experience a breadth of landscapes, from vibrant Nordic cities to magical Finnish Lapland and the remote beauty of Northern Norway
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Helsinki! Touch down in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. After passing through arrivals, please make your own way to the hotel for check in.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure to discover Helsinki’s charms on your own. Choose to explore this walkable city by foot and admire the Art Nouveau architecture, or you may also choose to take a short ferry to the UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed Suomenlinna Fortress.
Transportation: Train connection between Helsinki city centre and Helsinki Airport is carried out by local commuter trains which run every 10 minutes on peak hours. Travel time from the Airport Train Station to Helsinki Central Station is about 30 minutes. Single ticket fare from Helsinki Airport to city centre is € 4.10 from the ticket machines located at the station.
After breakfast this morning at your hotel, enjoy the Discover Helsinki Panorama Sightseeing excursion - a popular sightseeing tour showing you the most important sights of Helsinki, giving you an excellent take of Helsinki's past and present. You will see some of the most interesting sites in Helsinki, including the historical centre, City Hall, The Parliament buildings, Finlandia Hall and the Opera House. Stop at the Temppeliaukio Church also called Rock Church (entry fee not included, to be paid on spot) or at the Sibelius Monument (if the Temppeliaukio Church is closed). The tour ends near Esplanade Park, a perfect central position to discover further sites of the city on foot.
Remainder of your day at leisure.
Make your way to the station to jump on a full day train journey to Rovaniemi, the ‘official’ home of Santa Claus. Upon arrival, make your own way to your centrally located hotel upon arrival in the early evening.
Discover this beautiful northern city at your own pace. Rovaniemi boasts sparkling clear days in spring, near-constant sunlight in summer and blazing colours in autumn.
The day is at leisure to discover the capital of Finnish Lapland. Rovaniemi was once a powerful salmon and fur exporter, however, was completely destroyed during World War II. The city has since been rebuilt, and now boasts some impressive modern sights like the Arktikum Museum. Perhaps participate in one of many optional nature activities. For those that still believe in Santa Claus, then why not make a visit to Santa’s Village, which can be easily accessed from the city centre by public transport or a short taxi journey.
This morning you travel further north into Lapland by coach from Rovaniemi to Levi, a small skiing village in the heart of Finnish Lapland. There are 12,000 reindeer in the Kittilä municipality, which is double the number of its population. All reindeer in Finland are protected by the Sami people. There are many reindeer in the forests as well as in the farms near Levi. In summer the reindeer wander freely in the forests, but you can spot them on the fells, along the roads in Levi itself or cooling down in the shades by the petrol stations and hotel yards!
Today, your journey goes west, travelling across Finnish Lapland before crossing the border into mighty Norway. Your coach journey will take you from Levi to the small township of Kilpisjärvi, where you change coaches. You will enjoy a breathtaking drive through the Lyngen Alps, before ending the day's journey in Tromsø, the gateway to the Arctic.
After breakfast, you will enjoy an unforgettable Polar Fjord Cruise. Picking up in Tromsø city centre, this six hour cruise explores the incredible nature around Tromsø. Cruising through the neighbouring fjords, there will be a chance to see the local wildlife including sea eagles and maybe even dolphins. Your journey will cruise around in a charming, classic wooden boat, the Fjord Queen or the lovely Polar Queen. You can enjoy delicious Arctic fish, snacks, fruit, and hot drinks. This is a perfect opportunity to experience the arctic sea. You can either settle inside in the warm main cabin of the ship, or brave the wilderness on deck as you admire the view.
Your journey now heads South, travelling by local bus from Tromsø to Narvik, a popular city with those who enjoy mountaineering and skiing. The city’s flagship ski resort, Narvikfjellet, is famed for its extreme alpine landscapes. Narvik was also a strategically-important city during World War II, due to its nearby location to an abundance of natural resources.
The rest of the day is at your leisure.Why not visit the War Museum, or perhaps take the Narvik Fjellheisen (Cable Car) that will take you to up to 656 metres above sea level and offers incredible views.
Today board a local coach and continue your journey southbound along the coast of Norway. Change coaches in Storfjord, before reaching Bodø, a vibrant city on the edge of the Norwegian Sea, encapsulating magnificent nature. Here you may like to visit the Norwegian Aviation Museum, the largest such museum in Scandinavia, or perhaps just enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of this picturesque Arctic city.
This morning is at leisure until you embark on your tour to the famous Saltstraumen, the world’s strongest maelstrom (aka whirlpool). Before you arrive at this natural wonder, your tour will take you on a sightseeing tour through the city of Bodø to learn about the local history and sites. Upon arrival at the maelstrom, you can go to the waterfront and have a close look at this fascinating natural phenomenon and watch the major natural forces at play where every six hours, almost 400 million cubic metres of water passes through a narrow 150 metre wide passage with phenomenal speed. You will also experience a typical northern Norwegian activity – the bus driver will beat a dried cod on the rocks for you to taste a local delicacy. Afterwards, you can walk around on natural paths in silence, and try to observe the majestic sea eagle which is living in this area.
After breakfast, enjoy a morning at leisure to explore Bodø before making your own way to the railway station to catch your lunch time train to Trondheim, also known as The Nordland Railway - Norway’s longest rail journey taking you through fertile farmland, massive forests and alongside arctic rivers. Upon arrival in Trondheim, make your own way to your hotel.
Today is free time to explore the historical city of Trondehim. Founded in 997 and served as Norway’s capital until 1217. Today, it is the third-largest city in Norway with an excellent collection of museums, heritage sites and outdoor pursuits. An absolute highlight is the gothic Nidaros Cathedral, built in the beginning of 1070 to memorialise the burial place of Olav II of Norway, the king who was killed in battle in 1030. Compact in size, Trondheim is easily explored on foot.
Another rail journey awaits, this time from Trondheim to Oslo, the Norwegian Capital. On arrival, make your own way to your hotel for check-in and then free evening. With loads of restaurants, bars and activity, a summer night in Oslo is easily enjoyed.
Today, you will enjoy a morning panoramic sightseeing tour of Oslo. Learn about the city’s history and culture from knowledgeable guides, admire the main attractions in the city centre and spectacular views from Holmenkollen ski jump, and experience a fascinating insight into the art of the most prolific Norwegian sculptor, Gustav Vigeland, as you walk through the unique Sculpture Park comprising more than 200 sculptures in bronze and granite.
Afternoon is at leisure to further explore Oslo, and why not visit one of the many museums including the Munch Museum, or just relax in one of the many restaurants or cafés.
From one magnificent capital to another, today you leave beautiful Norway to catch a train to the vibrant and colourful Swedish Capital, Stockholm. Called ‘Beauty on water’ by the locals, Stockholm has an enormous array of sights, and we highly recommend visiting the City Hall building, the famous Vasa Museum, and if you are interested, the Abba Museum! A walk in the historical old town, Gamla Stan, is also a must alongside experiencing the local cuisine in one of the many restaurants and cafés.
Today you will enjoy the Under the Bridges tour of Stockholm. Known as the ‘beauty on the water’, there is no better way to experience the sights of Stockholm than cruising its stunning waterways that pierce through this vibrant city. You will travel under twelve bridges and even pass through the lock that connects the Baltic Sea to Lake Mälaren. You will also see the inner city, Gamla Stan, Södermalm, Lilla and Stora Essingen, the new area Hammarby Sjöstad, and the green parks of Djurgården.
The remainder of your day at leisure.
One final magnificent rail journey on your Scandinavian adventure, as you take the train from Stockholm to the Danish capital, Copenhagen. Located on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager, Copenhagen is one of Scandinavia’s most dynamic cities, and features an incredible historic centre, colourful heritage architecture, vibrant streetscapes and pleasant waterfront promenades.
After disembarkation, make your own way to your hotel for check-in.
In the afternoon make your way to Nyhavn, the world famous harbour of Copenhagen to enjoy your Copenhagen Canal Tour. The classic tour takes you around Copenhagen’s harbour and its idyllic canals. You will hear about the beautiful churches, castles and heritage listed houses scattered throughout the city.
In the evening, you will enjoy entrance tickets to the famous Tivoli Gardens, where you might like to dine or at least take in the atmosphere of the world’s oldest amusement park and its stunning gardens.
Your Scandinavia Uncovered tour ends after breakfast. We hope you have thoroughly enjoyed your inspiring Scandinavian experience. At the appropriate time please make your own way to the airport for your onward journey.
The easiest way to get to Copenhagen Airport is the train from Copenhagen Central Station, which departs every 10 minutes during the day, and every 20 minutes in the evening. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes and costs 36DKK (AUD $7).
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling off period. Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7 day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply.
Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to support@inspiringvacations.com, including the reason for cancellation.
Deposit & Installment Payment Option:
Full Payment Option
Booking Process
Booking On Request
Please refer to conditions below, which are agreed to at time of purchase.
Can I extend my stay pre- and/or post-tour?
This depends on the package you are booking.
Where available, extensions must be added at time of purchase and cannot be added post-purchase unless inside the 7-day cooling off period.
We can assist in arranging your airfares to accommodate an extension; however, you must also book the additional nights’ accommodation through us at time of booking (where available as an add-on):
When adding additional nights to your booking, the cost of the extra nights’ accommodation will be reflected on your invoice and payable with the final balance.
Airfare surcharges may apply if extending due to airfare seasonal changes and possible fare differences. These are payable at the time of selecting your desired airfare.
The second installment of your booking must be made before airfares can be booked.
Outside of extending your stay you must select Land Only if:
If you are interested in one of the above options, please select LAND ONLY at time of check-out and you will need to arrange your own airfares. Inspiring Vacations will not be accountable for flight delays or missed tour components due to late arrival or airline changes.
How to book my flights through the flight portal:
As the travel industry moves towards providing customers with more self-service options, we are excited that our customers will have the opportunity to book their flights through our flight portal. If this option is available to you, you will be notified once flights are available to book for your selected departure date. Flights may be booked by Inspiring Vacations at any time.
Please visit our FAQ for more information.
Conditions of flights for this package bookable by Inspiring Vacations:
Seat Selection & Frequent Flyer Points
Inspiring Vacations do not arrange seat selection. It is important to highlight that some airlines do not allow pre-selected seats or they may charge a fee to do so. We strongly suggest you contact the airline directly with seating allocation requirements and or arrive at the airport earlier to arrange your seating. While we do not add frequent flyer member details to bookings, you can do this directly with the airline once you have your flight information.
Online check-in
Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $1,999.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
In order to keep our Single Supplement at a reduced cost, some hotels may allocate solo travellers with a dedicated Single Room. At times this may mean a single bed will be provided.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including, e -tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
This package is made up of multiple components which will be provided by different operators throughout your trip. As such, group size will differ between operators and can be as intimate as 2 people or as lively as up to 60 people, depending on the activity and advertised inclusions. There may be unique cases where your selected travel date exceeds the expected group size for special events or types of activities, particularly during popular times of travel. For packages that include a train or cruise, you will be travelling with other passengers up to the capacity of this component.
When travelling with a group, no matter the size, we ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Australian passport holders will not require a visa to enter Finland and Norway.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation, including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Tour Styles - This package is a Independent style.
To meet the needs of various types of travellers, we choose to operate various types of tours and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
Children
Children must be 5 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent inflight and is subject to change, depending on the flight schedule. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for the time spent in your destination(s).
Northern Lights
Please note, the Northern Lights are a natural phenomena and can't be guaranteed. Best scene in the winter months, it is still possible to see the Northern Lights in early spring and late autumn, but Inspiring Vacations will not be liable for any departures which unfortunately don't see the Northern Lights during their trip during these times.
Midnight Sun
Please note, the midnight sun is a natural phenomena and appears from late May up until the end of July in locations above the Arctic Circle.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving early or staying longer upon conclusion of the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre and post tour accommodation
Please note: Pre and Post Hotel can only be added at the time of your original booking request. Rates are on request and will be subject to availability at the time of booking.
