22 Day Grand Scandinavia With Deluxe Norway Coastal Cruise

Welcome to the White City of the North, Helsinki! Finland’s buzzing capital city is best-known for its art and culture, and innovative architecture. 

From Helsinki airport, make your own way to the hotel, meet the tour director and spend the rest of the day at your own leisure.  

This morning after breakfast you’ll be met by your guide and fellow travellers where you’ll explore the highlights of Helsinki. Senate Square, our start point, is home to Helsinki Cathedral, originally built as a tribute to Grand Duke Nicholas I, Tsar of Russia. We’ll move onto the Temppeliaukio Church, a Lutheran church which opened in 1969 and is built directly into solid rock (also known as the Church of the Rock and Rock Church) and is frequently used as a concert venue due to its amazing acoustics. 

After touring the city, we’ll travel to Kuopio, around a four hour drive away.  

Today we set off on a picturesque drive to our next destination in northern Finland, Rovaniemi (around six hours). We'll be driving through the scenic Finnish Lakeland region where there will be refreshment stops along the way, including a break at a lakeside cafe. 

We’ll arrive at tonight’s hotel where we’ll check-in and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. 

Today we’ll explore the capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi, including a visit to the Arktikum centre which is a science centre and museum, with its major exhibition, Arctic in Change, a highlight. You’ll learn more about this fascinating region and experience the coldness of the Arctic and the magic of blue ice in the cold room and more. 

Afterwards, stroll along the scenic banks of the Kemijoki River.

After breakfast, we’ll set off for a scenic drive (approximately three hours) from Rovaniemi to Ivalo, a town deep in the Arctic Circle and home to around 3,000 people, via Saariselkä. This Finnish municipality is famous for its vast landscapes, fresh air and nature. There are over 200 km of cross-country ski trails, some of which pass through the Urho Kekkonen National Park. The park, a 15-minute drive from Saariselkä, is Finland’s second largest and is known for its superior hiking and trekking, and of course, skiing and snowboarding pursuits.  

We say goodbye to Finland this morning and head to Honningsvåg in Norway, the northernmost point in mainland Europe. 

This quaint little town is a gateway for amazing Arctic experiences—one will take place this evening at the North Cape where you’ll witness the midnight sun with a glass of sparkling wine. An incredible evening you won’t forget!

After a leisurely morning we’ll depart the hotel around noon, and head for Alta. A town on Norway’s northern coast at the head of Alta Fjord, it’s known for views of the Northern Lights, and the hotel that melts away in spring, Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel. 

On the three-hour drive, we’ll pass by the beautiful scenery of Finnmark County, including scenic viewpoints along the 129 km-long E69 highway, known as the last road of Earth because it’s the last road that connects Norway with the North Pole. 

Today will be spent exploring fascinating Alta. 

Our first stop is The World Heritage Rock Art Centre at Alta Museum, where around 6,000 UNESCO-listed rock art paintings and engravings await. Some of the works here are 7,000 years old. 

We’ll stop for a walk around the Alta Fjord to take in the breathtaking Arctic landscapes.

This morning we’ll continue along the E6, heading for Narvik which is dominated by an impressive 900-metre-deep fjord. We’ll continue taking in the incredible coastal views, including Tysfjord and Ballangen. 

Today we’re travelling from Narvik to Mo i Rana, the third largest city in northern Norway which sits just outside Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park. The town’s history spans from a bustling trading post to its present role as a modern metropolis. 

Along the drive, look out for the scenic beauty of Saltdal, a national park municipality. The included ferry crossing from Skarberget to Bognes provides a scenic vantage point and is sure to be a highlight. 

Enjoy a scenic drive to Trondheim, enjoying the picturesque Norwegian landscapes. 

Today we visit Nidaros Cathedral, Norway’s national shrine which is built over the tomb of St. Olav, the Viking king who converted Norway to Christianity and became ‘Norway's Eternal King’. Norwegian monarchs are still crowned here today. 

We’ll then move onto a tour of the charming old town of Trondheim—expect cobbled streets and colourful painted wooden buildings.

After check-out and breakfast, we’ll drive to Lillehammer today (around five hours), a ski resort town known for its stunning surroundings and love of winter sports, including hosting the 1994 Winter Olympic Games. 

Take a leisurely stroll by the scenic Lake Mjosa to stretch your legs and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.

We’ll drive two hours today to Oslo, Norway's capital, passing through the beautiful Gudbrandsdalen, nicknamed ‘the king of the valleys’ because of its size (250 km from Lillehammer) and offering: mountains, rivers, forests and rich cultural heritage that has inspired artists, chefs, and outdoor enthusiasts for centuries. We’ll explore notable landmarks such as the Vigeland Park and Aker Brygge neighbourhood. 

On the drive, look out for farms with ancient wooden buildings attached—some of these have a history dating back to the Middle Ages.

Today we’ll explore Oslo on a city tour, including a walk around the Royal Palace and its beautiful park, the Oslo Opera House, an architectural masterpiece known for its stunning exterior and panoramic views from the roof. 

In the afternoon, transfer to the DFDS port for your overnight sailing to Copenhagen. 

Welcome to beautiful Copenhagen! This morning we’ll enjoy a city tour visiting the historic Nyhavn district, known for its colourful buildings and picturesque harbour. Look out for the The Little Mermaid statue, a famous Copenhagen landmark. 

After the tour, check into your deluxe cabin on board the new MSC Euribia! Named after the ancient goddess of the seas, the ship now has striking new features including state-of-the-art sustainable technologies which protect and preserve the precious marine ecosystem. Keep a look out for the original works of art throughout, and for the first time, the hull is a visual masterpiece isn’t she? What do you think? 

Today, take the time to relax and explore the ship as we sail towards Norway. There are five pools, the Aurea Spa, a contemporary Balinese Spa including a thermal area with sauna, steam bath, and a menu of massages and beauty treatments. After dinner, head to the Delphi Theatre. 

Hellesylt is a small, pretty village at the western end of the entrance of the famous Geiranger Fjord, famously known as ‘the jewel in Norway's crown of fjords.’ This UNESCO-listed fjord is an impressive 15 kilometres long and 260 metres deep. Hellesylt welcomes cruise ship visitors but enjoys a more relaxed atmosphere than Geiranger, even when the population increases in the summertime. A must-see is Hellesylt waterfall, located between two bridges and one of the most spectacular in the area. It’s a short walk from the port, right in the centre of the village. 

Molde Fjord is in Møre og Romsdal and is a 20-kilometre long branch off of Romsdal Fjord, beginning at the Julsundet Strait, along the northern side of the Molde archipelago and ends at the entrance to the Fannefjorden. Molde is a small town that has been an active port since the 15th century. It’s been rebuilt many times and is accustomed to reinventing itself; the last time was after World War II and in 1940 was even the temporary home of the Norwegian government. Nicknamed the ‘Town of Roses due to  the many flowering rose gardens here. The town’s breathtaking viewpoint, Varden, is the place to head to enjoy views of the city, fjords, archipelagos and 222 snow peaks. 

Flåm is a small village in the Flåmsdalen valley, located at the inner end of the Aurlands Fjord and means ‘little place between steep mountains’ - there couldn’t be a more apt name for this beautiful part of the world. At the end of the 1800's many cruise ships carrying English and German adventurers found their way to Flåm to experience the fjords, mountains and waterfalls. And little has changed. Flåm welcomes ship loads of visitors from all over the world every season, and is best known for its spectacular mountain-to-fjord railway journey, the Rallarvegen hiking and cycle path runs down the valley, and Huldra, a seductive forest creature from Scandinavian folklore who uses song to tempt men to their fate!

Today take the time to relax and explore your floating hotel as we sail towards Germany. There are five pools, the Aurea Spa, a contemporary Balinese Spa including a thermal area with sauna, steam bath, and a menu of massages and beauty treatments. After dinner, head to the Delphi Theatre. 

Welcome to Germany! Kiel is the capital city of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein and the port is on either side of the Kiel Fjord, an inlet of the western Baltic Sea. Founded in 1233 and is known for its bustling port, it has a rich maritime heritage and is often referred to as the “Sailing City.”

Back to Denmark and beautiful Copenhagen! Today marks the end of your unforgettable tour through Scandinavia. We hope you have thoroughly enjoyed your inspiring land and cruise experience. 

At the appropriate time please make your way to the airport for your onward journey. Safe travels!