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Denmark/Norway/Sweden/Finland

Four Nordic Capitals

Program No. 3332RJ
Discover the secrets of Europe’s most northern cities, diving deep into culture, art and the traditions of Scandinavian design.
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  • The grand Drottningholm Palace in Sweden, with its manicured gardens and lush green lawns under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
Small Group
Length
18 days
Rating (4.94)
Activity Level
Starts at
9,799
Flights start at
1,050
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
18 days
17 nights
What's Included
42 meals ( 16B, 14L, 12D )
9 expert-led lectures
29 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
16 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Afternoon:
After checking in to the hotel, we’ll have some time to relax and settle in to our rooms before meeting in the lobby at 5:30 p.m. ahead of our welcome dinner and Orientation meeting.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. After our Orientation meeting, the rest of the evening is at leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 4 miles throughout the day on uneven terrain and cobblestone; standing up to 1 hour throughout the day. Getting on/off motorcoach; riding approximately 1.5 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll begin the morning with a lecture, Welcome to the Nordics, to hear an overview of the four countries which we will visit throughout the program. After the lecture, we’ll take a short panoramic motorcoach ride to familiarize ourselves with more of central Copenhagen followed by a field trip through Copenhagen’s medieval quarters. We’ll walk through a maze of narrow streets to admire this bustling neighborhood’s charming old houses, churches, unique shops, cafes and delis.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll have an expert-led tour at the Danish Design Museum highlights Denmark’s rich design heritage and it shapes everyday life and society. We will see works of iconic Danish designers such as Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner and Kaare Klint. We will then board the motorcoach to head back to the hotel. You will have some down time before meeting to walk to dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant we’ll have a traditional Danish Christmas dinner of pork, potatoes, cabbage and rice pudding.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day with some unavoidable stairs at the palace; standing up to 1.5 hour throughout the day. Getting on/off boat, cruising for under an hour. Getting on/off metro/train.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At the hotel, we’ll attend a lecture hosted by our local guide, The Nordic Welfare Model, which will provide insight into the region’s social welfare system, politics, and way of life. Afterward, we’ll set off on foot toward a nearby metro station, where we’ll catch the metro to Nordhavn’s water bus station. From there, we’ll board the water bus and enjoy a scenic tour along the harbor front as our guide shares fascinating insights about historic buildings, modern developments, and the vibrant waterfront life we pass along the way. We’ll disembark at the Royal Danish Library harbor bus stop and take a short walk to lunch.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant, we will experience a typical Danish workplace lunch. In Danish work culture, meals are valued as a time for hygge and socializing, making lunch an opportunity to relax and connect with colleagues.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll set out on foot to visit Christiansborg Palace, home to Denmark's three branches of government: the executive, legislative, and judicial powers. It is the only building in the world that houses all of a nation's supreme powers under one roof. During our visit, we will explore the Royal Reception Rooms, where official state events are held. Afterward, we’ll take public transportation back to the hotel, where you’ll have some down time to relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At a restaurant in Tivoli Gardens.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; standing for less than 1 hour. Getting on/off metro/train. Extent/duration of walking and other activities during independent time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Denmark’s Golden Age for art, literature and architecture took place from 1800 to 1850. Our morning lecture by a local expert will introduce us to two famous Danes, Soren Kirkegaard and Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark’s literary giants in the Golden Age. Afterward, we’ll walk to the nearest metro station and travel to King’s Square. From there, our lecturer will lead a walking tour through the Old Town, exploring its influence on Danish literature.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
The rest of the afternoon is free time for independent exploration. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; standing less than 1 hour. Approximately, 75 unavoidable stairs at Kronborg Castle. Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 60 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Due to limited space in the cabin on the overnight ferry to Oslo, your luggage will be kept in storage. Therefore, please bring a smaller bag to pack your essentials in for the ferry overnight. You will receive your luggage at 3:00 p.m. on Day 7, after the city tour of Oslo.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board a motorcoach for a field trip to Kronborg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is perhaps better known as Elsinore, the setting for much of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet.’ From the UNESCO inscription: “Located on a strategically important site commanding the Sund, the stretch of water between Denmark and Sweden, the Royal castle of Kronborg at Helsingør (Elsinore) is of immense symbolic value to the Danish people and played a key role in the history of northern Europe in the 16th to 18th centuries. Work began on the construction of this outstanding Renaissance castle in 1574, and its defences were reinforced according to the canons of the period's military architecture in the late 17th century. It has remained intact to the present day.” After our field trip to Kronborg Castle, we'll travel to see The Little Mermaid just before departing Denmark.
Lunch:
Onboard the ferry.
Afternoon:
Free time to enjoy the ferry’s facilities.
Dinner:
In the ship’s dining room.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for arrival to Oslo in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking up to 4 miles throughout the day with some unavoidable stairs, uphill and downhill at the sculpture park; standing up to 1 hour throughout the day. Getting on/off motorcoach driving approximately 3 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
In the cruise ship’s dining room.
Morning:
Welcome to Oslo! Once ashore, we’ll board a motorcoach for a panoramic field trip through the city. We’ll then have an introduction to Norway's great sculptor, Gustav Vigeland, contemplating this artist's talents as we view the Vigeland sculpture park, Frognerparken. This wonderful park’s architect was Vigeland himself, and it is home to 212 sculptures that depict the life of man from birth to death. We’ll take a walk through the entire park.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our transfer by motorcoach to the hotel, stopping at the Holmenkollen ski jump arena for another great viewpoint across the city. Once we arrive at the hotel, we’ll check in and have some time to relax and unpack before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
After dinner, we’ll convene for a short vicinity walk to acquaint ourselves with the area. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; standing for up to 1 hour. Getting on/off a motorcoach.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll begin the morning with a short lecture at the hotel on Norway’s Oil Industry. After the lecture, we'll board the motorcoach and ride to the National Museum (Nasjonalmuseet) for a guided-tour and to see the world famous Edvard Munch painting, “The Scream.” We’ll then walk to our lunch spot, where we’ll start with a brief lecture on Norwegian salmon, followed by a salmon tasting.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
The rest of the afternoon is free time for independent exploration. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day with some uneven terrain; standing up to 2.5 hours. Unavoidable stairs inside the ship Fram. Getting on/off public transportation and ferry.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll begin the day with a short briefing at the hotel about today’s program, followed by a lecture on Norwegian literature, with an emphasis on modern works. We’ll then board a motorcoach for a field trip to Bygdøy. The Bygdøy peninsula hosts several great museums, and our field trip will take us to see some of the most important ones. We’ll pay a visit to the Open Air Folk Museum to learn about living in Norway during the last 200 years. We’ll then take a short bus ride to the Fram Museum, a museum dedicated to the late 19th-century polar exploration ship Fram.
Lunch:
On own on the peninsula. Several of the museums in this area have cafés that serve lunch.
Afternoon:
We’ll re-gather for a ferry crossing to Aker Brygge, we’ll then walk to the Resistance Museum to learn about Norwegian resistance during occupation from 1940-1945. After, we’ll board the motorcoach and head back to the hotel. You’ll have some down time before our walk to dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 330 miles, approximately 8 hours total riding time, not including breaks. Restrooms on the bus are for emergencies only. We aim to stop every 2 hours for bathroom breaks.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board a motorcoach for our transfer to Stockholm, Sweden.
Lunch:
We’ll stop for lunch in Karlstad en route.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our motorcoach transfer to Stockholm, stopping en route at the city of Örebro. Upon arrival in Stockholm, we’ll check in to our hotel and have some time to relax and unpack before dinner. Welcome to Stockholm!
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
After dinner, we’ll convene for a short vicinity walk to acquaint ourselves with the area. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 1.5 miles throughout the day; standing for up to 1 hour. Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 3 hours riding time. Getting on/off public transportation.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At the hotel, we’ll begin the day with a lecture teaching us about the unique qualities of Swedish culture and the economy today in light of its historical roots. After the lecture, we’ll enjoy a panoramic orientation field trip including Fjällgatan with the breathtaking view over the Stockholm skyline ending at the island of Djurgården to have lunch.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll visit the Vasa Ship Museum. This outstanding museum features the full body and ornamentation of a warship that sunk on its maiden voyage in Stockholm in 1628 and was salvaged 333 years later. The prime condition of this ship has made it internationally unique. An expert-led excursion through the museum will include a 30-minute film showing the complex salvage operation of the ship. After this, free time to visit other museums on Djurgården. After, we’ll board a public tram back to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free time.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles, plus standing/walking at museums, uneven and steep ground in Gamla Stan. Getting on/off public transportation. Getting on/off boat. Extent/duration of walking and other activities during independent time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At the hotel, we’ll gather for a lecture on Carl Oscar - A Story of the Nordic Emigration to the US and how it unfolds today. After the lecture, utilize public transportation to travel to the Stockholm City Hall (Stadshuset). This remarkable building, inaugurated in 1923, combines many architectural and ornamental styles into a unique structure that is the pride of Stockholm. Many people worldwide have seen the magnificent Nobel Prize gala dinner taking place in the “Blue Hall” of City Hall.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll start exploring on foot the narrow and cobblestoned streets of Gamla Stan. After the walk, the rest of the afternoon is free time for independent exploration. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.
Dinner:
Dinner cruise amongst Stockholm’s archipelago.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day; standing for up to 2 hours. Getting on/off motorcoach and ferries.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board the motorcoach and begin our full days exploration through Stockholm archipelago. Your first stop is the charming seaside town of Vaxholm, often called the capital of the archipelago. We will stroll along the harbor, admire the colorful wooden houses, and soak in the fresh Baltic air before settling in for a traditional Swedish fika, a perfect opportunity to slow down and savor coffee and something sweet. We’ll also have the chance to meet local residents for an informal and engaging conversation about everyday life in the archipelago, a wonderful way to gain personal insight into this unique coastal community. We’ll then board the motorcoach and transfer to the island of Värmdö.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will travel through the lust landscapes of Värmdö to the Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum, founded in 1825 and long considered a cornerstone of Sweden’s porcelain heritage. We’ll discover how Gustavsberg became internationally known for it’s functional yet elegant design, including porcelain created for the prestigious Nobel Banquet. We’ll then return to Stockholm in the late afternoon, arriving back at the hotel. The rest of the evening free time to explore on your own.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for transfer and checkout in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day; standing up to 1 hour. Getting on/off a motorcoach. Due to limited space in the cabins on the overnight ferry to Helsinki, your luggage will be transported via bus to the hotel in Helsinki. Therefore, please bring a smaller bag to pack your essentials in for the ferry overnight. You will receive your luggage at 3:00 p.m. on Day 15, after our visit to the National Art Gallery of Finland.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board a motorcoach for a field trip to the UNESCO site, Drottningholm Palace. We’ll enjoy an expert-led exploration of most of the Palace, as despite being the permanent home residence of the King and Queen of Sweden much of it is open to the public. The portrait gallery and exquisite furniture are prime examples of Swedish craft and art from the 18th and 19th centuries. Following, we’ll walk to the Drottningholm Palace Theatre for another expert-led visit exploring the preserved 18th century Baroque theatre which is still in use today.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll travel to the harbor and board the ferry for the next leg of our journey.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for arrival in Helsinki in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day; standing for up to 2 hours. Getting on/off a motorcoach; approximately 1.5 hours riding time during panoramic field trips.
Breakfast:
In the cruise ship's dining room.
Morning:
Welcome to Helsinki! We’ll board a motorcoach for a panoramic field trip with our Group Leader to familiarize ourselves with some of the city’s key landmarks, including Sibelius Monument and Senate Square.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll take an expert-led field trip to the Ateneum, the National Art Gallery of Finland. We’ll contemplate some of the Ateneum’s most famous and interesting paintings, followed by time to explore the Ateneum independently. We’ll return independently to the hotel, three blocks away from the Ateneum.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 1 mile throughout the day; standing for up to 1.5 hours. Extent/duration of walking and other activities during independent time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At the hotel, we’ll gather for a lecture from a local expert who will provide us with a short history of Finland. We’ll follow the country’s story from the early years to the present as we focus on Finland’s relations with the world and especially with the United States. After the lecture, we will board a motorcoach for a visit to the Temppeliaukio Rock Church.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll walk over to explore the Musiikkitalo Music Hall on an expert-led field trip. This music center is Finland’s most modern, and is home to the Sibelius Academy, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. We’ll then have some free time for independent exploration. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 1.5 miles throughout the day; standing for up to 1.5 hours. Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 45 miles, approximately 1.5 hours of riding time.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We’ll board a motorcoach and ride to the Lotta Museum in Tuusula, where a musician will give us insight into Finnish music and delight us with the sounds of a kantele, a traditional Finnish instrument.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll then take a field trip to Ainola, Jean Sibelius’ home and museum. Here we will see the composer’s home as it was while he lived there with his family, as well as the graves of the composer and his wife.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll transfer by motorcoach to the Helsinki airport. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys.
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Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
May 10, 2026 - May 27, 2026 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
May 31, 2026 - Jun 17, 2026 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
Jun 21, 2026 - Jul 08, 2026 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
Jul 05, 2026 - Jul 22, 2026 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
Jul 12, 2026 - Jul 29, 2026 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
Jul 19, 2026 - Aug 05, 2026 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
Aug 02, 2026 - Aug 19, 2026 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
Aug 09, 2026 - Aug 26, 2026 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
Aug 16, 2026 - Sep 02, 2026 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
Sep 06, 2026 - Sep 23, 2026 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
Sep 13, 2026 - Sep 30, 2026 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
Sep 27, 2026 - Oct 14, 2026 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
Oct 04, 2026 - Oct 21, 2026 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)