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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At a Glance

With a midsummer sunrise at 3 a.m. and winter days lit by thousands of candles, Scandinavia keeps its own time and seasons. Experience the unique pace of the Nordic lifestyle in the four capital cities of Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki. Learn about their distinct histories, languages, cuisines and artistic traditions as you study alongside local experts in museums, palaces and energetic neighborhoods.
Activity Level
Varies by date
Walking up to 3 miles daily. Please note that the Activity Level for this program varies by date. Please make sure that you are attending a departure date that best fits your activity level. On Your Feet departures will include additional coach transfers to and from some meals and activities. Please see itinerary for details.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Embark on two overnight voyages of Scandinavia.
  • Taste a traditional Danish Christmas dinner of pork, potatoes, cabbage and rice pudding.
  • Enjoy musicians playing the Finnish kantele.
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Year
2024
  • 2024
  • 2025
Date and Direction
Oct 06 - Oct 23 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • May 19 - Jun 05 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Jun 02 - Jun 19 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Jun 16 - Jul 03 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Jul 07 - Jul 24 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Jul 14 - Jul 31 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Jul 21 - Aug 07 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Aug 04 - Aug 21 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Aug 11 - Aug 28 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Aug 18 - Sep 04 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Sep 01 - Sep 18 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Sep 08 - Sep 25 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Oct 06 - Oct 23 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
2024
  • 2024
  • 2025
Oct 06 - Oct 23 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • May 19 - Jun 05 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Jun 02 - Jun 19 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Jun 16 - Jul 03 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Jul 07 - Jul 24 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Jul 14 - Jul 31 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Jul 21 - Aug 07 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Aug 04 - Aug 21 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Aug 11 - Aug 28 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Aug 18 - Sep 04 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Sep 01 - Sep 18 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Sep 08 - Sep 25 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
  • Oct 06 - Oct 23 (Copenhagen to Helsinki)
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.
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18 days
17 nights
44 meals
16 B 14 L 14 D
DAY
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
DAY
2
Arrive Copenhagen, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Copenhagen
D
Imperial Copenhagen

Activity note: Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously). 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.

DAY
3
Rosenborg Castle, Christmas Dinner
Copenhagen
B,L,D
Imperial Copenhagen

Activity note: Walking about 3 miles, and walking/standing at the castle. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving under 1.5 hours riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles, under 1 hour.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.

Morning: We’ll begin the morning with a lecture at the hotel on Copenhagen’s past and present, followed by a walking field trip through Copenhagen’s medieval quarters. After the lecture, we’ll take a short panoramic motorcoach ride to familiarize ourselves with more of central Copenhagen followed by 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, unique shops, cafes and delis.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We’ll begin our afternoon activities with an expert-led field trip on foot to Rosenborg Castle. Rosenborg Castle was built by King Christian IV, in the 17th century. The castle contains royal treasures, and the Crown Jewels and Royal Regalia.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
4
Christiansborg Castle, Harbor Exploration, Tivoli
Copenhagen
B,L,D
Imperial Copenhagen

Activity note: Walking up to 2.5 miles. Getting on/off a boat, cruising under an hour. Getting on/off a train/metro.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: At the hotel, we will attend a lecture hosted by the Group Leader. “Denmark, Danes and Democracy” will enlighten us about the country's social welfare system, politics, and the Danes as a people. We’ll then set out on foot to explore more of Copenhagen with our Group Leader. We’ll then head out on foot to visit Christiansborg Palace, the home of Denmark's three supreme powers: the executive power, the legislative power, and the judicial power. Christiansborg Castle is the only building in the world that houses all of the supreme powers of a nation. Here we will visit the Royal Representation rooms.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, do as the Danes, boat the water bus and take enjoy a tour along the harbour front to explore historic buildings, new quarters and the vivid waterlife. End at the new urban area of Nordhavn and return to your hotel by the driverfree metro.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
5
Denmark's Golden Age, Nyhavn
Copenhagen
B,L
Imperial Copenhagen

Activity note: 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.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Free time.

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.

DAY
6
Kronborg Castle
Cruise ship
B,L,D
DFDS cruise ship

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving approximately 4.5 hours riding time. Walking about 2 miles, and walking/standing at sites. 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.

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 board the ferry for our journey to Oslo.

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.

DAY
7
Frognerparken, National Opera House
Oslo
B,L,D
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving approximately 5 hours riding time. Walking about 1.5 miles.

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, including a stop at the recently built Opera House. 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: We’ll delight in lunch with a view as we dine at the Frognerseteren restaurant. This destination will afford us a great vista of the city.

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 welcome session with information about the Oslo portion of our journey, and the rest of the evening is at leisure.

DAY
8
National Museum of Art, City Hall
Oslo
B,L,D
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking about 2 miles throughout the day; walking/standing at sites.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll begin the morning with a short lecture at the hotel on Norway’s past and present. After the lecture, we’ll board a motorcoach and ride to the Nobel Peace Prize Museum, where we’ll hone our artistic eyes during an expert-led field trip. Depending on local conditions, we may continue to the City Hall and go inside.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, we’ll walk along Aker Brygge to the National Gallery to see the world famous Edvard Munch painting, “The Scream.” Afterwards, feel free to explore independently, or return to the hotel.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
9
Oslo Museums
Oslo
B,L,D
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Getting on/off boat. Walking up to 2 miles with some uneven terrain, and walking/standing at the museums. Extent and duration of afternoon museum activities according to personal choice.

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.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, we’ll make a short ferry journey (approximately 3 minutes) to the Bygdøynes pier. Here we will visit the Fram Museum, a museum dedicated to the late 19th-century polar exploration ship Fram. We’ll then have some time to independently explore the nearby museums, including the Kon-Tiki Museum centered around Thor Heyerdahl’s famous raft, the Norwegian Maritime Museum. We’ll return to central Oslo at the end of the afternoon on another ferry.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
10
Transfer to Stockholm
Stockholm
B,L,D
Radisson Blu Royal Viking Stockholm

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 330 miles, approximately 8 hours total riding time, not including 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.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: After dinner, we’ll have a brief orientation session to prepare us for our time in Stockholm. The rest of the evening is at leisure.

DAY
11
Vasa Ship Museum
Stockholm
B,L,D
Radisson Blu Royal Viking Stockholm

Activity note: Getting on/off public transportation. Walking about 1.5 miles.

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.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
12
Stockholm’s Old Town, City Hall, Free Time
Stockholm
B,L,D
Radisson Blu Royal Viking Stockholm

Activity note: Getting on/off public transportation. Walking about 2 miles, plus standing/walking at museums, uneven and steep ground in Gamla Stan.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: At the hotel, we’ll gather for a lecture on “Sweden Today,” in which an overview of the political and cultural landscape of Sweden will give us an understanding of a system which has given the Swedish citizens an exceptionally high standard of living across the board. Today the "Swedish model" is rapidly changing. After the lecture, we’ll set out on foot to stop at the Stockholm City Hall. 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. explore Stockholm’s Old Town.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We’ll start exploring on foot the narrow and cobblestoned streets of Gamal 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. Choices include The Nordic Museum, The History Museum, The National Gallery, The Modern Museum of Art, and the Museum of Photography.

Dinner: In the hotel dining room.

Evening: We'll attend a cultural event. The date and time are tentative, until further details are available. These will be confirmed during the program.

DAY
13
Drottningholm Palace
Stockholm
B,L,D
Radisson Blu Royal Viking Stockholm

Activity note: Getting on/off public transportation. Getting on/off a boat; cruising 1 hour back to the city. Walking about 2 miles, walking/standing at sites.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: 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. Stockholm was built on water and its waterways offer a convenient means of transportation. The journey by boat from the present residence of the royal family takes an hour as we pass residential communities along the way back to the city.

Lunch: Aboard the boat from Drottningholm.

Afternoon: Once we return to central Stockholm, we’ll have some time to explore and relax before dinner.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out in the morning.

DAY
14
Skansen Open Air Museum, Millesgården Statue Park
Cruise ship
B,D
Tallink Silja Line

Activity note: Walking about 2 miles, walking/standing at field trip sites. 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 Skansen Open Air Museum to enjoy an expert-led walk through the world’s oldest open-air museum. Skansen is comprised of historical buildings from different social and geographical areas of Sweden, including farmland, herb gardens, and both domestic and wild animals.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own at one of the cozy restaurants and cafés at Skansen.

Afternoon: After lunch, we’ll proceed to the spectacular Millesgården Sculpture Park. This was once the home of the most important 20th-century Swedish sculptor, Carl Milles. Today it displays replicas of his most famous sculptures in an attractive setting in the inlet to the city. Milles was a longtime U.S. resident who is represented in many major American cities. After our field trip, we’ll proceed by motorcoach to the Silja Line Terminal, and board our cruise ship destined for Helsinki. Hours after our departure, we will pass through one of the densest and richest archipelagos in the world.

Dinner: Aboard the ship, we’ll enjoy a traditional smörgåsbord in the dining room.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for arrival to Helsinki in the morning.

DAY
15
Ateneum: The National Art Gallery of Finland
Helsinki
B,L,D
Sokos Hotel Presidentti

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 6.5 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time during panoramic field trips. Walking about 1.5 miles, and walking/standing at the gallery.

Breakfast: In the cruise ship's dining room.

Morning: Once we arrive in 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, finishing at our hotel.

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.

DAY
16
Musiikkitalo
Helsinki
B,L
Sokos Hotel Presidentti

Activity note: Walking up to 1 mile; walking/standing at the music hall.

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. We’ll then learn about daily life in Finland with a glimpse into the everyday life of a typical Finnish citizen. 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: Explore local fare on your own.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
17
Lotta Museum, Ainola: Jean Sibelius' Home Museum,
Helsinki
B,L,D
Sokos Hotel Presidentti

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 45 miles, approximately 1.5 hours. Walking at sites.

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. 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.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, the rest of the afternoon is free time for independent exploration. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

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.

DAY
18
Program Concludes, In Transit From Program
Helsinki
B

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 12 miles, approximately 0.5 hours riding time. 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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