A Scandinavian Journey: Denmark to Sweden

Our Scandinavian journey begins in Denmark’s vibrant capital: Copenhagen. Here, you’ll meet our expert Tour Leader and the people we’ll be sharing this unique experience with. This evening, get to know one another better over delectable local cuisine at our welcome dinner. 

Let’s embark along the road less travelled! Our first stop of the day awaits us at Kronborg Slott in Helsingør, a beautiful stronghold also known as Hamlet’s Castle – the inspiration behind the opulent setting of Elsinor in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Here, we’ll explore the castle’s rich past among its vast, luxuriant rooms. Onwards to the charming city of Roskilde where we’ve got an appointment to keep with The Viking Ship Museum. Hosting five Skuldelev Ships, feed your curiosity during an afternoon that rewinds the clock 1,000 years. Later, we’ll clink glasses over an included dinner and share our savoured moments of the adventure so far. 

After breakfast, we’ll traverse to Odense, birthplace of literary genius Hans Christian Anderson. Our passionate Tour Leader will guide us through the cobbled streets, pointing out pastel-coloured houses, Odense Cathedral and other local attractions before ending the walking tour in front of Anderson’s humble childhood home. Historic intrigue filled, there is free time to enjoy a leisurely lunch. Next: we’ll learn about the magic of ceramic art during a visit to Keramikmuseum. Tonight, relax among the locals and take in the Danish atmosphere. 

Today, we’re taking our journey underground. Our destination: Mønsted Kalkgruber Lime Pits. This unique part of the globe is home to the world’s largest man-made limestone pits created a millennium ago via hand and pickaxe. We’ll roam through majestic caves, awe-inspiring vaults and curved passages witnessing tranquil lakes, shimmering lights and plunging darkness along the way. Later, we’ll venture onwards to our home for the next two nights: Hjørring. 

Once we’ve savoured a leisurely breakfast, we’ll continue our Scandinavian journey to Denmark’s northernmost town of Skagen to explore its quaint buildings and picturesque coast. Here, we’ll unearth Den Tilsandede Kirke which translates as ‘The Buried Church’. Despite its name, the 14th century church is not buried beneath the earth; rather, the ancient building is partially covered by sand. Past congregations had to dig out the entrance each time they ventured inside until it was abandoned in 1795. Later, we’ll return to Hjørring where we invite you to relax for the remainder of the evening. 

This morning, we’ll take to the water by ferry, imagining the Vikings and their legendary ships from Day 2. Our journey won’t be as treacherous as we make our way to Gothenburg – a city that basks in light by night and showcases its colourful buildings by day. Our Tour Leader will guide us through the Swedish city’s streets, pointing out the 17th century structures which remain to this day alongside enchanting gardens filled with mesmerising colours and bewitching scents. The rest of the day is at your leisure. 

On today’s agenda: the idyllic island of Hönö. With a plethora of cosy restaurants, independent shops and staggering scenery, it is a traveller’s paradisical insight into a Swedish fishing village. After ferrying here, you’ll have time for a local lunch, before heading to the Fishing Museum. Inside, we’ll learn about the tools and boats that were used in the past as well as the tragic events that occurred during the Second World War. Upon our return to Gothenburg via ferry, the evening is yours to unwind.  

Our next stop along the road less travelled boasts a wealth of history and nature. Its name: Trollhättan, which translates as ‘Goblin’s hat’ in Swedish. We’ll spend some time in the town, passing by the impressive Koberg Castle, the city’s Gothic church as well as its magnificent canal lock system where past meets present. We’ll then continue to Gränna, our home for the next two nights where an enticing group dinner awaits. 

This morning, prepare to meet the Scandinavian kings of the forest at Skukkaryd Moose Park where we’ll amble through the nature reserve on a tractor-led safari wagon. Our local guide will point out characters along the way, sharing stories and facts about how imperative these wild animals are to the surrounding environment. Upon our return to Gränna, we’ll learn the history behind local sweets at the Candy Stick Factory with an expert who’ll also lead a candy demonstration, giving us full insight into a Swedish sweet-tooth delicacy. Later, discover more culinary delights at a restaurant of your choosing before we retire to the hotel for the night. 

Appetites satiated with breakfast, our adventure takes us to Örebro – home to Wadköping open-air museum where we’ll spend some time exploring historic farms and alleys as well as the childhood home of literary heroine and food connoisseur, Cajsa Warg. After delving into Sweden of old, we’ll drive onwards for a spectacular overnight stay in a castle. And tonight, we’ll clink our glasses during an included final dinner in celebration of a wonderful journey with newfound friends. 

Before we say our goodbyes, we’ll visit Drottningholm Palace – the exquisite private residence of the Royal family and UNESCO World Heritage site. Then, we’ll catch a canal boat to Stockholm where our Scandinavian journey ends.