Ultimate Norway, Sweden & the Arctic Circle

 Your grand Scandinavian vacation starts today in the waterside city of Stockholm, Sweden. As you arrive, make your own way to our centrally located hotel to meet the Tour Manager and your fellow travelers. Check in for the first of two nights, and then you are free to get your bearings in your new surroundings.

Stockholm is one of Europe's most attractive and unusual capital cities, built across 14 islands that are connected by no fewer than 57 bridges. Much of the city's charm is wherever you wander, you are always close to water. There's time to get to know the local neighborhood or perhaps wander along the Strömgatan, admiring both the architecture and calm water before we regroup this evening for our first dinner together at our hotel. Overnight Stockholm.

• Dinner

 Stockholm has over 750 years of history and culture, which we are introduced to on a guided sightseeing tour. We stop to enjoy the view of City Hall, the building where the esteemed Nobel Prizes are awarded, and admire the Baroque official residence of the Swedish monarch.

Afterward, we tour the areas of Östermalm, Långholm and the parkland island of Djurgården. We continue to Stockholm's Old Town, Gamla Stan, one of the best-preserved medieval centers in the world.

During our tour, we stop for "fika," a Swedish-style coffee break, during which we enjoy a hot drink and a slice of homemade cake. The rest of your afternoon is free, and you could explore the old buildings or the city's many shops. Alternatively, visit Museum Island, where the Vasa Museum displays a fully intact 17th-century ship.

This evening, you are free to dine independently, and the city has an excellent range of dining options, from traditional Swedish dishes to Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. Overnight Stockholm.

• Breakfast

 We begin our day by boarding an InterCity train to Östersund, a city set on the shores of Storsjön Lake, Sweden's fifth-largest lake. Östersund is a major cultural and transportation center and flaunts the title of Sweden's only UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

The town also nurtures an enduring legend about the lake's rarely sighted monster. Storsjöodjuret ("the great lake monster"), generally described as a serpent with multiple humps, reportedly emerged from the chilly waters into the town in 1635 and has been spotted infrequently ever since.

Östersund is a scenic place to admire the waterside attractions and spend the night before we continue our journey north. You might like to visit Jamtli Museum - a collection of three museums showcasing the art and history of the local area. Tonight, you dine independently, and you may like to discover the town's celebrated cuisine by tasting the local specialties. Overnight Östersund.

• Breakfast

 We make an early start after breakfast, beginning our slow train journey toward the untamed wilderness of Swedish Lapland. The Inlandsbanan* snakes northward through a landscape of pine and birch forests. As we travel into this magical landscape, look out for local wildlife, including moose and reindeer, hearing commentary about the sights outside our windows.

We arrive in Sorsele, where we visit the Inlandsbanan Museum before making our way by coach to a nearby Sámi village to learn about the lives of Scandinavia's indigenous people. We view the traditional buildings, hear about their culture, and are introduced to their reindeer. We continue to spend the night in Arjeplog, where we enjoy an authentic Sámi dinner served around a campfire. Overnight Arjeplog.

*Please note: departures before mid-June and after mid-August will travel by coach to the Sorsele rather than on the Inlandsbanan train.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Today, we experience a highlight of our tour - an all-day excursion by coach to the remote Sámi town of Jokkmokk. Driving even further north, we travel along long, straight roads, passing dense forests and glassy lakes. On our approach to the "Land of the Midnight Sun," we cross the Arctic Circle and take part in a small ceremony to celebrate.

On arrival in Jokkmokk, we visit the local Sámi Museum to see historic artifacts, including silverwork and traditional dress, of the indigenous Sámi people. We also learn more about their semi-nomadic way of life and traditions of fishing, reindeer herding and agriculture during our visit. We make our way back to Arjeplog, retracing our long but scenic route, arriving back in time for dinner at our hotel. Overnight Arjeplog.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Our journey continues by coach toward the Norwegian town of Bodø. We set off along the Silver Road, once a trading route where silver was transported to the Norwegian coast, enjoying the stunning scenery during our morning drive.

Passing deep forests, rolling hills and crystalline lakes, we travel through beautiful river valleys and admire the spectacular Saltdal Fjord. On arrival in Bodø, voted as Europe's Cultural Capital in 2024, we visit the Norwegian Jekt Trade Museum. A jekt is a type of historic boat that was used to transport dried fish along the Norwegian coast over centuries of trade. Only three of these boats survive in Norway, and we see one of them: the Anna Karoline.

Following our visit to the museum, we transfer to our hotel for check-in and then enjoy some free time to get our bearings in Bodø. We reconvene at our hotel this evening for dinner together. Overnight Bodø.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 After a leisurely morning in Bodø, we transfer to the station to begin our epic journey along the Nordlandsbanen, whose popular name is the "Polar Express," to Verdal. Known as Norway's longest train journey, we travel along a vast stretch of this route, experiencing the nation's sensational, untamed landscapes. Our train glides past immense fjords, rugged mountains and deep valleys, allowing us to marvel at the ever-changing scenery. The route is punctuated by many natural wonders, including the spectacular Svartisen Glacier, which we witness en route.

Disembarking the Nordland Railway at Verdal, we transfer to the small village of Stiklestad for the night. Our contemporary hotel is located inside the Stiklestad National Culture Centre and, after checking in, we take our seats for dinner at the hotel's restaurant. Overnight Stiklestad.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 We get to know the ancient landscape of Stiklestad on an hour-long guided tour this morning. This historic village is an important site of Norwegian culture and is best known for the Battle of Stiklestad, which occurred in 1030. It was here that the Norwegian King Olaf II Haraldsson fell in battle. Olaf II is considered the first king of Norway and was responsible for the nation's shift towards Christianity.

Our guided tour takes us to the site of the king's death and offers a glimpse at other sites of local intrigue before we return to our hotel for lunch. Afterward, our journey continues by coach to the popular Viking city of Trondheim, our base for the next two nights. We arrive in this fascinating city mid-afternoon, and there is time to look around or to relax at our waterside hotel before dinner. Overnight Trondheim.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Ahead of us today is a picturesque journey by rail, road and ferry to beautiful Geiranger. Leaving Trondheim by train, we wind past pretty villages and hamlets to Dombås, where we change trains for a journey along the stunning Rauma Railway.

Considered one of Norway's most beautiful train lines, the route glides beside azure rivers and emerald forests before the vistas become even more spectacular. After crossing the 100-year-old Kylling Bridge, we pause to admire the Verma waterfall before entering the Romsdalen Valley. Here, we marvel at the majesty of nature, including the Trollveggen, or Troll Wall, Europe's tallest vertical rock face.

Arriving at Åndalsnes on Romsdalfjord, we travel by coach up the twisting Trolls Ladder, glimpsing incredible scenery at each turn. This spellbinding trip continues as we cross serene Norddalsfjord by ferry. Stepping off the boat, we continue by coach to Geiranger and our hotel, which has astounding views of the iconic fjord. We enjoy a buffet dinner at our hotel this evening. Overnight Geiranger.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 After breakfast this morning, we set out on a guided coach tour of the Norwegian capital, beginning at the modern Opera House, whose angled exterior is covered with marble and white granite. People are encouraged to walk on the building's slopes when the weather is appropriate for some of the best views across Oslofjord. We also view the Royal Palace, a 19th-century neoclassical palace that is the official residence of Norway's monarch with acres of parkland.

With a free afternoon, you could visit one of the city's many galleries or museums, such as the Munch Museum and the National Museum, containing works by the expressionist painter Edvard Munch, renowned for "The Scream." You could also cruise around Oslofjord, possibly stopping at the Fram Museum to view a 19th-century ship used for polar exploration or visit the Norsk Folk Museum, which contains historic Norwegian buildings.

Dinner is independent tonight, and you might like to try some new Nordic cuisine, fresh seafood or opt for a traditional Norwegian dinner at the oldest restaurant in Oslo, the Engebret Café near Christiana Torv. Overnight Oslo.

• Breakfast

 On this Scandinavian adventure, we have experienced breathtaking glaciers, dramatic fjords and the untamed wilderness that spans Swedish Lapland, up through the Arctic Circle and into wild Norway. We have also taken unforgettable journeys on northern Europe's most spectacular railways, including the memorable "Polar Express," and toured fascinating cities where history and culture mingle.

After a relaxed morning in Oslo to revisit a favorite café or do some last-minute sightseeing or shopping, your tour comes to a close. You are free to transfer to the airport for your return journey home or continue on at leisure.

• Breakfast