Scandinavia — Tour Highlights and Travel Tips
Land of the midnight sun and home to great natural spectacles, including the Northern Lights, you’re never far from the pristine wilderness of Norway’s fjords or Sweden’s forests on a tour to Scandinavia. Let’s not forget that holidays to Scandinavia’s urban jungles are just as rewarding, with world-renowned museums and much-loved nightspots.
Tour Highlights
- Rent a kayak from the water’s edge and paddle across the crystal-clear waters of Oslo’s fjords. At 100 km in length there’s plenty of opportunity to explore its small islands, and hidden coves, while always in sight of the Norwegian capital.
- Get your kit off and plunge into one of Scandinavia’s saunas. A way of life in the region, they are a popular way of spending time with friends old and new, and come in all manner of styles, from the ultra-modern to those registered as national monuments.
- Head beyond the Arctic Circle and you’ll not only encounter snow even in the height of summer (Santa Claus has his village in Rovaniemi, Finland) but also the midnight sun. In winter, enjoy a fantastic opportunity to marvel at the Northern Lights.
- Enjoy a night out at Tivoli in Copenhagen, the second oldest amusement park and pleasure garden in the world. First opened in 1843, its perhaps best known for its wooden rollercoaster, Rutschebanen, built more than a hundred years ago.
- Splash about in Finland’s Lakeland. The southeast of the country is home to most of the country’s 180,000 lakes, which offer chances to swim, fish, and even keep a lookout for endangered species such as the Saimaa ringed seal.
Travel Tips
- June to September is best time for sightseeing and experiencing the midnight sun, while the winter months offer wondrously snowy panoramas and the best chance of catching the northern lights
- Scandinavia is an expensive destination to visit, but a trip to Scandinavia doesn’t have to break the bank. Each capital runs free city walking tours by volunteers eager to impress, who have a great knowledge of the cheapest places to eat and drink in town too.
- Scandinavians speak a wide range of languages and are generally fluent in English.
- If you’re thinking of renting a car in Norway, opt for an electric version, which has the benefit of free parking and charging points (of which there are many), and exemption from road tolls and even ferry fees
- Scandinavian buildings are very well insulated against the winter chill. The downside of this is that they can be rather hot and stuffy during the summer, so pack night clothing accordingly.