Prepare for the ultimate Nordic itinerary across four countries in three weeks: starting in Iceland, navigating to Norway, onto Sweden, and culminating in Finland.
Your private driver-guides ensure seamless transfers and insider access—whether you’re cruising iceberg-studded lagoons, scaling funiculars for sunset fjord panoramas, uncovering medieval castles, or hunting the Northern Lights in Lapland.
Destinations on Our 21-Day Iceland, Norway, Sweden & Finland Tour
Days 1–5: Fire & Ice in Iceland
Days 6–10: Fjords & Folklore in Norway
Days 11–15: Culture & Castles in Sweden
Days 16–20: Arctic Adventures in Finland
Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavík, Iceland
Ease into your Icelandic adventure with a relaxed afternoon exploration of Reykjavík’s vibrant cultural heart, followed by a waterfront welcome dinner.
City Orientation & Hallgrímskirkja Visit
Meet your driver-guide at Keflavík Airport and enjoy a scenic transfer into central Reykjavík. Wander colorful lanes lined with mural-covered façades and designer boutiques until you reach Hallgrímskirkja Church.
Ascend its soaring tower for panoramic vistas of red rooftops, distant lava fields, and the North Atlantic’s glittering expanse as your guide shares tales of Viking settlers and modern urban renewal.
Old Harbour Walk & Welcome Dinner
As daylight wanes, stroll the Old Harbour’s art-lined boardwalk, where fishing vessels bob against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
Pause at street-side stalls for Icelandic street food tastings—smoked trout or lamb soup—before settling into a waterfront restaurant. Over plates of fresh Arctic char or langoustine, enjoy sweeping Faxaflói Bay views and your guide’s insider tips for the days ahead.
Day 2: Golden Circle Wonders
Venture into Iceland’s geological heart to witness the forces that shape its fiery landscapes and cascading gorges.
Þingvellir Rift Valley Trek
Depart Reykjavík for UNESCO-listed Þingvellir National Park, where you’ll walk the Silfra fissure’s edge—literally straddling two tectonic plates.
Stand on the open-air Alþingi site, where Vikings forged the world’s oldest parliament, and learn how shifting continents and medieval democracy intersect in this dramatic rift valley.
Geysir Eruption & Gullfoss Waterfall
Continue to Haukadalur’s steaming fields, timing your visit to see Strokkur erupt in a plume of scalding water.
Feel the ground tremble beneath each blast and then journey to Gullfoss, the “Golden Falls,” for mist-driven rainbows and the thunderous roar of water plunging into a narrow canyon. Along the way, your guide will recount the heroic conservation efforts that preserved this natural wonder for future generations.
Day 3: South Coast Waterfalls
Experience the raw power and hidden magic of Iceland’s southern cascades, from behind-the-fall trails to sweeping summit perspectives.
Seljalandsfoss Behind-the-Falls
Arrive at Seljalandsfoss and follow the path winding behind its luminous curtain of water.
Your guide will reveal secret vantage points and explain how retreating glaciers sculpted the cliff over centuries.
Skógafoss Summit & Saga Legends
A short drive brings you to Skógafoss, where a 60-meter torrent crashes into a misty pool.
Climb the adjacent stairway to an elevated viewpoint for sweeping coastal panoramas, then descend as your guide recounts the Viking saga of buried treasure said to lie behind the falls—adding a layer of myth to the waterfall’s thunderous presence.
Day 4: Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach
Trade volcanic plains for icy seascapes as you explore Jökulsárlón’s drifting icebergs and the sparkling shores of Diamond Beach.
Jökulsárlón Zodiac Safari
Climb aboard a private zodiac and weave between towering icebergs calved from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier tongue.
Your guide will explain how warming temperatures and currents sculpt each berg’s cerulean cores and ash-lined layers. Watch for playful seals bobbing alongside the boat and capture close-up photographs of this ever-changing frozen world.
Diamond Beach Ice-Gem Walk
Just across the road, step onto black volcanic sands strewn with crystal-clear ice fragments.
Day 5: Lake Mývatn’s Geothermal Marvels
Immerse yourself in North Iceland’s steaming landscapes and restorative hot springs, where the earth’s heat meets ancient lava fields.
Hverir Geothermal Fields Excursion
Traverse a moonscape of bubbling mud pots and hissing fumaroles along sturdy boardwalks at Hverir.
Your guide will describe how superheated groundwater interacts with volcanic rock to create vivid ochre and rust-stained soils, and you’ll photograph dramatic steam plumes rising from hidden vents.
Mývatn Nature Baths Retreat
Conclude your Iceland segment with a soothing soak in the milky-blue waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths.
Float in warm, silica-rich pools perched atop lava flows, sipping herbal tea as steam drifts into the crisp air.
Day 6: Bergen & Bryggen, Norway
Trade Iceland’s volcanic shores for Norway’s maritime heritage with a scenic flight to Bergen and an introduction to its historic harbor.
Flight To Bryggen & Wharf Walk
Board a short flight from Reykjavík to Bergen and transfer directly to the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district.
Wander among medieval timber warehouses now transformed into artisan galleries and cozy cafés.
Fløibanen Funicular & Sunset Panorama
Ascend the steep slopes of Mount Fløyen aboard the Fløibanen funicular, marveling at the fjord and island views below.
At the summit, pause on panoramic decks as the setting sun gilds Bergen’s red rooftops and the surrounding waterways.
Day 7: Hardangerfjord & Vøringsfossen
Journey into Norway’s “fruit garden” fjord and stand in awe before its most famous cascade, where water and rock combine in a sublime spectacle.
Hardangerfjord Sightseeing Boat
Set off on a private boat cruise through the orchard-lined arms of Hardangerfjord, passing cascading waterfalls and idyllic farmsteads tucked into emerald slopes.
Along the way, your guide will stop at a floating wharf to sample freshly picked apples and pears, explaining how this maritime microclimate nurtures abundant fruit harvests.
Vøringsfossen Canyon Overlook
Reboard your vehicle for the drive to Vøringsfossen, Norway’s most iconic waterfall. Standing at the cliff-edge viewing platform, feel the rush of spray as the Måbødalen river plunges 182 meters into a misty gorge below.
Your guide will discuss the site’s hydroelectric developments and conservation efforts, and you’ll capture dramatic shots of rainbows arching through the cascading mist.
Day 8: Trollstigen & Geirangerfjord
Conquer Norway’s most dramatic mountain road, then speed through a UNESCO-listed fjord on a high-octane boat safari.
Trollstigen Hairpin Drive
Set off in your private vehicle along Trollstigen’s legendary nine hairpin bends, carved into sheer mountain cliffs.
Pause at each lookout to photograph plunging waterfalls and sweeping valley vistas as your guide shares tales of trolls turned to stone and the road’s daring 20th-century engineering.
Geirangerfjord RIB Safari
Descend to the emerald waters of Geirangerfjord for a RIB boat safari among towering cliffs and cascading falls.
Your guide will navigate secluded inlets and point out UNESCO-listed sites, blending adrenaline-fuelled excitement with moments of serene natural beauty.
Day 9: Oslo’s Viking Heritage
Transition from fjord-side drama to Norway’s capital for a deep dive into Viking lore and modern architectural marvels.
Viking Ship Museum & Bygdøy Tour
Head to Bygdøy Peninsula to explore the Viking Ship Museum, where exquisitely preserved 9th-century longships—Oseberg, Gokstad, and Tune—lie in glass-walled halls.
Your guide will explain ship-building techniques, burial customs, and the seafaring prowess that propelled Norse explorers across the North Atlantic. Continue to nearby polar exploration exhibits showcasing the vessels and gear of Norway’s intrepid adventurers.
Opera House & Akershus Fortress Walk
Return to central Oslo to ascend the Oslo Opera House’s sloping marble roof for panoramic fjord and city views.
Then, wander the ramparts of Akershus Fortress, a medieval stronghold overlooking the harbor. Your guide will recount tales of royal intrigue, sieges, and World War II resistance, illuminating Oslo’s layered history amid its modern skyline.
Day 10: Flåm Railway & Nærøyfjord, Norway
Experience one of the world’s most scenic train journeys and a UNESCO-protected fjord cruise in a single exhilarating day.
Flåm Railway Scenic Ride
Depart Oslo by private coach for the dramatic Flåm Railway—one of the world’s steepest standard-gauge lines.
Your guide will point out engineering marvels—spiral tunnels and stone viaducts—and arrange a photo stop at the Kjosfossen waterfall, where local legend says a water spirit dances in the mist.
Nærøyfjord UNESCO Boat Cruise
Disembark for a private boat tour through the narrowest arm of Sognefjord, Nærøyfjord—surrounded by towering cliffs and cascading streams.
Between awe-inspiring vistas, you’ll relish the stillness of this dramatic waterway before returning to Bergen or onward to your next Scandinavian destination.
Day 11: Stockholm’s Old Town & Vasa, Sweden
Step into Sweden’s medieval heart and maritime past on a day that blends royal grandeur with naval drama.
Gamla Stan Walking Tour
Wander the cobbled alleyways of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town, where ochre-painted façades lean over narrow lanes.
Your driver-guide will lead you past Storkyrkan Cathedral—home to the iconic wooden statue of Saint George and the Dragon—and into the Royal Palace’s grand courtyards. As you explore hidden squares and antique shops, you’ll hear tales of medieval merchants, palace intrigues, and the city’s founding by Birger Jarl in the 13th century.
Vasa Museum & Djurgården Island
Cross to Djurgården Island for an encounter with the Vasa warship—an almost fully intact 17th-century vessel salvaged from the harbor depths.
In a light-filled hall, examine its ornate carvings and learn why it sank on its maiden voyage. Afterward, stroll the island’s leafy park paths past sculptures and historic pavilions, pausing at the canal’s edge for views of rowing boats and swans gliding by.
Day 12: Stockholm Archipelago & Seaside Lunch
Escape the city for a day amid Sweden’s celebrated coastal wonders, where rocky islets and seafood traditions await.
Private Archipelago Boat Tour
Board a comfortable private boat and chart a course through the Stockholm Archipelago’s maze of granite skerries.
Stop on uninhabited coves to stretch your legs, explore hidden bays, and spot osprey or seals basking on sunlit rocks.
Seaside Inn Seafood Feast
Moor at a rustic island inn for a leisurely lunch of freshly caught cod, shrimp, and mussels plated with seasonal foraged greens.
As you dine in a cozy dining room overlooking the Baltic’s cerulean waters, learn how archipelago chefs blend coastal simplicity with Nordic flair, using seaweed, wild herbs, and local smoked fish to craft dishes that celebrate the sea’s bounty.
Day 13: Drottningholm & Swedish Design
Conclude your Swedish exploration with royal elegance and hands-on creativity in the countryside.
Drottningholm Palace & Gardens
Travel west of Stockholm to Drottningholm, the beautifully preserved Baroque palace that remains the royal family’s private residence.
Tour the opulent State Apartments—adorned with gilded stucco and 17th-century tapestries—and then wander the terraced Baroque gardens, admiring sculpted hedges and serene water features along Lake Mälaren’s shore. Your guide will recount the palace’s dramatic history, from Gustav III’s theatrical court to modern royal ceremonies.
Swedish Fika & Craft Workshop
After the palace, settle in for a classic Swedish fika—strong coffee paired with cinnamon buns or cardamom cake—at a lakeside café.
Then, step into a nearby artisan studio to create your Scandinavian keepsake: perhaps weaving a minimalist textile from local wool or stamping a leather pouch with traditional motifs. Under the guidance of a master craftsperson, you’ll take home both a handmade treasure and a deeper appreciation for Sweden’s design heritage.
Day 14: Skansen & Helsinki, Finland
Exchange Stockholm’s urban charms for Finland’s capital and a living history introduction to Nordic rural life.
Skansen Open-Air Museum, Stockholm
Begin your morning at Skansen on Djurgården—an expansive open-air museum where traditional Swedish farmsteads, manor houses, and artisan workshops stand preserved amid pine groves.
Wander between turf-roofed cottages and meet costumed artisans demonstrating glassblowing, textile weaving, and carpentry. Spot native Nordic animals—moose, reindeer, and Arctic foxes—in naturalistic enclosures, and learn how centuries-old rural festivals once animated these very village squares.
Fly to Helsinki & City Orientation
In the afternoon, board a short flight to Helsinki.
On arrival, your driver-guide will transfer you to your downtown hotel before leading you on a gentle stroll down Esplanade Park—lined with buzzing cafés and design boutiques.
Day 15: Helsinki’s Cultural Highlights
Delve into Finland’s maritime heritage and neoclassical heart with fortress isles and bustling market squares.
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress Excursion
Catch a ferry to UNESCO-listed Suomenlinna, an 18th-century sea fortress sprawled across six islands.
Explore the labyrinth of ramparts and tunnels on a guided walk, visiting the Maritime Museum to see historic vessels and naval artifacts. Learn how Suomenlinna guarded Helsinki against naval threats and how its cannons once commanded Baltic trade routes.
Helsinki Cathedral & Market Square
Return to shore for a tour of Senate Square’s neoclassical cathedral, where mint-green domes crown white colonnades designed by Carl Ludvig Engel.
Then, immerse yourself in the colorful stalls of Market Square—tasting local specialties such as smoked salmon, rye bread sandwiches, and cloudberry dumplings.
Day 16: Porvoo & Finnish Countryside
Venture east from Helsinki into idyllic small-town charm and lakeside manor elegance.
Porvoo Medieval Old Town
Drive to Porvoo, Finland’s second-oldest town, and wander its winding cobblestone lanes lined with red-painted wooden houses.
Explore artisan shops housed in centuries-old merchant buildings, sampling pastel-coloured pastries at a riverside café.
Countryside Manor Lunch & Lake Views
Continue to a historic lakeside manor for a seasonal Finnish-style lunch—perhaps mushroom soup, fresh fish, and wildberry desserts.
After dining in an elegant dining room overlooking a pristine lake, stroll the manicured gardens and learn about Finnish estate life from the 18th century to today.
Day 17: Rovaniemi & Arctic Circle
Fly north to Lapland’s winter wonderland, crossing the Arctic Circle and stepping into Santa’s backyard.
Fly to Rovaniemi & Arctic Circle Crossing
Arrive in Rovaniemi and head directly to the Arctic Circle marker at Santa Claus Village.
Participate in a fun ceremony, receive your crossing certificate, and send postcards from the Arctic-themed post office. Your guide will share local legends of the polar nights and midnight suns that define life above the Arctic Circle.
Northern Lights Orientation
As dusk falls, drive to a secluded wilderness lodge to prepare for your first Aurora hunt. Wrapped in insulated blankets with hot berry punch in hand, you’ll learn camera settings for long-exposure photography and scan the sky for the first ribbons of green and violet—an Arctic initiation under Lapland’s boundless heavens.
Day 18: Arctic Wildlife & Snowmobile Safari
Experience Lapland’s wild side with subarctic creatures and high-speed forest trails.
Ranua Wildlife Park Safari
Journey to Ranua Wildlife Park for a guided safari among Finland’s iconic Arctic species—meet curious polar bears, spotted Eurasian lynx at play, and observe reindeer grazing in snowy enclosures.
Your guide will explain each animal’s adaptations to extreme cold and the park’s role in conservation and education.
Snowmobile Through Taiga Forests
In the afternoon, don thermal gear for a snowmobile adventure across frozen rivers and snow-laden pine forests.
Feel the thrill of speed as you weave between trees, then pause beside a frozen lake to toast marshmallows over an open fire and breathe in the crisp, silent air.
Day 19: Husky Sled & Sámi Culture
Delve into Laplandic traditions with canine-powered travel and indigenous heritage.
Husky Dog-Sledding Adventure
Mush your team of eager Siberian huskies across open tundra, learning sled handling and dog care from a seasoned musher.
Feel the sled glide effortlessly as you bond with these friendly, high-spirited companions and capture unforgettable memories of gliding through pristine snow.
Sámi Reindeer Farm Visit
Visit a local Sámi reindeer herding family to experience traditional Nordic hospitality.
Hear joik singing around a warm kota tent, sample hearty reindeer stew and cloudberry jam, and try your hand at lassoing a gentle reindeer—immersing you in the Arctic’s oldest living culture.
Day 20: Ice Fishing & Finnish Sauna
Conclude your Lapland adventure with time-honored Finnish rituals on ice and in steam.
Ice-Fishing on a Frozen Lake
Head to a mirror-flat frozen lake and drill through the ice for perch and pike.
With your guide’s tips, fish from a traditional ice-fishing hut, then cook your catch over an open fire, savoring its fresh flavors amid silent snowfields.
Traditional Smoke Sauna & Plunge
Return to a lakeside smoke sauna, where centuries-old wood-fire heating infuses the air with aromatic resin scents.
After a deeply warming steam, invigorate body and mind with a crisp plunge into icy waters—an authentic Finnish ritual that cleanses, revitalizes, and seals your Arctic journey.
Day 21: Departure from Helsinki
After brunch, settle into your private vehicle for the drive to Helsinki Airport.
Your driver-guide will present a handcrafted Finnish souvenir and extend warm farewells, ensuring you depart with both tangible mementos and indelible memories of an extraordinary Grand Nordic Circle journey.
