Scandinavian Highlights Summer 2026

As you touch down in Helsinki, the happiest city in the world, you’ll be warmly greeted by a Cox and Kings tour manager who’ll ensure your warm escort to the hotel, an abode of modern comfort and Finnish elegance. In the evening, gather with your group for a delightful dinner, easing into Nordic’s soul with anticipation.

The city’s heart pulses through the Senate Square, lined with neoclassical buildings and the striking Lutheran Cathedral. So if time permits, take a leisurely walk through the Esplanadi to get a taste of local cafés and shops, a perfect prelude to your exploration.

Reflect on the day’s first impressions over a light sip of Finnish coffee and conclude your first day with a good night’s sleep in Helsinki, where sleek interiors and quiet luxury ensure a restful night.

Begin the day with a hearty breakfast, featuring local cheeses, breads, Finnish pastries, and fruits; a spread that energizes you for a full day of discovery. Today’s guided city tour takes you along Helsinki’s harbor, past shipyards and coastal roads, to the colorful open-air market. Pause at Senate Square, dominated by the elegant Lutheran Cathedral, before strolling Esplanadi, lined with designer boutiques and cafés!

Visit the Sibelius Monument, where Finland’s beloved composer is celebrated in whimsical sculpture, and continue down Mannerheim Street to witness the stately Parliament building, the National Museum, and the architectural marvel of Finlandia Hall, designed by Alvar Aalto. Admire the Olympic Stadium, constructed for the 1952 games, before stepping into the Rock Church, a cathedral carved from solid rock!

As the afternoon wanes, board the Silja Line overnight cruise to Stockholm, indulging in Western and local dishes while mingling with fellow travelers. Evening at sea offers a cinematic Scandinavian welcome, and your cabin awaits for a comfortable stay with the gentle sway of the Baltic sea lulling you to sleep.

Rise early and travel to Stockholm in the morning with the group, a city spread over 14 islands. After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, set off on a guided tour that takes you through the Old Town’s cobbled streets, past the Royal Palace and Cathedral, and along Fjällgatan for sweeping vistas. 

Next, step into Stockholm City Hall, known for its mosaics and grand halls where the Nobel Prize banquet unfolds each year. At the Vasa Museum, marvel at the 17th-century warship, preserved in astonishing detail, telling tales of maritime ambition and tragedy.

Later, cap the day’s experiences with a ride on the SkyView gondola, ascending the world’s largest spherical building for marvelous views. As night falls, return to your hotel to freshen up, dine together, and let the city lights outside your window guide you into a restful sleep, ready for the Norwegian landscapes ahead.

Begin the day with a wholesome breakfast in Stockholm before boarding your coach for a scenic journey to Oslo. En route, pause at Karlstad, a peaceful lakeside town bisected by the Klarälven River and famous for its cheerful Smiling Sun emblem. Stroll the town, breathe in the serene waterside air, and capture photos of the Nordic’s silence!

Continue to Oslo, check in to your hotel and relax amid contemporary Norwegian comforts. The city beckons with its parks, waterfronts, and the promise of tomorrow’s guided explorations.

Evening offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on the day’s gentle travel and unwind. Gather for dinner, share stories from the journey, and retreat to your room for a restful sleep in the quiet hum of the Norwegian night.

Wake up to a robust breakfast and prepare for a full day of cultural and scenic delights. Begin at Vigeland Sculpture Park, where Gustav Vigeland’s masterpieces portray human emotion through marble and bronze.

A delicious lunch is served before you ascend to the iconic Holmenkollen Ski Jump. Feel the thrill of Norway’s skiing legacy and take in panoramic views of the fjord-kissed city below. Later, set out on a scenic drive to Geilo, nestled amidst mountains, lakes, and forests, arriving in time to refresh at your resort.

As the day winds down, enjoy a warm dinner with your travel companions, recounting Oslo’s wonders, before retiring to your hotel for a restful sleep, ready for the upcoming fjord adventures!

A hearty breakfast fuels the start of the iconic Norway in a Nutshell journey. Traverse majestic mountains aboard scenic trains, glide along deep fjords on serene cruises, marvel at cascading waterfalls and explore villages tucked into fjord edges. 

Later, arrive in Bergen, the gateway to the fjords. Explore the UNESCO-listed Bryggen Wharf with its colorful wooden houses, meandering streets, and maritime history. Savor a hearty lunch amid views of the harbor and mountains, feeling the pulse of this historic city.

Evening brings a chance to stroll or relax before another warm dinner at your hotel. As night settles, retreat to your comfortable room for a restful sleep, letting the fjord breeze carry dreams of alpine peaks and serene waters.

Begin with a hearty breakfast featuring local delicacies before setting off on a guided tour of Bergen. Ascend Mt. Fløyen via Fløibanen funicular for breathtaking panoramic views of the city, fjords, and surrounding mountains allowing you to capture photos, breathe in the fresh alpine air, and feel the city’s true beauty from above.

After lunch, board the Fjordline cruise to Hirtshals with your group. Enjoy a scenic passage across the North Sea, taking in the ocean’s vastness and the horizon’s ever-changing light. Dine aboard while sharing stories and laughter with fellow travelers, immersing yourself in the calmness of the sea.

As night envelops the deck and waves lap against the hull, retreat to your cabin for a restful sleep, lulled by the gentle rocking of the cruise and dreams of Denmark ahead.

Arrive in Hirtshals, enjoy a wholesome breakfast, and journey along with the group to Aarhus. Begin with an orientation tour of the city including a scenic photo stop at the Infinite Bridge, capturing the dramatic convergence of sky and sea! Enjoy an authentic lunch amid Aarhus’s lively streets and modern architecture and take a moment to relax.

Then, continue to Odense, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. Visit the H.C. Andersen Museum, exploring the life and stories of Denmark’s famed storyteller and feeling inspired by the fairy tales that shaped generations. Continue your journey to Copenhagen, the stunnish Danish capital, and check in to your hotel.

Evening brings a delicious dinner moment with your fellow travelers before retreating for a restful sleep, dreaming of colorful canals and whimsical tales of the Scandinavian landscapes yet to be explored.

After a leisurely breakfast, join the group on a guided city tour of Copenhagen’s best. Cruise the Nyhavn Canal, where brightly painted houses and lively waterfront cafés provide the perfect backdrop for beautiful photos. Continue to Carlsberg Brewery, enjoy a guided tour, and savor authentic beer tasting, a peek into Denmark’s brewing heritage.

Lunch is savoured in the heart of the city before a visit to Tivoli Gardens, where whimsical rides, pretty gardens, and intricate architecture delight all ages. Take time to wander and absorb the fairytale atmosphere, because this place is one to remember!

As evening falls, return to your hotel for dinner with your fellow travelers. Let Copenhagen’s gentle night push you into a restful sleep, reflecting on the magic of this magnificent Scandinavian journey.

After your final breakfast on this wonderful journey, check out and prepare for departure. Bid farewell to the land that has woven into your memory, promising stories to share for years to come.

A short escorted drive to Copenhagen Airport marks the conclusion of this unforgettable journey, where the memories of fjords, Nordic skies, and cobblestone streets accompany you as you fly home.

Great journeys never end, they aspire to inspire the next. Until next time…
Expertly yours.