Scandinavia: Norway, Sweden, and Finland

We will begin our journey with an overnight flight from Boston to Oslo. Get some rest to gear up for the exciting week to come!

Upon arrival in Oslo, we will stop by our hotel to drop off luggage and get some rest. Then we will take a short bus ride to one of the city’s greatest attractions, the Vigeland Sculpture Park. The museum displays the work of Gustav Vigeland and it is the largest sculpture park in the world created by a single sculptor. After an hour or so we are off to explore the Akershus Fortress, a medieval castle built to protect and house the royal family of Oslo. After a long day of touring the city, we will return back to the hotel for dinner and time for relaxation.

Enjoy a complimentary breakfast at the hotel to fuel up for an exciting day of cultural and musical immersion. First, we will venture to the Oslo Opera House and go on a guided tour of the beautiful waterfront property. We will have a chance to view a performance and stop by the Opera Shop with refreshments. Then we will take a trip back in time to the Norweigan Museum of Cultural and Natural History located a short 20 minutes away. Boasting more than 150 buildings and traditional artifacts from various social groups across the country, the open-air museum reflects the rich Norweigan culture.

We begin our day with a tour of the enchanting Royal Palace of Oslo built in the early 19th century for King Charles III. The large facade provides a great opportunity for photos along with extensive gardens surrounding the area. Once we make our way through the palace we will have plenty of free time to roam around the area and explore. There will also be a chance to shop in the stores and purchase souvenirs for friends and family!

Today we will take a quick one hour flight from Oslo to Stockholm. When we arrive in Stockholm we will head to the hotel to drop off our bags before our excursion throughout the city. Our first destination will be Gamla Stan, the bustling island known as the city’s old town. We will stop in Stortogot, the oldest public square in Stockholm, to immerse ourselves in the deep medieval culture. Finally, we will venture to the Royal Palace of Stockholm located directly on the water. After a long but fulfilling day of travel, we will return back to the hotel for rest and reflect on our journey so far.

Our second day in Stockholm will consist of a day trip to the tranquil island of Djurgården. The island is home to many attractions including the open-air museum of Skansen. At Skansen, we will see how the Swedish people lived before the industrial era through craftspeople and reconstructed homes. We will visit another museum called Nordiska Museet. It is devoted to the cultural history of Sweden over the course of the country’s history. We will stop for a quick bite to eat at a quaint local café called Rosendals wardshus for traditional Swedish cuisine.

Today we will enjoy a walking trip exploring Riddarholmen Church and the surrounding area. The breathtaking Riddarholmen Church encompasses the rich history of Stockholm, as it was constructed as part of a beautiful former medieval abbey. Following our tour of the church, we will explore the Birger Jarls Torg, a public square in Old Town which features six castles. After a fulfilling day of cultural history, we will head back to the hotel to rest.

Today, we will head to the island of Södermalm, a trendy city with a relaxing atmosphere with artsy stores and picturesque alleys and buildings. Södermalm is home to cozy cafés and a beautiful park, Tantolunden. The diverse architecture and small beaches are a must see. We will conclude our day back at the hotel in preparation for our flight to Helsinki the following day.

This morning, we will take a quick one-hour flight to Helsinki. We will drop off our luggage at the hotel in Helsinki, and then head over to the National Museum of Finland. This museum features Finnish history all the way from the Stone-Age to modern day. Cultural artifacts give an in-depth history of the nation, and the “Prehistory of Finland” exhibit is especially profound in its presentation of the development of Finnish society. Following that, we will take a quick ten minute walk through Helsinki to the Temppeliaukio Church, a Lutheran Church with unique and beautiful architecture. We will then return to the hotel to rest.

We will begin our day by going to the Helsinki Cathedral, a Finnish Evangelical Lutheran church. Its architecture is neoclassical, making it a distinct and memorable aspect of the city skyline. We will take a quick 6 minute walk to Market Square, a cultural hotspot with native Finnish vendors selling local food. Following a tasty lunch in Market Square, we will end our day at the Ateneum Art Museum, Finland’s most prominent art museum.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at our Hotel in Helsinki, we will take a boat to the cultural treasure of Suomenlinna. The boat trip itself is breathtaking with magnificent views of Helsinki. Suomenlinna is a UNESCO-certified World Heritage sight— a title well deserved. Its attractions include a former Russian Orthodox Church which was later converted to an Evangelical-Lutheran Church. The Suomenlinna Fortress is a spectacular monument of military architecture. The island is also home to myriad cafés and restaurants, as well as a brewery. Overall, it will be a

Today we will head to the airport to embark on the flight home. Reflect on the incredible memories that you have made with friends old and new and join us again soon for another amazing trip!