Best of Lapland & Norway in Nutshell

When you arrive in Helsinki, meet your driver for a private transfer to your hotel in the city center. Rest of the day at leisure to explore on your own. Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a modern, vibrant city by the Baltic Sea made up of beautiful islands and public spaces. The atmosphere is laid-back yet, at the same time, refreshingly exciting, with many restaurants, shops, and nightclubs. The best thing to do to recover from a long journey is to take a traditional Finnish sauna in one of the many establishments in the center.

Overnight in Helsinki

After breakfast, a 5-hour city tour of Helsinki. The driver will pick you up in one of the designated meeting points that are located close to your hotel. The tour starts at the Senate Square and focuses on the architecture, history, and everyday life in Helsinki.

The magnificent historical center is a great example of 19th century architecture. The Senate Square offers a view of the impressive Helsinki Cathedral, which towers above the square and the main buildings of the Helsinki University, the National Library, and the Government Palace. In the middle of the square is a statue of Tsar Alexander II.

During the tour, you will see the impressive Russian Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, which also served as the Imperial Palace during Tsarist times, the Ateneum Art Museum, part of the Finnish National Gallery, and the Kiasma contemporary art museum.

After the city tour you will have a 30-40 minute lunch break at the Market Square, and then board a ferry to Suomenlinna.

The Suomenlinna Sea Fortress started out in the 18th century as a key part of the Swedish empire’s naval defense system. The Russian Tsar Peter the Great decided to build the new Russian capital, St. Petersburg, at the mouth of the Gulf of Finland, altering the security balance in the northern Baltic Sea. During your visit, you’ll get to see its well-preserved stone walls, tunnels, and dry dock. The irregular network of bastions will give you a good idea of how changing epochs and changing political tides have influenced the fortress’ development. There are also dozens of mysterious, underwater sites around the fortress. Though they cannot be visited, your guide will tell you their stories as well as other interesting secrets that Suomenlinna hides. After the tour we return to Helsinki.

In the evening, begin your journey to the Arctic Circle  as you board an overnight Santa Claus Express train to Lapland. Settle into your cabin on the sleeper train for the memorable 12-hour trip to Rovaniemi. 

Overnight onboard train - comfortable sleeping cabin (B)

When you get off the train in Rovaniemi, a driver will meet you and take you by coach to your accommodations. As you'll arrive early in the morning, check-in won't be possible yet, but you can leave your bags at the hotel and explore the magical capital of Lapland. Explore your snowy surroundings, build snowmen, find a sled, and throw those mandatory snowballs. The first highlight is to find the Arctic Circle and cross it to get the famous crossing certificate. Next, you can get your postcards stamped at the Santa Claus Post Office. Several shops and cafes sell local items.

Search for Aurora Borealis Tour
Late in the evening, transfer to the countryside. After stepping out of the car in the middle of nowhere, we reach the best spot to see the northern sky, but be patient as the auroras love playing hide-and-seek; we never know if or when they will show up!Your professional guide knows the best spots to stop and view this unique phenomenon.

Overnight in Rovaniemi (B)

Meet the traditional arctic animals and enjoy reindeer and husky sleigh rides. After receiving a safety briefing from a professional tour guide, you will embark on a 500-meter self-driving sleigh ride. A special reindeer driving certificate will be given to everyone after a reindeer safari.

Your next stop is at Husky Park. Huskies are born to run, and they are happy to take you on a safari. After a safety briefing, you can sit back and glide through the snowfields of Lapland on a husky-pulled sleigh! The husky ride is 2 km long, which gives you just enough time to snap some excellent photos. After the ride, you will warm up with some hot berry juice and get cozy around the campfire at the park. When the safari is finished, spend more time with the dogs, as they can't get enough love and hugs!

Overnight in Rovaniemi (B)

After breakfast, relax, explore, or participate in another winter activity.

We will transfer you to the Arctic Snow Hotel early in the evening. Here, you can stay in a comfortable glass igloo for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Arctic Snow Hotel with glass igloos is outside Rovaniemi, far enough from the city lights that a glimpse of the Northern Lights from your bed in your glass igloo is optimal. They are private and comfortable, with a clear sky view, warm insulation, thermal glass roofs, and heated floors that keep the temperature inside at a mild 20 degrees. There is a small refrigerator, a hair dryer, and a shower in the bathroom of each room. 

A traditional Finnish sauna is also available for use. In addition, you can turn on an “Aurora Alarm” to alert you if the Northern Lights appear. Then you will see them from the comfort of your cozy, warm bed. Finally, enjoy a unique setting for an unforgettable dinner at The Ice Restaurant, built of snow and ice, and serving hot Lappish delicacies savored around ice tables. 

Note: you have the option to stay overnight in your Rovaniemi Hotel & go for dinner at Ice Restaurant and Snow Hotel Tour afterwards.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Rovaniemi airport for flight to Bergen in Norway. Upon arrival in Bergen, you will be transferred to your hotel. Rest of day is at leisure. 

Walk along Bergen harbor, the historic old wharf area with timbered houses, formerly the homes and warehouses of merchants, explore the fish and flower markets, and enjoy a meal in one of the many cafes and restaurants of this lovely historic Hanseatic town. 

Overnight in Bergen (B)

Guided food and culture walk
In the afternoon, Experience the city of Bergen with all your senses. This tour takes you through Bergen's history and gives you a taste of local cuisine as well as its history. Bergen is on UNESCO's creative city list for the gourmet city. Your local English-speaking guide will take you through the old part of the city and have five stops with tastes and experiences. We will visit Bryggen, which is on UNESCO's list of world heritage. Another tasting is in a small restaurant that used to be a public bath. The food served should be enough for lunch, and the last stop will be at the oldest existing cellar in Norway, where a special story will be accompanied by a beer.

The Floibanen funicular
Escape the city by taking the funicular to the top of Mount Flyen for panoramic views of the fjord and the seven mountains that surround Bergen, as well as an excellent spot to watch the sunset! The journey up to the peak of Mount Fløyen (320 m above sea level) takes 5–8 minutes and is an experience in itself, cutting through the steep mountainside and forests, and revealing the city below. Mount Fløyen has many hiking opportunities and is a perfect starting point for a wonderful walk in the city's mountains.

Overnight in Bergen (B)

After breakfast, leave your main luggage (1pc per person) at the hotel reception before 6:30 am and it will be delivered Porter Service to your hotel in Oslo. Travel light and pack your overnight bag according to the number of nights you will be away from your main luggage.

Walk from your hotel to Bergen train station to board the train to Voss. At Voss you continue journey by coach to Gudvangen. A coach journey offers beautiful views of the Nærøydalen valley from Stalheim Canyon road, one of the highlights of Western Norway.

You will continue your journey on the Norway in a Nutshell tour by boat to Flam. The journey goes out from Aurlandsfjord into the Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord in Europe, now included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Surrounded by mighty mountains of up to 1,800 meters high, this branch of the Sognefjord is amazingly beautiful.

Dinner and accommodation at Fretheim Hotel or similar.

Overnight in Flam (B, D)

Take a bus tour in the morning to the beautiful Stegastein viewpoint, which is high above the fjord and has a great view. On a Fjordsafari, you will be introduced to the art of snowshoeing. Then, on a 1-hour hike, you will have several opportunities to see the fjord far beneath you, a halfway stop for some hot beverages, and many photo opportunities.

In the afternoon, you will continue your trip on the Flam Railway, one of the best parts of the "Norway in a Nutshell" tour. The 20-kilometer train journey from the fjord village of Flåm up the Flåm Valley to the mountain station of Myrdal takes around 55 minutes. Enjoy some of Norway's most beautiful mountain scenery, which includes snow-capped mountains, roaring waterfalls, and quaint villages. The train moves slowly or stops at the best views along the route.

Transfer to the Bergen Railway in Flam to continue your scenic journey to Oslo. This unique and popular day excursion takes you through some of the most magnificent scenery on Norway's west coast. Then, walk or take a taxi to your hotel near Oslo Central Station.

Overnight in Oslo (B)

Today embark the scheduled 5-hour Oslo Discovery Tour &  explore Oslo's must see attractions. Feel the cozy atmosphere in the city center, admire stunning views over Oslofjord from Holmenkollen Ski Jump, get in touch with the art of the most prolific Norwegian sculptor as you stroll through Vigeland Park encompassing more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and wrought iron. On Bygdøy Peninsula you will enhance your Oslo experience by visiting 2 unique museums: the Fram Museum and the Norwegian Folk Museum.

Overnight in Oslo (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out from the hotel. Private transfer to Oslo Aiport. (B)