Delve Deep: Denmark, Norway & Sweden

Quirky cities filled with delish food, fascinating culture and the most attractive people you’ve ever seen – welcome to Scandinavia! Touch down in Copenhagen and say ‘hej’ (pronounced ‘hi’ = win) to the fellow explorers sharing the ride. Then: get pumped for the adventure at our first group dinner. This is gonna be good...

Ready to be versed in all things Copenhagen by our on-road expert? We’ll kick things off today with a walking tour – hitting the likes of City Hall, Nyhavn and the National Musuem of Denmark. Then: make like Dora and get exploring! Hire a bike and explore this chilled-out Scandi city on two wheels. Hop on a tour of the city’s beaut canals. Tuck into a smorgasbord of Nordic cuisine. Discover the city’s thriving craft beer scene. Or go vintage with a visit to Tivoli Gardens – an OG amusement park and the inspo for Disney World. Time it right, and you can take in the sunset from the top of the giant chair swing. Cue: alllll the goosebumps.

Today you’ve got even MORE free time to delve deeper into this awesome Scandi city. Tick off anything you didn’t quite get to yesterday. Or find the nearest coffee shop for cinnamon buns and cosy hygge vibes. This evening, we’ll wave ‘hej hej’ to Copenhagen (yep, it’s ‘hi’ twice – we don’t make the rules). Next up on the agenda? Norway – specifically its artsy, nature-loving capital, Oslo. We’ll board the overnight ferry and tuck into an included group dins before catching some zzzs in our cabins. Sweet dreams...

Say bye to the boat – we’re on the move after brekkie. Oslo, we’re coming for ya! When we pull into Norway’s iconic capital, our in-the-know Trip Leader will point out the must-sees for our free day tomorrow. And then? There’s an optional RIB boat experience on the cards for any thrill seekers among you. Afterwards, round up the group and head to a local haunt for some pølse – hot dogs wrapped in potatoey tortilla blankets. Yes please. Hunt down Illegal Burger for the best one you’ve ever had. Period. Or hop onto an optional dinner cruise and have a full-on foodie experience as you sway along the Oslofjord.

You wanted time to delve deeper. So here it is – Oslo-style! Our suggestions? Get to the water for some awesome kayaking. Check out medieval Akershus Fortress. Get steamy in a local sauna (they’re everywhere). Or make a beeline for Bygdøy (aka Museum Island). We’re talking the Kon-Tiki Museum, Fram Polar Ship, Norsk Folkemuseum and the Viking Ship Museum (obvs). Get the ferry back to Oslo port in time for tonight’s included group dinner. And later? Spice up your life with a glass of aquavit (the local tipple) at uber-cool Himkok bar. Think gin, but herbier.

Shotgun a window seat. We’re heading west this morning by train – and the scenery that whizzes past is Out. Of. This. World. Expect jaw-dropping mountain passes, sparkling fjords and a sprinkling of rustic red cabins. You won’t find landscapes like this back home. When we arrive in Bergen, wrap your lips around a stack of raspeballer dumplings for dinner. Mmmm...

Today’s your day, your way. Time to delve deeper into ‘the city of seven mountains’ (and 200 days of rain a year – hope you’ve packed your jacket). And you've got heaps of options. Wander the cobbled streets, check out traditional wooden houses and soar up the Fløibanen Funicular on an optional walking tour. Snap some jaw-dropping pics of mountains and fjords on a cruise down the magical Mostraumen strait. Or explore Bergen on two wheels before sampling the local salmon at Bergen Fish Market – FYI this place has been around since 1276 (but the fish have changed since then).

Warning: our next drive contains scenes which some viewers made find INCREDible. After another included brekkie, settle in for more beaut mountain-meets-water views as we wind our way up to the Norwegian Fjordlands. Our next stop? Voss – Norway's capital of adrenaline. You’ve got the rest of the day to discover this watery wonderland. Best way to get started? An optional rafting experience on one of two epic rivers. You could also get an eyeful of the region’s snowcapped scenery with a scenic gondola ride up Mount Hanguren. Or why not delve into some ancient history with an optional trip to Viking Valley – including the village of Njardarheimr that’s home to real-life, modern-day Vikings?

Hear that? That’s the sound of a free day in the mind-blowing Fjordlands. Get that thrill-seeking heart ready for some addictive adventuring. Take to two wheels and W-O-W your way past soå mountains and glistening glaciers. Grab your mates and show the rushing river you mean business (again if yesterday’s optional activity wasn’t enough) with a canoeing adventure. Sharpen your tools, sling on your boots and head to Mølstertunet at Voss Folk Museum for a REAL insight into farming traditions in the area between 1500 and 1927. Or glide along the fjords on an optional cruise before exploring the region’s farther-flung corners on the Flåmsbana train. Beaut views. Relaxed vibes. And UNESCO-approved heritage in one BIG package. Tonight: swap stories over our included group dinner.

Time to tunnel outta here. This morning we’re heading eastwards via the Lærdal Tunnel – the world’s longest road tunnel. Then: Lillehammer’s calling! Our fact-filled Trip Leader will give us the run around the Netflix-famed ski town on an orientation walk. Next: put those included chairlift tix to good use (read: their only use) and feast your eyes on allllll the city-and-lake panos from the top of Lysgårdsbakkene ski jump. And after? Check out Norway’s largest open-air history museum (this place is HUGE) with an optional trip to the Maihaugen Museum. Or get some puppy lovin’ at a local husky kennel. These beauts love to get visitors. Cue alll the tail wagging, wet kisses and the possibility that you’ll never wanna leave. Ever.

Dust off those brekkie crumbs and say so long to ski-ville – today it’s time for Sweden: Part Two. Ngl, we've got a bit of a drive. BUT it’s the perfect opportunity to text the ‘rents, catch some zzzs or simply soak up all the screensaver-worthy scenery that fills the coach window. Our home for the eve? The medieval city of Örebro in the heart of the Swedish lakes region. When we arrive, there’ll be time to explore – including an optional trip to the Disney-vibes Örebro Castle. This evening, there’s a shrimp cruise (yep, it’s a thing) down the gorg Hjälmare canal up for grabs. Fresh prawns dunked in aioli? Delish. Or ask you-know-who for dinner recommendations instead (your Trip Leader, not Voldemort).

Onwards! This morning we’re making tracks for the iconic Scandi city of Stockholm. Fun fact: this place is built on an archipelago of 14 islands where the Lake Mälaren flows out to the Baltic Sea. Cool, right? After our Trip Leader helps us get our beås, grab a kanebullar for the road and go explore! Snap a pic at Stortorget and watch the changing of the guard at The Palace. Take the ferry across to Djurgården and hit up the Vasa Museum (a must), Skansen Museum and the ABBA Museum. Or head to ultra-hip Södermalm for a local vibe and trendy cafes. There’s also an optional boat tour beneath the city’s iconic bridges on the cards. Or why not explore Stockholm on two wheels with a local guide? Whatever you choose, make sure you’re back in time for tonight’s group dinner – we’re going to give this Scandi adventure the send-off it deserves!

You came. You saw. You cultured. And just like that, it’s over. Get down to breakfast and swap those socials – you’re gonna need them for next year’s reunion trip. Where to next?