9-Nights Northern Lights of Scandinavia - Small Group

Excursions

Oslo City Tour - 4 hours — Optional Private Excursions

Drive through the center of Oslo, passing all of the main sights and highlights, including the Royal Palace and the Nobel Institute. View the City Hall, inaugurated in 1950 at Oslo's 900-year jubilee. Akershus Fortress, sitting boldly on the waterfront is today partly a museum and a military area.
 
Pass the Parliament Building before entering Karl Johan Street, named after the Swedish-Norwegian king in the early part of the 19th century. The oldest part of Oslo University, dating back to 1813, lines this street. It is famous for its interior decoration by the painter Edvard Munch.
 
You will also pass through attractive villa areas on the way to Vigeland Park. This enormous open-space was laid out in the first half of the 20th century by Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland. Over a period of 30 years, he created his own world of human beings and animals from stone, iron and bronze. There are about 200 statue groups in all, which describe the course of human life from birth to death. The monolith, a 56-foot high granite block carved with 121 figures stands as the unequivocal centerpiece of this well-planned park.
 
On the Bygdøy Peninsula you will visit the Viking Ship Museum. It houses three authentic longboats dating from the Viking Age, around AD 900-1000, which were excavated from the mudbanks along Oslo fjord. The museum also holds a large collection of items found on board the ships, such as household goods, tools, jewelry and clothing.
 

Oslo Bicycle tour – 3 Hours — Optional Private Excursions

Discover an alternative Oslo, full of street art, hip cafés, surprising waterfalls, great food and award winning coffee.

During this approximately 3-hour bike tour, you will ride the path along the Akerselva River, with a stop at the heart of Oslo’s food scene, the indoor food market “Mathallen”. Mathallen is closed on Mondays.

Be amazed by rushing waterfalls in the middle of the city, just blocks from the trendy Grünerløkka neighborhood.

And an absolute must is a stop at the modern Opera and the exciting urban development around it, including a stop at Oslo's newest urban beach. 

Oslo Explorer tour – 5 Hours — Optional Private Excursions

We start with Vulkan - The area is a fusion of culture and creative industry with schools, hotels, food hall, restaurants and exciting tenants. It is the diversity and composition of the players that make Vulkan exciting.

Mathallen Oslo is inspired by the great European food courts. Here you’ll find specialty shops, cafés and great places to eat. The food court will also put on a number of food-related activities like conferences, courses, fairs and competitions. Mathallen Oslo is the place to go for everyone who appreciates high quality food and bevergages and something unique. There will be time for light lunch at Mathallen during the tour.

On the east side of the river Akerselva, behind the old industrial buildings, lies Grünerløkka. Here you will discover numerous little cafés, restaurants and bars. Grünerløkka is also a popular shopping district, with original design shops and many vintage and second-hand stores. 

During the tour we will have an outside visit to the Opera House. Officially opened in April 2008, the Oslo Opera House was designed by the acclaimed Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta. The Opera House, which took five years to complete, sits on the bank of the Bjørvika district, near the stock exchange and the central station. 

A visit to Oslo is not complete without a brief wal through Vigeland´s Sculpture Park .The sculpture park is Gustav Vigeland's life work, comprising over 200 sculptures in granite, bronze and wrought iron. It was installed mainly in the period 1940-1949, but is nevertheless a result of over 40 years of work. It is located in a beuatiful park and natural setting in the city.

Edvard Munch was one of Modernism's most significant artists and the other great Norgwian artist. The New Edvard Munch Museum will open at the end of 2020. 

Oslo Food Tour– 2,5 hours — Optional Private Excursions

Are you ready for a walking tour in beautiful surroundings?
You will be taken to the real alternative side of Oslo and experience underground culture like never before and, at the same time having the opportunity to get a taste of Oslo's culinary highlights.
 
Your guides will take you to a variety of different locations where you will be able to taste a variety of Norwegian treats - from typical Norwegian cured delicacies, amazing waffles with brown cheese and special Oslo soda to Norwegian hot dog.
 
Basis: Private tour.
Duration:      Approx. 2,5 hours (2h Food Tour + transfers).
Start / End:   City center Hotel, address or pier.
Vehicle:        1^st Class
Guide: English-speaking.
Entrances:     None.
Meals: Food tastings equivalent to a full meal.
Difficulty:      Grade Easy. Short walking required.
Notes: Tour program may be reversed for logistic / planning purposes.

Oslo Street Art walk Tour - 3 hours — Optional Private Excursions
Over the last ten years, urban artists of international standing and local art enthusiasts have turned the streets of Oslo into one of the city’s most interesting and vibrant art scenes.
Join our experienced guides and discover some of the best examples of street art and graffiti in Oslo - from large-scale murals to tiny sculptures, and everything in-between.
The tour starts with a transfer to Rodeløkka kolonihager, Norway's oldest allotment gardens, and ends in downtown Grünerløkka in the heart of alternative Oslo. It covers historical artworks in the district as well as those produced as part of the annual Løkka-lykke street art festival, which takes place each summer in the last week of June.

Basis: Private tour.
Duration:      3 hours.
Start / End:   City center Hotel, address, or pier.
Vehicle:        01^st Class for transfers.
Guide: English-speaking. Other languages on request.   
Entrances:     None.
Meals:         None.
Difficulty:    Grade Easy. Walking required over uneven surfaces
Notes: Tour program may be reversed for logistic / planning purposes.

Excursions

Helsinki City tour – 3 Hours — Optional Private Excursions


Helsinki was founded in 1550 by the Swedish King Gustav Vasa. As a result of the war of 1808-1809, Sweden was forced to cede Finland to Russia. In 1812 Tsar Alexander declared Helsinki the capital of autonomous Finland. In 1917 the city was to become the capital of the independent Republic of Finland. In safeguarding its historical heritage, Helsinki has again and again been forced to reassess the past. Cultural influences from both East and West have molded the life of the city, which has nevertheless preserved an outlook on life that is inherently Finnish. Over the years the city has spread, and its population multiplied, yet nature is still close at hand - the sea and islands are dominant features of the landscape.
Among the most striking features of the Helsinki architecture are the largish areas built in a uniform style. The city thus has whole blocks and even districts representing Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, National Romantic, functional or modern architecture. The oldest area in Helsinki that has been preserved intact is the Senate Square. Reminiscent of St. Petersburg in its neoclassical style.
In the 1970s Helsinki acquired some important new public buildings - e.g. the Finlandia Hall, the City Theatre, the new National Opera, the official residence of the Finnish President and the Temppeliaukio Church - which are now important landmarks on the Helsinki street scene.
A city tour includes all essential sights in the city center including the Sibelius Park with the Sibelius Monument, an unusual steel monument from 1967, commemorating the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Pay a visit to Temppeliaukio Church (The Church in the Rock), completed in 1969 and carved out of a solid rock and topped with a copper dome.  Only the dome is visible from the outside. The pantheon-like interior is enhanced by the rugged granite walls and the copper-plated cupola. The excellent acoustics make this a favorite venue for concerts. Please note that inside visits to the Rock Church cannot be guaranteed due to religious services and holidays.
 

Helsinki Porvoo Tour – 5 Hours — Optional Private Excursions

Porvoo is Finland's second oldest town and the most picturesque one. In other words, a beautiful area full of history. The town of Porvoo was granted town status in the 14th century and is one of the treasures of traditional Finnish architecture.
The original town plan from the Middle Ages, features the low, small houses, picturesque yards and narrow streets and forms a historically unique wooden town environment.
The symbols of Porvoo – the red warehouses on the riverbanks – tell tall tales of seafaring and trading. The guest marina and ferry dock at Jokiranta are humming with life, especially during the summer months.
The bridge at Aleksanterinkatu, completed in autumn 2004, and the newly restored Jokiranta area now encourage locals to take an evening walk and enjoy the latest improvements to the downtown area. Flower beds, fountains, cafés and sundecks have turned the shore into an attractive gathering place. The Market Square is the heart of the city, surrounded by City Hall, the bus station, specialty boutiques and services. The range of products at the marketplace varies by season.
 

Helsinki Jewish City tour – 4 Hours — Optional Private Excursions

This tour allows you to see the best of Helsinki and also learn more about the past and present of its Jewish citizens.

A city tour includes all essential sights in the city center including the Sibelius Park with the Sibelius Monument, an unusual steel monument from 1967, commemorating the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Pay a visit to Temppeliaukio Church (The Church in the Rock), completed in 1969 and carved out of a solid rock and topped with a copper dome.  Only the dome is visible from the outside. The pantheon-like interior is enhanced by the rugged granite walls and the copper-plated cupola. The excellent acoustics make this a favorable venue for concerts. 

A visit to the local Synagogue is made during the tour. You will be able to see its rooms located in the local Jewish Community Center. 

The center of the Helsinki is majestic with its classical style Senate Square. It offers a view to the impressive Helsinki Cathedral, Helsinki University, National Library and the Government Palace. The statue to the Russian czar Alexander II is located in the middle of the square.

Please note that inside visits to the Rock Church and Helsinki Synagogue cannot be guaranteed due to religious services and holidays. In the event of religious services. Tour order may be adjusted based on Rock Church and the opening hours of Helsinki Synagogue.

Helsinki archipelago by RIB boat – 2,5 hours — Optional Private Excursions

On this private, RIB-boat trip, you’ll see and experience the Helsinki archipelago and visit an island suiting your interests. During this fast and furious trip, you’ll see the main Helsinki attractions, such as the main market place, Kaivopuisto Park and the ice breakers. We will also land on an island of your choice – be it a remote islet or Suomenlinna fortress island! This tour is for 1-10 persons and our professional captain can tailor or extend it according to your interests.
 
Experience the beauty of Helsinki from the seaside and enjoy the convenience of the fast RIB-boat with a professional captain and guide. Welcome aboard!
 
Basis: Private tour.
Duration:      2,5 hours  
Start / End:   City.
Vehicle:        01^st Class for transfers.
Guide: English-speaking
Entrances:     None
Meals: None
Notes:         All passengers are provided with life jackets

Helsinki Design tour - 6 hours — Optional Private Excursions

Helsinki offers you a unique and fascinating journey through the centuries and across cultures through its buildings and architecture. The city’s architecture is typified by Nordic minimalism and refinement, and with its modernism, functionalism it also encompasses the largest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in Northern Europe. 

For many Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) is synonymous with Finland with architecture and with design.
After qualifying as an architect from Helsinki Institute of Technology in 1921, Aalto set up his first architectural practice in Jyväskylä. His early works followed the tenets of Nordic Classicism, the predominant style at that time.

During the tour, pay a visit to Temppeliaukio Church (The Church in the Rock), completed in 1969 and carved out of a solid rock and topped with a copper dome.  Only the dome is visible from the outside. The pantheon-like interior is enhanced by the rugged granite walls and the copper-plated cupola. The excellent acoustics make this a favorite venue for concerts.

The Senate Square is dominated by four buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel between 1822 and 1852: Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki and the National Library of Finland. 

The Central Railway Station was designed by Eliel Saarinen in 1909 and the station was opened in 1919. The station is mostly clad in Finnish granite, and its distinguishing features are its clock tower and the two pairs of statues holding the spherical lamps, lit at night-time, on either side of the main entrance.

The City Hall was designed by C.L. Engel as a hotel in 1833, the building has been the City Hall since the 1930s. The Helsinki coat-of-arms can be seen on the tympanum. 

Helsinki Private Food tour– 3 hours — Optional Private Excursions
Experience the best of the Finnish cuisine on this food walking tour. You will stroll around the streets of Helsinki´s center, getting a taste of the most traditional as well as fashionable flavors the city has to offer.
 
The tour includes the visit of some of the main gastronomical areas and spots of the Finnish capital, such as the Old Market Hall and the Market Square and also some bakeries and special food stores. You may taste some local bread, cheese, chocolate, fish, pastry, seasonal berry treat and famous Finnish salt licorice: salmiakki!
 
Basis: Private tour.
Duration:      3 hours walking tour.
Start / End:   City.
Vehicle:        None.
Guide: English-speaking. Other languages on request.   
Entrances:     None.
Meals: The servings are equivalent to a light lunch/big snack. Veggie options available.
Physical activity level:      Grade Easy. Walking required over uneven surfaces.
Wheelchair accessible: NO
Tour operates: morning, afternoon.
Notes: Tour program may be reversed for logistic / planning purposes. This tour is offered everyday from May to September and on Mon-Sat during the rest of the year.