Scandinavia

Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Hotel Reisen. A transfer is included from Stockholm's Arlanda Airport to Hotel Reisen in the heart of Sweden's historic capital city. Late afternoon, join us for a visit to Stockholm's Vasa Museum, featuring the impressive Vasa, an ornate royal warship that sank in Stockholm's harbor following its launch in 1628 and was raised in 1961. The day concludes with a welcome dinner at a local Stockholm restaurant. Stay Two Nights: Hotel Reisen (D)

Begin today's discovery of Sweden's capital with sightseeing including a guided visit to Stockholm's iconic City Hall, where the annual Nobel Prize award festivities take place. You'll see the Council Chamber; the Gold Room, whose walls are sparkling with 18 million pieces of gold mosaic and glass depicting events in Swedish and world history; and the famous Blue Room, misnamed because the architect changed his mind and left its beautiful red-brick walls intact.

Stockholm sightseeing continues with a panoramic lakeside drive over bridges that crisscross between Stockholm's small islands, offering views of Gamla Stan (Old Town) and a skyline of 17th- and 18th-century buildings, the Baltic Sea, Lake Malaren, the elegant Strandvagen waterfront, the inner harbor, the Royal Palace, the Cathedral and Parliament. The rest of the day is free to explore as you wish – perhaps take a canal tour, or walk through the cobbled streets of medieval Gamla Stan. (B)

Today you'll journey to southern Sweden and Denmark. Your drive this day will take you to Norrkoping for lunch and to Granna Sweden. After passing by Sweden's second largest lake, Vattern, arrive at your hotel in Toftaholm – a small hotel set in the forest, beside a lake. Glean insights into local cultural heritage at a private dance performance. Stay: Toftaholm Herrgard (B/L/D)

Depart for Copenhagen via Helsingborg, Sweden, for a guided visit to lovely Sofiero Slott, with lunch. From Helsingborg, drive south to Malmo and cross 'Orresundbron', the bridge connecting Sweden & Denmark.

Late this afternoon, arrive in Copenhagen for a brief orientation walking tour of our neighborhood including Copenhagen's Kongen's Nytorv and the famous harbor Nyhavn. Stay Two Nights: Phoenix Copenhagen (B/L/D)

A local guide introduces you to Copenhagen's famed sites this morning, including the beloved statue of Hans Christian Andersen's "Little Mermaid." The remainder of the day is free to spend as you wish. Admission is included to 160-year-old Tivoli Gardens, a Danish experience unto its own, for you to visit at your leisure during your stay. (B)

Head to North Zealand for Tauck's early-entry, private visit to 17th-century Frederiksborg Palace, called the Versailles of Denmark and considered one of the finest examples of Dutch Renaissance architecture. Housing the Museum of Natural History since 1878, it showcases 500 years of history through its decorative art and furnishings.

After a traditional lunch in a local restaurant, board a ferry for Oslo. Stay: DFDS Ferry to Oslo (B/L)

Upon disembarkation, an Oslo city tour introduces you to key sites including a visit to Bygdoy peninsula and a museum visit – as well as to the work of Norway's beloved sculptor, Gustav Vigeland at Vigeland Sculpture Park. The rest of the day is free to explore; your hotel is ideally located within walking distance of the harbor. Stay: Grand Hotel Oslo (B/L)

Head northwest from Oslo to west Norway and the fjord country, a glacier-forged mountain landscape where impossibly narrow deep fjords are etched between steep cliffs and every waterfall has a legend.

Following lunch, visit the Gol Stave Church then continue on to a family-run hotel for the evening – where you'll have a traditional Smörgåsbord Dinner. Stay: Kviknes Hotel (B/L/D)

Setting out by boat, travel to the breathtaking Fjaerland fjord, then travel by land to the Norsk Bremuseum (Glacier Museum) where hands-on displays are a perfect introduction to the Natural History of West Norway.

Continue along lakes and under mountains for lunch in Skei, then to one of Norway's most inspiring natural wonders, Briksdal Glacier, in a setting of roaring waterfalls and mountain peaks at the end of one of the Nordfjord's three branches. A ride on a motorized "Troll Car" and a short hike to the foot of the glacier lead to stunning views. Spend the next two nights at a family-run hotel set amidst the towering mountains and the spectacular Nordfjord. Stay Two Nights: Hotel Alexandra (B/L/D)

Weather permitting, drive to Dalsnibba, the region's highest point reached by road, to experience incredible vistas before embarking on a ferry cruise along the beautiful waters of Geirangerfjord; the scenery is dramatic, past cascading waterfalls and lush vegetation to Hellesylt. Have lunch at Hotel Union Øye, dating back to 1891, this "romantic Fjord Palace" was a favorite retreat of the aristocracy for decades. Return to your hotel this afternoon for a Norwegian history lecture by a local guide, followed by dinner. (B/L/D)

Your travels today take you south through Norwegian fjordlands, and include another ferry ride that takes you from Lavik to Oppedal, then a journey over land to Bergen. Your hotel is within walking distance of the historic wharf district, Bryggen, one of Europe's oldest port cities and a revered UNESCO World Heritage site. Stay Two Nights: Hotel Norge by Scandic (B/L)

Discover cosmopolitan Bergen, on Norway's west coast, one of Northern Europe's oldest port cities, and join our local guide for a walking tour of the historic Bryggen harbor district. Spend the rest of the afternoon as you please, and join us for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)

Tour ends: Bergen. Fly home anytime. A transfer from Hotel Norge by Scandic to Bergen Airport is included. Please allow a minimum of three hours for check-in at the airport. (B)