Ultimate Nordic Adventure: Scandinavia and Iceland

Start your journey on the rugged West coast of Norway in beautiful Bergen, one of the most important old ports in Europe. Experience the history of UNESCO Heritage Listed Bryggen Wharf, eat the freshest seafood at the central Fish Market and hunt for trolls as you hike to the top of Mt. Floyen. To round out our time on the west coast, we’ll go for an epic adventure and get geared up to hike the Juklavass glacier, a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Catch the train inland to tiny Voss, home of extreme sports, where you’ll tackle a high ropes course and whitewater raft down the mighty Stranda River. After our adventure-packed day, we’ll spend the evening stargazing at our lakeside accommodation on beautiful Lake Vangsvatnet.

Then it’s time to check out the urban capital of Norway: Oslo. Explore this harborside city while checking out the trendy neighborhoods of Grünerløkka and Aker Brygge. Learn the fascinating history of Nordic sea and polar exploration at some of Oslo’s world-famous museums. We’ll cruise around the Oslo fjord, stopping at different islands along the way to picnic lunch, climb a 12th century tower, and relax in the summer villages. Finally, after taking in all Oslo has to offer, we’ll continue our journey to Denmark!

With more than half the population commuting by bicycle, Copenhagen is on track to become one of the ‘greenest’ cities on earth. Feel like a local as you cycle through the best parts of the city led by our Copenhagen native guide. Take a refreshing dip or hang out with the locals by the river at Islands Brygge, and enjoy delicious Smørrebrød – open sandwiches – at one of the city’s famed food halls. Spend a magical evening at Tivoli gardens, the second oldest operating amusement park in the world, where the likes of Walt Disney and Hans Christian Andersen drew inspiration for their timeless classics.

Watch the countryside change as you speed over to our last stop, Stockholm, possibly Europe’s most beautiful city. Shop to your heart’s content as you meander through the winding cobblestone streets and vibrant public squares of charming Gamla Stan, one of the best-preserved Medieval cities in Europe. Check out the wonders of Skansen, the oldest open-air museum in the world; learn about the mighty Vasa – the world’s only preserved 17th-century warship; witness famous Scandinavian design in the hip neighborhood of Södermalm and find the best Swedish meatballs in town.

After a quick flight over the Baltic Sea, we will head out to discover the world’s most livable city: Helsinki! Teens are given options to explore their favorite areas of downtown, whether it’s the Helsinki cathedral, art and history museums, or perhaps a little shopping. We finish the night by diving into Finnish urban legends during our TFT classic ghost tour.

We spend the final day of our Scandinavian adventure in Helsinki. Relax in a traditional Finnish sauna and finish off your incredible adventure with a fancy final dinner with your newfound best friends.

Say goodbye to Finland and hello to Iceland as we start the next part of our adventure!

Welcome to Iceland! For our first full day in Iceland, we’ll explore the capital city of Reykjavik. There’s street art everywhere, beautiful parks, and unique shops where local artisans sell their handmade wares. We’ll take a walking tour led by very entertaining locals, enjoy traditional and modern cuisine at a hip food market, and shop for souvenirs in the neat shops.

Iceland’s natural beauty can be found everywhere along the southern coast. We’ll begin in Thingvellir National Park, home to Gullfoss Waterfall and many other natural landmarks. Gaze in awe at the Strokkur Geyser, which erupts every 10 minutes like clockwork, then go for a soak in the nearby hot springs! You’ll also have the option of snorkeling in the Silfra fissure, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are separating by approximately two centimeters each year, and where you can see for about 300 feet down, due to the water being some of the clearest in the world. From there, we’ll move on along the coast to the beautiful black sand beaches, the cliffs home to massive colonies of puffins, and Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss Waterfalls.

Our road trip continues as we head east, past lava fields that will make you feel like you’re on another planet. We’ll spend a day exploring the Vatnajokull Glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. If you so choose, you can even put on crampons, grab an ice pick, and climb the glacier yourself to see the fantastic ice formations at the top! You’ll also be given the option to hike among the massive waterfalls around the glacier. That evening we’ll explore a lagoon filled with floating icebergs–be sure to keep an eye out for seals swimming in the lagoon! Next, take a leisurely drive through the majestic Eastfjords. Along the way, we’ll take a break to ride the gentle Icelandic horses, an unforgettable experience for many travelers. In the evening, go for a kayak ride out to a shipwreck in the harbor of the beautiful fishing village Seydisfjordur.

We’ll continue along the ring road to the sunny northern region of Lake Myvatn. After the drive, spend the afternoon relaxing in the Nature Baths, which feature lagoon-like outdoor pools filled with milky blue, mineral-rich water, naturally heated by nearby hot springs. It’s the perfect place to unwind and take in the stunning Icelandic scenery!

From Myvatn, it’s on to Iceland’s other major city, Akureyri. Well, “major” is a relative term…It only has around 20,000 inhabitants! On the way, we’ll stop at Godafoss, also known as the “Waterfall of the Gods.” We’ll learn all about traditional Icelandic life here as we visit the turf homes (houses built into the ground), and check out the impressive Akureyri Church. Of course, no trip to Akureyri would be complete without a visit to its most famous ice cream parlor!

While in Akureyri we will have the chance to embark on an incredible whale-watching cruise! Northern Iceland’s waters are teeming with massive whales that migrate here in the summer. Suit up in a special windbreaker and enjoy a relaxing cruise around the beautiful waters of Akureyri to see them up close!

Often referred to as the “gem of the west”, Snaefellsnes’ rich geological variety means that around every corner is a cave, crater, or mountain just waiting to take your breath away! We’ll stay in the cozy fishing village of Stykkisholmur and explore Breidafjordur Bay, and go on a Viking Sushi cruise to sample seafood pulled fresh from the ocean right in front of you. We’ll also hike between the two villages of Hellnar and Arnarstapi, topping off our day with fresh fish and chips from a family-run food truck.

We’ll come full circle as we return to Reykjavik for one final night in Iceland. You’ll have your chance to soak all afternoon in the famous Blue Lagoon hot springs! You’ll also have some time for last-minute souvenir shopping and exploring any places you missed the first time around. Of course, our final dinner of the trip will be at one of Iceland’s top-rated restaurants, so be sure to dress accordingly!