IDEAS FOR HOLIDAY PACKAGES TO SCANDINAVIA FROM SOUTH AFRICA
Visiting Scandinavia is an enriching experience, with such fascinating cultures and jaw-dropping landscapes for you to discover. There are many reasons why Scandinavia is such a great travel destination for visitors from South Africa.
Firstly, if you are an English speaker, it’s good to know that most locals are fluent in the language. So whether you want to strike up a conversation or need help with directions, you won’t need to worry about any language barrier.
Another convenient thing about Scandinavia tour packages is that getting around is easy. This is thanks to the excellent transport connections and short distances between cities. That’s why we highly recommend the Scandinavian Triangle route – the capitals of Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
You can visit Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen in one incredible trip, travelling via train, plane and ferry. Or you might want to take a road trip instead. Spend your days enjoying walking tours, admiring royal palaces, savouring delicious Scandinavian meals, or cycling along pedestrianised streets and bike lanes.
What’s more, these are some of the safest countries in the world. Travel to Norway, Sweden and Denmark and you can expect clean cities, high standards of road safety, and low crime rates too.
But aside from these practical advantages, Scandinavia holidays are a dream because these European cities and rural settings are simply beautiful. Travel here and you’ll discover a land brimming with gorgeous scenery.
The best time to visit Scandinavia depends on what you want to do. Come in the summer to enjoy the midnight sun, wild swimming and al fresco dining.
In the winter, expect a festive wonderland and smaller crowds at top attractions. You may even get a chance to see the northern lights in Scandinavia!
As a Northern European tour operator, Nordic Visitor specialises in organising vacations to this beautiful corner of the world. We have many more ideas and travel tips to help you explore Scandinavia your way!
Here’s one of our suggestions for a Scandinavia itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrive in Stockholm, Sweden
Fly into Stockholm Arlanda Airport and head to your hotel in the city centre. Spend some time walking through Gamla Stan (the Old Town). Enjoy a fika (a Swedish coffee break) with a nice pastry at one of the local cafés in this medieval neighbourhood.
Day 2 - The highlights of Stockholm
Spend a full day in the Swedish capital, discovering the city’s attractions and districts. You could join a sightseeing tour to see the best of Stockholm in a day, taking you to must-see spots like the City Hall, Royal Palace and trendy Södermalm quarter.
Or, a ferry ride will whisk you off to the island of Djurgården, where you'll find the Vasa Museum and Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum. Meanwhile, a day trip to the Stockholm Archipelago means you could swim in the Baltic Sea and hike through forests.
Day 3 - Fly to Copenhagen, Denmark
Head to Stockholm Airport after breakfast and board a plane to Copenhagen. Once in Denmark’s capital, take a walk down the city’s popular Strøget street for a bite to eat, or go check out the fun and games at the old fashioned Tivoli Gardens amusement park.
Day 4 - Discover Copenhagen
Soak up the charms of Copenhagen today, either on your own or as part of a guided tour. You might want to visit Rosenborg Castle, the Botanical Garden and Torvehallerne food market.
We also recommend hopping on a boat tour to see Christiansborg Palace, the Royal Danish Opera House and the colourful Christianshavn Canal from the water.
Day 5 - Overnight cruise to Oslo, Norway
Ahead of tonight’s trip to Norway, spend the day enjoying more of Copenhagen. Why not make like the bicycle-happy Danes and rent a bike?
You could check out the exquisite Amalienborg Palace, as well as the colourful Nyhavn harbour and the Little Mermaid statue. Later, head to the port for your overnight cruise to Oslo.
Day 6 - Explore Norway’s capital city
After your ship arrives early in the morning, the whole day is yours to roam Oslo. Take a walk to the bustling Aker Brygge waterfront area and visit the Akershus Fortress. Or, head to the Bygdøy peninsula to explore historic museums.
If you love art, make sure to take a walk through the delightful Vigeland Sculpture Park. Don’t miss a visit to Oslo City Hall if you want to see where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held.
Day 7 - Scenic train journey to Flåm
This morning, go to Oslo Central Station to begin your Norway in a Nutshell® experience – one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. Look out the window to see picturesque landscapes and quaint villages like Gol and Geilo.
Change at Myrdal to board the Flåm Railway for one of the top highlights of the entire trip: a 900-metre (half-mile) descent to the picturesque village of Flåm, where you’ll stay for the night.
Day 8 - Norwegian fjord cruise
Prepare to witness breathtaking Norwegian scenery today, as you hop on a cruise that takes you through the fjords. You’ll be able to admire the glittering waters, cascading falls and forested mountains of Sognefjord, passing through Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord.
Afterwards, it’s an exciting coach and train ride to Bergen.
Day 9 - Discover Bergen
Known as the gateway to the fjords, Bergen is Norway’s charming second city with plenty of its own attractions to uncover. You can visit the medieval houses of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bryggen, and take the funicular up Mount Fløyen for panoramic views over the city and fjords.
There are also plenty of museums, shops and restaurants to check out on your last full day in Scandinavia
Day 10 - Depart from Bergen, Norway
Fly back home from Bergen-Flesland Airport, having enjoyed 10 days in beautiful Scandinavia.
What other ideas are there for Scandinavia travel packages from South Africa?
There are so many more places to see in this part of Northern Europe. For example, you could delve deeper into the Nordic region, which is made up of Finland, Iceland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
After starting your trip in Helsinki, the capital and major city of Finland, you could choose to take a short ferry ride to Tallinn, Estonia’s capital. Then step aboard a cruise that whisks you to Stockholm. You’ll cross the Baltic Sea overnight to begin your exploration of the Scandinavian countries the following day.
Another alternative is to head deeper into rural Scandinavia. Discover natural gems like the breathtaking Norwegian fjords and mountains. You could journey even further up the west coast towards the Lofoten Islands on a Havila or Hurtigruten cruise, for an exciting Norway tour towards the Arctic Circle.
Like the sound of an odyssey to the far north of Europe? Then we recommend visiting Lapland – a remote region covering parts of Sweden, Finland and Norway. Come in winter for the chance to see the aurora borealis, soak up snowy landscapes, stay in a real ice hotel and meet Santa Claus.
Or hop on a plane and visit Iceland as part of your Nordic experience!
Good to know: Most of our Scandinavia tour itineraries aren't set in stone, and there are many possibilities to tailor your plans.
We can modify your tour if you'd prefer to arrive in a different city, spend more free time in one destination than another, or add other towns to your trip. Just ask your Nordic Visitor travel agent for advice.
Interested in a Scandinavia group tour?
To see the region from a local’s point of view and make some new friends along the way, our guided small group tours of the Scandinavian capitals is a great option! These guided tours run from May to August, so you can enjoy summer travel in Scandinavia
A small group tour offers an enriching experience, allowing you to get the most out of your trip thanks to the expertise of a local guide. What’s more, you’ll be travelling alongside 16 people at most, so the trip is still personal for you.
Prefer a self-guided tour of Scandinavia?
If you would like to discover Scandinavia on your own but prefer not to drive, then an independent tour is the perfect choice. Public transportation in Scandinavia is fast, reliable and punctual, so getting around by train and ferry is a great alternative to driving.
By opting for a train and cruise tour of Scandinavia, you’ll benefit from having your itinerary arrangements made for you but with the freedom to spend your days however you please. Nordic Visitor will book all your accommodation and travel tickets between destinations, and you can add on activities too.
Plus, by booking an independent tour of Scandinavia you’ll still be able to enjoy the usual Nordic Visitor benefits. All our travel packages include access to our 24/7 helpline, a detailed personal itinerary, helpful travel guide and daily breakfast.
How about a Scandinavia road trip?
Why visit Scandinavia on a self-drive tour? It’s simple, it’ll give you the freedom to stop at lookout points and attractions whenever you want. Get ready for a real adventure, with incredible scenery outside your window to make the journey as unforgettable as the destinations you visit.
The best part? You won’t have to worry about where you’re going or sleeping, because your Nordic Visitor travel consultant has already sorted those local arrangements for you. You’ll also have access to our 24/7 emergency helpline should you need to call us at any point.
You could opt for a circular route between Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo, flying in and out of the Swedish capital, for example. This way, you could soak up the verdant countryside, rural villages, and grand castles and manor houses in this corner of Scandinavia.
All of Nordic Visitor’s Scandinavia self-drive packages can be tailored by our local experts with extra nights at select locations or modified driving routes. If you have any particular attractions in mind, just contact us to ask.
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