1) What are custom tours?
Custom tours are luxury trips created specifically for you! Our expert trip planners will design a custom itinerary to suit your needs. These trips include luxury accommodations, chauffeured transportation and personalized activities, dining, and more.
2) What are the best places to see the Northern Lights?
The best viewing experiences are between November and April above the Arctic Circle on a cloudless, clear night.
Some of the best places in Scandinavia to view the Northern Lights are Finnish Lapland; Iceland, specifically the northern regions close to the Arctic Circle as well as Seltjarnarnes in Reykjavik and Vík; the Norwegian areas of Svalbard, Tromsø, The Lofoten Islands, and Harstad.
Of course, seeing the Northern Lights is never a guarantee, but our trips offer multiple viewing options to make sure you have the best possible chance to see the Aurora Borealis.
3) What is the climate like in Scandinavia?
The climate varies across the regions of Scandinavia, with generally milder temperatures in coastal regions and harsher temperatures inland. A general temperature guide for the different times of year:
May + September – 50’s to low 70’s
June, July and August – 60’s to high 70’s
Winter – 20’s to low 30’s and sometimes much lower
In winter, the daylight hours are very short. The sun is out for only about 6 hours around the winter solstice.
4) What type of currency should I use?
Most of the Scandinavian countries use different currencies and have not yet converted to Euros. Despite the similar names, the different currencies are not interchangeable. We recommend having plenty of that country’s currency when you enter.
- Norway: Norwegian Krone
- Sweden: Swedish Krona
- Finland: Euro
- Iceland: Icelandic Krona
- Denmark: Danish Kroner
- Russia: Russian Ruble
- Greenland: Danish Krone
- Faroe Islands: Danish Krona, Faroese Krona
5) Can I book flights through Scandinavian American?
Yes! We can book and reserve flights from around the world to our destinations, ensuring that you get a great deal, ideal travel times, and more.
6) What clothes should I pack for my trip?
In the summer, you can generally pack shorts and short sleeves for the day in additional to nice clothes for dinner and performances. We recommend one or two light jackets and a raincoat in case of weather changes.
In winter, make sure to pack warmly. Bring layers of thermal underwear, wool sweaters, wool socks, windproof winter jackets, waterproof shoes, hats, and mittens. Trips to the northern areas of countries will require constant heavy clothing. Our trip planning team will give you specific recommendations for your trip to make sure you have everything you need!
7) Is English widely spoken in Scandinavia?
English is well-spoken as a second language in Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland, where most children are taught English in primary school and develop fluency. English is not very common in Russia. We recommend learning the basics of this language before traveling there.
8) What are the best places to see the Northern Lights?
The best places in Scandinavia to view the Northern Lights are Finnish Lapland; Iceland, specifically the northern regions close to the Arctic Circle as well as Seltjarnarnes in Reykjavik and Vík; the Norwegian areas of Svalbard, Tromsø, The Lofoten Islands, and Harstad.
9) Will I need a visa to visit these countries?
A valid passport is sufficient to visit Scandinavia, but you need a visa to visit Russia.
10) Will my credit cards work in Scandinavia?
In the Nordic countries, all credit cards are widely accepted but make sure to bring your PIN number and a picture identification. In Russia, Visa and Mastercard are accepted at some shops and restaurants; bring your PIN number in case you need to use an ATM. The Baltic capitals accept most credit cards.