Scandinavian Capitals: History and Food (Custom Luxury)

Experience Historic, Bustling Cities of Scandinavia

At its heart, this custom trip is a luxury journey into the Viking, Medieval, Hanseatic, and modern heritage of the three kingdoms of Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Comprehensive and captivating, it is highly adaptable to your appetite—and there are more than enough educational curios to peruse.

Stay in Scandinavia’s most beautiful hotels and enjoy your own private drivers to help guide you through the charming and historic capitals of these countries. Our team of experts will build you the perfect Scandinavian city experience.

From museums to sculpture gardens and historic sites, these meccas of Scandinavian design and culture truly have it all. Of course, we have our preferences when it comes to authentic entertainment: one of our personal favorite ways to whet your travel cravings is to enjoy a fabulous sampling of Danish, Swedish, or Norwegian gourmet cuisine through a private food tour in Copenhagen, Stockholm, or Oslo.

The historical, cultural and food experiences our Scandinavian specialists select create a bespoke, one-of-a-kind tour, but there is also an allure endemic to the Scandinavian metropolitan landscape: its royal grandeur. Rosenborg (Copenhagen), Drottningholm (Stockholm) and Akershus (Oslo) are all once-royal residences turned museums, and provide a fascinating commentary on history’s legends. It’s an ambiance that speaks for itself: when you visit their halls and admire their tapestries, you feel the weight of the centuries and walk in the footsteps of medieval, Renaissance and modern kings and queens.

Let our team lavish you in Nordic luxury!

Highlight Cities

Copenhagen: A Viking Fishing Village Turned Culinary Capital

With a rich history stretching back to the 10th century, Copenhagen seamlessly fuses the grand, luxurious and design-conscious with a cozy neighborhood feel. It is home to the second-oldest operating amusement park in the world, Tivoli Gardens, as well as Nyhavn—the renowned harbor where you’ll find a smorgasbord of hip and Michelin-rated eateries. At the center of it all stands Christiansborg Palace: this stunning 800-year-old castle is home to the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Supreme Court. It also houses several significant cultural treasures such as the chronological Queen’s Tapestries, as well as the preserved ruins of several previous castles dating as far back as 1167 AD.

Take our fabulous food tour through Copenhagen’s charming streets, book a table at one of Copenhagen’s 17 Michelin-star restaurants or have our Scandinavian trip planners custom create your route with visits to local gems like Torvehallerne’s famous food stall Hija de Sanches (rated the best street food in Europe by a panel of 73 food experts in 2018), Aaman’s Deli (featuring a huge selection of Danish smørrebrød) and many other delicious local haunts.

Stockholm: Home to 13th-Century Gamla Stan and the Nobel Prize

Surrounded by an archipelago nearly 24,000 islands strong, Stockholm is the place where history—medieval and modern—truly comes alive. There are so many intriguing things to learn about Stockholm’s history, and so many interesting ways to do it: pay a visit to Vasa Museet, where the unearthed Vasa warship rests as intact as it was in 1628 when it sank to the bottom of Stockholm’s harbor. Stroll along the cobblestone of Gamla Stan’s Stortorget, where the Stockholm Bloodbath took place in 1520. Or, if you prefer more modern history, pay a visit to the Nobel Prize Museum.

Culinary tours here are just as exciting and delicious as Copenhagen, and there are plenty of Michelin-rated dining options, too: Fotografiska, Oaxen Krog and Frantzén are all located in Stockholm proper within minutes of Gamla Stan, and there are plenty of mouthwatering street food stalls—especially in late 19th-century Östermalm Market Hall.

Oslo: The Viking Capital

In spite of its identity as the seat of Norway’s government, Oslo is well-known as the sleeper hit of the Scandinavian social scene, and it delivers an exceptional performance. The largest city in Norway by populace, its green spaces, design, vibrant community and museums are world-renowned, and it offers a capital view into what makes Scandinavia such a rich cultural destination.

Attractions such as the Viking Ship Museum, which contain the beautifully restored remains of the carved ocean-going vessels, allow you to follow in the wake of the Nordic explorers as they make their way across the world in the film experience Vikings Alive. At Akershus Fortress—a spectacular medieval-era castle finished in the 14th century—you can venture through a 700-year-old fortress which has successfully defended against all sieges. Catch an afternoon show (and walk on the roof, please!) at the Oslo Opera House, situated directly on the Oslofjord. Or spend the day at Vigeland’s Park: a fascinating 200-sculpture showcase dedicated to the lifelong works of Gustav Vigeland, and the largest sculpture park in the world!

Bergen: Gateway to the Fjords

Renowned for both its history and its small-town feel, Bergen is a small metropolis with a quaint personality tucked away on a protected harbor of the Norwegian coast. Positioned in between the Sognefjord and the Hardangerfjord and founded in 1070 AD, you will find it easy and enjoyable to roam the ancient streets filled with relics of the distant past before making your way into fjord country or ending your journey.

A living artifact of the Hanseatic era—which flourished from 1358 AD until its last formal meeting in 1669—the packhouses of Bryggen Wharf are still in use today under the proprietorship of a hotel, shops, a nightclub, restaurants, bars and more. Guided tours of the UNESCO World Heritage Site reveal a fascinating record of trade, conflict, and cuisine, while the nearby Bergen Fish Market and Fløibanen funicular promise great food and astounding views of the city.

Let our team of trip planners build an unforgettable experience for you! 

Featured Activities

  • Oslo, Stockholm, or Copenhagen Food Tour, or custom food tour
  • Private guided tours of the Rosenborg (Copenhagen), Drottningholm (Stockholm), and Akershus (Oslo) castles
  • Vasa Museet (Stockholm)
  • Nobel Prize Museum (Stockholm)
  • Opera House (Oslo)
  • Vigeland’s Park (Oslo)
  • Biking Rallarvegen and the Myrdal Bends (Flåm)
  • RIB Fjord Adventure on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Nærøyfjord (Flåm)
  • Local Farm Visit featuring Gjetost (Brunost) and jams/jellies (Flåm)
  • Private guided Bergen walking tour (Bergen)
  • Fløibanen Funicular (Bergen)

Locations

  • Copenhagen
  • Stockholm
  • Oslo
  • Bergen
Trip Info
Included in Price
  • Custom
  • All accommodations and meals as noted in the itinerary
  • Private Culinary Tours & Tastings
  • Comprehensive travel planner
Not Included in Price
  • Travel insurance
  • Additional meals and alcohol
  • Items of personal nature
  • International airfare
Departure Dates
Contact us for departure dates