Prepare to be transported to places that feel conjured from fairytales, from magical castles to astounding fjords.
Prepare to be transported to places that feel conjured from fairytales, from magical castles to astounding fjords.
Castles rising above the town, crashing waterfalls, lush landscapes, rushing fjords, painted houses of every color — the reality of Northern Europe and the Baltic seem closer to the stuff of fairytales than modern life. Our routes take you from cities to nature and back again in a day, with plenty of time for carefully curated excursions to show you the very best of the region’s charming towns and awe-inspiring nature.
Art & Culture
Amsterdam is as well-known for its museums as it is for its concentric canal system. The Van Gogh Museum houses over 200 of the Impressionist artist’s paintings, while the Rijksmuseum is world renowned for its collection of Old Masters, including Rembrandt and Vermeer. The Anne Frank Museum is a profound and poignant stop in the city. The Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik is instantly recognizable for its signature glass façade — whether you are taking in the Opera or taking a guided tour of the building, you will be hard pressed to find a more unusual venue.
Wonders of Nature
The landscape of Iceland can call the moon to mind—the black beaches of the south, the glaciers and ice caves, the volcanic rock covered in verdant lichen. An ATV tour puts you on gravel paths to explore the spectacular scenery in Isafjordur. Outside of Reykjavik, geysers shoot into the sky and waterfalls crash into rocks, all easily accessible by car. The small Northern village of Grundarfjörður is the starting point for a drive to Snæfellsjökull National Park, where you can hike on pebbled beaches, take in the dramatic lava fields and volcanic craters, and bird watch for the native orange-beaked puffins that reside along the coast.
Culinary Adventures
While there is plenty to do in Aberdeen, Scotch whiskey fans won’t want to miss the opportunity to visit the famous Glenfiddich Distillery in the beautiful nearby countryside. The Shetland Islands typically catch more fish than practically the rest of Great Britain. Try the local fresh cod, haddock or mackerel, or go for the roasted lamb if you are not a pescatarian. The charmingly beautiful city of Bergen offers hands-on food adventures. After driving by the wondrous fjords and stunning waterfalls, enjoy a farm tour and farm-to-table lunch on Hardangerfjord, including Hardanger ciders. Learn how the local crab fishermen collect their crustaceans with a boat ride to the best brown crab spots, where you will pull up crab pots and learn how to prepare your catch at a traditional boathouse in Naust.
Architecture & Design
In Riga, take a tour of the city’s famed Art Nouveau buildings before discovering the positively picturesque structures of Old Riga. Play princess for the day in Copenhagen with tours of three royal residences. The crown jewels are as stunning as the gardens (maybe a little sparklier!) at the Rosenborg Palace, while the throne room is the jewel in the crown at Christiansborg Palace. Amalienborg Palace Square is home to four royal palaces, rounding out the tour. In Edinburgh, the city’s castle looms large, but it is the medieval Royal Mile that takes the crown of most visited site.
Ancient History
Shipwrecks don’t only exist under the water in Scandinavia. In Stockholm, one of the most visited attractions is the Vasa Museum, which houses the only intact 17th century boat that has ever been salvaged from the sea. Get a sense of the grand scale, the hearty timber and imagine what it must have been like to set sail in 1628. From Copenhagen, you can journey to Roskilde where you can explore the Viking Ship Museum, where the remains of 1000-year-old boats are displayed.