Copenhagen to Copenhagen - Adventure in the Land of the Midnight Sun – Norway

Effortlessly cool and down to earth, Copenhagen is a contemporary, clean and classy highlight of Scandinavia. A city built to be liveable, Copenhagen has refused to compromise, resulting in a forward-thinking metropolis that’s green and clean. Swim in the waters of Havnebadet Islands during summer, or shelter from winter’s bite by snuggling in beside a roaring open fire during winter. You can even hop on a train to Sweden, traversing the famous span of a Nordic Noir star - the Öresund Bridge. It takes just a touch over half an hour to step off the train in Malmö. There’s only one way to truly explore Copenhagen and that’s on two wheels. Easy bike hire schemes will get you moving across this flat city, designed with bikes at the forefront of the mind. Choose a model with electronic assistance to take the strain out of any journey, giving you the freedom to whizz around and explore the modern angular architecture of the centre, and the pastoral colours of Nyhavn waterfront. Head out to the Little Mermaid statue, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale - the strikingly-restrained statue is the perfect landmark for Copenhagen; unshowy, self-assured and utterly irresistible. The Danish concept of hygge is very much alive here, and you’ll feel that warm cosy feeling as you visit cafes illuminated by the warm glow of hanging filament bulbs, and stuffed to the brim with thick, dusty books. Home to mega-brewer Carlsberg, Copenhagen is also a city for hop enthusiasts, and there is a thriving craft brewing scene to sample. Danish Smørrebrød sandwiches are a must try, or for something a little more substantial, settle in for a culinary voyage and try a taster menu – the city’s restaurants are littered with Michelin stars.

Always up for a chinwag, Gothenburg is as an eminently sociable city, where sunny days by the sea are relished, and gossip flows back and forth over coffees and cinnamon buns during fika rituals. Trams trundle along leafy boulevards and the city blossoms during the sunny summer months. In winter, the character changes as locals seek sanctuary in dimly-lit cafes and restaurants, which glow with flickering candles. Celebrated museums like the Gothenburg Museum of Art display world-class culture, while the Gothenburg Archipelago's islands offer everything from seal safaris to boat trips to secluded island beaches. Gothenburg grew on the back of its trading importance, and the port here is one of Scandinavia's biggest. Head for the cobbles of Haga, to walk the uneven streets of the city's oldest neighbourhood. The pedestrianised Haga Nygata is perfect for sitting and enjoying a little fika of your own. Once a merchant trading centre, Järntorget square is now stacked with antique shops, bakeries and coffee outlets. The landshövdingehus buildings are a notable feature of Gothenburg's streets, and they point to the city's rebellious streak. Wooden properties were historically limited to just two storeys to protect against fire, so the regulations were neatly side-stepped by developers adding a third brick-layer to the ground floor. With its aquatic location, on the banks of the Göta älv river, and the western Swedish coast, good seafood is something of a religion here. Visit the cathedral of seafood that is Feskekorka, which literally translates as Fish Church. Created by architect Victor von Gegerfelt, who found inspiration in Norwegian wooden churches. Locals buy their fresh fish and shellfish here, freshly caught that morning.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Quaint wooden farmhouses sit below jagged mountain peaks, in this land of superlative natural features. Witness nature at its most spectacular, as you visit tiny Olden - a village of just 500 people, which is swallowed whole by its colossal surroundings. The village nestles at the mouth of the Oldeelva River, on the southern banks of Norway’s sixth-longest fjord, Nordfjord. Embark on dreamy lake cruises, confront cascading glaciers, and ascend to staggering viewpoints to survey the majesty from above. Olden is surrounded by valleys, carved by the slow grind of mighty glaciers, peeling off from immense ice caps. See mainland Europe’s largest, Jostedalsbreen, with its 22 arms spilling down into branches, which rest between mountains. Head for the blue-white terminus of the Briksdal Glacier, to admire the icy expanse up close, and hike the deeply picturesque surroundings. From Olden, you can sail out on the smooth waters of the scenic Nordfjord, or calmly kayak across its glassy surface, observing sharp peaks and cascading waterfalls. Take a coffee break at Lovatnet Lake – be sure to give the local waffles and strawberry jam a try – before heading out onto the gorgeous blue-green water, which is coloured by minerals and clay particles, washed in by the glacial water. The valley’s bulging mountain walls tower above you, as you glide across the magical surface. Nearby you'll find the slightly larger village of Loen. Jump on the Skylift, and you can reach the bill-topping view from the 1,011-metre tall perch of Mount Hoven, where a spread of villages, fjords and mountains is set before you.

A collection of 222 snow-coated mountain peaks welcome you to Molde’s glorious coastal setting. The protective mountain range keeps the climate in check, sparing the city from the harsh brunt of the cold weather, and lending the place a more cosmopolitan feel than you might expect from this northerly latitude. The city has rebuilt and renewed, having bounced back from the brink of destruction - when it was the target of firebombs, during a brief tenure as Norway's defacto capital. Now, you can explore a pretty place of impressive history, which has been swinging to the pulse of one of Europe’s biggest jazz festivals for over half a century. The cathedral waits in the town centre, with a skeletal bell tower watching out over the surrounding waters. Molde is known as the Town of Roses, and the scent of colourful blooms carries on breezes down from the Town Hall’s roof-top gardens. See some traditional life in the open-air Romsdal Museum, which has gathered a collection of farm buildings and traditional timber houses to showcase the area's heritage. Learn of traditional bread baking, weaving and Norwegian Folk Dancing during your visit. Rise 400 metres to the Varden viewpoint, for a spectacular panorama of the Romsdal Alps reflecting in Romsdalsfjord's waters. Almost swallowed up by the immense scenery nearby - including the sheer vertical Troll Wall and crashing waterfalls - Molde’s setting posed some severe engineering quandaries. Plucky Norwegian engineers rose to the challenge, devising the incredible Atlantic Road. An undulating ride of soaring elevations and eight humped bridges, the road links islands and forms one of the world’s most spectacular drives. Hold on tight as you skirt crashing waves, and duck and dive through the hair-raising scenery.

A colourful, historic capital of Norway, Trondheim's history reaches back to 997 AD, when it was founded by Viking King Olav Tryggvason. It may be Norway's third-biggest city, but there's a welcoming and intimate feel here, with a photogenic waterfront, and glowing wooden warehouses adding old-time charm. The history runs deep, but nowadays Trondheim is also a leading technology centre, and home to 30,000 students, who inject youth and vitality into the city's streets. Museums dedicated to Norway's musical heritage will strike a sweet chord, while the endless wilds of central Norway and the Trondheim Fjord unveil themselves close by. A destructive fire laid to rest to old Trondheim's narrow wooden alleyways, but a flavour of the old city survives in the Bakklandet neighbourhood. Traditional timber houses and colourful wharves line up along the waterfront, painting a pretty picture with pistachio-green and turmeric-yellow licks of paint. Vibrating cyclists rattle along the cobbled old streets, while flowers spill down from window ledges in this quaint, but lively area of cafes, restaurants and curiosity shops. Head to the Old Town bridge - Gamle Bybro - to enjoy the colourful lines of houses on both sides of the river, on your way to the gothic Nidaros Cathedral, which towers above the city, with its pointed, emerald-green spire punctuating the sky. The most northerly Gothic cathedral in Europe, aim to visit during one of the organ performances that rattle the beautiful stain-glass windows. Built on the burial site of King Olaf, in 1070, you can test your knees by taking on the narrow ascent of the tower, where glorious views of Trondheim await. Take in the beauty of the city with a trundling tour aboard the most northerly tram in the world - Gråkallbanen.

Decorative turrets, pastel-coloured paint and elegant buildings reflect in the glass-smooth harbour waters of Ålesund, welcoming you to one of the world’s finest havens of Art Nouveau architecture. A perfect complement of natural and man-made beauty, the city’s distinctive jugendstil style is enhanced by a thrilling location amid colossal fjord scenery. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful towns in Norway, practically every building in Ålesund boasts fantastical flourishes and eccentric quirks. Rebuilt from the ashes of the devastating fire that swept through in 1904, the town is now a unique historic treasure trove. Wander fairy-tale cobbled streets, and admire endless dainty turrets and decorative swirls, before reaching the Aksla Viewpoint and letting the true majesty of the town’s dreamlike setting wash over you, while gazing over its archipelago. Enjoy a sugar-kick with a bite of folded svele – an indulgent, buttery Norwegian pancake - or settle in to a cosy restaurant for something a little more substantial. Ålesund is a town built on sea trade, and a regular haul of fjord cod is brought ashore before being distributed right across the world. Dried, salted cod – known as klipfish – is a particular speciality, with Ålesund producing an incredible two thirds of the world’s supply.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

The summer getaway of choice for Norwegians, Kristiansand basks in summer’s glow and lays down a charming welcome mat for visitors from Scandinavia and beyond. While it radiates a summery, old-time holiday charm Kristiansand is certainly no sleepy fishing village, and Norway’s fifth-largest city is a modern, green and culturally-rich city to explore. Posebyen Old Town is a delightful clutch of floral-shaded timber houses, glowing with splashes of pink blossom and carefully cultivated floral displays. Take a gentle stroll, smelling the hints of creamy white paints on the breeze, as fresh layers are ladled on by the locals, keeping the area spick and span. Kristiansand is a city fuelled by culture, and a packed schedule of open-air festivals means there’s always something to celebrate or a show to see. The spectacular waterfront Kilden Performing Arts Centre is the city’s new crown jewel – settle into your seat in this beautifully designed, golden wedge of a structure, and feel the swell of the resident orchestra reaching a stirring climax. With delicious seafood food, and plenty of shopping to boot, you’ll be in no hurry to leave - but Kristiansand is a fantastic jumping-off point for unravelling Southern Norway scenic coastline of quiet fishing villages and scattered skerries. Sparkling waters, forested hills and the freshest air awaits as you jump aboard local ferries meandering up and down the Norwegian Riviera, navigating out to city beaches, quiet islands and scenic fjords. Relax in a boat of your own, haul huge salmon from the depths of the waters, or settle back to soak up the Norwegian sun on the beach – there’s always something new and invigorating to enjoy in Norway’s favourite outdoor playground.

Norway's capital is a beautiful, stirring city - where old and new blends with thoughtful harmony. You'll find maritime history mixing with trendy art galleries and cafes, while modernist architecture meets traditional palaces and historic sites. Unafraid to reinvent and evolve, visit a former prison that's now a stylish gathering of galleries, or the grubby docklands that is now an urban-cool hangout spot. Ever-expanding, but with a green and progressive outlook, Oslo is urban planning done right. An outdoor city, where the sun shines until late in the summer, locals swarm to its green spaces - or the surrounding countryside to embark on natural adventures amid the sprawling mountains and lakes. Oslo City Hall pays tribute to the pioneers of peace and humanity, with the Nobel Peace Prize awarded here each year, and the winners honoured within. The beautiful Royal Palace caps the central Slottsplassen square and sparkles amid splashing fountains and peaceful gardens. The city's contemporary buildings also gleam in summer's sunshine, with the waterside Opera House boasting a particularly evocative, forward-thinking design. Its sleek white roof slopes gently upwards from ground level, inviting visitors to rise above and admire views of the island-sprinkled harbour. Oslofjord’s islands are stacked with more museums, celebrating everything from simple folk arts to adventurous seafaring traditions. See a mighty wooden Viking ship in full, with 800 years worth of history etched into its wooden boughs.

For many, Denmark’s charm might begin and end with Copenhagen. Certainly, the country’s capital is a smorgasbord of culture, canals, gastronomy and design, but one would be foolish to end your Danish discovery there. The country is widely reputed to be the happiest place on earth and Skagen (pronounced skane) is testament to that. Located on the very tip of the Jutland peninsula, where the North Sea meets the Baltic Sea, Skagen is a happy jumble of Scandinavian charm, fabulous arts scene and breathtaking nature, and has the Danish royal seal of approval to prove it! A long time favourite of fashionable Danish holidaymakers, Skagen boats one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe. White sand beaches espouse vast forests and the whole is something really rather lovely. The sunsets are so spectacular it is not uncommon for whole families to make the trip to the beach and actually applaud as the sun finally dips below the horizon. The town is also home to the Rabjerg Mile, the largest migrating dune in Denmark, which covers 2mk2 and stretches up to 35 metres in height. Unsurprisingly for a place that is on the meeting point of two seas, fishing plays an important part in local economy. Marinated herring is of course a speciality but the nutrient rich surroundings mean that fish of all kind is flavoursome and plentiful. This is usually washed down with a craft beer, so why not make like a local and head for the port, stake a claim at a table and enjoy the very best little Skagen has to offer.

Effortlessly cool and down to earth, Copenhagen is a contemporary, clean and classy highlight of Scandinavia. A city built to be liveable, Copenhagen has refused to compromise, resulting in a forward-thinking metropolis that’s green and clean. Swim in the waters of Havnebadet Islands during summer, or shelter from winter’s bite by snuggling in beside a roaring open fire during winter. You can even hop on a train to Sweden, traversing the famous span of a Nordic Noir star - the Öresund Bridge. It takes just a touch over half an hour to step off the train in Malmö. There’s only one way to truly explore Copenhagen and that’s on two wheels. Easy bike hire schemes will get you moving across this flat city, designed with bikes at the forefront of the mind. Choose a model with electronic assistance to take the strain out of any journey, giving you the freedom to whizz around and explore the modern angular architecture of the centre, and the pastoral colours of Nyhavn waterfront. Head out to the Little Mermaid statue, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale - the strikingly-restrained statue is the perfect landmark for Copenhagen; unshowy, self-assured and utterly irresistible. The Danish concept of hygge is very much alive here, and you’ll feel that warm cosy feeling as you visit cafes illuminated by the warm glow of hanging filament bulbs, and stuffed to the brim with thick, dusty books. Home to mega-brewer Carlsberg, Copenhagen is also a city for hop enthusiasts, and there is a thriving craft brewing scene to sample. Danish Smørrebrød sandwiches are a must try, or for something a little more substantial, settle in for a culinary voyage and try a taster menu – the city’s restaurants are littered with Michelin stars.

Itineraries are subject to change.