Stockholm & Copenhagen

Stockholm is a fascinating city tumbling across an idyllic archipelago on the shores of the Baltic Sea. This morning we have a city tour when history comes to life and you can really appreciate not only its cultural and architectural highlights but the sheer atmosphere, harmony and evident love of life emanating from virtually everywhere. ‘Gamla Stan’ - the medieval Old Town set around some small islands is the city’s heart. Many of the city’s oldest buildings dating from the 13th century are here: Storkyrkan and Riddarholmskyrkan churches; coronation and the burial places of Swedish monarchs with their tall spires dominate the city.

We visit the Royal Palace, the king’s official residence and the unmistakable jewel in Stockholm’s crown. This combination of current royal residence, workplace, museums and historic monument is open to the public, making it unique amongst European regal palaces. You will also see the Royal Apartments, great corridors, historic rooms and three separate museums including the treasury’s crown jewels.

After our visit to the palace, there’s time for lunch before we visit the Vasa Museum on the island of Djurgården. The most visited museum in Scandinavia, it is dedicated to the remarkable Vasa, the world’s only preserved 17th-century ship and an art treasure that’s one of a kind. Take a close look at the hundreds of sculptures carved into the vessel – most of the vessel is original!

The day is at leisure for you to explore this wonderful city. Your Stockholm Travelcard gives you unlimited travel on the city’s public transport for a designated period. You could discover Stadshuset (City Hall) where Nobel Prize winners enjoy their banquet. Perhaps return to Djurgården island, a calm oasis with fine park areas for a relaxing stroll. The island is also home to an amusement park and 22 world-class museums including the Nordic Museum, Sweden’s largest museum of cultural history, and even one dedicated to ABBA! Why not enjoy a boat trip through the canal and waterside views of Stockholm’s most well-known sights?

Today we take the high-speed train (approximately 5 hours) to Copenhagen. You are whisked in comfort though almost deserted rolling landscapes which characterise rural Sweden. After the sea bridge and tunnel, we arrive in Copenhagen.

After breakfast we have a guided tour of Copenhagen, a real revelation, perhaps best known for the Little Mermaid, the statue inspired by the famous Dane - Hans Christian Andersen. You’ll see the Royal Danish Theatre which played a key role in his life. Other sights include the Houses of Parliament, the Christiansborg, the magnificent Amalienborg Palace, winter residence of the Monarchy and the world-famous Tivoli pleasure gardens famous for its street entertainers and music concerts.

The afternoon and evening are free so that you can explore the many wonders of this scrupulously clean, smart yet relaxed city as you wish. The remarkable Royal Library, is worth a visit as are the National Museum and the Ny Carlsberg art collection – another cultural highlight founded by the famous brewer! On a glorious summer evening there is nowhere more pleasant than one of Copenhagen’s harbour side restaurants to enjoy a leisurely dinner.

Today we explore a little more of Denmark commencing with historic Roskilde, the country’s medieval capital. Firstly we visit the outstanding Cathedral, one of the world’s few brick built gothic structures. Next we visit the extraordinary Viking museum, on the remains of an ancient harbour. It features five 11th-century Viking ships in staggering condition after being preserved in mud for centuries. There’s also a vibrant community of craftsmen here perpetuating boatbuilding skills by constructing replica boats including a 30-metre long Sea Stallion of Glendalough which in 2007 repeated its original voyage to Dublin.

Next we head north to Frederiksborg Slot a majestic Renaissance palace, a real Nordic Versailles. Surrounded by a stately lake and set in glorious manicured baroque and romantic English styled gardens. Fredericksborg is now a national museum and is a fitting end to the day as we return to Copenhagen late afternoon.