Scandinavian trip this summer

Any chance that Iceland is/might be part of your plans?

Thank you Cyn.
We might consider it, absolutely! I would try to add an extra day or two to make it happen.

I recommend buying the new, 2015 edition of Rick Steves' Scandinavia guidebook when it arrives in stock later this month. Meanwhile, you can get some ideas of his favorite sites, arranged by country and city at http://www.ricksteves.com/europe.

lucyfed-The reason I asked is because we're heading to Iceland in 3 weeks - got a really good deal on an Icelandair flight/hotel/hot springs/northern lights package. We're also booking a 2-day glacier tour with an outfitter guide company, and looking at renting a car for a couple of days to see more of the country. The great deal was partly because early April is at the edge of the off-season, and many roads are impassable, many museums and other attractions are still closed for the season, and lodging outside of major cities is harder to come by. We'll still find plenty to keep up busy for a week, even if we don't eat some of their more unusual local foods. Although Rick Steves made a visit a couple of years ago, and mentions it on his Website, he doesn't include Iceland in a guidebook, so we've been using Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, Frommer's, Insight, and others to help with our trip planning. We won't be doing this on our trip, and it's expensive, but you can even fly from Iceland to Greenland for a day or several. Flights and ferries connect Iceland with the rest of Scandinavia and the world.

Anyway, for Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, we're hoping for a visit some time - and Rick's guidebooks (for the countries he covers) are the best!

Hello Lucy. If you will be at Europe a total of 10 days, I think you will not have time for visiting Iceland. I recommend a total of 14 days for travelling in Norway and Sweden and Denmark. The time in Denmark would be at Copenhagen, only. If travelers will be at Scandinavia a total of 10 days, I think a good itinerary would be :
* Fly to Copenhagen.
* Fly from Copenhagen to Bergen in Norway.
* Norway in a Nutshell fjord trip.
* one night at Aurland at the Aurland fjord.
* Train to Oslo.
* Train from Oslo to Goteborg in Sweden. (a good place for meeting Swedish people).
* Train from Goteborg to Copenhagen.
* Fly from Copenhagen toward your home.
If you will be away from your home a total of 10 days, I recommend : go to Norway, only.

If I had ten days for Scandinavia, I'd probably start in Copenhagen for four nights then ferry to Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn and back to Stockholm for the remainder of my time, flying home from there. There are some day trip options options from both Copenhagen and Stockholm, but also things to see and do in the city.

The Baltic capitals were built to face the sea. Traveling by ferry is the best way to see this area IMO. Although Helsinki and Tallinn aren't really Scandinavia, the triangle makes a convenient ferry itinerary and allows you to see more - spend a day looking around each and ferry at night.

Ten nights isn't a lot. If you decide to include Norway, do it with a flight because it's a long ferry ride. I also think stopping in Iceland only works if you have more time available.

Hi Lucy,

Great choice, the past two years I've traveled to Copenhagen and Stockholm. A 10 day trip is more than enough for these two cities on their own. Copenhagen city is worth at least 2 full days with 2 day trips to castles outside of town and Louisiana Art museum. (See Rick Steve a Guide book, great day trips and quick short rides.). Another great side trip from Copenhagen is Malmo, Sweden, actually worth an overnight. Stockholm is worth at least 3 days including day trips, Vasa museum and a Folk museum alone is one full day! Add Uppsala day trip, you now are now at about 7 days. I would think you would add Gotenberg from Stockholm and then ferry to Oslo? I haven't been to the last two, but that seems most logical. I hope this helps, enjoy.

I have visited all of the countries that others have mentioned and if you really have 10 days to visit, and not subtracting 2 days for going and coming from the US, I would spend them in Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Bergen. Helsinki and Tallinn are fine but do not compare to the earlier listed three. I have spent about a month in Europe for 12 of the last 13 years, live in Hawaii most of the year, and yet found the prices in the Scandinavian countries to be VERY expensive. Be sure to get RS Scandinavian guide book as soon as possible as it was a real asset for our planning for this region. Happy travels.

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions.
Syn, please share your experiences when you are back from your trip.
Bill, Lora, Ron, Brad, Charlie - we will combine your suggestions with Rick Steve's Scandinavia book when it comes out and make our final itinerary.
Thanks again,
Lucy