I am trying to follow the same 14 day Scandinavia trip that Rick offers as a tour. But Aero seems not a good idea during October. We fly into Stockholm and out of Bergen. Is Helsinki a better sidetrip than Aero in October? Or should I spend those 2 extra days somewhere else?
Also is there anything else on that 2 week trip that I should skip in October and instead go somewhere else? Thank you!
I'm confused because the 14-day itinerary Rick suggests (at https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/scandinavia-itinerary) includes Helsinki already. And Helsinki is not a sidetrip in any case.
I also think Rick's itineraries are kind of rushed. I think Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, NiN, and Bergen is plenty for 14 days. In fact, it's still kind of rushed.
I'd suggest 4 nights in Stockholm, 3 nights in Copenhagen, overnight ferry to Oslo, 2 nights in Oslo, NiN with a 2-night stay somewhere along the way, and 2 nights in Bergen. (That assumes you have 14 nights. If you only have 13, cut back to a 1-night stay during NiN.
Some of the places Rick suggests adding in the 14-day itinerary (e.g. Roskilde) are easily accessible as day trips from Copenhagen.
You could fly into Helsinki, spend two nights there, then take the overnight ferry to Stockholm. Last year I took the RS Best of Scandinavia tour but arrived a week early to visit Helsinki and Tallinn on my own. It worked out really nicely.
I have also used the RS tour itineraries as a guide to plan my own trips. It works out if you have a lot of energy but if you are able to, you might want to add in a little extra time.
Thank you for your input!
I think I will fly to Helsinki and from Helsinki to Copenhagen. I am not sure the ferry is a good idea in October. If I had an extra week, I would spend more time in each city.
Unfortunately i don't.
The ferry is fine in October (I've taken it in winter). it is just you don't see much as it will be dark for the duration of your travel.