We're talking our way through planning a family vacation for the first time with a diverse collection of us: my wife and I (70's) daughter #1 (60) and daughter #2, husband (early 50s) 16 year old twins (boy and girl) and 13 year old girl. Obviously, we have a pretty broad span of interests and activity levels. We do not feel necessarily joined at the hip for all activities. We were originally thinking Copenhagen-Stockholm-Oslo: fly into Copenhagen, train to Stockholm, train to Oslo, fly from Oslo back to Copenhagen for the return. It has been suggested that we might want to substitute Amsterdam for Copenhagen, or add it on before or after the rest of the itinerary. If we skip Copenhagen, we'd have to fly to Stockholm (train would burn up too much time). I was originally thinking three days each in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo. Does this sound right? Any suggestions or recommendations? All welcomed....
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
6970 posts
Three days each in the Scandinavian capitals is a very rushed trip and you really should try to add a few days to the trip. That would in my opinion be a better use of your time compared to adding Amsterdam in my opinion. And you should also keep Copenhagen in the plan I think, the three capitals makes sense to visit together due to a lot of shared history and culture.
Is it a trip this summer or later? Also, you should book an open jaw ticket and not return to Copenhagen in the end. (Unless your ticket home includes a change there.)
Posted by
Westford, MA
212 posts
The RS Festival of Travel event last night was on Scandinavia. I thought it was very well done. The video will be posted here, https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/festival-of-europe, likely by tomorrow.
I have not been to Scandinavia yet but I can't imagine going without enjoying some of the countryside and the fjords.
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1517 posts
I would skip Amsterdam this time unless you can get a better international flight there. Just concentrate and deep dive into the Scandinavian countries. If you are traveling in the Summertime, the daylight lasts a long time. There are train and postal boat trips and other fjord cruises that can give you a great variety of adventures. Copenhagen to Amsterdam involves 2-3 train transfers. Amsterdam has direct train trips to Brussels and Paris.
Posted by
8241 posts
We have been to Norway twice, Sweden once and Denmark three times.
All three countries are great, but coastal Norway with its fjords are amazing and not to be missed. Consider taking a cruise up the coast of Norway, We did one in 2019 visiting six ports all the way to the North Cape. Fantastic.
If you don't want to take a cruise, you can still visit Bergen, Geiranger, Flam and Alesund. Oslo is good, but you will be awed by the coastal ports and their fjords.
Stockholm is nice, if you go, don't miss the Vasa Museum.
Copenhagen, spend three nights there and take a tour that included the viking museum at Roskilde and some castles. Also, take a canal cruise and the Royal Palace.
Posted by
Freedonia
16270 posts
Stick with the three Scandinavian Capitals.
My suggestion is add a day trip to the fjords in Norway.
Instead of flying from Oslo to Copenhagen, consider the overnight ferry. The scenery, especially near Norway, is beautiful.