? Swim suit needed on RS Best of Scandanavisn tour in Sept

I don't see anything on the itinerary that requires one, but if you think you will use a sauna in either Norway or Denmark, you would need one. Sweden, maybe not.

Along those lines, are you saying Swedes generally go naked in saunas even mixed gender ones?

I was reading about a place in or near Malmo where there are saunas and outdoor swimming pools that people use even in the winter and it said that everyone goes nude. Is this for mixed genders as well? I can't imagine myself running from the sauna into the plunge pool naked. I think this would be a dealbreaker for me. I'm not a prude but I don't want to get naked or see other naked people.

Are you saying that Denmark and Norway don't have nudity in saunas or swimming pools? What about Finland?

I don't know about Sweden, but I do know that Finland's custom is to go into a sauna nude. However, you DO have to wear a swimsuit in swimming pools and spas.

I can tell you that every swimming pool, lagoon and/or sauna I've been to in Norway, and Iceland, you do not go nude into the water. That said, you do have to shower in the nude beforehand with soap. They do not use chemicals in the water, and because of that, they want everyone as clean as possible before entering. There are some lagoons and places that offer private showers, but there are a lot that do not. Unless you are overly modest, however, it should not be a problem. I am not modest, but believe me, no one is looking at anyone else. No one cares.

We went swimming at an outdoor pool in Bergen, Norway called Nordnes Sjøbad. It was a heated thermal pool right next to the ocean, with the option to jump into the cold sea for a plunge afterward. There were also two saunas on site. But there was no privacy when you're changing. You get undressed, put your things in a locker, go in and shower with soap and water, then come out, put your bathing suit on, and go on into the pool. Then reverse when you come out.

I never minded the lack of privacy, and I enjoy these so much. They're so great to do. So YES! Bring your bathing suit if you have any intention of going into the water at all.

Showering or changing around others and then putting on a swimsuit is fine. I'm just not a fan of sitting naked in a sauna or lolling naked in a spa.

The other thing that bothers me is putting valuables in a locker. I've been in spas where the locker "lock" could be easily tampered with. I would expect to have SOME valuables with me, at least my credit card and phone. I don't trust anyone or any "locker". In Iceland at the Blue Lagoon, I carried valuables in a watertight plastic pouch around my neck but I would think that's not allowed in a sauna if they're so worried about hygiene that even a swimsuit isn't allowed.

Along those lines, are you saying Swedes generally go naked in saunas

Yes. People are naked, sitting on a towel. It is acceptable to wrap the towel around you if you are extremely modest (they will know you are a tourist) but you don’t wear a swimsuit. Swimsuit fabric is not breathable and would be very uncomfortable in the high heat of the sauna.

You don’t bring phones (creepy) or credit cards or anything into the sauna other than your towel. The lockers are safe and the Nordic countries are very safe. If you are uncomfortable, just skip the sauna.