The Trip: an independent tour Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Norway

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This was published 7 years ago

The Trip: an independent tour Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Norway

By Judith McNaughtan
A view of the old town of Helsinki.

A view of the old town of Helsinki.Credit: iStock

NAME Judith McNaughtan, Mont Albert, Victoria,

THE TRIP 22 days touring Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Norway

THE ITINERARY

Judith McNaughtan:  Author of this reader-supplied holiday piece.

Judith McNaughtan: Author of this reader-supplied holiday piece.

his was an independent tour of Scandinavia organised by Bentours. We started at Copenhagen, enjoying the entertainment in Tivoli Gardens and the fascinating Christiania district, a controversial, self-run, alternative community. On to Stockholm by train via the famous Oresund Bridge to visit Skansen, an open air museum and zoo with much Nordic history and then the Museum of Modern Art. A scenic overnight journey by Viking Line ferry took us to Helsinki. We visited the Helsinki Fort at Suomenlinna which was built during the First World War to provide important naval fortifications. Another ferry trip to Tallin found us in an old 13th century walled town with cobblestone streets, laneways and many historic buildings and castles.

From Helsinki we flew to Rovaniemi where the Arktikum Museum is not to be missed. A bus took us to Inari in the centre of Samiland and to our comfortable Hotel Kultahovi nestled alongside the sparkling rapids of the Juuta river. It was very interesting to engage with the Sami people and to learn of their culture and also experience the Northern Lapland Nature Centre.

Bus again to Kirkenes to board Hurtigruten's ferry, Richard With, to sail down the west coast of Norway calling in at numerous picturesque fishing towns and through the magnificent Lofoten Islands to finally disembark at Bergen. Following a scenic trip to Voss, by bus and ferry, we travelled on the Flam railway back to Bergen and on to Oslo by train.

This was the best, most interesting holiday we have ever had, thanks to a flexible and expertly arranged itinerary by Bentours.

BEST BITS

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Visiting Samiland at the time of a Sami festival and sailing down the west coast of Norway.

WORST BITS

5 euro for a small bottle of mineral water on board the Hurtigruten ferry.

BEST TIPS

If you have time, visit the VASA Museum in Stockholm.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRIP

Send 350-word submissions for The Trip to travellerletters@fairfaxmedia.com.au with THE TRIP in the subject line. Use the same format as above and attach a high-resolution headshot. Published entries win a Lonely Planet guidebook.

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