Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen by Rail

Our fantastic Nordic adventure begins as we meet our fellow travellers at London Heathrow ready for our flight to Oslo. On arrival in the Norwegian capital, we transfer by rail to our centrally located 4-Star hotel near Oslo Central station and the cathedral. After checking in, we walk to a nearby restaurant to enjoy a three-course dinner and get to know one another better.

Oslo itself is an innovative green city and is regularly praised for its stylish, modern architecture. With a centre that is becoming increasingly car-free with more large green spaces, it is pioneering a new future for our cities.

• Dinner

After breakfast this morning we embark on a three-hour guided coach tour of the Norwegian capital. The exploration begins at the modern Opera House. The angled surfaces of this auditorium's exterior are covered with marble and white granite and, as it was inspired by Norwegian landscapes, it appears as if it is rising from the water. People are encouraged to walk on the building's slopes when the weather is appropriate, and those who do are rewarded with some of the best views across Oslofjord.

We also view the grand buildings of Oslo's premier street, Karl Johans Gate, including the Parliament building and the National Theatre. The road then rises up a gentle slope to the Royal Palace. Set within 54 acres of parkland, this grand 19th-century neoclassical palace is the official residence of Norway's monarch. The tour also takes in the Akershus Fortress, an imposing medieval castle that protected the city for much of the last millennium. Overlooking the head of the fjord, this sprawling complex is topped by two piercing spires. Our final stop is the National Museum, where we enter and view the largest collection of art in the country, including Edvard Munch's famous expressionist painting, 'The Scream'.

The rest of the day is free to enjoy as you choose. You could take to the water for a gentle cruise around idyllic Oslofjord, perhaps stopping at the Fram Museum to view a 19th-century ship used for polar exploration, or the Norsk Folk Museum, which contains historic buildings from all across Norway.

Scandinavian cuisine has become popular across Europe so this evening you might like to sample some new Nordic cuisine, fresh seafood, or maybe you would enjoy a traditional Norwegian dinner at the oldest restaurant in Oslo, the elegant Engebret Café near Christiana Torv.

• Breakfast

This morning we make our way to Oslo Central station and embark on a captivating journey through inland Sweden to its capital, Stockholm. From the comfortable seats of the high-speed train - which includes free Wi-Fi and a bistro car - we enjoy an appealing wilderness of extensive pine forests, remote tranquil lakes and charming red wooden buildings as the beautiful Nordic scenery passes by our windows.

Arriving in the afternoon, we have free time to familiarise with our new location. Our 4-Star hotel in Stockholm is centrally located near to the station, close to leafy public squares and the main shopping area, including the pedestrianised Drottninggaten. We check in for three nights and head out for a three-course dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

 intriguing destination.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We get to know the historic Swedish capital this morning on a guided walking tour of Gamla Stan, Stockholm's Old Town - one of the best-preserved medieval centres in Europe. Stockholm flourished as a trading centre and spread to surrounding islands, later becoming called the 'city between the bridges'.

Wandering the picturesque, cobbled medieval streets lined by pastel-coloured buildings, our tour takes in the Old Town's most notable sights, including the Storkyrkan Lutheran cathedral and the Royal Palace, where you may choose to enter. Completed in 1760, this is the official residence of the Swedish monarch and replaced a 13th-century castle that stood on the same site. Occupying the northeastern tip of the island, this sprawling, magnificent Baroque palace contains more than 1,400 rooms. We also visit the red-brick City Hall, a dominating landmark by the water with a 347ft tower topped by three golden crowns. A symbol of Swedish national romanticism built in the early 20th century, this is where the Nobel Prizes are awarded.

Next, we find out exactly why Stockholm is known as the 'city between the bridges' on a serene cruise around the central waterways and islands. This is a wonderful way to see the city from a different perspective as we sail around many of the islands scattered across the waterways, including the parkland island of Djurgården.

After we stop for 'fika', a Swedish institution where friends gather for a relaxing coffee and cake, we have a free afternoon and evening to explore at our leisure. Stockholm has a burgeoning reputation for its stylish and inventive cuisine, often employing seasonal produce such as lingonberries. You have the chance to search out a restaurant of your choosing tonight.

• Breakfast

You have a full day at leisure today to explore the fascinating city of Stockholm, bursting with hidden gems, and a stroll through the heart of the city reveals numerous art galleries and cafés. At the latter, you could enjoy a tasty traditional cinnamon bun.

Stockholm is also renowned for its captivating and engaging museums, many of them on the verdant island of Djurgården. For those interested in Sweden's long and varied seafaring history, you might like to visit the interactive and immersive Viking Museum about the notorious raiders who conquered many parts of the UK between the 9th and 11th centuries. Nearby is the Vasa Museum displaying a salvaged Swedish warship that set sail in 1628. Designed to be the most powerful vessel in the Baltic it became one of the biggest failures in Swedish maritime history when it sank less than a mile from the shipyard on its maiden voyage. Rescued from the deep in the early 1960s, this four-storey ship still had most of its original contents intact and has since been restored to its spectacular original condition.

The world's oldest open-air museum, Skansen, is a vast showcase of pre-industrial Swedish life, with idyllic wooden huts, churches, workshops and windmills dotting the parkland. One of Sweden's most successful exports is the Eurovision-winning pop group, ABBA. The joyous museum honouring Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid not only gives music-lovers the opportunity to view their costumes and memorabilia up close, but lets you sing with the Waterloo hit-makers and join them on stage - virtually!

For dinner tonight, you could look for the iconic meatballs, or kjøttboller, served with mashed potatoes, creamy gravy, lingonberry jam and pickled cucumber. Stockholm also offers up some fantastic seafood, or perhaps you might be interested in finding the traditional Sámi dish 'renskav', a creamy reindeer stew with the ubiquitous and delicious lingonberry jam.

• Breakfast

We leave Stockholm after breakfast this morning, travelling by rail to Denmark. As the train makes its way out of Stockholm, we can enjoy delightful views of the waterways and Gamla Stan before delving deep into the scenic Swedish countryside.

Picturesque red wooden houses, thick boreal forests and peaceful lakes dapple the landscape as we journey through Sweden's atmospheric inland. On the approach to Norrköping look out for the shimmering Bråviken, an attractive inlet that spills out into the chilly Baltic Sea. On leaving Malmö, we cross the iconic Øresund Bridge that links the Swedish city with the Danish capital of Copenhagen. Europe's longest combined road and rail bridge was notably featured in the TV series, The Bridge, which played a key role in introducing the world to the 'Nordic noir' crime fiction genre.

We arrive in Copenhagen in the late afternoon and check in to our 4-Star hotel overlooking the city hall near the famous Tivoli Gardens. The evening is free to explore independently and, with Copenhagen being lauded for its world-class gastronomy, there are many fantastic restaurants to choose from tonight.

• Breakfast

This morning we get to know our new surroundings better as we embark on a guided tour of Copenhagen, seeing the city's most famous sights.

We visit the dark-brick Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Parliament, before arriving at the stunning Amalienborg Palace. This large octagonal structure is surrounded by four identical classical palaces - one of which is home to Denmark's longest-reigning monarch, Queen Margrethe II. We then head to Langelinie, a narrow promenade between Kastellet - a well-preserved 17th-century fortress - and the Øresund inlet that bisects Copenhagen. Here we find a world-famous statue reclining on a rock by the waterside. Hans Christian Anderson's much-loved fairytale The Little Mermaid tells the story of a young mermaid who is willing to give up her marine life in exchange for a human soul. The diminutive bronze sculpture depicting the mermaid as she becomes human has captivated visitors since it was installed in the early 1900s.

Afterwards, we set sail on a cruise along the Nyhavn Canal, the 17th-century waterfront bedecked by colourful buildings, charming bridges and historic boats that was once the home of Hans Christian Anderson. Today it buzzes with visitors and people relaxing at the many restaurants and café bars.

The afternoon gives us free time to continue exploring this pleasing capital. You could find the time to enjoy the Tivoli Gardens near our hotel. Opened in 1843, this magical theme park has enchanted countless visitors of all ages ever since, including Walt Disney who visited in 1951 and was inspired to open his own theme park. While many seek out the vintage and modern rides, its exotic architecture and verdant gardens appeal to many - and there are even guinea fowl and peacocks wandering freely.

This evening we gather to enjoy dinner together at a restaurant near the hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We say goodbye to sensational Scandinavia today as we transfer to Copenhagen airport for our flights to London Heathrow, or your local airport, bidding farewell to our fellow travellers with whom we have shared these incredible memories.

On our journeys home, we can look back on some of the unforgettable experiences we have enjoyed in these three magnificent Nordic capitals. From innovative and cultured Oslo to medieval Stockholm and its engaging museums, and on to picturesque Copenhagen, we have seen the best of these beautiful cities - and all by rail through evocative Scandinavian landscapes.

• Breakfast