Four Nordic Capitals

Once again, an excellent vibrant tour learning from our leaders, instructors & fellow travlers. Maintained Road Scholars' high standard for international travel & understanding. We are looking forward to our next Road Scholar tour.

This is a challenging program with a good bit of travel getting from capital to capital. I learned an enormous amount about each country, similarities and differences, found the program will-organized, the tour guides well-informed and approachable, the educational content excellent, and appreciated the access we had to local transportation options during free time and as part of the program. The ferry rides were interesting and challenging; I loved being able to travel through the archipelagos, the nocturnal noise level of partying young people not so much. But, I would repeat the trip again in a heartbeat.

4 Nordic Capitals...a must take for those who have not been to that part of the world.

I highly recommend the RS tour "Four Nordic Capitals". went this June/July and had a wonderful time learning about each country. Our tour leader, Leonardo, was so helpful and pleasant. Each country guide was great -- so knowledgeable & nice, too. The hotels, food & experiences were exceptional.

Wow! With the Nordic temperament as a background, an excellent tour leader and local guides taking us along the way, lecturers bringing details of each country alive (history, governance, economics, music, literature, and the arts), and wide-ranging activities getting us in touch with both the past and the present of these countries, we were given so much to experience, incorporate, and consider. Not a day goes by since our return that something we learned or experienced has not come to mind or enliven our conversations. It was a pleasure to have so much of the planning, from comfortable (and quiet!) hotel to enjoyable Ferry overnights to local transportation) taken care of so we could focus on what we were learning and experiencing. As advertised, this was an active trip, and including tour walking and our own leisure walking, some days ended up at about 4 miles total. However, the pace was never so brisk as to be abusive. All along the way appropriate stops for rest-breaks, photo ops, longer views of panoramas, etc., were included. Highpoints? Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen; all of Oslo, and especially the Vigeland Sculpture Garden; Froling's home in western Sweden; the allotments (small garden areas) in Stockholm; Sibelius' home in Tuusula. But this is only a tip of the many highlights. If you have not been to Scandinavia or Finland, we suggest you get moving and go on this tour. You will hold it as a special memory for your life.

Overall, I found this trip enjoyable and educational. I enjoyed each of the four Nordic capitals, unique in their own ways.Our trip leader, Patrick Clocough was excellent. He kept up with all the things we needed to know and do regarding the overall trip, while traveling with us to all four sites. Our individual guides were all quite informative regarding each city. Lotte (Copenhagen), Kjersti (Oslo), Cecilia (Stockholm) and Mia (Finland). I also enjoyed the guest lecturers who spoke on various topics, led walks, etc. I have only one criticism to share. In Copenhagen we had a talk by Elin Line regarding Danish literature. While the talk was very informative, her speech pattern made listening very hard. On practically every word she said "and-uh" and this pattern continued throughout the entire presentation. I would recommend that someone work with her regarding this problem. Otherwise, I was able to enjoy and learn from all the other presenters. Again, thanks to all of the group leaders in each city, who along with Patrick made this a fun, learning adventure.

A wonderful trip! Truly a learning experience. I heard history, current lifestyles, as well as experienced the art, food and treasures of each country.

You want to see all four countries in one trip, you learn about the simularities and the differences that make each country so interesting. Well worth exploring this part of the world!

The trip to Four Nordic Capitals was absolutely fantastic!! I learned a lot about Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland and had a wonderful time exploring each capital city as a group and by myself. We leaned about the culture, history, language, literature, music, art and food and more of each country and could ask endless questions to our warm and knowledgeable group leaders. I can very highly recommend this trip to others. Our group was made up of friendly and curious fellow travelers, and we all very much enjoyed each others' company.

The Four Nordic Capitals was a great trip. I highly recommend it. I really enjoyed learning about the history they share but also the differences between countries. The guides were fantastic, and the activities were very varied and the lectures were informative. . The Gustav Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo was a favorite.

This was a wonderful trip to the four Nordic countries, with a great mix of sights, emphasizing the differences and similarities between the countries. I particularly enjoyed the time in Stockholm and Copenhagen, loved the Rosenborg Castle, the various art museums, the striking architecture, etc. Elisabetta was the leader throughout the program. She was outstanding, always looking out for us and so helpful. The individual country leaders were generally very good; however, the Oslo program needs some improvements in my view. The Vasa Ship Museum in Oslo was excellent, but some of the other choices could be improved. I was on the "On Your Feet" (the less active) program. Based on the other programs I've done with RS (over 50), I believe the description was fairly accurate for Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki. However, the Oslo portion was much more active than many of the "Active" programs, with too much walking to restaurants, etc. RS needs to increase the use of coaches. Having said that, I would definitely recommend this program. It was a wonderful experience. Loved the two overnight ferry rides and the other boat rides. Hotel was nice and conveniently located. Food was very good, but it definitely helps if you enjoy seafood.

This program is way more physically strenuous than its activity level indicated. Activity was listed as walking 2 to 3 miles per day but acutely all most every day was way more strenuous than that. Walking was more like 5 and 6 miles per day. Activity level on this program should be reevaluated.

We enjoyed the trip very much although it was a bit taxing for us. We visited great places and the trip was very well planned. Leonardo was our guide and he was EXCELENT.

This was one of my favorite trips. I was in the “On Your Feet” level group. That didn’t mean that it was easy. I think we walked several miles each day. One complaint I had was that no information was given ahead of time as to just what ‘On Your Feet” meant for this trip. The group was very congenial as are most Road Scholar groups. Leonardo, the leader throughout the entire trip, did a terrific job making sure that we were all doing okay and helping us when needed. I gave him top marks. The local guides were all good too. There were interesting activities in each country and I liked the lectures giving us more information each time. A problem for me was the unexpected heat everywhere except for Helsinki. I think we were all unprepared for that. The hotels were good, the food was good. The first overnight ferry from Copenhagen to Oslo was better than the one going from Stockholm to Helsinki. The one from Stockholm was so crowded and the food was not as good. The scenery on both was beautiful. I also enjoyed the bus ride through Sweden and the interesting stops that we made.

Overall this was a great trip, and the group was unusually congenial. I would like to single out Jenna Woodbury for being a fantastic assistant leader - she was always available, always helpful, and of great good humor. Rating the local guides; Annette - A+; Therese B-; Caroline A; Sonja A. The hotels were very good. No complaints. The detailed daily schedules were excellent, as were the introductory lectures.. The first ferry ride to Oslo was very pleasant; the second was unpleasant, mainly because it is high vacation season, the boat was crowded, the buffet was a nightmare, and getting off both times seems to be poorly organized. - but far better than deplaning & reentry in Boston!!! In Oslo we had a much-too-long day - 5 miles - & hot. That was on Sunday July 9th. Even those with no problems walking complained. Free time choices good. Site visits in Stockholm were interesting but maybe too prolonged at the City Hall. Personally I am not fond of tours of castles etc. with a local guide. They are usually crowded & not that interesting - just a personal opinion. My serious complaint is that Road Scholar seems to have trouble putting enough people on phones & computer for email. I wanted to arrange assistance getting to a connecting flight in Amsterdam on the way home after experiencing difficulties on the way to Copenhagen. I received one email but nothing else. I called KLM and received erroneous information. Finally Sonja (can't find her info anywhere) told me the night before that she had hopes arrangements for assistance had been made - so kudos for her if she was the one who succeeded! I want her to know that. This was a reach for me physically due to foot surgery 2 months before, but I am v very glad I stuck it out.

We like Road Scholar because of the learning opportunity. Contracting Covid was unfortunate. Thanks to Hanna Thompsen for her care and concern during our isolation. In general our instructors were excellent. Notable was Hallstein in Oslo. He seemed to care that we had the best experience possible. He led extra walks for those interested. On my first day of Covid, when I was feeling quite I’ll, I had to take a private taxi to the bus station and a public bus to Stockholm. At the bus station, at a moment when the bus driver was challenging my ticket and I couldn’t understand what he wanted, Hallstein showed up! He straightened it out. My husband and I were isolated in our room in Stockholm. We missed all lectures, meals with the group, and tours. I asked if it might be possible for some of us to sit apart from the group, perhaps outside of the meeting room, and listen to the lectures using the “Whispers”. No, not possible. I asked for handouts for the lectures. Not forthcoming. There were adequate handouts for the other lectures that we did attend. Covid is not new! I believe that, by now, Road Scholar should, be able to provide a minimum level of learning opportunity for those unable to join the group. There were 7 of us! In addition to handouts, a separate, short van tour of the (in this case) city would have been so helpful - to have some idea of the “lay of the land”. Mia in Helsinki was very good.

Great guides in each country and learned so much about the history, demographics, and culture of the four countries. Highly recommend this program.

A wonderful and insightful experience. I really had fun.

Lots to learn and knowledgeable guides. Really loved lectures on Finnish history and music. Almost half of the participants tested positive for COVID, and were excluded from some portions of the trip. I think that anyone who decided to take this trip and knew that they would be dining without masks indoors with many others, were taking a calculated risk. I do not agree with the Road Scholar policy that the folks who tested positive must be excluded from the group activities, and must find their own way from one city to another. There were too many other portions of the trip that were as risky or more so, so the exclusion just seemed mean-spirited. And that is not something I like to experience on a Road Scholar trip.

This trip is a great way to get a taste of the Nordic countries and what makes them all so special. You’ll learn a lot & eat some great food! Our group leader Heidi was great! If you like to use a wash cloth, pack your own. Three of the four hotels do not supply them.

If you are looking for an education experience and the joy of touring Road Scholar gives you both. I was impressed with our guide and presenters, and the unique access we had to places that the normal public tours would not provide. It was a great experience.

GREAT itinerary!!

Loved this trip. Extremely interesting and informative.

Five stars!! This is actually four separate programs back-to-back. If you think the price is little steep, consider what you get for the money: excellent group leaders and guides at each location, quality lecturers who provide an indepth study of the history, politics, and social services in each city, entrance fees to all the important museums, etc., consistently wonderful food, two awesome overnight ferry trips with nice rooms and extravagant buffets, and upscale hotels in convenient locations for walking to interesting sites. Heidi, in Copenhagen, managed to meld the group into a family before we left for Oslo, so this trip was the most personable one I've ever been on. There is a lot of walking, but the pace is such that no participant lagged behind. Many of the sidewalks in each city are cobblestones, so wear appropriate shoes. A rain jacket and umbrella are recommended because of sudden, short showers that soon turn back into sunshine. In July the days are very long and bright: don't forget your sunscreen!

This trip is a great way to see a part of the world that has a different feel from the rest of Europe. I especially liked Copenhagen and Stockholm, but all of the cities were very nice and clean and interesting. It is a very active trip and you visit many different and varied places, so many that it's hard to pick my favorite. Getting to see the countryside in Finland when we went out to the Lotta Museum in Tuusula and saw Ainola and Hvitträsk was great. Tivoli Gardens was neat to visit and seeing Kronborg Castle up close and then from the sea as we passed it on the cruise ship was awesome! Our group leader, Lotte, and all four of our local city leaders were terrific. Lots to see and do on this trip.

We completely enjoyed our Four Nordic Capitals trip, and recommend it to others.

I fulfilled a lifetime dream of visiting Scandinavia. Although each aspect of the trip was perfect (not even rain interfered with the trip's quality), sharing a lifetime experience with 23 fellow-travelers, our excellent group leader Carole, and our local guides was the absolute highlight. I will travel with no other group. Road Scholar is the best!