Denmark/Sweden
The Beat of the Nordic Heart: Vibrant Copenhagen and Stockholm
Program No. 21898RJ
Lose yourself in the artistry, architecture, medieval charm and gourmet cuisine of these two magical Scandinavian cities as you explore with the experts and during plenty of free time.
Participant Reviews
Based on 32 Reviews
SHOWING
This was the first RS trip my wife and I have ever taken. For 30 years, I planned and went on our own trips, some times with friends, but this trip gave me the sense of how much I was missing, and it broke the ice for going on another RS trip. One in our group had been on 11 RS trips (yikes!). My impression is that at a certain point RS is like a financial manager, who has all the expertise in a specialty you can never get. And it is better to save up for one of these trips, which I figure costed us around $6K pp. Amazing value for the time. Also I believe that I would have needed more time in each city but was very surprised that the 4 days in each city was very well laid out. I'll certainly be looking for other trips with RS, and it turns out that my wife really really loved it, much more than I expected. and she kept the pace and had a great amount of energy to do the entire trip.
— Review left October 15, 2025
The education sessions of our tour to Copenhagen and Stockholm complemented the days's excursions beautifully. In my experience, these types of lectures truly differentiate Road Scolar from other tour organizations. And the variety of excursions and experiences in each city was excellent. Highly recommended!
— Review left October 10, 2025
This program provides a good introduction to Copenhagen and Stockholm. There is a good mix of lectures, tours, and a hands-on experience, with plenty of free time. The hotels are well located and you have access to public transportation.
— Review left September 23, 2025
As we look back on these days, the contrasts and connections between Copenhagen and Stockholm stand out. Copenhagen felt intimate, cozy, and defined by hygge, with its blend of royal grandeur, baroque churches, and modern design. Stockholm, built on its archipelago of islands, combined medieval charm with striking modernity and a deep sense of history.
What made the trip special was not just the sights, but the people—the lecturers who brought history to life, our guides who wove stories into streets and buildings, our gracious hosts who opened their homes, and our fellow travelers who became friends.
If you'd like to see what we did on this trip, visit my blog at https://marcnobletrips.blog/europe-timeless-europe-from-ancient-stones-to-modern-streets/the-beat-of-the-nordic-heart-copenhagen-and-stockholm/
— Review left September 9, 2025
A great way to immerse yourself and n two wonderful Scandinavian cities!
— Review left August 17, 2025
Great trip. Especially enjoyed Copenhagen.
One day in Copenhagen had too much walking -- 10 miles(?) on architecture tour with limited water available.
However, the local guide was excellent.
Really enjoyed going to the community center/coffee shop on that tour
The group dinner in Copenhagen was in a restaurant with limited menu and not very good entrees.
Overall, very happy with Patrick as the guide.
Hotels were both great, the one in Copenhagen was especially charming with excellent location and breakfast, and very helpful staff.
Overall, an excellent trip that I would recommend highly!
— Review left August 15, 2025
We had a wonderful time on this excursion, The Beat of the Nordic Heart: Vibrant Copenhagen and Stockholm. It provided a good basis for the life and culture of both Denmark and Sweden and introduced us to both of the cities of Copenhagen and Stockholm.
— Review left August 13, 2025
This was my 5th Road Scholar trip and lived up to the excellent standards set by the prior trips. Our guide Laura Golbuff was informative, organized and went out of her way to ensure everyone had a memorable experience. Copenhagen and Stockholm were two cities not to be missed and easy to get around. Copenhagen lived up to it's reputation of being very friendly and social. There is much to see and do and Road Scholar includes some sites that provide you with a sense of the unique culture of each location.
— Review left August 12, 2025
Linda and I recently returned from our first Road Scholar trip,"Beat of the Nordic Heart" a nine day visit to the fabulous cities of Copenhagen and Stockholm. If you haven't experienced the warm and vibrant lifestyle of these Scandinavian capitols, this is an excellent way to to get acquainted!
— Review left October 26, 2024
This is a great introduction to two beautiful cities. It was a great midsummer trip.
— Review left August 14, 2024
An excellent experience. A great way to more intimately travel in this great world of ours. Especially loved the educational component.
— Review left July 30, 2024
Great experience. Two wonderful harbor-side cities.
Lots of good tours and independent time.
Very good food in historic settings.
One thing I learned: say yes to the Boar Schnitzel.
— Review left June 14, 2024
Visiting Copenhagen and Stockholm was more enjoyable than I expected due to the outstanding group leaders.
— Review left October 20, 2023
This was a wonder trip. My first time to both Copenhagen and Stockholm. First Road Scholar trip as well. Both group leaders were amazing, informative and enthusiastic. Looking forward to going on another adventure very soon.
— Review left October 16, 2023
I truly enjoyed this trip and the focus on learning about how the Danes and Swedish people live. There was quite a lot of free time on the trip, which I liked. Our tour guides were very knowledgeable and helpful. Lizabet was extremely kind and patient with everyone as was Caroline.
Since I usually travel by myself, I was concerned about being with a group of people. However, it was an enjoyable group and having the free time helped me to adjust to the group tour. Many thanks to all.
— Review left August 19, 2023
This was our 4th RS and 7th land tour. We would have been better off doing this trip on our own. The two things we considered value added were the evening spent with a local Dane and the morning spend with a young American mother who had married a Dane. Rooms at the Phoenician were very small and the singles were even smaller. Upgraded at the Hilton so rooms were nice. Group leaders were very good. Two out of the 3 local lecturers/guides in Copenhagen were not up to RS standards. One lunch and farewell dinner in Stockholm were tasty, remainder of the few included meals were adequate. Wine and beer were only included at last meal. Most days started at 8 or 8:30 but early hour usually not necessary to avoid crowds. All sightseeing within city limits. No bus excursions to some of the interesting surrounding places. Lots of free time. We spent quite a bit of money on admissions and meals. Elevators available at railway stations. Had to change trains in Malmo.
— Review left July 14, 2023
Road Scholar introduced me to Copenhagen and Stockholm and I fell in love with both cities--can't wait to return. This was a dream program and trip. Thanks a mil!
— Review left July 10, 2023
This program is an excellent way to be introduced to Copenhagen and Stockholm, two fascinating cities.
— Review left July 5, 2023
I would encourage everyone to consider this program. Our group was the perfect size (15), a mix of couples and singles from many locations in US. Program content let us see the highlights of Stockholm and Copenhagen. Design of program allowed for ample free time to see sites/museums of interest. We arrived 1.5 days before start of program in Copenhagen and stayed 2 extra days after program ended in Stockholm; this extra time helped squeeze in a few more museums. Hotels were nice and included meals were very good. Hanne, our group leader in Copenhagen, was amazing!
— Review left June 24, 2023
Visit Copenhagen and Stockholm - two Scandinavian jewels.
— Review left June 21, 2023
Fabulous tours of Copenhagen and Stockholm. I had so many interesting and new experiences with fun people while and staying in lovely hotels.
— Review left June 17, 2023
Great trip, looking forward to another one in the future
— Review left June 8, 2023
I loved this trip. Our guides were wonderful. The accommodations were in the middle of everything, great locations.
I enjoyed the extra free time to explore and expand my horizons.
We had an evening in a Danish home, an architectural tour of new, contemporary and green, buildings and a morning in a neighborhood of young families with a young mother as our guide.
I think this adventure was exactly as advertised. We knew what was included. There was a lot of walking (which I enjoyed) and the lectures and the sights were informative.
I would highly recommend this trip.
— Review left October 1, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed my first adventure to Scandinavia. I would never have been able to experience Denmark and Sweden the same way had I tried to plan this on my own.
— Review left September 29, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed my first experience with Road Scholar. As a solo traveler, I was a bit concerned about feeling out of place but that was definitely not the case. I plan to travel with Road Scholar again very soon.
— Review left September 24, 2022
The Beat of the Nordic Heart exceeded our expectations! Accommodations in both Copenhagen and Stockholm were in central, safe locations and the service there was exceptional. The lectures, tours, meals, and overall experience gets an A+. We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the other 14 participants, just the right group size. Our tour guides, Hanne and Gabriella, went above and beyond throughout the trip. My husband is blind and while we are quite mobile, group members readily stepped up to assist whenever needed. Also of note is the exemplary care we received when my sister became quite ill. Hanne proved to be a compassionate, problem solving, and comforting friend - not "just a tour guide" - but a trusted friend, for which we are ever grateful. Gabriella provided the same care by assisting w/ logistics and even providing for a birthday cake at our farewell gathering. We definitely recommend this trip and look forward to our next Road Scholar adventure!
— Review left August 31, 2022
I really enjoyed our trip to Denmark and Sweden. I am a blind individual and had no trouble negotiating any of the tours or transportation. I found the lectures to be very beneficial and were presented such that I could consume the information without any issues. The tour guides and other participants were very willing to assist me in any way needed, which I truly appreciated. I would certainly attend another Road Scholar tour in the future.
— Review left August 31, 2022
This trip was EXCELLENT! A perfect mix of museums, city overviews, meals, free time; the two hotels were superb. Our Copenhagen experience was slightly better overall than Stockholm, mainly because of the leaders. Hanne Thomsen (Copenhagen) was the best guide I've had on all my nine RS trips -- engaging, caring, funny, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, helpful.... On the other hand, our leader in Stockholm, Annika Swahn, was rather aloof and less engaged. I felt like we were commodities to her and she was simply doing a job of checklists. We were not a "needy" group, but she was only slightly interested in learning our names or sharing the beauties and unique life of Stockholm with us. She seemed to forget that we had not been to her city before and often hurried over information or directions. This, in contrast to all the other guides I've had with RS trips.
But, after a wait of two years, I'm SO GLAD I stayed on the list and took the trip. To make it all even better, my son and adult granddaughter flew to Stockholm from Colorado and we spent 4 days in Stockholm, and then rode the train back to Copenhagen for another 5 days. I was able to be our cities guide! Thank you, Road Scholar, for yet another exciting, well-designed foreign experience!!
— Review left August 2, 2022
Road Scholars is an organization that knows what it is doing. You can feel confident that your wellbeing is foremost in their planning and execution. If you want to avoid thee heat of summer, the Nordic adventure is a winner.
— Review left July 26, 2022
This is an excellent tour with great tour leaders. Our Copenhagen leader was knowledgeable and passionate about her country. She was able to learn a bit about each of us over our 4 day stay. She made us feel welcomed and almost like we were visiting her personally. Likewise, our leader in Stockholm was knowledgeable and passionate about the city. She made sure that we understood how to navigate all of the public transportation options to travel around.
However I have to comment about Road Scholar Travel department. I have traveled for years using many corporate travel services. Road Scholar Travel is the ABSOLUTE WORST TRAVEL SERVICE that I have ever encountered. Their customer service is poor. When trying to get ahold of them, you get put on indefinite hold if by phone and you can expect a canned email response a week later. Their message to us is effectively, “sorry, we’re too busy taking care of new customer bookings and can’t accommodate you.” It is clear that revenue is priority #1, not customer service and satisfaction. We’re still waiting for a response about how to get a refund for our return flight home that was canceled by the airline. When calling Travel, the operator doesn’t know the answer. Road Scholar Travel has provided such a bad experience, that we will think long and hard before booking another trip.
— Review left July 21, 2022
I was hesitant about doing a tour group, as I tend to like to do things on my own, but I really enjoyed the small group flex program tour. It was a great combination of structure and open time, and I really enjoyed the group leaders and my fellow travellers. I would definitely do it again, and I fully recommend it to others.
— Review left September 11, 2019
Excellent group leaders. Both of the leaders we had on this program were very knowledgeable about their country and did a great job organizing the outings and interacting with the participants.
— Review left July 10, 2019