Arrive in Helsinki on suggested flights and make your way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including travel insurance (a condition of travel), accommodation before or after the tour and a room category upgrade.

At 18:00, join your tour leader Simon Weir and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing at the hotel followed by dinner.

(D)

Begin the day with a talk by Simon, followed by a walking tour of Helsinki. Start at Helsinki Central Railway Station, Eliel Saarinen’s landmark expression of Finnish National Romanticism. Then, explore the evolution of Finnish architecture, examining notable buildings from the mid-20th century, including Rautatalo (‘Iron House’) and Kirjatalo (‘Book House’), and the more contemporary Kamppi Chapel, completed in 2012.

After lunch, visit the Architecture and Design Museum, an institution that showcases both Finnish and international design, encompassing industrial, fashion and graphic design, and offers insights into the evolution of architectural styles and practices in Finland while also serving as a research centre and an educational resource.

(BL)

This morning, visit the Alvar Aalto House and Studio, located in Munkkiniemi, a residential district on the northern shore of the Gulf of Finland. Enjoy a private, guided tour exploring the history and architecture of Aalto’s home, including its functional design, use of natural materials and integration of living and working spaces.

Afterwards, enjoy a private, guided tour of Temppeliaukio Church to admire the striking rock-hewn architecture and the church’s unique, natural acoustics.

Later, continue to the Museum of Contemporary Art (‘Kiasma’) for a private, guided tour of Helsinki’s premier gallery for modern art, featuring an extensive collection of approximately 9,000 works of Finnish and Nordic contemporary art.

This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

(BD)

Today, explore Hvitträsk, the former studio of architects Saarinen, Geselius and Lindgren. Built between 1901 and 1903, the complex served as a workspace and tranquil retreat blending logs, natural stone and red-tiled roofs in the Finnish National Romantic style.

In the afternoon embark on the overnight ferry to Stockholm, enjoying dinner on board.

(BD)

Arrive in Stockholm in the morning. Built across 14 islands, Stockholm is distinguished by the close relationship between its urban fabric and waterways. Upon arrival at the hotel, attend a talk by Simon followed by lunch and a walking tour of the city centre. Marvel at iconic landmarks such as Sergels Torg, home to the Kulturhuset and Stadsteatern cultural centres, the renowned Stockholm Concert Hall, the bustling Hotorget Square and the charming historic district of Gamla Stan (Old Town).

The evening is at leisure to relax.

(BL)

After breakfast, visit Artipelag, an art museum located on an island in the Stockholm Archipelago. Designed by the late architect Johan Nyrén, the building harmonises seamlessly with its natural surroundings. Set within 22 hectares of forest, meadow and rocky terrain, the approximately 10,000-square-metre building includes spacious galleries that open onto the surrounding landscape.

After lunch, continue to ArkDes, the Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design. The museum’s archives house a rich collection of drawings, models and photographs by approximately 500 architects, while its library holds journals dating back to the 1930s and a collection of over 24,000 books.

(B)

This morning, travel to Skogskyrkogården, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located south of Stockholm. Known as the Woodland Cemetery, Skogskyrkogården was designed by architects Gunnar Asplund and Sigurd Lewerentz and is renowned for its blend of natural landscape and modernist architecture. Built between 1917 and 1940, it features gently curving paths, serene woodland areas and tranquil gardens.

This afternoon, enjoy a leisurely boat cruise through Stockholm’s archipelago, followed by dinner.

(BD)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Stockholm Airport for a flight to Aalborg (included in tour price). Once a thriving Viking settlement and an important medieval trading port, Aalborg has developed into one of Denmark’s most important centres for architecture and design.

Check in to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

(BD)

After a morning talk by Simon, explore Aalborg’s architectural development, from the half-timbered buildings of the historic centre to the contemporary architecture that has transformed the city’s former industrial waterfront.

Arrive at the Utzon Centre for lunch before a private, guided tour of the centre. Designed as Utzon’s final architectural masterpiece, the centre is characterised by several distinct pavilions with sweeping, sail-like roof shapes that nod to his iconic maritime designs. Conceived as a meeting place for architecture, design and exchange of ideas, the centre brings together exhibition spaces, workshops, archive and a library.

The remainder of the afternoon and evening are at leisure.

(BL)

Check out of the hotel and transfer to the city of Aarhus. Upon arrival, visit Kunsthal Aarhus, a contemporary art centre established in 1917. Enjoy a private, guided tour of the sculpture park, which features works by Danish and international artists.

Afterwards, view some architectural landmarks of Aarhus, including Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller’s modernist City Hall, the yellow-brick buildings of Aarhus University and the Iceberg, a striking residential complex on the redeveloped waterfront.

Check in to the hotel in the mid-afternoon and enjoy some time at leisure before a talk by Simon, followed by dinner.

(BD)

Check out of the hotel after breakfast and transfer to ARoS Aarhus Art Museum and enjoy a private, guided tour. Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects and established in 1859, the cube-like building holds more than 8,000 works of art dating from 1770, covering the Danish Golden Age and contemporary pieces. Discover Olafur Eliasson’s iconic installation, Your rainbow panorama, which offers rainbow-hued views across the city.

Continue to Copenhagen, Denmark’s vibrant capital situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager. The city was originally founded as a fishing village in the 10th century and it grew into a prominent medieval trading hub until becoming the capital of Denmark in the 15th century.

Arrive at the hotel in the late-afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.

(B)

After breakfast, transfer to the National Gallery of Denmark, designed by architects Vilhelm Dahlerup and G. E. W. Møller, before continuing to Bagsværd Church, one of Jørn Utzon’s most important Danish works. Known for its unique design and use of natural light, the church is celebrated for its serene atmosphere and interior spaces.

After lunch, join Simon for a walking tour to explore the city’s architecture. See the dynamic structure of Circle Bridge, which was designed by the Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson, and marvel at the visual impact of the Royal Library, known as the ‘Black Diamond’, due to its sleek black granite façade extending over the harbour, resembling a sparkling diamond resting on the waterfront.

The evening is at leisure.

(BL)

This morning, travel to the coastal town of Humlebæk for a guided tour of the remarkable Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. The original museum was designed by architects Vilhelm Wohlert and Jørgen Bo after Jørn Utzon declined the brief due to his work on the Sydney Opera House. Opened in 1958, the museum developed through a series of carefully integrated extensions that preserve the relationship between art, architecture and landscape.

Afterwards, visit Ordrupgaard, a state-owned art museum located north of Copenhagen and renowned for hosting one of Northern Europe’s most significant collections of Danish and French art dating from the 19th to the early 20th century.

Return to the hotel in the mid-afternoon and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Tonight, celebrate the conclusion of the tour with a special farewell dinner with Simon and fellow travellers.

(BD)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast.

For those returning home today, make your way to Copenhagen Airport for suggested flights to Australia or New Zealand. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including a private airport transfer, additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)