Set sail on a culturally enriching Scandinavian voyage
Experience the historic cities and majestic scenery of Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Read on to explore the distinctive characteristics of this northern region and learn about geography’s impact on its culinary traditions. Delve into fascinating Viking Era history and the seafaring culture of these Scandinavian people and then discover the ambitious nature of Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl, who famously launched the Kon-Tiki expedition of 1947.
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a region in northern Europe that consists of Denmark and the two countries on the Scandinavian Peninsula—Norway and Sweden. Some scholars also argue for the inclusion of Finland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands due to geologic, linguistic and cultural similarities—including their shared legacies as Viking homelands. Typically, when these areas are added, the group is referred to as the “Nordic countries.”
Southern Scandinavia enjoys a temperate climate, while the central part of the peninsula has a humid continental climate characterized by warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The northernmost regions share a subarctic climate with a brief summer season and long, cold winters.
Experts agree that some of the region’s distinguishing characteristics are long life expectancies, high literacy rates, a robust fishing industry and sparsely populated northern areas. This prosperous region also boasts historic landmarks, iconic architecture and stunning natural wonders, including:
- Gamla Stan, the charming old town of Stockholm, which was founded in 1252
- Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, the magnificent seat of the Danish Parliament and home to the Queen’s Royal Reception Rooms
- Bryggen Wharf in Bergen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprised of colorful, timbered Hanseatic warehouses nestled along a scenic quay
- Norway’s stunning Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with soaring mountain slopes and cascading waterfalls
- The Munch Museum in Oslo, home to more than 1,100 paintings by the esteemed Norwegian painter Edvard Munch, including several versions of The Scream, his most iconic masterpiece
- The brilliant aurora borealis, which appears in the clear skies of the Norwegian Arctic during Scandinavia’s long winter nights
- The steaming, mineral-rich waters of Iceland’s fabled Blue Lagoon
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Cuisine—Scandinavia’s most popular foods
Scandinavia boasts strong and diverse culinary traditions, which include game meat from the north, fish from the coasts and other products from across the region. Here are some renowned Scandinavian dishes and beverages:
1. Köttbullar (Swedish meatballs)
Prepared with fresh minced meat, seasoned with aromatic spices and browned to perfection, these savory meatballs are paired with a traditional creamy, gravy-style sauce with allspice and a lingonberry condiment to balance the richness of the sauce.
2. Fårikål (Mutton in cabbage)
Norway’s national dish consists of mutton (or lamb) and cabbage, slowly stewed together with whole black peppercorns. Typically served with boiled potatoes, it is the perfect complement to a cool autumn day.
3. Nordic Gravlax
No smørbørd (open-faced sandwich) would be complete without smoked salmon, one of Scandinavia’s most distinctive dishes. “Gravlax” literally means “buried salmon,” referring to the ancient practice of curing raw fish by burying it in sand by the seashore to be saturated and cured by ocean tides. These days, fish is salted and seasoned, weighed down and refrigerated until cured.
4. Vafler (Norwegian waffles)
These lightly sweetened, heart-shaped treats are thinner than Belgian waffles and can be enjoyed with a variety of toppings, including sour cream, fresh berries, Norwegian brown cheese (brunost) or jam.
5. Aquavit
Dating to the 1500s, Scandinavian aquavit—which takes its name from the Latin aqua vitae, or “water of life”—captures pristine Nordic beauty in a bottle. In its cleanest form, it is a neutral, flavorless spirit distilled from grain or potato. Infusions of botanicals—such as caraway, dill, anise, fennel, coriander or cardamom—transform it into a pleasing elixir.
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Famous explorers—The Kon-Tiki expedition
One of the boldest voyages across the Pacific Ocean, the Kon-Tiki expedition of 1947, was launched to prove a theory. Norwegian explorer and ethnographer Thor Heyerdahl (1914–2002) believed that Polynesians were descended from people who crossed the ocean from South America. He based his hypothesis on the enormous statues and stepped pyramids of Polynesia, which resemble those in Peru. Heyerdahl had also heard tales of early Europeans who had encountered islanders with a light complexion, which was consistent with stories of ancient, fair-skinned Peruvians.
To demonstrate his theory, Heyerdahl and five additional crew members built a raft from balsa logs and other Peruvian materials. They also drew references from old drawings made by Spanish conquistadors of pae-paes, large Inca rafts with sails and a small hut. Heyerdahl’s journey on this raft, bolstered by westerly trade winds, lasted 101 days and covered 4,300 mi (6,920 km).
Despite the successful voyage, Heyerdahl’s theory did not gain traction among his peers, who accepted that a west-to-east migration had populated Polynesia. Linguistic, ethnographic and botanical evidence also point to a deep connection to ancient Southeast Asian cultures.
Today, the Kon-Tiki raft is on display at the Kon-Tiki Museum in Oslo, Norway. Film lovers might remember it from the Oscar-winning documentary film released in 1950, named after the famous vessel.
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History—The ancient Vikings
The Vikings were a group of Scandinavian seafarers who originated from areas in modern-day Norway, Sweden and Denmark. These people did not belong to a particular race or culture. Instead, the name Viking originated from the Old Norse word vik, meaning bay or creek, which in turn formed the root of vikingr, an Old Norse verb meaning to go on a waterborne journey, whether by river or sea.
The Viking Era lasted from 782–1066 AD. During that time, Vikings expanded their territorial reach far beyond their Scandinavian homelands. As pioneers in shipbuilding and navigation, they are considered by many to be the ultimate in trailblazing early explorers, with expeditions by land, river and sea. In addition to longships, Vikings’ vessels came in various forms like wide-bellied cargo ships. They had an edge over their contemporaries, as Viking ships were constructed with watertight clinker-built shells where the edges of hull planks overlapped with one another. This sturdy foundation remained a universal method of shipbuilding throughout northern Europe until the Middle Ages.
Scandinavia Highlights
From soaring, deep-cut fjords and dramatic peaks to historic Scandinavian cities and fishing villages rich in tradition, immerse yourself in remarkable maritime history and colorful cultures. Here are some sample highlights of a cruise to Scandinavia:
- The Hanseatic past of Bergen
- Traditional glassblowing techniques in Bornholm
- Norway’s magnificent fjords
- The glass facade of Tromsø’s Arctic Cathedral
- A Sami ceremony north of the Arctic Circle
- Sheep farming and wool production in a Faroese village
- The age-old tradition of smoking fish
- Stories of the daily life of ancient Vikings
- Copenhagen’s brightly colored houses in Nyhavn
- The dazzling display of the northern lights
Destination Insight Videos
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Explorer Leif Eriksson (3:32)
Join Viking as we chronicle the story of Leif Eriksson, the Norse navigator who set out to explore the seas west of Greenland and discovered America, 500 years before Columbus.
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The World of Edvard Munch (2:36)
Join Karine on a journey into Oslo’s renowned Munch Museum, where you will enter the world and mind of master expressionist Edvard Munch, painter of The Scream and more than 40,000 pieces of art.
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The Queen of Smørrebrød (5:48)
Taste Denmark’s famous open-faced sandwich and perhaps try Hans Christian Andersen’s favorite variety. Watch as Copenhagen’s celebrity chef Ida Davidsen prepares these delicious treats.
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Discover Stockholm (2:38)
Set amid 14 islands, Stockholm is a mosaic of natural beauty, fascinating history and timeless traditions. Enjoy a glimpse of this remarkable city rich in a maritime past and vibrant culture.
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The Northern Lights Explained (7:29)
Join Dr. E.C. Krupp, the director of Los Angeles’s Griffith Observatory, on a journey into a deeper cultural and scientific understanding of the surreal aurora borealis, the natural phenomenon known as the northern lights.
Scandinavia Travel FAQ
All-Inclusive Itineraries—Scandinavia
Choose one of our enriching, all-inclusive voyages and discover the many benefits of exploring in Viking comfort.
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