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  • Classic

Northern Explorer

  • Coach

Discover Scandinavia, Central Europe and the Baltic states over 18 days on our Northern Europe tour!

Discover Scandinavia, Central Europe and the Baltic states over 18 days on our Northern Europe tour!

Tour overview

Start Point
Amsterdam
End Point
Amsterdam
Accommodation
17 Nights(3 & 4 star hotels & ferry)
Meals
17 Breakfasts1 Lunch5 Dinners
northern-explorer-tour-square-map-sep-2026

Summary

Explore ten countries across Scandinavia, the Baltics, and Central Europe! Absorb the culture of hip cities from Amsterdam and Copenhagen to Warsaw and Berlin. Experience the Scandi-cool sophistication of Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki. Journey through the beautiful Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania on our 18-day Northern Explorer tour!

Included

  • 17 Nights (3 & 4 star hotels & ferry)
  • 17 Breakfasts | 1 Lunch | 5 Dinners
  • Air-conditioned coach | Ferry
  • Fully-guided tour

Everything you’ll want to Know

Where you'll stay

Hand-picked hotels throughout

Show Me

Day-by-day itinerary

Where you'll be and what's on each day

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Experiences

What's included and what you can add

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Our Tour Leaders

The people who make it work

Take Me There

20+ YEARS ON TOUR

“THE BEST PART OF A GROUP TOUR? THE GROUP.”

JAKES MARITZ, CO-FOUNDER

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

All the flexibility to book on your terms.

  • GUARANTEED DEPARTURES

    Your tour is going ahead. Every single one, guaranteed.

  • FLEXIBLE BOOKING

    10% secures your seat. Pay the rest with interest-free instalments or all at once.

  • FREE DATE CHANGES

    Plans change? We've got you. Get in touch and we'll help you work through your options.

  • 10-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE

    Changed your mind? We'll refund every penny.

  • 24/7 SUPPORT

    Need us? We're there. Day or night, on the road or off it.

Tour Highlights

31 Included Experiences

  • Visit a local Dutch cheese farm and clog factory
  • Tour the Dutch countryside, including an orientation walk at Volendam
  • Visit the historic windmills of Zaanse Schans
  • Cruise along the Amsterdam canals
  • Enjoy a Welcome Dinner in Amsterdam
  • Explore Hamburg on an orientation tour
  • Visit Odense
  • Discover Copenhagen, capital of Denmark
  • Cruise from Helsingør to Helsingborg by ferry
  • Enjoy a scenic drive through the Swedish countryside
  • Visit Gothenburg
  • See the highlights of Oslo with a local guide
  • Tuck into Swedish meatballs
  • Explore Stockholm with a local guide
  • Visit Sigtuna; Sweden’s oldest town
  • Catch an overnight ferry to Finland
  • Discover the highlights of Helsinki with a local guide
  • Catch a ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn
  • Enjoy lunch at a mediaeval restaurant in Tallinn
  • Tour Tallinn with a local guide
  • Sightsee in Pärnu
  • Enjoy a stop in Saulkrasti
  • Visit the Latvian Military Cemetery
  • Discover Riga; Latvia’s vibrant capital
  • Visit the Hill of Crosses
  • Marvel at the scenery in Trakai National Park
  • Explore Vilnius; capital of Lithuania
  • See Warsaw’s highlights on a driving tour
  • Discover Warsaw’s Old Town with a local guide
  • Explore the Old Market Square in Poznań
  • Discover Berlin on a guided tour

Included Experiences

Optional Experiences

Not sure how to spend your free day? Explore the city on your own, or choose from these handpicked optional experiences designed to show you the best of the region.

Unless marked as "Pre-Book", all optional experiences can be booked directly with your tour leader on tour, payable in cash or by card in the stated currency. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Tour map & itinerary

northern-explorer-tour-landscape-map-sep-2026

Day by day itinerary

18 days itinerary trip from Amsterdam to Amsterdam visiting 10 countries

Start Points
Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam Schiphol (2026 departures) | 10:00 AMORHotel in Amsterdam to be confirmed (2027 departures) | 10:00 AM
End Point
Hotel in Amsterdam | 10:00 AM

Accommodation

We partner with a range of hand-picked hotels in each destination. The hotels listed below are those we stay at most frequently. However, you may stay at different hotels of a similar standard. 

All rooms are twin share with private, en suite bathrooms. Solo travellers will be paired with another traveller of the same gender. Single supplements are available upon request at checkout. A confirmed list of hotels is emailed to all travellers prior to their tour departure. To extend your stay in Amsterdam, click here to book pre and post-tour accommodation through our partner Booking.com.

Amsterdam-holiday-inn-express-amsterdam-schipol-twin-room

Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam Schiphol (or similar)

  • Amsterdam
Amsterdam-holiday-inn-express-amsterdam-schipol-breakfast

Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam Schiphol (or similar)

  • Amsterdam
intercityhotel-kiel-room

IntercityHotel Kiel (or similar)

  • Northern Germany
intercityhotel-kiel-breakfast-room

IntercityHotel Kiel (or similar)

  • Northern Germany
four-points-flex-sheraton-copenhagen-arena-room

Four Points Flex by Sheraton Copenhagen Arena (or similar)

  • Copenhagen
four-points-flex-sheraton-copenhagen-arena-lobby

Four Points Flex by Sheraton Copenhagen Arena (or similar)

  • Copenhagen
x-hotel-oslo-room

X Hotel Oslo (or similar)

  • Oslo
x-hotel-oslo-lobby

X Hotel Oslo (or similar)

  • Oslo
Stockholm-Motel-L-Alvsjo-bedroom

Môtel L (or similar)

  • Stockholm
Stockholm-Motel-L-Alvsjo-bathroom

Môtel L (or similar)

  • Stockholm
tallink-stockholm-helsinki-cabin

Tallink (or similar)

  • Stockholm-Helsinki Ferry
tallink-stockholm-helsinki-ferry

Tallink (or similar)

  • Stockholm-Helsinki Ferry
Radisson-Blu-seaside-Hotel-room

Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel (or similar)

  • Helsinki
Radisson-Blu-seaside-Hotel-room

Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel (or similar)

  • Helsinki
Metropol-Hotel-tallinn-room

Metropol Hotel (or similar)

  • Tallinn
Metropol-Hotel-tallinn-reception

Metropol Hotel (or similar)

  • Tallinn
Riga-Hestia-Hotel-Jugend-bedroom

Hestia Hotel Jugend (or similar)

  • Riga
Riga-Hestia-Hotel-Jugend-lobby

Hestia Hotel Jugend (or similar)

  • Riga
art-city-inn-hotel-room

Art City Inn Hotel (or similar)

  • Vilnius
art-city-inn-hotel-brakfast-room

Art City Inn Hotel (or similar)

  • Vilnius
novotel-warsaw-center-room

Novotel Warsaw Center (or similar)

  • Warsaw
novotel-warsaw-center-breakfast

Novotel Warsaw Center (or similar)

  • Warsaw
Warsaw-Radisson-Blu-Sobieski-bedroom

Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel (or similar)

  • Warsaw
Warsaw-Radisson-Blu-Sobieski-lobby

Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel (or similar)

  • Warsaw
park-inn-radisson-berlin-alexanderplatz

Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz (or similar)

  • Berlin
park-inn-radisson-berlin-alexanderplatz-bar-lounge

Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz (or similar)

  • Berlin
LOGINN-Hotel-Berlin-Airport-Room

LogINN Hotel Berlin Airport (or similar)

  • Berlin
LOGINN-Hotel-Berlin-Airport-Bath

LogINN Hotel Berlin Airport (or similar)

  • Berlin

The reviews are in

View All
4.5 out of 5239 verified reviews
  • T

    The Kiwi

    Northern

    This 18 day tour is a whirlwind tour and it gives you a taste of each country and you need to be walking fit. Optional extra day 1 - fiirst village Volendam- didn't need all that time maybe shorten it? Marken meal was very basic. A Dam Lookout great but there a long time - this could be shorter. Gothenburg- would have been good to spend more time here Optional in Oslo was greatl Stockholm and ferry to Helsinki were great. Getting to ABBA museum in spare time was fab It was a fast track trip as advertised and lots of walking, a good time of year to travel as not too hot. Many places have no air conditioning but can get fans for your room. Gasplissek restaurant Warsaw was one of the better meal of the tour Hans our bus driver was fantastic, super helpful with our luggage , a fantastic driver, made sure we were all safe and very helpful with any advice regarding Amsterdam or any country!! Ken, our tour leader, fantastic organiser, super helpful with lots of advice, information and with
    Northern Explorer(opens in a new tab)
  • T

    The old Man

    First Rate

    The layout of the tour with the use of road and ocean transport made a very worthwhile mix. T o spend a night on the Baltic was a feature I shall always remember. The endless planning by Dewi and our driver was second to none. The whole group did their part in this aspect and made transition from country to country on time each time. Thank you to you/them all
    Northern Explorer(opens in a new tab)
  • M

    Mac

    Northern Discovery 💡

    Tour Guide and Driver Hans and Ken were excellent in ensuring we had a most efficient, engaging, exhilarating , educational and entertaining tour. Yes, it was fast paced and you yearned for more time in some places such as Copenhagen, but you sorta knew ahead and we had enough to fuel our imagination and self research. The expert local tour guides were all very well chosen and were appreciated. Accommodation and food all met expectation. Would highly recommend this tour as very good value for money.
    Northern Explorer(opens in a new tab)

Traveller Stories For This Tour

View All
M

MaTe

KSA
Great adventure on this coach with our excellent & best driver, Hans and our amazing tour guide, Dewi.
Dewi (our guide) & Hans (our driver) were both amazing partners. Hans was the best driver, patient & kind. He is very helpful especially with the luggage of the group. Dewi, on the other hand is an amazing tour guide. Her deep knowledge, passion, and engaging storytelling really brought the history and culture to life. She has great local recommendations, and even goes above and beyond to make our vacation seamless & memorable.
M

Mer

UK
Photo shared by Mer
Every expat tour is different (I've been in three). Northern Explorer was FUNtastic.. hectic but full of experiences and excitement. The hotels were all good. The TL and driver was superb
E

Elaine

Richards Bay, South Africa
Riga, Latvia
I would recommend Expat Explore always if one would like to visit Europe. This was my second tour and it did not disappoint. Looking forward to booking more tours with Expat. The scenic drives and beautiful towns & cities visited was amazing. The excursions was mostly exciting
DS

Diana S.

Australia
Photo shared by Diana S.
Northern Explorer tour was so amazing. So many wonderful places to explore but not enough time. Our tour guide Will & the bus driver Hanz was so amazing & very lovely people. I'll definitely go back again for another tours. Cheers!!!
M

Monet

Australia
Palace of Culture & Science, Warsaw, Poland
Thank you to our tour leader Andjela and our coach driver Victor. Both professional at its finest! The tour is amazing! Did meet my expectations! I enjoyed the group tour/travel as it's my first time to join as such as I always travel on my own. The next tour with Expat is definitely on the agenda! Thank you once again to Andjela and Victor, very much appreciated! 😊♥️
G

Graham

Canada
Photo shared by Graham
Overall the tour delivered on our expectations. This was our second Expat tour. Our guide (Aaron) and driver (Gabriel) were just terrific! Both professional and congenial and punctual and everything one would want in a guide and driver. :-) This tour was an amazing way to get a taste of ten countries. We left with a solid appreciation of everything we experienced and have a good idea of places we might like to return to if time and $$$ permit!
TI

Try It, You'll Like It

Colorado
Zaanse Schans, Netherlands
This tour offers many opportunities for a variety of interests from the history lover to the shopper to the foodie. Scandinavia and the Baltics were so much more amazing to see than we could have imagined. Our tour leader Aileen did an outstanding job with logistics, personal relationships, and recommendations for each location. Our driver Silvian went above and beyond to take care of us for the full 18 days. We love the family feel of Expat tours. The Northern Explorer tour is wonderful and highly recommended!
J

JJ

Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Taken at Vilnius, Lithuania
We booked for the Northern Explorer and the tour lasted for 18 days. What I liked about the tour was how everything was organised--from the transfers, accommodations and meals. I couldn't commend our tour leader, Will Michaelis, for allowing us to experience the best of Scandinavia and Baltics. Very well done and hands down to our tour driver, Natscha, who made us all at ease and feel safe on the roads. Couldn't think of a better experience than this!
S

Suma

Melbourne
Include as an optional
Well experienced , knowledgeable,professional tour guide and a careful , safe driver. Guide kept us entertained with his hilarious comments all the time. Looked after the group very well. All in all it's a super awesome experience and a tour. I don't hesitate to travel with Expat Explore again.
S

Sosana

Los Angeles, CA
Photo shared by Sosana
My husband and I really enjoyed this 18-day Northern Explorer trip. It was amazing to see 10 beautiful countries and learned about their cultures and histories. Our optional excursion to Moscow via Sapsan high-speed train was great. Thanks to Vicky, our awesome tour leader, for her hard and professional work. Also thanks to Hans for his safe and excellent driving. This is our 2nd trip with Expat and we love it, thank you Expat.
L

Liz

Singapore
Northen Europe tour
We would like to thank Expat for organising before and during the tour. Giving us information and tips before the tour starting. Taking care the needs during the tour for both of us who were passing by Russia, while the rest of participants went to Russia. After touring, we can keep our luggages in the hotel which we stayed on the last day. We are really grateful to be able to join Expat for 3 consecutive tours.
C

Chris

Costa Rica
Photo shared by Chris
Una experiencia única, que la volvería a repetir. Con el mismo grupo y la misma guía, geniales todos.

Dates & Rates

Departure Year
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FAQ’s

Personalise Your Trip

Explore the optional experiences available at each stop, find the ones that match your interests and get an idea of the cost before you go.

Note: This tool is for estimation only.

When You Arrive

Everything you need to know about meeting your Tour Leader, when to arrive, where you’ll finish and who to contact if you need help along the way.

Something we haven’t answered?

For visa requirements, pre-departure information and everything else you need to know before you travel, visit our Help Centre.

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