Day 1

Departure from the Netherlands to Hamburg in the early afternoon, connecting with the Swedish night train to Stockholm.

Day 2

Arrival in Stockholm in the morning. You have the whole day to explore the city. Stay on MS Mälardrottningen, a 3-star hotel boat on Lake Mälar (often frozen) near the station, quietly situated in the city center (cabins with bunk beds). Gamla Stan and the central station are within walking distance. Accommodation in another hotel without bunk beds is possible (see: Surcharge/discount).

Day 3

Travel across the Baltic Sea to Turku on the Viking Line icebreaker ferry. The journey past thousands of islands and through the Baltic Sea ice is impressive. The boat makes a short stop at the Åland Islands. From Turku port, you travel to Lapland by night train . The Finnish night trains are very comfortable; you have a private compartment for 1 or 2 people.

Day 4

Arrival in Rovaniemi late morning. Here you can visit Santa Claus and the Arktikum Museum. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel in the city center, e.g. Scandic Hotel City.

Day 5

First, in the morning, take the train to Kemi. Here, transfer to the bus to Haparanda/Tornio, on the border between Sweden and Finland (or take a taxi, which is often practical, especially on Tuesdays and weekends). Continue by bus or train to Luleå. Overnight stay in Luleå , e.g., at Hotel Amber.

Day 6

Morning train from Norrtåg to Kiruna, where you arrive in the mid-afternoon. Overnight stay in Kiruna , e.g. at the Scandic Hotel.
Opportunity to visit the unique Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi near Kiruna. Over a period of 10 weeks, many artists build the Icehotel, featuring a variety of rooms that are different every year. There is an Ice Church and an Ice Bar. After April, the hotel melts away into the river over a period of about 12 weeks, from where the ice blocks are retrieved in the autumn. During the day, the entire hotel is accessible to day visitors (entrance fee payable on site). The hotel is open from mid-December.
It is also possible to travel to Kiruna only at the end of the afternoon, so that you can still skate on the frozen sea in Luleå during the day or visit old Gammelstad.

Day 7

In the morning, there is an opportunity to visit the unique Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi. Or take one of the beautiful Lapland tours, such as a husky safari.
In the afternoon, travel by train to Abisko . Overnight stay at Abisko Turiststation. Due to its sheltered location, Abisko is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights.

Day 8

By train to Narvik in Norway, through the rugged mountain region of Lapland and descending from great heights to the Ofotfjord. Overnight stay at Hotel Breidablikk with a beautiful view of Narvik and the fjord.

Day 9

Opportunity to take the cable car to Narvikfjellet; skiing is also possible. In the afternoon, departure by night train from Narvik to Stockholm.

Day 10

With the X2000 high-speed train from Stockholm to Malmö and across the Öresund Bridge to Copenhagen. Overnight stay in Copenhagen in a 3-star hotel near the station, e.g. Hotel Mayfair.

Day 11

In the morning from Copenhagen across the Great Belt Bridge and the island of Funen to Hamburg and on to the Netherlands.

15-day trip

Difference compared to the 11-day trip:

• Day trains only, no night trains
• 1 night in Copenhagen instead of night train
• 1 extra night in Stockholm
• 2 extra nights in Helsinki
• 1 extra night in Rovaniemi
• 1 extra night in Abisko
• 1 night in Umeå instead of the night train
• 1 night in Malmö instead of Copenhagen
• Travel along the frozen Gulf of Bothnia on the Botniabanen.