Our Rick Steves' European Tour – June 2019
We are Marsha and Gary, from San Diego, California. This was our first Rick Steves' tour and Gary's first time out of the U.S. since Vietnam, 50 years ago.
The food and tour accommodations were amazing, as were the sights and people that we encountered. We loved the variety of in-depth experiences that taught us more than expected about Scandinavian history, achievements, natural beauty, way of life, sustainable practices, and social democracy. There were equal opportunities for free time and guided discoveries, as well as well-timed breaks between the major cities. Our amazing guide, Ylva, was a fountain of information on history, culture, and customs. Even the bus travel included lots of stories and new information. Ylva took great pride in her Swedish heritage and shared it openly with the group.
Gary is half Dane and the family history buff. Scandinavia was a dream that the Rick Steves' tour fulfilled. Join Gary and me as we share the highlights, memories, and images of our amazing journey to a beautiful part of the world!
Photo: Copenhagen, Denmark
Sweden
We loved the ease of travel via Stockholm's public transit. Our first dinner was a real treat – 4 kinds of pickled herring and a traditional feast of meatballs, mashed potatoes, gravy, lingonberries, and pickled cucumbers! Gary's favorite was our visit to the Vasa Museum. The Vasa ship is a beautifully displayed artifact of significant importance to the history of the people and country.
Denmark
Copenhagen had a colorful and playful vibe, especially Christiania and Tivoli. Midway through the tour, we had a mini 2-day "vacation" on Æro Island, home of the bright and funky beach cottages pictured above. We were on Æro for Denmark's Midsummer celebration – a bonfire on the beach accompanied by an evening beach stroll with our new tour buddies.
Norway
One of my favorites was the time we spent in Oslo among Gustav Vigland's lifelike sculptures. The floor-to-ceiling murals in the City Hall and our gallery time viewing the paintings and life story of Edvard Munch were equally memorable. Our 2-day mountain drive and fjord cruise were filled with beautiful scenery and the surprising view of skiers and hikers enjoying a bright summer day.