Nordic countries are Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland. They are called Nordic because of their location in the North.

While the term "Scandinavia" is commonly used for Denmark, Norway and Sweden, the term "Nordic countries" is used definitively for Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland. This also includes their associated territories of: Svalbard, Greenland, Faroe Islands, and the Åland Islands.

Northern Europe has very low crime rates and is a safe region to visit. In fact, the Global Peace Index rates the likes of Iceland, Denmark and Sweden as the safest countries in the world.

The weather in Northern Europe varies by season and country. The spring and summer months are typically sunnier and milder in temperature. This is ideal if you want to partake in outdoor activities such as hiking.

However, the autumn and winter months are ideal times to see the northern lights. There’s also a high chance of snow, making your trip extra festive. We suggest that whatever the weather, you pack sensibly and bring thin layers and waterproof jackets and trousers.

Want to get a head start and plan your luggage? Read our packing guide for ideas.

Aurora activity is strongest when closer to the Arctic Circle, so your best bet is to visit Iceland, Norway, Lapland and Svalbard to see the lights. You can see them in other parts of Northern Europe, such as Scotland, but sightings are rarer.

Our northern lights packages include self drive tours, guided group tours and even fjord cruises - so check them out for more information.

If you’re keen to see the aurora borealis in Europe, then book your trip for the winter months. The longer nights will give you more time in the dark to search for the northern lights. As well as this, try to travel to countries that are further north as the closer you are to the Arctic Circle, the clearer the lights will appear.

When you plan a trip, one of the first things you will look at is whether or not you need a visa. Fortunately for you, if you’re arriving from North America, Australia, Japan, or New Zealand you will not need one. You will however need a valid passport with at least 6 months left before it expires. If you’re visiting from outside of these countries, you will need to apply for a “Schengen visa” to enter Europe.

A self-guided tour, or partially guided tour, is where you travel independently but with a pre-arranged itinerary. You go out on day trips with a local guide, meaning you benefit from their expertise, but also have free time to explore areas by yourself.

Northern Europe is made up of many distinctive countries and cultures and there are plenty of ways to experience them. The best way depends on what you want to do and how flexible you want the tours.

Self drive tours are very popular as they let you set the pace and travel further for excursions, attractions and restaurants. Our packages are great value as all of them include our exclusive Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), unlimited mileage as standard.

Another excellent way to travel is with a knowledgeable guide and a small group of fellow travellers. Our escorted group tours of Northern Europe give you the opportunity to learn from a local who take you to each attraction and share their knowledge and favourite spots. We only organise small minibus tours, and unlike large coach trips, our tours are a more relaxed and personal experience.

If you want a more exclusive tour and would prefer to travel alone or with friends and family, then choose our private tours. For the duration of your stay, you will have a local guide all to yourselves meaning you’ll get to learn more from them about the country and the attractions.

Self guided tours combine the best of independent travel with the benefit of experienced guides. You’ll get to enjoy guided excursions with local experts, but also decide how you want to spend your free time outside of the tours.

If you want more information, contact our helpful team and they will be able to point you in the right direction as to which style would best suit your needs.

The best time to visit Northern Europe really depends on the type of travel you want to do and the attractions you want to see.

From September-March, Northern Europe is famous for its stunning snow blanketed landscapes, wintry activities and festive traditions. As well as this, the colder months are much darker making it prime northern lights hunting season in select areas. If you’re keen to experience this then see our active tours, Christmas breaks or northern lights packages (and get ready to wrap up warm).

However, if you are looking to explore with more pleasant weather, then book a tour during the milder spring and summer months between April-August. You will get to see lush green landscapes and experience longer days, especially in the summer months. As well as this, the midnight sun phenomena is in full swing in certain areas such as Greenland, northern Norway and Iceland. Our best-selling tours and train trips have plenty of spring/summer departure dates so check those out for more must-see attractions and information.

Yes, we have a wide range of arrival dates depending on the package and season. All of our vacations are available to purchase online, so once you’ve chosen a country and tour you want to join, you can choose the best dates for you. If you’ve already chosen dates but your travel plans have changed, contact your travel consultant to rearrange your bookings.

We’d advise that you look over flights for timings and dates, but hold off purchasing until you’ve booked your preferred tour. Once you’ve had a confirmation email from your personal travel consultant, you should then choose and pay for your flights.

Our packages come with daily itineraries and all of your accommodation organised for you, so once you have all of the information you can make an informed choice on your flight times. If you have any questions, you can always contact your consultant for advice.

When you’re visiting Northern Europe, you will be discovering plenty of new cities, towns and countryside. And with so much time outdoors, it’s best to be prepared for all kinds of weather. Depending on when and where you go, you could experience rainstorms, blizzards and strong winds, so to keep you warm and dry remember to bring:

• A lightweight jacket or wool sweater
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Sensible footwear with good grip
• Gloves, scarves and thermal socks
• A swimsuit and quick-dry towel
• Sunscreen and bug repellent in the summer months
• An insulated coat, thermal layers and long johns in the winter months

Not sure on what to bring? For a detailed example of how to prepare for a Nordic adventure, read our handy travel guide.