The New Nordic Cuisine movement focuses on fresh, pure and simple produce, and it is the last two decades of innovation and modernisation that has seen Nordic cuisine transform from local home cooking to world class culinary experiences. The key ingredients have not really changed, but the fusion with exotic herbs and spices, creativity and presentation has liberated and amplified the Nordic style of cooking.

Our Nordic Real Food experience takes you through this beautiful region of the world to savour its healthy food and delicacies accompanied by the atmosphere that brings the Nordic cooking to life. You will be hosted by a number of awarded Nordic chefs throughout the region from Stockholm, Sweden to Torshavn on the Faroe Islands. In the past 10 years Nordic chefs have claimed a number of podium places at the Bocuse d’Or, the European Cuisine Championship.

Not forgetting the natural beauty of this region, we will also show you the scenic and historical highlights of the Nordic countries from the capitals of Scandinavia, to the mountains and fjords of Norway, and finishing up on the remote splendour of Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

Nordic Real Food 10 Aug 2012 departure escorted by Kim Coronica & Greg Feck. Click here to read biographies.

Read the feedback from our 2011 tour: Click here

Countries visited

• Faroe Islands
• Norway
• Denmark
• Sweden
• Finland
• Iceland

Places visited

• Oslo
• Bergen
• Copenhagen
• Stockholm
• Helsinki
• Torshavn
• Balestrand
• Flåm
• Reykjavik
• Great Geysir geothermal area
• Gullfoss
• Blue Lagoon
• Gudvangen

Transportation

We travel by private bus, flight, ferries, fjord cruise boat and on foot for pleasant walking tours of the Nordic cities.

Included In Price

All accommodation on a twin share basis, all transportation, sightseeing and tours as described, all regional flights, local English speaking guide/leader, tour escorts, meals as described in the itinerary, hosting by famous chefs as described and much more.

Excursions and included highlights:

• Excursion to Suomenlinna
• Cruise in the Stockholm archipelago incl. lunch
• City tour Stockholm
• Dinner at Grythyttan Gästgivaregård (inn), central Sweden
• City tour Oslo
• Berry picking in Oslo
• Dinner at Vianvang in the Norwegian mountains
• Flåm Railway Flåm – Myrdal – Bergen
• Bergen city walk at Fish Market
• Bergen Fløi funicular
• Sightseeing to Geysir geothermal area and the Gullfoss waterfall
• Dinner at Restaurant Dill in Reykjavik
• Evening cruise with schooner with fish soup made by the well known cook, Birgir Enni*
• Sightseeing to the beautiful village of Gjógv, incl. a Faroese buffet
• Lecture, tastings and 5 course meal at KOKS with Leif Sørensen*
• Copenhagen walking tour
• Guided tour of the Nordic Food Lab, Copenhagen - to be confirmed
• Dinner at Noma and at Geranium in Copenhagen (Geranium to be confirmed, Noma confirmed)

* Note that as some activities are conducted by specific personalities, and that these people may be prevented from attending due to personal circumstances. Therefore, we cannot guaranteed that the person mentioned will be present.

Meals Included

This tour includes 46 meals; 20 breakfasts 7 lunches 19 dinners

Not Included In Price

Items of a personal nature, most alcohol, tipping, meals not described in the itinerary, travel insurance, visas (not required for Australian passport holders)

Important Information

Please note that the accommodation listed in the itinerary is subject to availability and may change until the group is confirmed to depart.

Testimonials from the 2011 Tour:
“The food was of course fantastic, probably there were so many fantastic meals that it is hard to pick a stand out experience of course, Geranium and Noma were excellent but so was the meal we had in Grythyttan. All in all the dining was of course the highlight of the experience I did feel like we were special in the places we went to and they were trying to impress us with their skill and produce...”– Steve

“Although we are still a little jet lagged, we had an amazing trip, extremely full and active. The organisation of the tour was excellent, although I'm sure Kim and Greg had a few un-foreseen issues to sort along the way, which they did graciously and quietly. We believe it was good value for the money and can only suggest that on future trips any set wine be included in the overall price, especially where there is no option e.g. Noma (being the highlight restaurant). The food was a wonderful experience that was an entirely new format of travel for us and we would love to do more. We would like to be kept informed if you were putting another tour together in Japan, Russia etc. Thank you once again for this great experience.”– Kerry

"I would like to congratulate you on putting together such a complex tour that went so well and was so enjoyable. The tour itself was just amazing and way beyond expectations, to see fiords, glaciers, waterfalls, picture perfect scenery, volcano's, ice caves, swim in thermal pools, eat seafood straight out of the ocean and at the best restaurants in the world, wow what a trip." Larry

"Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Faroe Islands - One of the best traveling experiences, very well organised and full of adventure with a great group of people. From the Scandinavian forest, waters and mountains to the table, the food was both exciting and delicious. Thank you Kim and Greg." Luisa

Day 1: Helsinki - Eat & Joy

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Arrive in Helsinki and be greeted by our local partners at the airport for a transfer to our centrally located hotel. Settle into your hotel and relax before the afternoon tour. You will meet your escorts this afternoon for a short group meeting.

We will do an afternoon tour to the Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress. Suomenlinna, which was built in the 1700s, is one of the world's largest maritime fortresses and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. Built on six islands off the coast of Helsinki, Suomenlinna is today one of the most popular sights in Finland. Suomenlinna offers an unforgettable experience, offering museums, special events, idyllic cafes and cosy restaurants.

In the evening we enjoy a welcome dinner at the first of our great restaurant line up, Chez Dominique. An innovative blend of Nordic and French cuisine is in store for us to enjoy as we toast the start of our Nordic Real Food tour.

On the Menu
Bouillabaisse, Baltic herrings , Rosemary Crème Brulée

Accommodation

Hotel Haven

Meals Included

1 x Dinners

Day 2: Helsinki to Stockholm through the archipelago

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The morning is free to enjoy the Finnish capital. We recommend a walking tour of the city, which is known for its great mixture of neo-classical buildings, orthodox style churches and chique bars and restaurant scene. You have the opportunity to visit the Senate Square, Uspenskij Cathedral, Parliament House, New Opera House, Sibelius Park & Monument and the Underground Temple.

In the afternoon we transfer from the hotel to the pier for embarkation on the overnight ferry across the Baltic Sea to Stockholm, Sweden. On board you can enjoy a buffet dinner and there is a choice of entertainment, shops, casino and bars.

Be prepared to enjoy the incredible islands and scenery on this journey.

Accommodation

Silja Line - accommodation is in 2-berth outside superior cabins (seaside) with shower/WC.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Dinners

Day 3: Stockholm - New Scandinavian

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We arrive Stockholm in the morning and are picked up for a transfer to our hotel, Stallmastergaarden Inn. Stockholm’s oldest inn has a charming combination of contemporary comfort and an exciting historic past dating back to the mid-1600s. The popular restaurant is famous for its cuisine featuring its own charcoal grill, rotisserie and smokehouse.

We make a mid morning tour of Stockholm including visits to the Vasa Museum, Östermalmshallen, including tasting of delicatessen such as smoked reindeer heart and moose salami and the Old Town (Gamla Stan). We end up at Gubbhyllan, Skansen for lunch, including an introduction to traditional Swedish produce and culture.

We spend our afternoon at Skansen, the world's first and largest outdoor museum. It has been described as a miniature Sweden and is a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

In the evening we will enjoy a dinner at one of Sweden's best restaurants.

On the Menu
Smorgasbord with fresh Swedish delicacies, smoked meats

Accommodation

Stallmastergaarden Inn

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 4: Exploring Stockholm's Old Town (Gamla Stan)

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In the morning we head off to Stockholm City hall where the Nobel price is presented every year. We also go sightseeing around Stockholm, one of the most scenic cities in the world. We may view the changing of the guards outside the castle near Old Town (Gamla Stan) or explore the castle grounds.

We have lunch at Stortorgskällaren i Gamla Stan with great food, service and atmosphere. With plenty of delicious food in our belly, we go for a walk around scenic Gamla Stan. This afternoon is at your leisure. It is very easy to spend a whole day wandering around Gamla stan with its many narrow cobblestoned streets, every corner you turn is another postcard moment. Visit Storkyrkan where royal weddings are traditionally held, or you may elect to go on a scenic boat trip around Djurgården (around $30) or visit one of the oldest museums in the world (established in 1628), Livrustkammaren where you can view some amazing cosutmes and carriages dating back hundreds of years.

In the evening we will stroll (10 Mins) to world famous Mathias Dahlgren restaurant

Accommodation

Stallmastergaarden Inn

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 5 : Grythyttan – Country Cooking

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On our way to Oslo we stop overnight at Grythyttan Gästgivaregård (inn) located in the tranquil and beautiful countryside of south central Sweden. The inn is comprised of 22 buildings, all built between 1640 and 1960. The kitchen at the Grythyttan has been well respected for many years, and the distinguished wine cellar boasts over 7,000 bottles from all over the world.

At Grythyttan you will find the Nordic House of Culinary Art. The centre aims to show the many faces of the Nordic food world with a goal to boost Nordic food culture. The founder has turned the centre into a hub for further training and research in food and food culture. We may get a chance to tour the centre during our stay in Grythyttan.

We enjoy an exquisite dinner at Grythyttan Gästgivaregård in the evening.

On the Regional Menu
Bakes pike-perch, truffle, cranberries

Accommodation

Grythyttan Gästgivaregård

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Dinners

Day 6 & 7 : Oslo – Wild Berries & Game

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We head to Oslo, a 2½ hour journey allowing us to enjoy the picturesque Swedish countryside. Arriving in Oslo we are taken to our stunning countryside accommodation 20 minutes outside the city centre.

We take a tour of some of the Oslo highlights, including the Vigeland Sculpture Park and the Holmenkollen Ski Jump and Museum. For the evening of day 6 we dine at Lysebu Restaurant on the hill overlooking the suburbs of Oslo.

August is the middle of the blueberry season in Oslo, and since about 90% of the wild berry crop in the Nordic region stands untouched there is plenty to go around. We spend a full morning in the forest in search of berries, and we may also be lucky to find chanterelle mushrooms and other wild and exotic mushrooms. A dip in one of the many freshwater lakes is always inviting. Arriving at one of the cottages in the forest we help clean and prepare the berries, and any other treasures we may have found out there in the woods.

The afternoon is free to explore Oslo and its famous attractions, such as the Viking Ship and the Kon Tiki Museums.

This evening we will enjoy a simple and fresh meal at Grefsenkollen Restaurant. Our table is set in the Winter garden with windows on three sides and a spectacular view. Grefsenkollen Restaurant has a beautiful setting and sits among the top 35 of the best 66 restaurants in the Nordic region.

On the Regional Menu
Reindeer, Norwegian elk (moose), wild mushrooms, wild berries

Accommodation

Lysebu Hotel

Meals Included

2 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
2 x Dinners

Day 8 & 9: Lom & Brimiland – Over the Campfire

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Our bus trip takes us from city life to the mountains and valleys of Norway to Lom. We stop along the way to break the journey - visiting Maihaugen museum with lunch. Lom is home to one of Norway’s oldest stave churches, and is also the gateway to the mountains, as well as the fjords on the other side. There will be an opportunity to visit the Climate Park here.

In Lom our host is Arne Brimi (or a representative from his famous kitchen). Arne is one of the most famous Norwegian chefs, and the first Norwegian candidate for the Bocuse d’Or, the European Cuisine Championship. Arne is a real character and in cooperation neighbours and friends he has built a unique gourmet and adventure village around the area of Lom, which he calls ‘Brimiland’. Brimiland will open their exquisite mountain eatery Vianvang to us for an unforgettable Norwegian palatal sensation of rich game delicacies.

On the Regional Menu
River trout, wild mushrooms, game

Accommodation

Røisheim Hotel

Meals Included

2 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
2 x Dinners

Day 10 : Balestrand & the Sognefjord – Goats Cheese & Orchards

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Our adventure continues to Balestrand and the historic Kviknes Hotel, where the best traditions of inn keeping go right back to 1752. The Kvikne family, who still own the hotel today, took over in 1877 and a continuous process of development has been going on from that day to this.

As we are touring in late summer / early autumn the orchards this area is so famous for will be at the start of the fruit picking season. These mountainous regions of Norway are also home to thousands of goats, and we cannot leave without tasting some of the local goat’s cheese and other dairy products.

On the Regional Menu
Lamb, goat’s cheese, fresh fruit

Accommodation

Kvikne's Hotel

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Dinners

Day 11: Flåm Railway & Bergen - Something Fishy

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No tour to Norway is complete without the magnificent scenery of mountains and fjords. Balestrand lies in the heart of the fjord region of Norway in the inner reaches of the wonderful Sognefjord. We cross the fjord on a ferry and take a short train ride on the famous Flåm railway under thunderous waterfalls and rich natural scenery.

Bergen lies in the mouth of the Hardanger Fjord and is an old Hanseatic trading town that got its importance from the trade with dried cod from the northern Norwegian coast. We can call it the fish capital of Southern Scandinavia, and therefore, we will be joined by one of the experts and visit the Bergen fish market. A trip up the mountain on the Fløibanen funicular is not to be missed.

In the evening the table is set at Enhjørningen Restaurant on ‘Bryggen’, Bergen`s traditional wharf. This is a Norwegian Fish restaurant of unique character housed in a deep and narrow building restored in 18 century Hanseatic style.

On the Regional Menu
Wild Atlantic salmon, crab, lobster

Accommodation

Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontorat

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Dinners

Day 12: Reykjavik – New Nordic Cuisine

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From Bergen we catch a short flight across the Norwegian Sea to Iceland and the sparkling city of Reykjavik. On the way from the airport we make a stop at the Blue Lagoon for a nice soak after the flight across the North Atlantic. The afternoon is filled with a cultural and historical excursion of the city and a visit to a traditional fish market.

Check in at Hotel 101 in downtown Reykjavík where you will be greeted with a welcome drink.

Tonight's dinner is at Við Tjörnina, the oldest seafood restaurant in Reykjavík, 5 course menu.

On the Menu
Fried Icelandic duck, summer truffles, wild rasberries

Accommodation

101 Hotel

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Dinners

Day 13: Wild Iceland – Golden Circle

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This morning you set out into the country, driving east across the Hellisheiði pass, where geothermal energy has been harnessed for electricity and the many different boreholes send steam into the air. East of the pass the southern farmlands stretch out and shortly after passing the town of Selfoss you will visit a farmers market right on the highway where emphasis is on selling local products.

Heading north next stop will be at Engi, one of the bigger producers of organic vegetables and herbs in the south. Here the farmers welcome the group and show the premises. A short drive from Engi is the world famous Geysir geothermal area where the original geyser is found and the adjacent Strokkur spouts regularly into the air, truly a must for all visitors to Iceland. The Gullfoss waterfall is nearby also an obligatory stop before continuing on to Þingvellir NP a World Heritage Site and an important place for Iceland, in geological and historical terms. Return to Reykjavík in the late afternoon for accommodation at Hotel 101.

We dine tonight at the Dill restaurant, which is famous for the pioneering of the New Nordic Cuisine. Restaurant Dill is located in the Nordic House in Reykjavík, which was designed and built in 1968 by renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. Restaurant Dill is run by chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason, captain of the Icelandic culinary team, and Ólafur Örn Olafsson, president of the Icelandic sommelier association.

Accommodation

101 Hotel

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 14: Reykjavik – Purely Icelandic

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Today you will visit the microbrewery Borg for insights into the local brews, as well as the quaint little farmers' market Frú Lauga located in the heart of Reykjavik. The market offers fresh agricultural produce to the city folks. Later on we visit to a local shop that cures fish and meat in the traditional Icelandic way.

In the late afternoon we are hosted by one of Iceland’s famous chefs, and get an insight into how the chefs prepare for the night's feast, as well as getting a presentation on their philosophy and methods. The restaurant we will be dining at uses only characteristically local Icelandic produce, and the Icelandic region, culture and identity is a key ingredient in what is on offer on the menu.

On the Menu
Smoked Arctic Char from Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Accommodation

101 Hotel

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
1 x Dinners

Day 15 & 16: Faroe Islands – Tastes of the North Atlantic

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On our way back to Copenhagen we make a 2 night stop on the Faroe Islands. The Faroe Islands are perched in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean north of Shetland and Orkney. The islands are part of the Western Nordic region and are home to dramatic rugged cliffs, sprawling seabird colonies, and a newfound taste for Nordic gastronomy. We arrive in the capital, Torshavn, in the afternoon and after check-in we will enjoy an evening cruise on a schooner. On board we are served local fish soup carefully prepared by the well known cook, Birgir Enni, who also is your skipper and guide onboard. This is a unique experience, very local indeed.

On day 16 our local guide will take us to the beautiful village of Gjógv. In Gjógv a mouth-watering Faroese Buffet is awaiting us. After lunch we make a guided walk of the village, see and sit on Crown Princess Mary´s bench and enjoy the panorama views.

After returning to our hotel we will meet and enjoy a tasting with Chef Leif Sørensen, who is one of the Nordic chefs behind the New Nordic Food Manifesto. In evening he will serve us a 6 course meal inspired by the terms ‘simple’, ‘pure’ and ‘fresh’ at his restaurant KOKS.

On the Regional Menu
North Atlantic seafood treasures and New Nordic Cuisine

Accommodation

Hotel Føroyar

Meals Included

2 x Breakfasts
1 x Lunches
2 x Dinners

Day 17: Copenhagen – World Class stage

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We take a morning flight from the Faroe Islands to Copenhagen where a very special experience is awaiting us. We will do a short walking tour of the old quarter to familiarise ourselves with this romantic city.

In the late afternoon take a stroll along the harbour front at Nyhavn or meander through the old quarter enjoying a quiet beer while you reminisce on the experiences of Nordic delicacies.

Tonight we dine at Geranium, the home of this year's (2011) Bocuse d'Or GOLD winner Rasmus Kofoed.

On the Menu
World Class dining stage 1

Accommodation

71 Nyhavn Hotel

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Dinners

Day 18: Copenhagen

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In the morning we make a tour of the main Copenhagen attractions including the Amalienborg and Christiansborg Palaces. We also visit the Meat City (Kødbyen) and go for a walk through the 'Freetown' of Christiania. The afternoon and evening is free to explore further on your own.

Accommodation

71 Nyhavn Hotel

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts

Day 19: Overnight tour to Dragsholm Slot

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A comfortable 3 hour journey from Copenhagen, Dragsholm is one of Denmark’s oldest castles. The name Dragsholm means “the islet by the drag”, where the “drag” refers to the isthmus that connected Odsherred with the rest of Zealand before the reclaiming of Lammefjorden. Since 1200, the islet has been the site for a Dragsholm Slot – from the original palace and then medieval castle to the present baroque castle.

The castle is situated in beautiful and ever-changing natural surroundings, and is not far from the fjord. The owners of Dragsholm Slot’s say that the history and location should be both seen and tasted. Their ambition is for the castle’s cuisine to belong to Scandinavia’s gastronomical elite now and in the future. The cuisine in the gourmet restaurant The Castle Kitchen is innovative and gourmet. The starting point is the castle’s history and the season’s ingredients from Lammefjorden and the rest of Odsherred with strong roots in Danish and Scandinavian cuisine.

Our formal final dinner is served from 7pm this evening.

Accommodation

Dragsholm Slot

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Dinners

Day 20: Return to Copenhagen for Noma dinner

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We return to Copenhagen for another night in the Danish capital.

This evening we have secured the private dining room at Restaurant Noma, winner of the ‘S. Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurant’ title in 2010, 2011 & 2012.

Prior to our finale dinner we may visit the Nordic Food Lab, a non-profit institution, which purpose is scientific exploration of the New Nordic Cuisine.

On the Menu
World Class dining stage 2

Accommodation

71 Nyhavn Hotel

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts
1 x Dinners

Day 21: Depart Copenhagen

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Our services end after breakfast.

Meals Included

1 x Breakfasts