Nordic Design and Food Tours
Combine the culinary delights of Copenhagen Cooking and the creative excitement of Helsinki Design Week with the Scandinavian Capitals by Rail & Ferry tour, offering a rich tapestry of experiences across Copenhagen, Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, and Tallinn, each celebrated for their unique blend of innovative design and exquisite food.
Combine the culinary delights of Copenhagen Cooking and the creative excitement of Helsinki Design Week with the Scandinavian Capitals by Rail & Ferry tour with 50 Degrees North. This 14-day independent tour seamlessly connects you to the heart of these vibrant festivals, offering a rich tapestry of experiences across the Nordic capitals.
The tour also takes you to Stockholm, Oslo, and Tallinn, where you'll experience a rich interplay of design and culinary excellence. Each city offers unique insights into the region's cultural and creative landscape, making for a memorable journey that celebrates both innovative design and exquisite food.
Copenhagen Coooking Week
Starting in Copenhagen in late August, you’ll dive into the Copenhagen Cooking festival - a vibrant 10-day annual food festival that celebrates the dynamic culinary scene of Denmark's capital city. This event brings together top chefs, restaurants, producers, and food enthusiasts to showcase the best of Danish gastronomy. It's more than just a festival; it's a cultural celebration where gastronomy, creativity, and community converge.
Indeed, Copenhagen Cooking offers more than 50 one-of-a-kind culinary events throughout the streets of Copenhagen. As a guest, you will find a variety of food experiences created in collaboration with restaurants, craftsmen, and food communities in Copenhagen. Whether you would like to indulge in fine dining and gastronomy or enjoy a glass of wine alongside 1500 festive guests at Frederiksberg Harvest Fest, Copenhagen Cooking has something to satisfy your taste.
For travellers to Copenhagen, Copenhagen Cooking offers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the city's food culture, discover new tastes, and engage with a vibrant community of food enthusiasts and experts. Whether attending workshops, tasting events, or exploring local markets, visitors can experience firsthand why Copenhagen is celebrated for its innovative and diverse culinary scene during this extraordinary festival.
Helsinki Design Week
From Copenhagen, journey to Helsinki in time for Helsinki Design Week, the largest annual event of its kind in northern Europe. The festival showcases 150+ architecture and design events, including exhibitions, open studios and showrooms, fashion shows and talks. Open Studios events grant visitors exclusive access to private creative studios and offices with Children's Design Week adding a family-friendly dimension to the festivities.
Photo: Marimekko and Visit Finland
Design & Cuisine in Stockholm
Stockholm is renowned for its design scene, blending minimalistic aesthetics with functionality. The city is home to numerous design museums and galleries, including the renowned Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design, and the Moderna Museet. The city's design shops, such as Svenskt Tenn and Designtorget, offer a range of iconic Scandinavian design pieces, from furniture to home decor.
Stockholm’s culinary scene is equally impressive, characterised by a mix of traditional Swedish cuisine and modern gastronomic innovation. The city boasts several Michelin-starred restaurants, including Frantzén and Oaxen Krog. Stockholm's food markets, such as Östermalms Saluhall and the urban food space of K25, provide a vibrant culinary experience, offering everything from fresh seafood to contemporary street food. The city's focus on sustainability is evident in the increasing number of restaurants prioritising locally-sourced and organic ingredients.
Design & Cuisine in Oslo
Oslo is emerging as a significant player in the design world, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and contemporary aesthetics. The Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture (DOGA) is a central hub for design exhibitions and events, promoting the importance of design in everyday life. Oslo's public spaces and architecture reflect a commitment to innovative and environmentally conscious design.
Oslo’s food scene is marked by a blend of traditional Norwegian flavours and modern culinary techniques. The city is home to several top-rated restaurants, such as Maaemo, which holds three Michelin stars and focuses on local and organic produce. The Mathallen Food Hall in the Grünerløkka district offers a diverse range of Norwegian and international cuisines, providing a taste of Oslo's vibrant food culture. The city's commitment to sustainability is evident in the popularity of farm-to-table dining experiences.
Design & Cuisine in Tallinn
Tallinn’s design scene is a fascinating blend of medieval heritage and modern innovation. The city’s creative district, Telliskivi Creative City, is a hub for design studios, galleries, and shops, showcasing the work of Estonian designers and artists. The Estonian Design House and the annual Tallinn Design Festival - also in September and possible to combine with Helsinki Design Week - are pivotal in promoting local design talent and innovation. Tallinn's architecture, with its preserved medieval old town and contemporary buildings, reflects a unique combination of old and new.
Tallinn’s culinary landscape offers a mix of traditional Estonian dishes and modern European cuisine. The city's restaurants are celebrated for their innovative menus and use of local ingredients. The Balti Jaam Market is a culinary hotspot, featuring a wide range of local produce, street food, and artisanal products. Tallinn’s focus on fresh, seasonal, and locally-sourced ingredients is a testament to its evolving food scene, appealing to both locals and visitors.
Combining Design and Food Across Scandinavian Capitals
The Scandinavian Capitals by rail & ferry tour provides a comprehensive and enriching experience, celebrating the best of Nordic and Baltic creativity and gastronomy. By traveling comfortably by train and ferry, you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the region while making sustainable travel choices.
Copenhagen Cooking Week. Image Credits: Rasmus Flindt Pedersen