Published January 13, 2024
Humans have always traveled and settled, but we have learned to reconcile our urge to explore “what lies beyond” with our desire for the comfort that comes from building a space to call “home.” And these powerful human impulses have been driven to new heights by our passion to perfect, taking both transport and architecture on fascinating evolutionary journeys.
Where once humans scraped mud into protective walls for shelter, we now use concrete, steel, and glass to scrape the skies with majestic towers that are both marvels of engineering and works of art. Meanwhile, advanced engineering is taking modern cars to ever higher levels of performance and safety, while endowing them with a myriad of home comforts.
For luxury brand Bentley, there is no better way to appreciate these two great human impulses than by exploring some of the world’s most exciting architecture from behind the wheel of one of the world’s most sophisticated cars. To make this dream a reality, Bentley crafted a specially curated Extraordinary Journey that took like-minded explorers on a once-in-a-lifetime expedition of architectural discovery through the stunning natural and man-made landscapes of Scandinavia.
Driving a range of Bentley cars from Stockholm to Copenhagen, this unique journey inspired an appreciation of architecture through a series of exclusive experiences. More than this, through shared moments and growing insight our travelers forged meaningful connections with the many people they met—making their journey even more fulfilling.
A relaxed start
Starting in Stockholm, from the moment they entered the boutique hotel Ett Hem they began to appreciate how humanity has managed to reconcile its passion for travel with its desire for home comforts. Through its architecture and interior design, Ett Hem beautifully blurs the lines between home and hospitality, striking a stylish balance of relaxed domesticity with all the services a modern traveler requires. Whether getting to know fellow guests in the chic sitting rooms, working out in the gym or yoga studio, or enjoying freshly baked Swedish cakes in the warmth of the kitchen, Ett Hem lives up to its translation of “home”.
With morning came a chauffeured drive through the streets of Stockholm, giving our travelers the luxury of time to take in the unique architectural composition of the city. Lacking skyscrapers but awash with historic buildings, Stockholm has actively absorbed many architectural movements from across the world. But these influences often arrived relatively late, when they had already evolved into established styles that are now recognized as distinctly Swedish.
Moving from the idiosyncratic architecture of the city, guests then got to explore the unique characteristics of their chosen Bentley. Even those who were not naturally passionate about cars could enjoy comparing the different models with their fellow travelers and revel in the awesome beauty of the Bentley design. And as they took to the road in an expertly arranged convoy, it was a chance to reflect on how far innovation has taken our travel experience, from horse and cart to state-of-the-art driver assistance, head-up displays, and heated seats.
Building with nature
The first architectural stop was the striking eco-built Naturhus, on Lake Vättern. Setting the tone for a day of exploring architecture’s interaction with the environment, Naturhus is a traditional-style building topped by a greenhouse that extends over the roof—a concept developed by Swedish eco-architect Bengt Warne in the 1970s. Built with sustainability in mind, the glass shell provides natural warmth and allows fruit and vegetables to be grown all year round. It also offered guests a panoramic view across the deep blue waters of the lake, making it a breathtaking spot for lunch.
Humankind’s earliest dwellings worked closely with nature, and this was beautifully reflected in a stay at Trakt Forest Hotel. Nestling deep in a pine forest, far from urban pressures, the only connectivity was with the hosts and fellow travelers—and that was all the company needed. Built to work in harmony with nature, each elevated wooden suite, designed by the Swedish architect Gert Wingårdh, seems organically embedded in the surrounding fir trees; the suites consciously delivering a sophisticated simplicity that accentuates their natural setting, helping guests feel the outside from the cozy comfort of inside.
How these architectural artisans created this was a perfect topic of conversation at dinner, which was a truly magical experience. Drawing on the bounty of the surrounding forest, Michelin star chef, Niklas Ekstedt, prepared exceptional Scandinavian cuisine over an open fire in the forest. Limiting himself to this single heat source, Ekstedt was forced to be more creative, experimenting with different flavors of smoke and rediscovering ancient techniques. Cooking food with fire was a wonderful reminder of how we used to live and a shared experience that heartily connected the guests with each other.
Art in the environment
Leaving Trakt refreshed and reinvigorated, sliding into their chosen Bentley was a wonderful reminder for the Extraordinary Journey guests of how the auto industry is transforming and evolving to meet the demands of the future. It was something to ponder as their route continued to the extraordinary 15th-century estate of Wanås Restaurant Hotel and the adjoining sculpture park, Wanås Konst. The hotel is steeped in family history and effortlessly blends traditional and contemporary styles; here, the travelers enjoyed an exquisite locally sourced lunch in the tastefully restored stables before setting out to explore.
The Sculpture Park was established in 1987 and now contains 80 magnificent permanent works by acclaimed international artists. From brightly colored modern pieces to haunting wooden structures, it even includes a Yoko Ono Wish Tree. Roaming the grounds, the peaceful beech woods proved perfect for walking in company or for losing oneself in the serenity of reflective solitude.
Crossing the Öresund Bridge at sunset, one of the longest in Europe and a testament to the capacity for engineering to look elegant, our travelers passed from Sweden to Denmark for a stay in Copenhagen— designated World Capital of Architecture from 2023 to 2025. Spending two nights at Nimb, the renowned boutique hotel with its spectacular fairy-tale façade, they were based in the famous Tivoli Gardens that inspired both Hans Christian Anderson and Walt Disney. But dinner that night saw them swapping stories of their travels while taking in epic views of Copenhagen by night from the city’s highest restaurant, perched atop the graceful curves of the architecturally iconic Axel Towers.
A voyage of discovery
Morning brought exclusive access to Tivoli Gardens and the chance to balance mind and body with a private yoga session on the park’s pagoda-flanked Peacock Stage. Then the party took to a private boat to navigate Copenhagen’s iconic waterways under the guidance of an expert from the Danish Architecture Center. From colorful canals to the modern waterfront, they watched the dynamic landscape glide by while learning more about the city’s eclectic architecture and delving deeper into how building design influences our lives.
This journey of architectural discovery peaked with an exclusive visit to one of the world’s greatest architectural practices, the Bjarke Ingels Group or BIG. Touring the studio delivered fascinating insights into the practice’s creative process, before our travelers enjoyed a luxurious lunch in the beating heart of this architectural powerhouse. This was a money-can’t-buy opportunity to explore architecture from every angle, asking questions and sharing ideas with their guides and companions while reveling in a shared passion.
After an afternoon exploring the capital city at leisure, the final dinner was a sensorial experience at one of the world’s leading restaurants. This was a chance for the whole group of guests to reflect on their journey together, the scenic roads they had driven, the extraordinary architecture they had seen, the exceptional foods they had enjoyed, and, crucially, the enduring connections they had made with the people they met.
Bentley’s five-day Extraordinary Journey across Scandinavia put architecture into a fresh focus, educating, enlightening, and inspiring, while generating lasting connections between like-minded people with shared passions. Far beyond the pleasures of driving, dining, and exploring, the experience brought to the fore the unparalleled joy of connecting with people and the world around us.
Discover the world of Bentley’s Extraordinary Journeys here.
