Tour of Scandinavia St. Petersburg and Moscow

   
 
 

Grand Tour of Scandinavia St. Petersburg & Moscow

Scandinavian Capitals - Fjords - St Petersburg & Moscow

21 Days / 17 locations in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia

Tour Scandinavia and Russia in 21 days! Discover the major Scandinavian cities during guided tours through Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Oslo, and Bergen. Experience overnight cruises, two fjord cruises, and the famous Tivoli Gardens. This is an excellent way to discover the best of what Scandivaia has to offer, plus three days in St. Petersburg and three days in Moscow viewing all of the historic sights!

Shorter versions of this tour are available.

Please see:

Grand Tour of Scandinavia

Grand Tour of Scandinavia & St. Petersburg

Itinerary

 
Day 1     Copenhagen
Accommodation: Admiral Hotel
Meals: Dinner

Transfer from Copenhagen Kastrup Airport to hotel in connection with your flight arrival. Dinner and accommodation at Admiral Hotel. Your tour escort will meet you at 19.50 hrs in the hotel lobby before dinner.

 
Day 2     Copenhagen
Accommodation: Admiral Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

The day starts with a 3 hours guided tour of the city. Famous sights include the Royal Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace (Danish Parliament Buildings), Gefion Fountain, and Nyhavn. Afternoon free for exploring this fairytale city. Your tour escort will be provide you with entrance tickets for the famous Tivoli Gardens.

 
Day 3     Copenhagen - Oslo
Accommodation: Overnight Ferry, Copenhagen - Oslo
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Morning free in Copenhagen. Afternoon transfer by coach from hotel to DFDS Seaways terminal for your overnight cruise by ferry to Oslo, departing at 17.00 hrs. Enjoy your first Scandinavian smörgåsbord dinner as you cruise gently up the Kattegat.

Accommodation in 2-berth outside cabins with shower/WC. We recommend you to bring an overnight bag for this cruise, to avoid having to carry suitcases to and from your cabin.

 
Day 4     Oslo
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast as you cruise along the enchanting Oslo Fjord. Arrival in Oslo at 9.00 am, followed by 3 hour guided tour of the Norwegian capital. You will visit the world-famous Viking Ships, the Polar exploration ship Fram, and the impressive Vigeland Sculpture Park followed by an excursion to Holmenkollen for a birds-eye view of the city and fjord far below. Dinner and accommodation.

 
Day 5     Oslo - Geilo - Ulvik
Accommodation: Brakanes Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

After breakfast departure from Oslo, driving via Hønefoss along the charming Halling Valley to the tourist resort town of Geilo. Buffet lunch at Bardøla Mountain Hotel. After lunch cross the wild Hardanger Mountain Plateau to Fossli, stopping to view the thundering Vøringsfoss Waterfall with a vertical drop of 180 m., the highest in Norway. Descend the amazing Måbødal Canyon to the idyllic Hardanger Fjord. Short ferry crossing, followed by drive around the Ulvik Fjord, a branch of the Hardanger Fjord, to the picturesque village of Ulvik. Dinner and accommodation at Rica Brakanes Hotel, ideally located on the banks of the fjord.

 
Day 6     Oslo - Hardangerfjord - Bergen
Accommodation: Scandic Hotel Ornen
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

After buffet breakfast, start of scenic tour along the beautiful Hardanger Fjord, famous for its many fruit orchards, via the towns of Øystese and Norheimsund, arriving in Bergen around midday. Afternoon 2 hours tour of Bergen, including a visit to the popular Fish and Flower Market, the famous Bryggen Harbour with its gabled packhouses, and the old Hanseatic Quarter. You will also ride on the funicular to Mt. Fløien, for the best views of the city and fjords way below. Dinner and accommodation at Scandic Hotel Ornen, centrally located in Bergen.

 
Day 7     Bergen - Flam - Balestrand
Accommodation: Kvikne Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Departure from Bergen, drive to Voss. Train ride on the Bergen Railway to Myrdal. From Myrdal, Flåm Railway to Flåm. From Flåm, 2 hours’ cruise to Gudvangen. Continuation by coach through the Stalheim Canyon and Nærøy Valley, across the Vika Mountains to Vangsnes, for short ferry crossing to Balestrand. Dinner and accommodation at Kvikne’s Hotel

 
Day 8     Balestrand
Accommodation: Kvikne Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Day free in Balestrand, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the outstanding beauty and nature of the fjords. The day starts with a traditional Norwegian buffet breakfast in the hotels elegant dining room. You may want to spend the morning relaxing on the hotel terrace, breathing in the fresh mountain air and enjoying the spectacular views. We can also recommend a visit to the local aquarium and art gallery, or you may prefer to rent a bike or rowing boat from the hotel, or even go on foot up to the nearest mountains. A walking tour of the village of Balestrand, with its historic buildings and other noteworthy sites can also be arranged. Dinner and accommodation at Kviknes Hotel.

 
Day 9     Balestrand - Nordfjord - Briksdal - Geiranger
Accommodation: Union Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Departure from your hotel on a one hour fjord cruise to Fjærland. Continue by coach along the scenic route passing under the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Europe to the village of Skei. Descend to the beautiful Nord Fjord making a detour at Olden to visit the famous Briksdal Glacier. The journey up to the glacier will be made in open cars to give you the best view. A typical Norwegian lunch is served in sight of the glacier. During the afternoon the tour continues via Loen and Stryn to the picturesque village of Hellesylt. Here you go onboard the ferry for the one hour cruise along the spectacular Geiranger Fjord, possibly the most impressive of all Norwegian fjords. During the cruise you will pass close to some magificent waterfalls such as the Bridal Veil and Seven Sisters. Dinner and accommodation at the famous Union Hotel, overlooking the Geiranger Fjord.

 
Day 10     Geiranger - Lillehammer - Oslo
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

From the top of the famous Serpentine Road, you have the opportunity to digest some amazing views of the fjord, before crossing the rugged Grotli Mountains to Lom, well known for its 14th century stave church. The tour continues via Lake Vågå, before descending the magnificent Gudbrands Valley to the popular tourist town of Lillehammer. Stop for lunch in Lillehammer. After lunch the journey continues alongside Lake Mjøsa, Norways largest lake, back to Oslo. Dinner and accommodation at Radisson Blu Plaza.

 
Day 11     Oslo - Karlstad - Stockholm
Accommodation: Sokos Vasilievsky
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Continue by coach towards the Swedish border, crossing into the attractive province of Vïomland to arrive in the city of Karlstad on Lake Vïonern, the largest in Sweden. Lunch. After lunch the tour continues through a landscape of forests and sparkling lakes to reach the Swedish capital in the late afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.

 
Day 12     Stockholm
Accommodation: Sokos Vasilievsky
Meals: Breakfast

The day starts with a 4 hours guided tour of the city. Famous sights include the Royal Palace, Parliament Buildings, Cathedral, Royal Theatre, etc. You will also visit the enchanting Old Town (Gamla Stan) with its narrow cobbled streets and numerous

antique shops. Highlight of the tour is a visit to City Hall with its famous Blue and Golden Halls, where the Nobel Prize banquet is held each year. Afternoon free in Stockholm, with possibility to visit the famous Wasa Museum or take one of the popular canal tours. Accommodation at the Clarion Hotel Sign. Please note that dinner today is not included in the program, as our experience shows that whilst in Stockholm guests prefer to eat out at a restaurant of their own choice. Your tour escort will gladly advise and make table reservations for you.

 
Day 13     Stockholm - Helsinki
Accommodation: Overnight Ferry, Stockholm - Helsinki
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Morning free in Stockholm. Afternoon transfer from hotel to pier, for embarkation on a luxurious cruise ferry of the Silja Line. Departure of cruise from Stockholm at 5:00 pm, sailing slowly down the delightful Stockholm archipelago past numerous small islands. Dinner on board. Selection of entertainment, bars, shops and casino. Accommodation is in 2-berth outside cabins (seaside) with shower/WC. We recommend bringing an overnight bag for this cruise, to avoid having to carry suitcases to and from the cabin.

 
Day 14     Helsinki
Accommodation: Glo Hotel Art
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Enjoy your buffet breakfast as you sail into Helsinki. After disembarkation, a 3 hour guided tour of Helsinki. Famous sights include the Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Park & Monument, Underground Temple, and much more. Afternoon free in Helsinki. Dinner and accommodation at Glo Hotel Art, first class hotel centrally located.

 
Day 15     Helsinki - St. Petersburg
Accommodation: Ambassador Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Early breakfast followed by transfer by coach from hotel to railway station. 10.00 hrs: Departure from Helsinki on the train ’Allegro’ for St. Petersburg. Lunch box on train. 14.36 hrs: Arrival in St. Petersburg. Coach transfer from railway station to hotel combined with a 1 hour guided boat cruise along the Neva River and a visit to St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Welcome dinner incl. shot of vodka and 1 glass wine, and accommodation at Ambassador Hotel, a four star hotel located in the city centre, near the famous Mariinsky Theatre.

 
Day 16     St. Petersburg
Accommodation: Ambassador Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Buffet breakfast at hotel. 09.30 hrs: 3 hours panoramic tour of the city by coach with local English-speaking guide. St. Petersburg is a city of outstanding architectural beauty, famous for its magnificent palaces, cathedrals, fountains and bridges. 12.30 hrs: Lunch at the Hermitage Restaurant. 14.00: Tour of the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum and the State Rooms of the Winter Palace. Return to hotel. Dinner and accommodation at Ambassador Hotel.

 
Day 17     St. Petersburg
Accommodation: Ambassador Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Buffet breakfast at hotel. 09.30 hrs: Excursion to town of Pushkin including tour of Catherine’s Palace with its famous Amber Room. 12.00 hrs: Lunch at Admiralty Restaurant. After lunch, 1 hour’s guided boatcruise along the Neva River. This evening you will be taken to see a colourful Russian folklore show at the Nikolaevsky Palace, with snacks during the intermission. Dinner at the Backstage Restaurant of the Mariinsky Theatre. Accommodation at Ambassador Hotel.

 
Day 18     St. Petersburg - Moscow
Accommodation: Hilton Leningradskaja Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Buffet breakfast at hotel and checkout from thehotel. Time for leisure. At 11:30am, transfer to St. Petersburg railway station for departure at 13.00 with SAPSAN train to Moscow. Lunch on board.

5.45pm: Arrival in Moscow followed by coach, transfer to your hotel in the Russian capital. Moscow was founded in the 12th century, built as a wooden fortress on the banks of the Moscow River to keep out barbarian invaders from the east.

Today it is a modern city with wide boulevards and green parks, yet proudly preserving its historic monuments and impressive buildings from previous eras. Dinner and accommodation at Hilton Leningradskaya Hotel, centrally located hotel.

 
Day 19     Moscow
Accommodation: Hilton Leningradskaja Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Morning tour of the Kremlin and Armoury Museum with local English-speaking guide. This tour of 3 hours has to be done on foot as no coaches are allowed inside the area. The Kremlin, which was the home not only of the Tsars but also of Lenin and Stalin, is surrounded by 7 meter thick walls and covers an area of 29 acres. You will pass by the Lenin Mausoleum and the grave of the unknown soldier, where brides still leave their wedding bouquets, to visit the coronation church of the Tsars, and the famous Vasilij Cathedral. The Armoury Museum contains the largest collection in the world of crown jewels and coronation robes, including the wedding dress of Catherine the Great and the famous 189 carat Olov diamond. You will also see the golden horse-drawn carriages of all the Tsars and other treasures. Lunch at local Restaurant Walk through the Red Square to rejoin your coach for a 3 hours panoramic city tour, including a visit to Saviour Cathedral. You will see amazing golden, blue and green towers of the Orthodox churches, the Bolshoy Theatre, Gorkij Park, the State University of Moscow and numerous other famous sights. Dinner at the hotel.

 
Day 20     Moscow
Accommodation: Hilton Leningradskaja Hotel
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Buffet breakfast at hotel. Morning: Guided tour of the WW2 Memorial on Poklonnaya Hill, followed by a visit to Borodino Panorama the largest panoramic painting of the Borodino Battle with Napoleon in 1812. Russian lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch guided tour of the famous Moscow Metro, ending with a walk along the fascinating pedestrian street Arbat, known as the Montmartre of Moscow. Rest of afternoon free for shopping in the GUM department store or exploring Moscow on your own. We can recommend a visit to the Pushkin Museum, famous for its collection of monuments from Ancient Egypt, or the popular Tretiakov Art Gallery. Dinner at the hotel.

 
Day 21     Moscow
Meals: Breakfast

Buffet breakfast at hotel followed by transfer with assistance to Moscow Airport for your flight home.

 

Notes

PLEASE NOTE: This tour is organized and operated by our Associate Office in Copenhagen. Due to the nature of this tour organization, there may be tour participants and escorts who will join or leave the tour at certain transit points. We hope this does not create any distraction and is understood it is a means to offer as much variety to the customers as possible.

Transfers airport or quay/hotel on first and last days to correspond with arrival/departure times.

Price Includes
Entrances Per Itinerary
Transfers Airport - Hotel -Airport
Transportation by Deluxe Air Conditioned Touring Coach
Meals As Mentioned
All Ferry Crossings
Overnight Cruise Stockholm - Helsinki
All Ferry Crossings in Norway.
Train Helsinki - St. Petersburg Roundtrip
Flight St. Petersburg-Moscow Including Transfers
Sightseeing and Entrances Per Itinerary
Tour Escort
Fjord Cruises
Hotel Accommodation As in Itinerary With Daily Breakfast
Daily Breakfast
Ride on the Bergen Funicular to Mt. Flien
Price Does Not Include
 Visa to Russia
ROB-1269
1.28.15.WP26