Scandinavian Capitals Plus Finland and St. Petersburg Russia

Categories Escorted Tours Scandinavia Summer Tours

Experience the Nordic highlights on this comprehensive journey of Scandinavia Capitals, the stunning Norwegian Fjords, Helsini and St. Petersburg. Be amazed by the contrasts, from Viking Capitals to the wild nature of the Norwegian Fjords, and the enchanting palaces of St Petersburg. Enjoy this fabulous part of the world and appreciate a fantastic blend of history and nature!

Bi-lingual tour escorts (English & 2nd Language)

Itinerary

Arrival to Copenhagen Airport, meet & greet by English-speaking representative, for Regular Arrival Transfer Service to the hotel for check-in . Please consult your welcome letter,which you will receive on check-in to your hotel, and kindly note where and when to meet your tour leader. A short welcome meeting will be held in the evening, where you will receive information on the up coming tour program. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we depart by private coach with your guide for a panoramic sightseeing tour of Copenhagen. This tour will be the perfect introduction to "Wonderful Copenhagen". We begin with a drive towards the City Hall Square where the famous pedestrian street "Stroget" begins. Passing by Tivoli Gardens and onwards past the New Carlsberg Glyptotheque and the National Museum. Next, it is the Old Stock Exchange and the Naval Church. We drive past the Kings New Square, the home of the Royal Danish Theatre with the world famous ballet, then through the old canal area, Nyhavn, with its picturesque houses and boats. We continue on to the impressive Gefion Fountain and the Royal residence, Amalienborg Palace. Finally, we stop by the landmark of Copenhagen, the statue of the Little Mermaid. During the tour, you can also delight in Christiansborg Palace as well as Rosenborg Castle, which houses the Crown Jewels. The tour ends at the hotel.In the afternoon transfer to the pier by private coach to embark on the DFDS Seaways overnight ferry. At approximately 16:30, departure to Oslo. Buffet dinner will be served on board.

NOTE: Passports must be shown when travelling between Denmark and Norway on the DFDS ferry.

Breakfast is served on board. Arrival in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, next to Great Oslo Fjord. Then visit Holmenkollen Hill from where you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the city and the fjord. The Holmenkollen Ski Jump was the focal point of the Olympic Winter Games in 1952. Free time to explore the facilities on your own. From Holmenkollen onto the famous Bygdoy Island where most of the museums of the city are located. Free time. Early in the afternoon we continue our journey across Hoenefoss, Nesbyen, surrounded by a landscape where pine forests alternate with lakes, and arrive in the beautiful Hallingdal Valley. Just a few kilometres away, we will visit Gol followed by Geilo, a small town surrounded by mountains. Arrival at hotel followed by check-in. Dinner is included at the hotel. Overnight at Quality Voringsfoss Hotel or similar.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning you will cross the splendid Hardanger fjord, by travelling across Hardanger Bridge. This Bridge has one of the longest suspension bridge spans in the world. After reaching the other side, we will continue along the fjord, passing by Nordheimsund and crossing birch forests until we arrive in Bergen –known as the capital of the fjords. In the afternoon, a panoramic sightseeing tour is included during which we will delight in St. Marys Church, Haakon’s Hall, the colourful and picturesque fish market and the old Bryggen area (No entrances included). The evening is at your leisure.

Ovenight at Scandic Hotel Ornen or similar.

OPTIONAL: View Bergen from the peak of Mount Fløyen ($20pp)

The Fløibanen funicular in Bergen in the heart of Bergen is one of Norway’s best-known attractions. The journey up to the peak of Mount Fløyen (320 mabove sea level) takes 5–8 minutes. The journey is an experience in itself, cutting through the steep mountain side and forests revealing more of the city below. At the top you can enjoy fantastic views over Bergen and Norwegian coast line.

Breakfast at the hotel. The morning is at your leisure to further explore the stunning fjord capital of Bergen. Early afternoon departure from Bergen and travel to the historic town of Voss, with a stunning background of snow clad mountains.After a short break, the journey continues towards Naeroy valley where or hotel is situated. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the stunning views down the Stalheim Gorge. Dinner is included at the hotel.

Breakfast at your hotel. After breakfast the coach continues down the Naeroy valley to Gudvangen where you embark a ferry that takes you along the Naeroyfjord, one of the narrowest and most popular fjord journeys in Norway. Disembark in the stunning village of Flam where you will have some free time. Here you will have a ride on the Flam Railway one of the most famous and most breathtaking railway journeys in the world. In the afternoon the coach journey continues along the Aurlandfjord, via Aurland and Lærdal. A photo stop is made at the popular Borgund Stave church (entrance not included) before continuing on the last part of the journey to Fagernes. Check in and dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Scandic Valdres Hotel or similar

After breakfast, we travel towards Oslo, leaving the fjords behind us. Early afternoon arrival in Oslo and check-in to the hotel. Experience a panoramic sightseeing tour of the Norwegian capital, beautifully situated by a fjord. We will enjoy the view from the Opera house, Vigeland’s Park, the Royal Palace and the main street, Karl Johan. The tour ends at your hotel from where you will have the evening to further explore the Viking capital at your own pace. Overnight at Scandic Victoria Hotel or similar

Breakfast at your hotel. Depart Oslo and travel (by coach or train) to Stockholm, passing through Norwegian and Swedish forests, and through the region of Varmland, the home of many legends. Late afternoon arrival to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, for check-in to your hotel. Evening is at leisure. Overnight at Scandic Grand Central Hotel or similar.

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide and depart by private coach for a 3-hour city sightseeing tour of Stockholm. The city, built on 14 islands, connected by 57 bridges, embraces the unique character of 13th century Old Town with modern high-tech architecture.Stockholm is proudly called “Beauty on Water”. The sightseeing tour includes a walk through the Old Town, and an inside visit to the City Hall, where the Nobel festivities take place, making for a memorable morning tour. Feel the medieval atmosphere of the Old Town "Gamla Stan", with its Cathedral and Stortorget,where the Stockholm Blood Bath took place. The tour also includes a drive to Fjallgatan where you will enjoy picturesque views of Stockholm. The tour ends at the hotel. The afternoon is at leisure. We suggest:Directly after the tour make a visit to the famous Vasa Museum (not included)

Breakfast at your hotel. After breakfast at your hotel your morning is at leisure. Afternoon transfer to the pier by private coach and departure on the Tallink Silja overnight ferry, sailing along the Baltic Sea, bound for Helsinki. Dinner will be served on board. Outside cabin.

Breakfast is served on board before arrival to Helsinki. At the pier, you will be met by your tour director for the remaining part of your tour –a highly skilled professional with years of experience in travelling in Russia will be ready to show you the highlights of Imperial Russia, but first you will experience Helsinki. Your local guide will take you on a 3-hour city sightseeing of the capital of Finland, also known as “The Daughter of the Baltic Sea”. The tour includes the Senate Square, the University and Lutheran Cathedral –all displaying neo-classical architecture of the 1840’s, the colourful Market Square by the sea in the South Harbour, Kaivopuisto Park and diplomatic residences, the imposing statue of Marshall Mannerheim, the Parliament Building, Finlandia Hall, the Orthodox Russian Church Uspenski and the Sibelius Monument. A visit is also made to Temppeliaukio Church –called the “Rock Church” as it is carved into solid rock (the church reserves the right not to allow the entry of visitors in case of ceremonies). The tour ends in the city centre giving you the chance to explore a bit on your own, before you and your fellow travellers are transferred to Helsinki’s International Rail Station, to board the Allegro Train bound for St. Petersburg, a city founded in 1703 by Tzar Peter the Great and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Also known to the world as the "Northern Capital of Russia" and "the Venice of the North", St. Petersburg was virtually unharmed by the 1930-50s Stalinist reconstruction, and its downtown dazzles the eye of the visitor with splendid palaces, stylish monuments, straight avenues, beautiful bridges and amazing churches. St. Petersburg is filled with history and mystery. Arrival in St. Petersburg in the early evening and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Overnight at Hotel Angleterre or similar

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, we will be met by a local guide for a panoramic city sightseeing tour, which will cover some of the many highlights of the city. We will drive along the Nevsky Prospect - the heart of the city, and make picture stops at the Spit of Vasilievsky Island, the Senate Square, The Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Art's Square and the Russian Museum as well as at the two magnificent churches, the "Spilled Blood" and the Nikolsky Cathedral. The city tour ends at the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to further explore this magnificent city and its treasures. Your tour escort will provide you with suggestions for tours.

Breakfast at the hotel. We meet our local guide to continue our adventure in this charming city. You will visit The State Hermitage Museum, which occupies six magnificent buildings situated along the embankment of the River Neva, right in the heart of St. Petersburg. The leading role in this unique architectural ensemble is played by the Winter Palace, the residence of the Russian Tsars that was built to the design of Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli in 1754-62. This ensemble, formed in the 18th and 19th Centuries, is extended by the eastern wing of the General Staff building, the Menshikov Palace and the recently constructed Repository. Put together throughout two centuries and a half, the Hermitage collections of works of art (over 3,000,000 items) presents the development of world culture and art from the Stone Age to the 20th Century. Today the Museum is creating a digital self-portrait to be displayed around the world. The tour ends at the hotel. The evening is at leisure.

OPTIONAL: Take the opportunity to visit the Peterhof Palace ($100pp), also known as the palace of the Sea God. Here the fountains are not mere accessories: they are the essence of the place. They are the symbolic expression of the sea's dominion, the mist that rises from the waves as they surge against its shores. The world-famous palace, fountain and park ensemble of Peterhof, is an outstanding landmark of Russian artistic culture from the 18-19th Centuries. Founded in the very beginning of the eighteenth Century by Emperor Peter the Great, not far from his new northern capital St. Petersburg, Peterhof was intended to become the most splendid official royal summer residence. Credit for its creation should go to a great number of eminent architects, artists, and anonymous folk craftsmen. Its wonderful parks, 176 fountains of various forms and styles, and four cascades, majestic palaces, numerous gilded statues of ancient gods and heroes, remarkable collections of sculpture, painting and works of the minor arts make Peterhof a veritable gem of art unique in the world, often called "Capital of Fountains". After 1917 the Peterhof ensemble was taken into state custody and turned into architecture and art museum. Nowadays, due to the unforgettable beauty of its fountains, parks and palaces, Peterhof has become the most attractive suburban royal park and palace ensemble of northern Russia's capital for numerous Russian and foreign visitors. Minimum 2 people

Breakfast at the hotel. English-speaking representative will meet you for the Regular Transfer Service to Pulkovo Airport

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