Winter Tours » Santa Claus Holidays » Fabulous Scandinavia & The Czar Route
Fabulous Scandinavia & The Czar Route– Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia –19 days / 18 nights, Copenhagen - Oslo - Geilo - Bergen - Stalheim - Gudvangen - Flåm - Oslo - Stockholm - Helsinki - St. Petersburg - MoscowThis comprehensive Scandinavia and the Czars tour features major highlights of Scandinavian Capitals of Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki. Explore the stunning Norwegian Fjord region of Norway; travel through mountains and along fjords. Visit Stockholm; cruise to Helsinki and on to the Russian treasures of St Petersburg & Moscow. Admire the history of Palaces, Cathedrals, Peterhof and the Hermitage Art museum before the train ride to Moscow.
| Operation | June 7 - September 17, 2012 |
| Departure | June 7, 21 July 5, 12, 19 August 2, 16, 30 |
| Price | $4,395 per person in double room $6,195 single room $3,985 third person in triple room |
| Included | 16 nights hotels in standard double/twin rooms with private facilities 2 overnight cruises on DFDS Seaways (inside cabins) & Tallink Silja ferries (Promenade cabins) 18 Buffet breakfasts 4 dinners as per the program Bi-lingual tour escort from Day 2 to Day 18 inclusive All touring by private coach, including all the sightseeing mentioned in the program Sapsan train St Petersburg - Moscow, 2nd class Visits, excursions and entrances as mentioned in the program Guided city tours of Copenhagen, Bergen, Oslo Guided city tours of Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg & Moscow Porter service DFDS Seaways, Tallink Silja Ferry and at all hotels during the program (excluding Day 1 & Day 19) |
| Not Included | International airfare & airport taxes Arrival & Departure transfers Gratuities Personal insurance Personal items $25 Service fee |
| Tour Options | FLÅM: 2 - 2.5 hrs Flåm Railway guided excursion: $ 105 HELSINKI: 3 hrs excursion to the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum: $ 90 ST PETERSBURG: 3 hrs visit to teh Hermitage Museum: $ 90 ST PETERSBURG: Visit to folklore show at the Nikolaevsky Palace: $ 100 ST PETERSBURG: 4 hrs excursion to Peterhof and visit to the Grand Palace: $ 140 ST PETERSBURG: 4 hrs excursion to Zarskoye Selo and visit to Catherine’s Palace: $ 130 ST PETERSBURG: Russian Dinner at Restaurant Na Zdrorovie: $ 130 ST PETERSBURG: 3 hrs guided shopping tour: $ 70 MOSCOW: 3 hrs excursion to Kremlin and visit to the cathedrals: $ 100 MOSCOW: 4 hrs excursion to Novodevichy Convent: $ 110 MOSCOW: 3 hrs excursion and cruise on the Moscow River: $ 90 MOSCOW: Visit to Old Russian Circus: $ 140 |
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Day 1 COPENHAGEN Arrival in Copenhagen, own transfer arrangements to your hotel. Please be in the hotel reception area at 18:00 to meet your tour escort and receive information on the upcoming tour program.
Day 2 COPENHAGEN - OSLO (B) Breakfast at your hotel. This morning you will depart by private coach with your local guide for a city sightseeing tour of Copenhagen. This tour will be the perfect introduction to "Wonderful Copenhagen". We start with a drive towards the City Hall Square where the famous pedestrian street "Stroget" begins. We pass the Tivoli Gardens, dating back to 1843 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 vessels. We continue on to see the impressive GefionFountain and then make a photo stop at the Royal residence, Amalienborg Palace. Finally we stop by the landmark of Copenhagen, the statue of the Little Mermaid, known from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale. During the tour we shall also appreciate the Christiansborg Palace, housing the Danish Parliament and the Rosenborg Castle which houses the Crown Jewels. The tour will end at the hotel.
In the afternoon you will be transferred to the pier in good time to embark the DFDS Seaways overnight ferry. At approximately 17:00, departure for Oslo.
Onboard DFDS Seaways
Day 3 OSLO - GEILO (B, D) Breakfast on board. Arrival to Oslo at 09:15, after disembarkation we board our private coach for a panoramic city sightseeing tour in the Norwegian capital, beautifully situated by a fjord. Enjoy the view from the Opera House situated right on the Oslo fjord, where you will spend some time on the outside terrace area before heading of to Bygdoy Island. The Vigeland's Park, one of the major Scandinavian cultural treasures, will welcome us with the sculptures of Gustav Vigeland, who dedicated his life to his artistic works. We also pass by the Royal Palace and the main street, Karl Johan as well. The tour ends downtown, from where you will have some free time to explore the Viking capital at your own pace. Early in the afternoon we continue our journey across Hønefoss, Nesbyen, surrounded by a landscape which alternates with forests of pines and lakes, we arrive in the beautiful Hallingdal Valley. Just a few kilometres away, we will visit Gol followed by Geilo, a small town surrounded by mountains and famous for its Ski resorts. Arrival at hotel followed by check-in. Dinner at your hotel.
Day 4 GEILO - BERGEN (B) Breakfast at your hotel. This morning you head towards the Hardanger Fjord and make a stop at the Voringfoss, a powerful waterfall that thunders down 597 feet from the Hardanger Plateau in some parts. A short drive via Eidfjord to Brimnes, to embark a ferry that will carry us across the Eidfjord, one of the inner fjords part of the Hardanger Fjord. Disembark in Bruravik, we will continue by coach, bordering the fjord, passing by Nordheimsund and crossing forests of birches until we arrive in Bergen. Bergen is the capital of the fjords, Norway’s second largest city and one of the three university cities in the country. In the afternoon, meet the local local guide in your hotel, for a city sightseeing tour during which we will appreciate St. Mary's Church, Haakon’s Hall, the colourful and picturesque fish markets and the old Bryggen area. You may also like to take a journey up on the Floibanen (not included), a funicular railway journey that will take you up the mountain side in order to enjoy the most amazing views of Bergen. Evening is at leisure.
Day 5 BERGEN - STALHEIM (B, D) Breakfast at your hotel. Morning is at 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 your hotel is situated. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the stunning views down the Stalheim Gorge, directly from your hotel. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 6 STALHEIM - FLÅM - FAGERNES (B, D) Breakfast at your hotel. After breakfast the coach continues down the Nærøy valley to Gudvangen where you embark a ferry that takes you along the Nærøyfjord, one of the narrowest and most popular fjord journeys in Norway. Disembark in the stunning village of Flåm where you will have some free time. Here you will have an opportunity to try the Flåm Railway (optional - see details at end of program), 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 later dinner at your hotel.
Quality Hotel & Resort Fagernes
Day 7 FAGERNES - OSLO (B) Breakfast at your hotel. After breakfast your travel towards Oslo, leaving the fjords behind you. Early afternoon arrival in Oslo and check-in to your hotel. Afternoon is at leisure to further explore the Norwegian Capitals and why not take a harbour cruise or visit one of the many fantastic museums (not included). Evening is at leisure.
Day 8 OSLO - STOCKHOLM (B) 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 Värmland, the home of many legends. Late afternoon arrival to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, for check-in to your hotel. Evening is at leisure.
Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm
Day 9 STOCKHOLM (B) Breakfast at your hotel. Meet your local guide and depart by private coach for on your city sightseeing tour of Stockholm. The city of Stockholm, built on 14 islands, connected by 57 bridges, embraces the unique character of the 13th century Old Town and modern high-tech architecture. Stockholm's islands are bordered by Lake Mälaren in the west and the Baltic Sea in the east, where the archipelago with it's 30.000 islands awaits exploration. The capital is a big city with a small town personality; its handy size and short walking distances makes it easy to cover a lot in a short time. Stockholm is proudly called "Beauty on Water"; a sightseeing tour including a walk in the Old Town, makes a memorable morning tour. Discover a city of contrasts, go back 750 years in time and feel the medieval atmosphere of the Old Town "Gamla Stan" as you wander through the narrow streets. The seven hundred year old cathedral of Stockholm, Seat of the Archbishop, will be seen during your stroll in the Old Town, as well as Stortorget, where the Stockholm Blood Bath took place. The tour also includes a drive to Fjällgatan with picturesque views of Stockholm. The tour ends at the hotel. The afternoon is at leisure.
Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm
Day 10 STOCKHOLM - HELSINKI (B, D) 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. Buffet dinner will be served on board. Overnight in Promenade cabin.
Onboard Silja Line
Day 11 HELSINKI (B) Breakfast on board. On arrival in Helsinki, disembarkation before meet & greet by your local English speaking guide for a city sightseeing of the capital of Finland, also known as "The Daughter of the Baltic". 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 tour ends at your hotel for check-in.
Afternoon is at leisure. Evening welcome drink and meeting with alternative tour leader, for the remainder of the journey into Russia.
Day 12 HELSINKI (B) NOTE: QUIETVOX audio communication system is used on this tour from Day 12 until Day 19.
Breakfast at your hotel. This morning is at leisure to further explore the Finnish capital. The afternoon offers an optional excursion to Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, an oasis in the midst of the city with cottages, farmsteads and manors from all around Finland. The evening is at leisure.
Day 13 HELSINKI - ST. PETERSBURG (B) Breakfast at your hotel. Today the journey goes eastbound to St. Petersburg. Shortly after crossing the border into Russia we arrive in Vyborg, where we take time for a short sightseeing tour and a visit to Vyborg Castle (entrance included). Late afternoon arrival in St. Petersburg for check-in to your hotel. The evening is at leisure.
Day 14 ST. PETERSBURG (B) Breakfast at your hotel. St Petersburg is an amazing city. Its Imperial palaces and museums enjoy worldwide fame, while the Neva River and the many canals have deservedly given the city the title “The Venice of the North”. During the morning sightseeing tour we get acquainted with all the splendours of the city: the Peter-Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, St Isaac's Cathedral, the Church of the Bleeding Savior, the Nevsky Convent and much more. The afternoon offers an optional visit to Peterhof, an uncontested masterpiece of the time of Peter the Great, with the impressive Grand Palace, Grand Cascade and Walter Avenue and its wonderful park.
In the evening enjoy an optional visit to the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exciting Russian folklore show and Russian "Champagne" and snacks.
Day 15 ST. PETERSBURG (B) Breakfast at your hotel. Day at leisure or take part in the option excursions offered. The morning is reserved for an optional excursion to Zarskoye Selo with the impressive Catherine's Palace and the Amber Room, which vanished during World War II and was restored for St Petersburg's tri-centennial celebrations. In the afternoon, an optional visit to the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum is offered. In the evening you may wish to enjoy an optional Russian Dinner at Restaurant Na Zdoroviye.
Day 16 ST. PETERSBURG - MOSCOW (B) Breakfast at your hotel. This morning is at leisure and why not join in on the optional guided shopping tour to fashion and souvenir boutiques on the Nevsky Prospekt. Around noon you are transferred to the Moscow Railway station and board the Sapsan high-speed train bound for Moscow. The train ride takes us through endless Russian landscapes along the River Volga. In the late afternoon we arrive in Moscow for check-in to hotel.
Day 17 MOSCOW (B) Breakfast at your hotel. Moscow, the Mother of Russia, is a genuine Russian city with the Kremlin and its onion domed cathedrals. The dramatic changes over the last decade have made the city to one of the most dynamic metropolis in the world. The morning sightseeing tour includes the main highlights of the vast city: the Red Square with Kremlin, the Theatre Square with Bolshoi Theatre, Sparrow Hills with Moscow University and a visit to one of the famous Moscow Metro stations.
In the afternoon there is an optional excursion to the Kremlin grounds with a visit to the cathedrals. The evening offers an optional excursion with a cruise on the Moscow River.
Day 18 MOSCOW (B) Breakfast at your hotel. Day at leisure or take part in the option excursions offered. There is an optional excursion to Novidevichy Convent, a 16th century cluster of sparkling domes, one of the city’s most beautiful groups of buildings and full of history and treasures. The adjacent Novodevichy Cemetery is Moscow's most prestigious resting place after Kremlin. The rest of the day is at leisure to exploring Moscow at own pace. The evening offers an optional visit to the Old Russian Circus.
Day 19 MOSCOW (B) Breakfast at your hotel. Individual transfer arrangements (not included).