Winter Tours » Santa Claus Holidays » Scenes of the North
Scenes of the North– Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Baltics, Finland, Russia –19 days / 18 nights, Copenhagen - Oslo - Bergen - Flåm - Balestrand - Sognefjord - Geirangerfjord - Stockholm - Tallinn - St. Petersburg - HelsinkiDiscover a Nordic wonderland on this 19-day Scandinavia tour through Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the Baltics, Finland and Russia. Cruising the Baltic Sea and spectacular fjords, gazing at glaciers, viewing Viking ships, riding one of the world's steepest railway lines through the mountains, exploring medieval ports, and visiting a stave church, a Danish castle, Tivoli Gardens and more. Admire the history and culture of St. Petersburg, city of the Czars.
| Operation | June 2 - August 18, 2012 |
| Departure | Guaranteed departures: June 2, 16*, 30 July 14, 28 August 4, 11, 18 * Departure sold out |
| Price | $6,595 per person in double room $8,825 single room $5,895 third person in triple room |
| Included | 16 nights hotels in standard double/twin rooms with private facilities 1 overnight cruise on DFDS Seaways, outside 2-berth cabin 1 overnight cruise on Tallink, outside 2-berth cabin Scandinavian breakfast buffet daily 2 x Luncheons 6 x Dinner Multilingual tour escort from Day 2 to Day 18 inclusive All touring by private motor coach Sightseeing as per itinerary Visits, excursions and entrances as per itinerary Guided city tours of Copenhagen, Bergen, Oslo Guided city tours of Stockholm, Tallinn, St Petersburg & Helsinki Porter service at hotels and on DFDS Seaways ferry |
| Not Included | International airfare & airport taxes Arrival & departure transfers Personal insurance / personal expenses / incidental extras Visa to Russia Alcoholic beverages $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | Day 2: Please be informed that the sculpture of the Little Mermaid is on a cultural exchange to China and is currently part of the World Expo in Shanghai. Instead of the Little Mermaid there is a multimedia presentation set up at the same sight at Langelinie pier. An original copy of the Little Mermaid can be seen in the Tivoli Gardens if clients wish to see the sculpture (entrance not included to Tivoli!) Day 17 & 18: In St Petersburg there has been a slight change in the days in which the sightseeing is being run and the day at leisure. This is due to closure of the palaces / museums on Mondays in St. Petersburg. In order to include the same sightseeing tour, we are now simply going to run this tour on Tuesday; this means the day at leisure will now be on the Monday. |
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Day 1 ARRIVAL COPENHAGEN Arrival in Copenhagen, own transfer arrangements to your hotel. Please consult the Destination Managements information bulletin at your hotel.
Day 2 COPENHAGEN (B) After breakfast meet your tour escort between 08:30 - 10:00, to meet your tour escort and receive information on the upcoming tour program. This afternoon enjoy a 3-hour city tour, a perfect introduction to "Wonderful Copenhagen". Drive past the City Hall Square where the famous pedestrian street "Stroget" begins. Pass Tivoli Gardens, the New Carlsberg Glyptotheque and the National Museum. Visit Nyhavn, the Royal residence, Amalienborg Palace, Little Mermaid, the Christiansborg Palace and the Rosenborg Castle, housing the Crown Jewels.
Day 3 COPENHAGEN - OSLO (B, D) After breakfast, your morning is at leisure. This afternoon transfer to the pier. Embark on the DFDS Seaways overnight ferry. At 17:00, departure for Oslo. Sail through the Kattegat and into the Oslo fjord. Buffet dinner will be served on board.
Onbaord DFDS Seaways
Day 4 OSLO - LOFTHUS (B, D) Breakfast on board. Arrival to Oslo at 09:15. Continue by private coach via Hønefoss and Nesbyen. Arrive in the beautiful Hallingdal Valley. Visit Gol and Geilo, a small resort town surrounded by mountains and famous for its Ski resorts. Continue to the impressive Hardangerfjord to Lofthus, one of Edvard Grieg's favorite stays and one of the most beautiful points of the fjord. Dinner at your hotel.
Day 5 LOFTHUS - BERGEN (B) A short drive to Kinsarvik. Cruise along the idyllic Hardanger fjord to Kvandal. Continue by coach via Nordheimsund to Bergen, the capital of the fjords and Norway's second largest city. Enjoy a 3-hour city sightseeing tour including St. Mary's Church, Haakon's Hall, Bryggen and Wharf, and the colorful Fish & Flower Market. Evening is at leisure.
Day 6 BERGEN - FLÅM - BALESTRAND (B, D) After breakfast depart from Bergen to the historic town of Voss. Continue by train across the mountain plateau to Myrdal. Board the World famous Flåm Railway for one of the most spectacular rail journeys to the quaint village of Flåm. Free time before the cruise on the Sognefjord to the fjord village Balestrand. Enjoy dinner and stay at the historic Kvikne's Hotel, dating back to 1850.
Day 7 BALESTRAND - BRIKSDAL GLACIER - GEIRANGER (B, D) Breakfast at your hotel. Depart by coach to Dragsvik, from where we will cross the beautiful Sognefjord once again, before disembarking in Hella. Continue driving via Sogndal, until we arrive in Skei. After a short break, continue the journey towards the Briksdal Glacier. Travel by Troll cars to the very snout of the glacier and experience the breathtaking blue ice. Drive via Loen and Stryn and on to Geiranger, to our hotel, the stunning 4th generation run Hotel Union. Here we will spend two nights. Dinner at your hotel.
Union Hotel: http://www.hotelunion.no/
Day 8 GEIRANGER (B, L, D) Breakfast at your hotel. Travel from Geiranger to Hellasylt and be inspired by this beautiful unspoiled landscape. After disembarkation in Hellasylt, continue up to the Dalsnibba viewpoint of Geiranger (Weather permitting). Lunch is included on today's scenic drive. Afternoon return to the hotel where a special tour of the Veteran car collection is included at the hotel. The Mjelva family that run the hotel also own the entire collection of cars. A number of these beautiful cars were used to show tourists around the Geiranger area in the 1920’s and 1930's and they are still in excellent condition. Enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Union Hotel: http://www.hotelunion.no/
Day 9 GEIRANGER - OSLO (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning departure by coach to the capital Oslo. Travel via Lom and admire the oldest wooden church in Norway, dating back to the 12th Century. Continue via Otta, leaving the fjord area of Central Norway, characterized by mountains, fjords and lakes, to Oslo. Late in the afternoon arrival in Oslo and check-in to our hotel.
Day 10 OSLO (B) After breakfast, enjoy a 3-hour city sightseeing tour of Oslo. Visit the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, the Viking Ship Museum, the Vigeland Sculpture Park, pass the Royal Palace and the Karl Johan Boulevard. The tour ends at the hotel. Rest of day at leisure to explore more of the Viking capital.
Day 11 OSLO - STOCKHOLM (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Depart by coach to Stockholm, passing through forests and the charming Swedish Countryside. Through the region of Värmland and visit to the outside of Gripsholm Castle. Late afternoon arrival in Stockholm.
Day 12 STOCKHOLM (B) After breakfast, enjoy a 3-hour city tour of Stockholm, built on 14 islands, connected by 57 bridges. Walk in the Old Town and visit the 700 hundred year old cathedral and the City Hall, where the Nobel festivities take place in the Blue and Golden Halls. Tour ends at the hotel. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 13 STOCKHOLM - TALLINN (B, D) After breakfast at our hotel the morning is at leisure. Afternoon transfer to the pier by private coach and departure on the Tallink overnight ferry, sailing along the Baltic Sea, bound for Tallinn. Buffet dinner will be served on board.
Onboard Tallink
Day 14 TALLINN (B) Breakfast buffet on board. Meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a 3-hour city tour including Tallinn Old Town with open markets, studios and shops. Starting with a short tour by coach, through the city centre and around the ancient city walls, ending up at Toompea Hill. Continue with a walking tour of the Tallinn Old Town, including Toompea Castle, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Dome Church. Further through the historic part to the Old Town Hall Square, with views of the Old Town Hall, the Old Town Pharmacy house and the Church of Holy Ghost. Tour ends at the hotel. Rest of afternoon at leisure.
Day 15 TALLINN - HELSINKI (B) Breakfast buffet at your hotel. morning at leisure until your transfer from your hotel to the Tallinn Ferry terminal. Cruise across the Baltic Sea and enjoy the scenery on the fast ferry ride from Tallinn to Helsinki. On arrival in Helsinki, meet & greet by your local English speaking guide for 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 tour ends at your hotel.
Hotel Kamp; http://www.hotelkamp.com/?PS=EAME_aa_Starwood_NWE-1157_Google%20US_Starwood%20hotel%20kamp_04/23/10
Day 16 HELSINKI - ST. PETERSBURG (B) Breakfast at your hotel. Depart Helsinki and travel through the Finnish countryside until crossing the boarder and later arriving in 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 "the Venice of the North", St. Petersburg was virtually unharmed by the 1930-50s Stalinist reconstruction, and it's downtown dazzles the eye of the visitor with splendid palaces, stylish monuments, straight avenues, beautiful bridges and other attractions. St. Petersburg is filled with history and mystery. On arrival to St Petersburg you will be met by your local English speaking guide for a 3-hour panoramic city sightseeing tour which will cover some of the many highlights of the city. You will drive along the Nevsky Prospect - the heart of the city, and make picture stops at the Spit of Vasilievsky Island, the Senates Square, the Peter and Paul's Fortress and the 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 tour ends at your hotel for check-in. Evening at leisure.
Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg *****
Day 17 ST. PETERSBURG (B, L) Breakfast at your hotel. Meet your local guide for a full day excursion including Peterhof, the palace of the Sea God. Here the fountains are not mere accessories: they are the essence of the palace. 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. 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, often called "Capital of Fountains", unique in the world. After 1917 the Peterhof ensemble was taken into state custody and turned into architecture and art museum. Nowadays, Peterhof has become the most attractive, for numerous Russian and foreign visitors, suburban royal park and palace ensemble of the northern Russia's capital.
At noon we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a visit of 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 Csars that was built to the design of Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli in 1754-62. Put together throughout two centuries and a half, the Hermitage collections of works of art (over 3,000,000 items) present the development of the world culture and art from the Stone Age to the 20th Century. Today the Museum is creating its digital self-portrait to be displayed around the world. The tour ends at your hotel. Evening at leisure.
Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg *****
Day 18 ST. PETERSBURG (B) Breakfast at your hotel. Day is at leisure to further explore this magnificent city and its treasures.
Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg *****
Day 19 ST. PETERSBURG DEPARTURE (B) Tour concludes after breakfast at the hotel. Individual transfer.