Winter Tours » Santa Claus Holidays » Northern Highlights & St. Petersburg
Northern Highlights & St. Petersburg – Finland, Norway, Sweden, Russia –15 days / 14 nights, Oslo - Hardanger - Bergen - Sognefjord - Flåm Railway - Balestrand - Fjaerland - Geiranger - Oslo - Stockholm - Helsinki - St. PetersburgWhile exploring Scandinavia and Russia on our Northern Highlights & St. Petersburg Tour, ride the famous Flåm Railway to enjoy Norway's scenic mountains and majestic fjords. Cruise the Geiranger Fjord and the Sognefjord. Explore Sweden's Lake Country and Stockhom's Old Town. After cruising across the Baltic Sea to Finland's bustling capital, Helsinki, cross the Russian border and experience the highlights of St. Petersburg: the Hermitage, Winter Palace, and Peterhof.
| Operation | July 3 - August 7, 2012 |
| Departure | Guaranteed departures: July 53, 24 |
| Price | $5,730 per person in double room $7,080 single room |
| Included | 14 nights first class hotel accommodation with private facilities Scandinavian breakfast buffet daily 6 x luncheons on days 2, 6, 7, 8, 13 & 14 1 x packed lunch on train Helsinki - St. Petersburg, day 12 Daily 3-course or buffet dinner Transportation by modern deluxe coach with reclining seats etc. 3 hours guided tour of Helsinki 4 hours guided tour of Stockholm Entrance fees Panoramic tour of Bergen Ride on the Bergen Funicular to Mt. Fløyen Ride on the Flåm Railway, Flåm-Myrdal-Flåm 2-hour cruise on the Sogne Fjord & Nærøy Fjord 1-hour cruise on Geiranger Fjord Excursion in open car to the Briksdal Glacier All visits as mentioned in itinerary All ferry crossings as per itinerary 1 night cruise on Silja Line, Stockholm - Helsinki, 2-berth Seaside cabin, dinner and buffet breakfast on board Train Helsinki - St. Petersburg Coach transfer between hotels and railway stations Complete program in St. Petersburg, including 3 hours city tour Peter & Paul Fortress, St. Isaac's Cathedral Hermitage Museum including Winter Palace Excursion to Peterhof All entrance fees Hydrofoil Peterhof - St. Petersburg 1 hour Canal tour Folklore show at Nikolaevsky Palace,including snacks during intermission Dinner at Backstage Restaurant Luggage assistance at all hotels (1 piece per person) English-speaking tour escort throughout Transfers airport/hotel on first and last days |
| Not Included | International airfare & airport taxes Gratuities Alcoholic beverages Personal insurance / personal items Russian Visa Fee $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | Transfers to/from a different airport than the one mentioned in the tour program may incur a supplement. These tours are organized by our Associate Partners in Copenhagen. In order to offer a greater variety of tours options, the programs allow for participants to join or depart from the tour in various transit locations. We do hope that the possible change of group participants does not cause any inconvenience. Please inquire about our favorable airfares on SAS. |
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Day 1 ARRIVE OSLO (D) Transfer from Oslo Gardermoen Airport to hotel in connection with your flight arrival. Dinner and accommodation at Thon Hotel Opera, centrally located facing the new Opera House and close to the Oslo Fjord and harbor. Your tour escort will meet you at 19.50 hrs in the hotel lobby.
Day 2 OSLO - ULVIK (B, L, D) After breakfast departure from Oslo, driving via Hønefoss along the charming Hallingdal 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 3 ULVIK - BERGEN (B, D) 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 Harbor with its gabled pack houses, and the old Hanseatic Quarter. You will also ride on the funicular to Mt. Fløyen, for the best views of the city and fjords way below. Dinner and overnight at Radisson SAS Hotel Norge, centrally located on Ole Bull's Square, close to the pedestrian shopping streets and within walking distance of the old Bryggen harbor.
Day 4 BERGEN - FLÅM - BALESTRAND (B, D) After a delicious breakfast buffet, we depart Bergen and drive via Dale to Voss. Descend the Nærøy Valley, passing the amazing Stalheim Canyon, to Flåm. Board the Flåm Railway for an exhilarating ride to Myrdal. The descent from Myrdal to Flåm offers opportunities for photo shots of thundering waterfalls and mountain scenery. After short rest in Flåm, approx. 2 hours cruise by boat along the narrow Aurlands and Nærøy Fjords, both branches of the Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in the world. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of cascading waterfalls, sheer mountain cliffs, snow-clad peaks, and a variety of wildlife. Disembark in Gudvangen at the head of the Nærøy Fjord, continue by coach across the Vika Mountains to Vangsnes, for the short ferry crossing to the beautiful resort of Balestrand. Dinner and overnight at the historic Kvikne's Hotel, nestled on the shores of the Sognefjord.
Day 5 BALESTRAND - DAY IN THE FJORDS (B, D) 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 hotel's elegant dining room. You may want to spend the morning relaxing on the hotel terrace, or we can recommend a visit to the local aquarium and art gallery. You may prefer to rent a bike or rowing boat from the hotel, or go on a hike up to the nearest mountains. A walking tour of the village of Balestrand, with its historic buildings and other interesting sites can also be arranged. Dinner and overnight at Kvikne's Hotel.
Day 6 BALESTRAND - GEIRANGER (B, L, D) After breakfast departure by ferry from Dragsvik to Hella, followed by a scenic tour along the northern side of the Sogne Fjord to Sogndal. Continue by road to Fjærland, passing under the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Europe, to the village of Skei at the north end of beautiful Lake Jølster. Descend to the Nord Fjord, visit Olden and the world-famous Briksdal Glacier; ride in open cars to give you the best possible views. Lunch in a nearby mountain restaurant. After lunch the tour continues around the Nord Fjord via Loen and Stryn, to the picturesque village of Hellesylt. Board the ferry for a one hour's cruise along the spectacular Geiranger Fjord, now on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. Dinner and overnight at the excellent Union Hotel, overlooking the Geiranger Fjord.
Day 7 GEIRANGER - LILLEHAMMER - OSLO (B, L, D) 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 Gudbrandsdal Valley to the popular tourist town of Lillehammer. Stop for lunch in Lillehammer. After lunch the journey continues alongside Lake Mjøsa, Norway's largest lake, back to Oslo and Holmenkollen, home of the world-famous ski jump, offering unforgettable views of the city and Oslo fjord way below. Dinner and overnight at the Thon Hotel Opera.
Day 8 OSLO - STOCKHOLM (B, L, D) After breakfast departure from Oslo, continuing by coach towards the Swedish border. Cross into the attractive province of Värmland to arrive in the city of Karlstad on Lake Vänern, the largest in Sweden. Lunch in Karlstad. After lunch the tour continues through a landscape of forests and sparkling lakes to reach the Swedish capital in the late afternoon. Dinner and accommodation at the Clarion Hotel Sign, a new first class hotel, centrally located.
Day 9 STOCKHOLM (B) The day starts with a 4 hour guided tour of the city. Famous sights include the Royal Palace, Parliament Buildings, Cathedral, Royal Theatre, etc. 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 impressive 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. Overnight 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 10 STOCKHOLM - CRUISE TO HELSINKI (B, D) Morning free in Stockholm. Afternoon transfer from hotel to pier, for embarkation on a luxurious cruise ferry of the Silja Line. 17.00 hrs: Departure from Stockholm on the luxurious Silja Line ship cruise bound for the Baltic Sea, sailing slowly down the picturesque archipelago past numerous small islands. Buffet dinner on board. Choice of entertainment, bars, shops and casino. Accommodation is in 2-berth outside cabins (seaside) with shower/WC. We recommend you to bring an overnight bag for this cruise, to avoid having to bring suitcases to and from your cabin.
Day 11 HELSINKI (B, D) Enjoy your buffet breakfast as you sail into Helsinki harbor. After disembarkation 3-hour guided tour of Helsinki. Famous sights include the Senate Square, Uspensky Cathedral, Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Park & Monument, Underground Temple, and much more. During the afternoon you can explore the busy market place or the many souvenir shops close to the harbor. Finnish crystal and leather goods are an excellent buy. Dinner and accommodation at the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel, another first class hotel centrally located.
Day 12 HELSINKI - ST. PETERSBURG (B, L, D) Breakfast followed by transfer by coach from hotel to railway station. 10.00 hrs: Departure
from Helsinki on 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 1 hour’s guided
boat cruise along the Neva River and visit at 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 13 ST. PETERSBURG (B, L, D) Buffet breakfast at hotel. The day begins with 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 local restaurant. After
lunch, 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 14 ST. PETERSBURG (B, L, D) Buffet breakfast at hotel and transfer to town of Pushkin followed by a visit to Catherine’s
Palace including the famous Amber room. Lunch at Admiralty Restaurant. Return to St.
Petersburg and spend a few hours free for leisure. 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 15 ST. PETERSBURG (B) For guests on the 14 night tour Oslo - St. Petersburg, this ends after buffet breakfast at hotel with transfers to St. Petersburg Airport to connect with homeward flights (flight not included).