Scenes of the North 2010
19 days / 18 nights, Copenhagen - Oslo - Lofthus - Hardanger Fjord - Bergen - Flåm Railway - Balestrand - Sogne Fjord - Briksdal Glacier - Geiranger Fjord - Loen - Stockholm - Tallinn - St. Petersburg - Helsinki | Experience the Nordic highlights on this comprehensive escorted journey of Scandinavia and Nordic capitals. Travel by coach, train, ferries through Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Russia and Finland. Cruise through five fjords, including two listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Be amazed by the contrasts, from Viking Capitals to the wild and pristine nature of the Norwegian Fjords, the charming Swedish countryside, the Old Towns of Stockholm and Tallinn. Enjoy the enchanting palaces of St. Petersburg and marvel at the Hermitage Art Museum. Cross the Russian border to Finland, visit Porvoo and the cosmopolitan capital city of Helsinki.
| Departure | Guaranteed departures: June 5th July 3rd, 17th, 31st August 7th, 14th, 21st |
| Price | $6,485 per person in double room $8,915 single room $5,840 third person in triple room |
| Included | 16 nights at hotels in standard double/twin rooms with private facilities 1 night DFDS Seaways Cruise, outside 2-berth cabin 1 night Tallink ferries, 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, 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 |
Day 1 Mon ARRIVAL COPENHAGEN Arrival in Copenhagen, own transfer arrangements to your hotel. Please consult the Destination Managements information bulletin at your hotel.
First Hotel St. Petri *****
Day 2 Sun 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.
First Hotel St.Petri *****
Day 3 Mon COPENHAGEN - OSLO (B, D) After breakfast, your morning is at leisure. This afternoon transfer to the pier. Embark the DFDS Seaways overnight ferry. At 17:00, departure to Oslo. Sail through the Kattegat and into the Oslo fjord. Buffet dinner will be served on board.
Outside cabin on DFDS Seaways ship
Day 4 Tue 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 Hardanger fjord to Lofthus, one of Edvard Grieg's favorite stays and one of the most beautiful points of the fjord. Dinner at your hotel.
Ullensvang Hotel ****
Day 5 Wed LOFTHUS - BERGEN (B) A short drive to Kinsarvik. Cruise along the idyllic Hardanger fjord to Kvandal. Continue by coach via Nordheimsundto 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.
Radisson SAS Norge Hotel****
Day 6 Thu 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.
Kvikne's Hotel****
Day 7 Fri BALESTRAND - BRIKSDAL GLACIER - LOEN (B, D) Depart by coach to Draksvik, cross the beautiful Sognefjord by ferry, disembark in to Hella, and continue by coach via Sogndal to Skei, located at the foot of Europe's biggest glacier, the "Jostedalsbreen". After a short break, continue to Loen and to the Briksdal Glacier. Here we board small motorized Troll cars to the tip of the glacier and experience the breathtaking blue ice. Return to Loen late afternoon, where we will spend two nights in the wonderful surroundings of mountains and fjords. Dinner at your hotel.
Alexandra Hotel ****
Day 8 Sat LOEN - GEIRANGER - LOEN (B, L, D) Morning departure by coach to Hellasylt for a cruise on the Geiranger Fjord,on the UNESCO's World Heritage list. Enjoy lunch at the Union Hotel, overlooking the village and fjord. We ascend through mountains to Dalsnibba Mountain Plateau, 1500 meters above sea level, with incredible views over Geiranger and the fjord. Return to Loen for dinner and overnight.
Alexandra Hotel ****
Day 9 Sun LOEN - 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.
Hotel Continental *****
Day 10 Mon 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.
Hotel Continental *****
Day 11 Tue OSLO - STOCKHOLM (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Depart by coach to Stockholm, passing through forests and the charming Swedish Countryside. Through the region of Varmland and visit to the outside of Gripsholm Castle. Late afternoon arrival in Stockholm.
Grand Hotel Stockholm *****
Day 12 Wed STOCKHOLM (B) After breakfast, enjoy a 3-hour city tour of Stockholm, built on 14 islands, connected by 57 bridges. Walk in the Old Townand 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.
Grand Hotel Stockholm *****
Day 13 Thu STOCKHOLM - TALLINN (B, D) After breakfast at our hotel your 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.
Outside cabin on board the Tallink ferry
Day 14 Fri 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.
Swissotel Tallinn *****
Day 15 Sat TALLINN - Helsinki (B) Breakfast buffet at your hotel. The morning is at leisure until your transfer from your hotel to the Tallinn Ferry terminal. Travel 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 Haven *****
Day 16 Sun 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 Mon ST. PETERSBURG (B, L) Breakfast at your hotel. Meet your local guide for a full day excursion which will include Peterhof, 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, 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, due to the unforgettable beauty of its fountains, parks and palaces, 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 you will have lunch at a local restaurant after which 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) 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 Tue 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 Wed DEPART ST. PETERSBURG (B) Tour concludes after breakfast at the hotel. Individual transfer.