Days: 18
Visiting: Balestrand - Bergen - Briksdal - Flam - Geilo - Geiranger - Hardangerfjord - Helsinki - Karlstad - Lillehammer - Lom - Moscow - Oslo - St. Petersburg - Stockholm - Ulvik - Voss
Countries: Norway - Sweden - Finland - Russia
Orientation: One Way
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Oslo
Transfer from Oslo Airport to hotel in connection with your flight arrival. Dinner and accommodation at Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel, located in city center.
Day 2: Oslo
Morning 3 hour guided tour of the Norwegian capital, including visit to the world-famous Viking Ships, the Polar exploration ship Fram, and the amazing Vigeland Sculpture Park. Afternoon excursion by coach to Holmenkollen for panoramic views of the city and fjord. Dinner and accommodation at Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel.
Day 3: Oslo - Hardanger Fjord – Bergen
After breakfast departure from Oslo, driving to the mountain resort of Geilo for a delicious buffet lunch at Bardøla Mountain Hotel. The tour continues across the wild Hardanger Mountain Plateau, stopping at Fossli to admire Norway's highest waterfall, Vøringsfoss, with a vertical drop of 180 m. Descend to the lovely Hardanger Fjord. Short ferry crossing, before continuing via Voss and Dale to Bergen, capital of Western Norway and gateway to the fjords. Dinner and accommodation at Clarion Hotel Admiral, ideally located on Bergen's central harbor.
Day 4: Bergen – Balestrand
After a delicious buffet breakfast, start of 3 hour guided 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. Fløien, for panoramic views of the city and fjords way below. Lunch at the Bryggeloftet Restaurant. Afternoon departure to the the town of Voss. Stop to view the enchanting Tvindefoss Waterfall, believed to the source of eternal youth. Continue across the Vika Mountains to Vangsness for the short ferry crossing crossing to the beautiful resort of Balestrand. Dinner and overnight at Kvikne's Hotel, one of Norway's finest hotels, superbly located in private grounds on the banks of the fjord and surrounded by mountains.
Day 5: Balestrand
A whole day relaxing and enjoyable the delights of the fjords. After breakfast depart from Balestrand by coach to Slinde to board our own private sightseeing boat for a 2 hour cruise on the Sogne Fjord and Naeroy Fjord to the village of Gudvangen for lunch. After lunch ascend by coach to Stalheim for breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains peaks and Stalheimm Canyon. Continue via picturesque villages of Flam and Aurland to Sogndal and take the ferry to arrive back in Balestrand in late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Kvikne's Hotel,
Day 6: Balestrand - Nord Fjord - Geiranger Fjord
Departure from your hotel on a one hour fjord cruise to Fjærland. Continue by coach along the scenic route passing under the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Europe to the village of Skei. Descend to the beautiful Nord Fjord making a detour at Olden to visit the famous Briksdal Glacier. The journey up to the glacier will be made in open cars to give you the best view. A typical Norwegian lunch is served in sight of the glacier. During the afternoon the tour continues via Loen and Stryn to the picturesque village of Hellesylt. Here you go onboard the ferry for the one hour cruise along the spectacular Geiranger Fjord, possibly the most impressive of all Norwegian fjords. During the cruise you will pass close to some magificent waterfalls such as the Bridal Veil and Seven Sisters. Dinner and accommodation at the famous Union Hotel, overlooking the Geiranger Fjord.
Day 7: Geiranger - Lillehammer – Oslo
More magnificent scenery today, as your tour crosses first the Grotli Mountains to Lom, then following Lake Vågå, descends the majestic Gudbrands Valley, renowned for its old farmsteads and beautiful river, to the world-famous town of Lillehammer. Lunch. After lunch time to visit the Olympia Park, before continuing alongside Lake Mjøsa, to arrive back in Oslo during the early evening. Dinner and accommodation at Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel.
Day 8: Oslo - Karlstad – Stockholm
Continue by coach towards the Swedish border, crossing into the attractive province of Värmland to arrive in the city of Karlstad on Lake Vänern, the largest in Sweden. Lunch. 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 Stockholm Sheraton Hotel, a first class hotel ideally located overlooking the Old Town and waterways of Stockholm.
Day 9: Stockholm
The day starts with a 4 hour guided tour of the city. Famous sights include the Royal Palace, Parliament Buildings, Cathedral, Royal Theatre, etc. You will also 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 famous Blue and Golden Halls, where the Nobel Prize banquet is held each year. Afternoon free in Stockholm, with possibility to visit the famous Vasa Museum or take one of the popular canal tours. Dinner and accommodation at Stockholm Sheraton Hotel, a first class hotel ideally located overlooking the Old Town and waterways of Stockholm.
Day 10: Stockholm – Helsinki
Morning free in Stockholm. Afternoon transfer from hotel to pier, for embarkation on a luxurious cruise ferry of the Silja Line that departs at 5.00 pm. Departure of cruise from Stockholm, sailing slowly down the picturesque archipelago past numerous small islands. Dinner on board. Selection of entertainment, bars, shops and casino. Accommodation is in 2-berth outside cabins (seaside) with shower/WC.
Day 11: Helsinki
Enjoy your buffet breakfast as you sail into Helsinki. Morning 3 hour guided tour of Helsinki. Famous sights include the Senate Square, Uspenski 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 harbour. Finnish crystal and leather goods are an excellent buy. Dinner and accommodation at Radisson SAS Royal Hotel, a first class hotel.
Day 12: Helsinki - St. Petersburg
Early morning transfer by coach from hotel to railway station. Departure at 7:42 am from Helsinki on Finnish train ’Sibelius’ for St. Petersburg. Lunch box on train. Arrival in St. Petersburg at 2:26 pm. Coach transfer from railway station to hotel. Welcome dinner at Adamant Restaurant, close to the hotel. Accommodation at Hotel Angleterre, a great four star hotel located in the city centre.
Day 13: St. Petersburg
After breakfast a 9.00 am departure by coach to Peterhof, the magnificent summer residence of all the Russian Tsars. Guided tour of the Summer Palace and Park. Return to St. Petersburg by hydrofoil. Lunch at Hermitage Restaurant or similar. In the afternoon a tour of the world famous Hermitage Art Museum and the State Rooms of the Winter Palace. Return to the hotel. Buffet dinner and accommodation at Hotel Angleterre.
Day 14: St. Petersburg
This morning a 3 hour panoramic tour of the city by coach with local English speaking guide, including a visit to the famous Peter & Paul Fortress, burial place of the Russian Tsars. Some of the famous sights on this tour include the Admiralty, Palace Square, Smolny Convent and St. Isaac's Cathedral. Lunch at the Senate Restaurant followed by a walk back to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure to explore St. Petersburg, a city of outstanding beauty, famous for its magnificent palaces, cathedrals, fountains and bridges. This evening you will see a colorful Russian folklore show at the Nikolaevsky Palace. Dinner at the Backstage Restaurant. Accommodation at Hotel Angleterre.
Day 15: St. Petersburg – Moscow
Buffet breakfast at hotel, followed by late morning coach transfer with assistance to St. Petersburg Airport. After a one hour flight to Moscow, a coach transfer from airport to your hotel, centrally located in the Russian capital. Moscow was founded in the 12th century, built as a wooden fortress on the banks of the Moscow River to keep out barbarian invaders from the east. Today it is a modern city with wide boulevards and green parks, yet proudly preserving its historic monuments and impressive buildings from previous eras. Dinner and accommodation at at Tverskaya Marriott Hotel.
Day 16: Moscow
Morning tour of the Kremlin and Armoury Museum with local English-speaking guide. This tour of 3 hours has to be done on foot as no coaches are allowed inside the area. The Kremlin, which was the home not only of the Tsars but also of Lenin and Stalin, is surrounded by 7 meter thick walls and covers an area of 29 acres. You will pass by the Lenin Mausoleum and the grave of the unknown soldier, where brides still leave their wedding bouquets, to visit the coronation church of the Tsars, and the famous Vasilij Cathedral. The Armoury Museum contains the largest collection in the world of crown jewels and coronation robes, including the wedding dress of Catherine the Great and the famous 189 carat Olov diamond. You will also see the golden horse-drawn carriages of all the Tsars and other treasures. Lunch in Godunov Restaurant or similar. Walk through the Red Square to rejoin your coach for a 3 hour panoramic city tour, including a visit to Savior Cathedral. You will see amazing golden, blue and green towers of the Orthodox churches, the Bolshoy Theatre, Gorkij Park, the State University of Moscow and numerous other famous sights. Dinner and accommodation at Tverskaya Marriott Hotel.
Day 17: Moscow
After breakfast, a guided tour of the famous Moscow Metro with local English-speaking guide followed by a walk along the fascinating pedestrian street Arbat, known as the ’Montmartre of Moscow’. Lunch at the Old Tower Restaurant. Rest of afternoon free. We can recommend a visit to the Pushkin Museum, famous for its collection of monuments from Ancient Egypt, or the popular Tretiakov Art Gallery. Dinner and accommodation at Tverskaya Marriott Hotel.
Day 18: Moscow Departure
Buffet breakfast at hotel followed by transfer with assistance to Moscow Airport for your flight home.
Includes:
16 nights accommodation including daily 3-course or buffet dinner and Scandinavian buffet breakfast, in centrally located first class hotels, all rooms with private facilities.
11 lunches on days 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 16 & 17
3 hours guided tours of Oslo, Bergen, Helsinki, and 4 hours Stockholm, all entrances included.
Ride on the Bergen Funicular to Mt. Fløien.
2 hour cruise on Nærøy and Aurlands Fjords, and 1 hour's cruise on both the Fjaerland & Geiranger Fjords.
Excursion in open car to the Briksdal Glacier.
All ferry crossings.
Overnight cruise Stockholm - Helsinki, incl. accommodation in 2-berth outside cabins with shower/WC, buffet dinner and breakfast on board.
Luggage assistance at all hotels.
Tour escort throughout.
Transportation by modern deluxe coach with reclining seats etc.
Transfers airport/hotel on first and last days.
Train Helsinki - St. Petersburg including lunch box. Coach transfers between hotels and railway stations in Helsinki and St. Petersburg.
Complete program in St. Petersburg, including 3 hour city tour, visit to Peter & Paul Fortress, Hermitage/Winter Palace, excursion to Peterhof, all entrances included, plus folklore show Nikolaevsky Palace incl. refreshments.
Flight St. Petersburg-Moscow including coach transfers and assistance between hotels and airports
Complete program in Moscow including 3 hour city tour, 3 hour visit to Kremlin and Armoury Museum, guided Metro tour; all entrances and coach transfers
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Please inquire for further price information
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Norway
Finland
Russia
Cultural Journey
Ecotourism
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