Day 1: Arrival in Copenhagen
Arrive at Copenhagen Kastrup Airport. Transfer to hotel in connection with individual flight arrivals. Dinner and accommodation at Admiral Hotel. Your tour escort will meet you at 19.45 hrs (before dinner) in the hotel lobby.
Day 2: Copenhagen
Buffet breakfast at the hotel and start of 3 hour guided tour of the city. Famous sights include the Royal Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace (the Danish Parliament Buildings), Gefion Fountain and Nyhavn. The afternoon is free for exploring this fairytale city. Your tour escort will provide you with entrance tickets for the famous Tivoli Gardens. Accommodation at Admiral Hotel. Dinner is not included tonight.
Day 3: Copenhagen - Oslo
Morning free in Copenhagen. Afternoon transfer by coach from hotel to DFDS Seaways terminal for your overnight cruise by ferry to Oslo, departing at 16.30. Enjoy your first Scandinavian smörgåsbord dinner as you cruise gently up the Kattegat. Accommodation in 2-berth outside cabins with shower/WC. We recommend you bring an overnight bag for this cruise, to avoid having to carry large suitcases to and from your cabin.
Day 4: Oslo
A delicious buffet breakfast is served as you cruise along the enchanting Oslo Fjord. Arrive in Oslo at 09.30 hrs, followed by a 3 hour guided tour of the Norwegian capital. You will visit the impressive Vigeland Sculpture Park and many other sights. Afternoon free in Oslo. We can recommend a visit to the Munch Museum or a stroll along the Karl Johan shopping boulevard. Dinner and accommodation at Thon Hotel Opera Oslo, ideally situated close to the Karl Johans Gate and Royal Palace.
Day 5: Oslo - Ulvik
After breakfast, we make a visit to the world-famous Viking Ships before we depart from Oslo, driving via Hønefoss along the charming Halling Valley to the tourist resort town of Geilo. Buffet lunch at local restaurant. 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. Cross the Hardanger Bridge, followed by a drive along the Ulvik Fjord, a branch of the Hardanger Fjord, to the picturesque village of Ulvik. Dinner and accommodation at Brakanes Hotel, ideally located on the banks of the fjord.
Day 6: Ulvik - Bergen
After a buffet breakfast, we start a scenic tour along the beautiful Hardanger Fjord, famous for its many fruit orchards, via the towns of Øystese and Norheimsund, and arrive in Bergen around midday. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon there is a 2 hour tour of Bergen, including a visit to the popular Fish and Flower Market, the famous Bryggen Harbour with its gabled packhouses, and the old Hanseatic Quarter. You will also ride on the funicular to Mt. Fløien, for the best views of the city and fjords below you. Accommodation at First Hotel Marin, centrally located close to the pedestrian shopping streets.
Day 7: Bergen - Flam - Balestrand
After breakfast, we depart from Bergen and drive via Dale to the town of Voss. Board the train in Voss for a ride on the beautiful Bergen Railway to the mountain station of Myrdal. From Myrdal ride on the amazing Flåm Railway, a masterpiece of engineering descending 2,838 feet in less than one hour. The descent to the fjord side village of Flåm offers opportunities for photo shots of exciting waterfalls and mountain scenery. After a short rest in Flåm, start a 2 hour cruise by boat along the narrow Aurlands and Nærøy Fjords, both branches of the Sogn Fjord, 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. After disembarking in Gudvangen at the head of the Nærøy Fjord, continue by coach through the amazing Stalheim Canyon and Nærøy Valley, across the Vika Mountains to Vangsnes, for the short ferry crossing to the beautiful resort of Balestrand. Dinner and accommodation in fjord view rooms at Kvikne’s Hotel, superbly located on the banks of the fjord and surrounded by mountains.
Day 8: Balestrand - A Day in the Fjords
The day is free to explore 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, breathing in the fresh mountain air and enjoying the spectacular views. We can also recommend a visit to the local aquarium and art gallery, or you may prefer to rent a bike or rowing boat from the hotel, or even go on foot up to the nearest mountains. A walking tour of the village of Balestrand, with its historic buildings and other noteworthy sites can also be arranged. Dinner and accommodation at Kvikne’s Hotel.
Day 9: Balestrand - Geiranger
After breakfast depart from your hotel by ferry from Dragsvik to Hella, followed by a scenic tour along the northern side of the Sogn Fjord to Sogndal. The tour continues by road to Fjærland, passing under the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Europe, to the village of Skei at the northern end of beautiful Lake Jølster. Descend to the Nord Fjord, making a detour at Olden to visit the world-famous Briksdal Glacier. The journey up to the glacier will be made in open cars to give you the best views. Lunch will be served in a nearby mountain restaurant facing the glacier. After lunch the tour continues around the Nord Fjord via Loen and Stryn to the picturesque village of Hellesylt. From here you go on board the ferry for the one hour cruise along the spectacular Geiranger Fjord, possibly the most impressive of all the Norwegian fjords. During the cruise you will pass by some magnificent waterfalls, such as the Bridal Veil and the Seven Sisters. Dinner and accommodation at the excellent Union Hotel, overlooking the Geiranger Fjord.
Day 10: Geiranger - Oslo
Buffer breakfast at the hotel before leaving Geiranger. 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 Gudbrands 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. Dinner and accommodation at Thon Hotel Opera Oslo.
Day 11: Oslo - Stockholm
After breakfast, we depart from Oslo, continuing by coach towards the Swedish border. Cross into the attractive province of Vãrmland to arrive in the city of Kalrstad on Lake Vänern, the largest in Sweden. Lunch in Karlstad. After lunch the tour continues through a landscape of forests and sparkling lakes before reaching the Swedish capital in the late afternoon. Dinner and accommodation at the Clarion Hotel Sign, a first class, centrally located hotel.
Day 12: Stockholm
Breakfast at the hotel and start 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. The 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. The afternoon is free to explore Stockholm, with the possibility of visiting the famous Wasa Museum, or taking one of the popular canal tours. Accommodation 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 13: Stockholm - Helsinki
Breakfast at the hotel and morning free in Stockholm. Afternoon transfer from hotel to pier, for embarkation on a luxurious cruise ferry of the Silja Line at 17.00. Departure of cruise from Stockholm, sailing slowly down the glorious archipelago past numerous small islands. Dinner on board. Choice of entertainment, bars, shops and casino. Accommodation is in 2-berth outside cabins (seaside) with shower/WC. We recommend bringing an overnight bag for this cruise, to avoid having to carry large suitcases to and from the cabin.
Day 14: Helsinki
Enjoy your buffet breakfast as you sail into Helsinki. After disembarking, there is a 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. Afternoon free in Helsinki. Dinner and accommodation at Haven Hotel, a first-class hotel conveniently located in the centre of Helsinki.
Day 15: Helsinki – St Petersburg
Breakfast followed by transfer by coach from hotel to Helsinki Railway Station. Departure from Helsinki on train “Allegro” for St. Petersburg. You will enjoy a lunch box on the train. Upon arrival in St. Petersburg you will be transferred from the railway station to the hotel, combined with a 1 hour guided boat cruise along the Neva River and a visit to the St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Welcome dinner incl. a shot of vodka and 1 glass of wine at the hotel. Accommodation at Ambassador Baltic Club Hotel, a four star hotel located in the city centre, near the famous Mariinsky Theatre.
Day 16: St Petersburg, Peterhof, the Hermitage Art Museum & the Winter Palace
Buffet breakfast at hotel. The day begins with a transfer to Neva River Harbour for a river cruise by hydrofoil to Peterhof, including the Grand Palace and lower parks with their many fountains. Lunch today will be enjoyed at a local restaurant. After lunch you have a tour of the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum and the State Rooms of the Winter Palace. Return to hotel in the afternoon. Dinner and accommodation at Ambassador Hotel.
Day 17: St Petersburg City Tour, Catherine's Palace & the Peter & Paul Fortress
Buffet breakfast at hotel and transfer to the town of Pushkin, followed by a visit to Catherine’s Palace including the famous Amber room. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant. After lunch you have a 3 hour tour of the city by coach with a local English speaking guide. St. Petersburg is a city of outstanding architectural beauty, famous for its magnificent palaces, cathedrals, fountains and bridges and the tour includes sights such as the Square of Arts, the Russian Museum, the Cathedral of Our Saviour on the Spilt Blood, Griboedov canal, Nevsky prospect, the Palace Square with the Winter Palace, the spit of the Basil’s Island, the Menshikov Palace, the Senate Square, and the Bronze Horseman. A visit will be paid to the Peter & Paul Fortress. 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 Dostoevsky Restaurant. Accommodation at Ambassador Hotel.
Day 18: Farewell St Petersburg
Your tour ends after breakfast at the hotel, with transfers to St. Petersburg Airport to connect you with your homebound flights.