Scandinavia and Russia Tour 19 days/18 nights, May-September

Multilingual Guided Tour around Scandinavia and Russia

Copenhagen - Oslo - Eiffjord - Bergen - Stalheim - Fagenes - Stockolm - Helsinki - St.Petersburg - Moscow

DAY 1 Escorted Tour of Scandinavia & Russia (THURSDAY) Arrival in Copenhagen

Arrival at Copenhagen international airport. Transfer from the airport to Hotel can be booked at an additional surcharge. Check-in at Hotel Scandic Scandinavia**** or a similar standard Hotel in Copenhagen—welcome meeting with the tour guide. Please ask reception for more details about the meeting.

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DAY 2 Escorted Tour of Scandinavia & Russia (FRIDAY) Copenhagen - Oslo

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark; it's also the largest city in Scandinavia. Copenhagen is known to be a romantic city with its charming old castles, churches, squares and harbours. On the morning tour, you will see Copenhagen city's treasures - the Little Mermaid guarding the port, the Royal Castle, Nyhavn with its restaurants and small boats and the City Hall Square. In the afternoon, we will take a ferry service to Oslo. On board the overnight ferry, one can find a lot of entertainment and dining options—dinner on board.

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DAY 3 Escorted Tour of Scandinavia & Russia (SATURDAY) Oslo - Eidfjord

Upon arrival to Oslo, our tour heads directly to Hoenefoss, Nesbyen, surrounded by a landscape which alternates between forests of pines and lakes to arrive in the beautiful Hallingdal Valley. We visit Gol and come to Geilo, a small town surrounded by mountains. Our tour continues to Hardangervidda, where we visit Voringfossen waterfall before we arrive at Eidfjord, where our Hotel is located. Check-in at Hotel Quality Voringfoss**** or similar. Dinner at the Hotel.

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DAY 4 Escorted Tour of Scandinavia & Russia (SUNDAY) Eidfjord - Bergen

This morning takes us further into the breathtaking Norwegian nature. We cross the splendid Hardanger fjord by travelling across Hardanger Bridge, which has one of the longest suspension bridge spans in the world. On the other side of the bridge, we pass Nordheimsund, and crossing birch forests, we arrive at Bergen – known as the capital of the fjords. Situated on a peninsula surrounded by seven mountains, the history of Bergen is closely connected with the sea; this is very noticeable in the city, especially at the city's picturesque waterfront. The afternoon sightseeing tour introduces us to this remarkable Hanseatic city with the Bryggen area of old wooden houses, the traditional Fish Market and the city centre with the St. Mary's Church and Haakon's Hall. We check in at Hotel Scandic Ornen**** or similar.

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DAY 5 Escorted Tour of Scandinavia & Russia (MONDAY) Bergen - Stalheim

Free time in the morning to admire a stunning fjord nature. We will continue our tour and now travel to the town of Voss. Voss is centrally located between the two most famous Norwegian fjords, the Hardanger Fjord and the Sognefjord, forming a natural starting point for fjord trips—Afternoon Break in Voss. After a break here, we continue towards the Naroy Valley and Stalheim; there is a fabulous view down the Stalheim Gorge; Check-in at the Hotel Stalheim**** or similar. Enjoy a cosy dinner at the Hotel.

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DAY 6 Escorted Tour of Scandinavia & Russia (TUESDAY) Stalheim-Flam-Fagenes

Breakfast at the Hotel. We will drive through the stunning fjord area with its formidable water-drowned glacial valleys, flanked by impossible rugged terrain, to Gudvangen, where we cross the Naroyfj ord and reach the village of Flam. An optional Flam Railway tour can be arranged here. Flamsbana is a fantastic train journey, admiring panoramic views of extraordinary nature in the Norwegian fjord landscape. Our journey will take you through Aurlandfjord next. There will be a photo stop at the famous Borgund Stave Church; after that, we will head to Fagenes. Check-in at Hotel Then Scandic Valdres**** or a similar Hotel. Enjoy the dinner at your Hotel.

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DAY 7 Escorted Tour of Scandinavia & Russia (WEDNESDAY) Fagernes - Oslo

After breakfast, we leave the majestic Norwegian fjords behind us and travel back towards Oslo, which we reach early in the afternoon—Check-in at Hotel Thon Opera**** or similar. Founded in 1048, Oslo is Scandinavia's oldest capital, and today, it is a charming and casual city with a fascinating jumble of historical and modern architecture. Upon arrival in Oslo, we start the morning sightseeing tour. We enjoy a walk around Frogner Park, decorated with the unique sculptures of Gustav Vigeland. We pass by the City Hall and the main street, Karl Johan, leading to the Royal Palace.

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DAY 8 Escorted Tour of Scandinavia & Russia (THURSDAY) Oslo- Stockholm

Today we head for Stockholm, passing through Norwegian forests. We cross the border and enter the county of Varmland in Sweden. Throughout the day, we drive through typical Swedish landscapes with fertile farmland, blue lakes and thick forests, which evoke an atmosphere of intriguing fairy tales. In the afternoon, we arrive in Stockholm—Check-in at Hotel Scandic Grand Central**** or similar.

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DAY 9 Escorted Tour of Scandinavia & Russia (FRIDAY) Stockholm

Stockholm – the beauty on the water – is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful capitals in the world, built on 14 islands and protected from the sea by Skargarden, the Stockholm archipelago. The morning sightseeing tour takes us to the Old Town with the Royal Palace, Stockholm Cathedral and the city centre with its famous City Hall. The afternoon is free for individual visits.

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DAY 10 Escorted Tour of Scandinavia & Russia (SATURDAY) Stockholm-Helsinki

Free time in the morning to experience and enjoy Stockholm on your own. We leave for the pier in the afternoon to embark on the Tallink Silja Line overnight ferry for Helsinki. You will have a chance to see an archipelago past numerous islands and islets. Enjoy the dinner on board the ship. A wide variety of entertainment with bars, shops, casinos and much more is available on the ferry.

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DAY 11 Escorted Tour of Scandinavia & Russia (SUNDAY) Helsinki

Helsinki, the capital of the Republic of Finland, is a modern city with over half a million residents situated on the Baltic Sea. We start a sightseeing tour upon arrival to Helsinki, which takes us around the harbours, up central Mannerheim Street and by the Parliament Building, the Finlandia Hall, the Sibelius Monument and the famous Church-in-the-Rock. At the end of the tour, we check in at Hotel Glo Art**** or a similar Hotel in Helsinki.

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DAY 12 Escorted Tour of Scandinavia & Russia (MONDAY) Helsinki

Free time to explore Helsinki on your own. The afternoon offers an optional excursion to Suomenlinna Fortress, a cultural treasure whose construction was started in the 18th century as a sea fortress. Located on an island, the defence is a unique attraction for visitors.

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DAY 13 Escorted Tour of Scandinavia & Russia (TUESDAY) Helsinki St. Petersburg

Our tour continues toward St. Petersburg. On the route tour in Vyborg, where we will visit Vyborg Castle. Late afternoon arrival to St. Petersburg. Check-in at Hotel Sokos Vasillevsky**** or a similar Hotel in St.Petersburg.

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DAY 14 Escorted Tour of Scandinavian & Russian Treasures (WEDNESDAY) St. Petersburg

Breakfast at the Hotel. Enjoy the fabulous city of St. Petersburg today; its grand imperial palaces, art museums and exhibitions full of masterpieces and splendours are known worldwide. The Neva River and its many canals are often compared to Venice. During the morning sightseeing tour, we will enjoy the beauty and wonders of the city: the Peter-Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Church of the Bleeding Savior, the Nevsky Convent and much more. The optional visit to Zarskoje Selo and Catherine Palace with its splendour Amber room can be booked in the afternoon. In the evening, you can book a tour of the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exciting Russian folklore show and Russian "champagne" and snacks.

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DAY 15 Escorted Tour of Scandinavian & Russian Treasures (THURSDAY) St.Petersburg

Breakfast at the Hotel. An optional tour to Peterhof can be booked in the morning; you will enjoy and explore its grand Palace, Cascade, Water Avenue and beautiful parks. An optional excursion to the world-known Hermitage Art Museum is offered in the afternoon. In the evening, enjoy an optional Russian dinner at Restaurant Pryanosti & Radosti.

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DAY 16 Escorted Tour of Scandinavian & Russian Treasures (FRIDAY) St.Petersburg-Moscow

Breakfast at the Hotel. Free time in the morning, or why not join us on an optional escorted shopping tour to fashion and souvenir shops and stalls on the Nevsky Prospect? After the shopping trip, we will head towards the other most crucial Russian city - Moscow. This journey will be by train; on the route, you all see endless Russian landscapes along the River Volga and enjoy the most impressive views. Arrive in Moscow in the evening and check in at Hotel Azimut Smolenskaya**** or a similar standard Hotel in Moscow.

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DAY 17 Escorted Tour of Scandinavian & Russian Treasures (SATURDAY) Moscow

Breakfast at the Hotel. Moscow, The Mother of Russia, is a genuine Russian city with the Kremlin and its onion-domed cathedrals. The dramatic changes over the last decade have made the city one of the most dynamic metropolis in the world. The morning sightseeing tour includes all the highlights of the vast city: the Red Square with the Kremlin, the Theater Square with Bolshoi Theater, Sparrow Hills with Moscow University and a visit to the famous Moscow Metro. In the afternoon, we offer an optional excursion to the Kremlin grounds with a visit to the cathedrals. An optional tour with the cruise boat White Flotilla on the Moscow River can be booked in the evening.

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DAY 18 Escorted Tour of Russia & Scandinavia Treasures (SUNDAY) Moscow

The day offers an optional full-day excursion to the quaint town of Sergiev Posad, where we visit the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, the most important Russian monastery and the spiritual heart of the Russian Orthodox Church. The whole Lavra has been beautifully restored for the 700-years celebrations of the birth of St. Sergius of Radonezh.

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DAY 19 Escorted Tour of Scandinavian & Russian Treasures (MONDAY) Moscow

Departure from Moscow. Transfer to the airport can be booked for an additional surcharge.