Grand Scandinavia with St. Petersburg

Copenhagen - Oslo - Ulvik - Bergen - Flåm - Balestrand - Geiranger - Oslo - Stockholm - Helsinki - St. Petersburg

Day 1: ARRIVE COPENHAGEN
Arrive Copenhagen Kastrup Airport. Transfer to hotel in connection with individual flight arrivals. Dinner and accommodation at Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel. Your tour escort will meet you at 19.50 hrs in the hotel lobby.

Day 2: COPENHAGEN
The day starts with a 3 hours guided tour of the city. Famous sights include the Royal Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace (Danish Parliament buildings), Gefion Fountain, and Nyhavn. Afternoon free for exploring this fairytale city. In the evening you will be taken to dinner at the Tivoli Gardens. Accommodation at Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel.

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 17.00 hrs. 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 to bring an overnight bag for this cruise, to avoid having to carry suitcases to and from your cabin.

Day 4: OSLO
A delicious buffet breakfast is being served as you cruise along the enchanting Oslo Fjord. Arrival in Oslo at 09.30 hrs, followed by 3 hours guided tour of the Norwegian capital. You will visit the world-famous Viking Ships, the Polar exploration ship Fram, and the impressive Vigeland Sculpture Park. 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, ideally situated close to the Oslo Harbour and facing the new Opera House.

Day 5: OSLO - ULVIK
After breakfast departure from Oslo, driving via Hønefoss along the charming Halling 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. Descend the amazing Måbødal Canyon to the idyllic Hardanger Fjord. Short ferry crossing, followed by 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 buffet breakfast, start of scenic tour along the beautiful Hardanger Fjord, famous for its many fruit orchards, via the towns of Øystese and orheimsund, arriving in Bergen around midday. Afternoon 2 hours 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 way below. Dinner and accommodation at Radisson Blu Hotel Norge, centrally located on Ole Bull’s Square, close to the pedestrian shopping streets and within walking distance of the old Bryggen harbour.

Day 7: BERGEN - FLÅM - BALESTRAND
After breakfast departure from Bergen and drive via Dale to the town of Voss. Descend the Nærøy Valley, passing the Stalheim Canyon, to the fjordside village of Flåm. Board your train for an exhilarating ride on the amazing Flåm Railway to Myrdal, a masterpiece of engineering ascending 2.838 feet in less than one hour. The descent from Myrdal to Flåm offers opportunities for photo shots of exciting waterfalls and mountain scenery. After a short rest in Flåm, start of approx. 2 hours 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 across the Vika Mountains to Vangsnes, for the short ferry crossing to the beautiful resort of Balestrand. Dinner and accommodation at Kvikne’s Hotel, superbly located on the banks of the fjord and surrounded by mountains.

Day 8: BALESTRAND – A DAY IN THE FJORDS
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, 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 departure 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’s cruise along the spectacular Geiranger Fjord, possibly the most impressive of all the Norwegian fjords. During the cruise you will pass close 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
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 and Dinner and accommodation at Thon Hotel Opera, ideally situated close to the Oslo Harbour and facing the new Opera House.

Day 11: OSLO - STOCKHOLM
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 Kalrstad 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 first class, centrally located hotel.

Day 12: STOCKHOLM
The day starts with a 4 hours 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 Wasa Museum or take 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
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, sailing slowly through 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 suitcases to and from the cabin.

Day 14: HELSINKI
Enjoy your buffet breakfast as you sail into Helsinki. After disembarkation 3 hours 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 Radisson Blu Royal 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 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 tation 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 16: ST. PETERSBURG
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 17: ST. PETERSBURG
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 18: ST. PETERSBURG DEPARTURE
For guests on the 17 night tour Copenhagen – St. Petersburg, this ends after buffet breakfast at hotel with transfers to St. Petersburg Airport to connect with homeward flights.