Discover the delights of Scandinavia and Russia on this 27 Day journey. See fjords, glaciers and soaring mountains in Scandinavia then cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow on the elegant ms Amakatarina.
Day 1. Arrive Copenhagen
Arrive in Copenhagen today, and be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a Welcome Reception tonight with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Day 2. Copenhagen Sightseeing, Tivoli Dinner
This morning, enjoy a tour of Copenhagen including the famous Little Mermaid and Amalienborg Palace, the prime residence of Princess Mary’s Danish Royal Family. Enjoy an afternoon tea of coffee and Flødeboller, a Danish chocolate and meringue. Tonight enjoy a special dinner at the spectacular Nimb Brasserie in Tivoli. This award-winning Scandinavian restaurant makes the most of seasonal ingredients and changes its menu each month to reflect the season.
Day 3. Copenhagen, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning discover Copenhagen with three great Freedom of Choice Touring options available to you. Explore Rosenborg Castle, housing some of Denmark’s greatest cultural treasures; tour the famous Carlsberg Brewery; or cruise the city’s winding canals. Then, transfer to the airport for your included flight to Oslo, on arrival transfer to your hotel.
Day 4. Oslo Sightseeing
This morning after breakfast, a guided sightseeing tour will take you to Oslo’s most famous sights, including the Vigeland Sculpture Park. Afterwards, visit the enlightening Nobel Peace Centre, where you can learn the history of this special award and the various Peace Prize Laureates and their activities as well as the remarkable history of Alfred Nobel. Continue to the Viking Ship Museum to see fascinating displays featuring three large Viking ships the Oseberg, Gokstad and Tune. Then visit the Holmenkollen Ski-jump, host of many World Cup Ski-Jumping championships, as well as the 1952 Winter Olympic Games.
Day 5. Oslo, Lofthus
Today you’ll journey to Lofthus, Norway’s largest fruit-growing village. Here, the views are simply stunning - the fjord and the hills stretching towards the Folgefonna Glacier have inspired artists the world over for centuries.
Day 6. Lofthus, Bergen, Dine Around Dinner
Today depart Lofthus and begin the picturesque journey to Bergen. On the way, disembark your coach and board a cruise across Hardangerfjord, the third largest fjord in the world. Admire the spectacular natural beauty, wildlife, various nearby glaciers and grand waterfalls. The cruise ends at Kandal, a village located on the northern side of Hardangerfjord. From here, re-board your coach and continue to the charming city of Bergen. On arrival, check in to your hotel and settle in before enjoying a Dine Around Dinner tonight. Perhaps choose to dine at a local restaurant in Bergen or you may prefer to enjoy a meal at the Ole Bull Restaurant.
Day 7. Bergen, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning, embark on a tour of Bergen including a trip to the famous fish market. Then continue to nearby Troldhaugen, the home of composer Edvard Grieg, now a living museum comprising an exhibition centre. This afternoon, choose your touring activity, perhaps take the funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen with spectacular views of the city framed by the sea, fjords and mountains. You may prefer to tour the exhibitions at the Bergen Art Museum, or discover the sea creatures that call the Baltic Sea home at the aquarium.
Day 8. Flåm, Balestrand
This morning after breakfast, board your coach and travel to Flåm, perched at the very tip of Randsfjorden between rocky slopes and the still water of the fjord. Then travel to nearby Myrdal Station to embark on one of the world’s steepest narrow gauge rail journeys aboard the Flåm Railway. Absorb stunning views as you descend into Flåm Valley toward Sognefjord. See rivers that cut through deep ravines, waterfalls cascading down the side of steep, snow-capped mountains and farms clinging dizzily to sheer slopes. Afterwards, enjoy a cruise over Nærøyfjord, recently declared a World Heritage-listed site. Cross Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in the world.
Day 9. Balestrand, Fjærland, Briksdal Glacier
This morning set out on a ferry from Balestrand to Fjærland and take in the amazing views of the Jostedal Glacier behind the fjord as you approach the town. After the ferry ride, board a coach for the journey to Briksdal. Continue to Briksdal Glacier in Jostedal Glacier National Park, the powerful glacier swoops down from a height of 1,200m to the lush, narrow Briksdal Valley. See the glacier up close, before returning to Briksdal for lunch.
Day 10. Balestrand, Lillehammer, Dine Around Dinner
After breakfast this morning, depart Balestrand and set out on the journey to Lillehammer, visiting the Stave Church on the way. Located on the shores of Lake Mjøsa, Lillehammer gained international recognition in 1994 when it played host to the Winter Olympic Games. This afternoon visit the town’s open air museum, before enjoying the opportunity to choose your Dine Around Dinner experience this evening.
Day 11. Stockholm
Today, your journey continues as you travel into Sweden. Take in the pretty landscapes as you continue to its clean and vibrant capital, Stockholm. Founded in approximately 1250, Stockholm has long been the Swedish centre for economics, culture, politics and media. Its geographical location was an important factor in relations between the Danish kings and Kalmar Union. Stockholm is regularly voted as one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world.
Day 12. Stockholm Sightseeing
This morning join your local guide for a city tour of Sweden’s capital, including Stockholm City Hall, where the Nobel Peace Presentationis held, and the famous Vasa Ship Museum. The remainder of the day is then yours at leisure to explore further.
Day 13. Helsinki
This morning transfer to the airport and board your included flight to the Finnish capital of Helsinki, located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea.
Day 14. Helsinki Sightseeing
Today, join your local guide for a tour of Helsinki. Situated on a picturesque archipelago, this coastal city offers an enchanting combination of natural, cultural and historical attractions, including Rock Cathedral. Tonight enjoy dinner at a local restaurant featuring Finnish Specialties.
Day 15. Helsinki, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning after breakfast, select from our Freedom of Choice Touring options in Helsinki. Perhaps take a ferry ride across the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn and enjoy a guided city tour. If you’re feeling energetic you may like to try cross-country skiing at an indoor winter activity centre. Alternatively, enjoy an invigorating Finnish sauna experience.
Day 16. Helsinki, St Petersburg
After breakfast, transfer to the railway station and board the Allegro Train for your journey to St Petersburg where you’ll board your river ship, the MS AmaKatarina. Enjoy time at leisure before a Welcome Reception this evening.
Day 17. St Petersburg Sightseeing, Hermitage Museum
On a sightseeing tour of St Petersburg visit Nevsky Prospect, Palace Square, see the battle-cruiser Aurora and much more. After lunch, take a Hydrofoil to the Hermitage Museum, which is one of the world’s largest art museums. Later, perhaps take in a folklore show (own expense).
Day 18. St Petersburg, Catherine Palace
This morning, embark on an excursion to the fascinating Catherine Palace, before enjoying a guided tour of St Isaac’s Cathedral. Tonight, enjoy a spectacular Ballet Performance at the world famous Hermitage Theatre. Catherine the Great ordered the theatre to be built in 1783 It has since gone on to become one of the most renowned theatres in the world.
Day 19. St Petersburg, Peterhof Palace
Today, take a Hydrofoil ride to St Petersburg’s famous Imperial Estate - Peterhof Palace. Nestled on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, the palace was built by Peter the Great initially as a resting place en route to the Imperial naval base. But the Czar was quick to recognise the attractiveness of the area and masterminded a vast estate intended to rival the famous gardens of Versailles. After lunch, enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure to explore.
Day 20. Neva River - Lake Ladoga - Svirstroy - Svir River
After breakfast this morning, depart St Petersburg and begin cruising along the Neva River which crosses Lake Ladoga, the largest lake in Europe. On the Svir River, dock in Svirstroy, a small village of approximately 1000 residents east of St Petersburg, and disembark your ship for a BBQ lunch. Here, enjoy ample time at leisure to stroll around the town, browse the irresistible handmade trinkets and do some souvenir shopping. Later, re-board your river ship and continue cruising towards picturesque Lake Onega, not only the second lake you visit today, but also the second largest lake in Europe after Lake Ladoga.
Day 21. Lake Onega - Kizhi Island
Situated on Lake Onega, Kizhi is home to some of the most amazing wooden architecture in the world. On arrival here today, you’ll disembark your ship and explore Kizhi Island’s fascinating open-air museum of wooden architecture. Marvel at two of the few remaining original wooden churches in Russia; including the Transfiguration Church. Re-board your ship and continue towards the Volga-Baltic Waterway.
Day 22. Volga-Baltic Waterway - White Lake - Goritsy
After crossing White Lake, dock at Goritsy, a small and peaceful farming town typical of many quaint Russian villages. Your guided tour here includes a visit to the Monastery of St Cyril on White Lake. Later, return to your ship before cruising towards Yaroslavl.
Day 23. Volga River - Yaroslavl
Founded in 1010 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise, the Golden Ring city of Yaroslavl is located at the confluence of the Volga and the Kotorosl Rivers and is one of Russia’s oldest cities. On arrival here today, you’ll disembark your ship for a guided tour that includes the fortified 12th century monastery.
Day 24. Uglich - Moscow Canal
Today enjoy a visit to the home of a Russian family for a traditional meal and a unique glimpse into the everyday lives of a family in Uglich. Then, on a tour, visit the Chambers of Prince Dimitri and the Church of St Demetrios on the Blood. Later, your ship enters the Moscow Canal and continues towards Moscow.
Day 25. Moscow Sightseeing
After breakfast, a tour of Moscow takes you to Red Square, where you’ll absorb the incredible sight of St Basil’s Cathedral. After a lunch cruise, ride the famous Moscow Metro to Arbat Street, which dates back to the 15th century. After dinner tonight, enjoy an excursion to the world famous Moscow Circus.
Day 26. Moscow Sightseeing
Today, visit the Tretyakov Gallery before taking a tour within the walls of the Kremlin, an historic fortified complex that was once the royal residence of the Czars. The rest of today is at leisure before a Farewell Dinner tonight.
Day 27. Depart Moscow
Disembark your ship this morning and transfer to the airport for you onward flight.
