NORTHERN CAPITALS 13 DAYS FROM $3,299 US Details below or
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Visit the Northern Capitals of Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, and Helsinki—plus magnificent St. Petersburg—on this popular vacation! Enjoy guided sightseeing in each city that highlights special features, like Christiansborg Palace, the famous Little Mermaid, and Tivoli Gardens (mid-April to mid-Sept.) in Copenhagen; splendid Frogner Park in Oslo; the Royal Palace and Riddarholm Church in Stockholm; the Temppeliaukio Rock Church and Sibelius Monument in Helsinki; and Catherine Palace (if closed, Pavlovsk Palace) and the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. A welcome dinner in Copenhagen and a farewell dinner in St. Petersburg are included, and a full day at leisure in Helsinki allows you to join an optional excursion to Tallinn, capital of Estonia and known as one of the pearls of the Baltics.
Day 1 Arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark Time to rest or to start exploring Denmark’s fun-loving capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)
Day 2 Copenhagen Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Church of Our Savior and the Stock Exchange on the way to Christiansborg Palace, where you visit the elegant ROYAL RECEPTION ROOMS. Drive past the National Museum and the Royal Theater, stop for pictures of Amalienborg Palace with its lovely flower gardens and of the wistful LITTLE MERMAID. An optional afternoon excursion to the castles of North Zealand is available. Tonight, visit TIVOLI GARDENS (mid-April to mid-Sept.), the city’s colorful amusement park. (Breakfast)
Day 3 Copenhagen–Gothenburg, Sweden–Oslo, Norway
At Elsinore, board your FERRY for Helsingborg, then, drive to Gothenburg, Sweden’s thriving second-largest city, and admire its beautiful parks, botanical gardens, and well-kept canals during your orientation tour. In the afternoon, continue along the Skagerrak coastline to Norway. Evening arrival in Oslo. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4 Oslo
Norway’s capital is a study in farsighted urban planning, seeking growth in harmony with nature. Your Local Guide will take you to the National Theater, Parliament, and the Royal Palace. Stroll through magnificent FROGNER PARK, with Gustav Vigeland’s 193 extraordinary bronze and granite sculptures, and visit the modern CITY HALL. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Optional excursions are available. (Breakfast)
Day 5 Oslo–Stockholm, Sweden
Trace the King’s Road, an ancient trade link between the northern capitals connecting Oslo, Stockholm, Turku, Helsinki, and St. Petersburg. Cross the Swedish border to scenic Värmland, beautifully described in Selma Lagerlöf’s Saga of Gösta Berling, on the way to Karlstad on Lake Vänern. Pass the ancient garrison town of Örebro and modern Eskilstuna, known for its stainless steel, and proceed to Stockholm. (Breakfast)
Day 6 Stockholm
Stockholm is settled on 14 islands between Lake Mälar and the Baltic Sea. Your included morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Royal Palace, Riddarholm Church, and the festive blue and gold chambers in the CITY HALL, where the annual Nobel Prize banquet is held. Later, you may wish to join an optional excursion to the Wasa Ship Museum. (Breakfast)
Day 7 At Leisure in Stockholm–Overnight Cruise to Helsinki, Finland
Enjoy a full day at leisure. Your Tour Director will have suggestions how to spend your day. Tonight, board your ship for the overnight BALTIC SEA CRUISE to Finland. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8 Helsinki
After breakfast on board, sightseeing with a Local Guide features City Hall and Parliament House, the Presidential Palace, the monumental railroad station, the great LUTHERAN CATHEDRAL, the strikingly modern TEMPPELIAUKIO ROCK CHURCH, the Olympic Stadium, and the SIBELIUS MONUMENT. Then, browse for souvenirs in Helsinki’s local arts and crafts OPEN-AIR MARKET. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9 At Leisure in Helsinki
A full day at leisure offers the opportunity to join an optional excursion to Tallinn, capital of Estonia, known as one of the pearls of the Baltic countries. (Breakfast)
Day 10 Helsinki–St. Petersburg
A pleasant drive along the coast to the Russian border. After completing frontier formalities, cross the Karelian Isthmus on the way to St. Petersburg. (Breakfast)
Day 11 St. Petersburg
Founded by Peter the Great, construction began in 1703 and the city eventually spread over 100 islands linked by 700 bridges. It suffered severe damage during World War II, when a cruel 900-day siege claimed nearly a million victims. Start with the Winter Palace complex. Formerly the residence of the czars, it is now home of the world-famous HERMITAGE MUSEUM with celebrated works by Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci, and the major French impressionists. Next, drive along elegant Nevsky Prospect and admire ST. ISAAC’S CATHEDRAL with its gilded dome and marble columns. (Breakfast)
Day 12 St. Petersburg
Travel to Pushkin, the home of Russia’s last czar, for a visit to magnificent CATHERINE PALACE (if closed, visit PAVLOVSK PALACE instead). Afternoon at leisure; suitable optional activities are available to enhance your stay in St. Petersburg. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel to celebrate the success of your vacation. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 13 St. Petersburg
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
INCLUDED FEATURES
Copenhagen:
Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, the Little Mermaid; visit the Royal Reception Rooms in Christiansborg Palace; Tivoli Gardens (mid-April to mid-Sept.)
Elsinore:
Ferry crossing with a view of Hamlet’s castle
Gothenburg:
Orientation
Oslo:
Guided sightseeing, walk through Frogner Park and visit the City Hall
Stockholm:
Guided sightseeing, visit the City Hall
Stockholm-Helsinki:
Overnight cruise in first-class outside two-berth cabins with private facilities and included dinner
Helsinki:
Guided sightseeing, Sibelius Monument, visit the Lutheran Cathedral, the Temppeliaukio Rock Church, and the Open-Air Market
St. Petersburg:
Guided sightseeing, visit St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Catherine Palace (if closed, visit Pavlovsk Palace instead), and the Hermitage Museum; farewell dinner
Notes:
Security cruise regulations require clients’ family and first name, D.O.B., gender, and nationality at time of booking.
Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
Slight changes to the day-by-day itinerary cannot be excluded.
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
MEALS
Full buffet breakfast; 5 three-course dinners, including a welcome dinner in Copenhagen and a farewell dinner in St. Petersburg.
SUPERIOR HOTELS
- (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
Copenhagen Imperial (F), Oslo Clarion Royal Christiania (F), Stockholm First Amaranten (F), Helsinki Radisson Blu Royal (SF), St. Petersburg Angleterre (SF)
Optional Excursions
Important Note:
the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this vacation in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back later.
Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency.
CITY: Copenhagen
North Zealand Castle and countryside
Visit the Renaissance FREDERIKSBORG CASTLE, once a royal residence. Then on to Fredensborg Palace and Hamlet's Kronborg Castle, before taking the scenic route back to Copenhagen.
Approximate value: EUR €46 per person
Danish Dinner
The perfect way to round out your day in Copenhagen. Savor a traditional three-course Christmas dinner with drink in a cozy, family-run restaurant.
Approximate value: EUR €58 per person
Historical Copenhagen
Discover the charming Renaissance-style ROSENBORG CASTLE, housing the Crown Jewels. Then on to the RESISTANCE MUSEUM, which tells the thrilling story of Denmark's role during World War II.
Approximate value: EUR €40 per person
CITY: Helsinki
Finnish Dinner
Enjoy a delightful Sami-style Dinner, including a drink, in one of the finest Sami restaurants in Helsinki.
Approximate value: EUR €52 per person
Archipelago Cruise
Enjoy Helsinki at its most beautiful, embraced by the spectacular seascape of the Archipelago. Cruising along the narrow Degerö Canal, you catch glimpses of fabulous villas and gardens. Refreshments are served on board.
Approximate value: EUR €41 per person
CITY: Oslo
Treasures of Norway
Admire the relics of Norway's great seafaring past: 1,000-year-old ornamented VIKING SHIPS; the FRAM, a 100-year-old primitive ship used for Arctic expeditions; and Thor Heyerdahl's fantastic vessels, RA and KON-TIKI.
Approximate value: EUR €44 per person
Panoramic Oslo and Dinner
Take the serpentine road up to Mount Holmenkollen or Mount Grefsenkollen and enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the Oslo Fjord. Later savor a delicious three-course meal in a fine restaurant.
Approximate value: EUR €72 per person
CITY: St. Petersburg
Folklore Show
Do not miss the opportunity to attend this entertaining folklore show with music and dance in an elegantly decorated 19th-century building. Champagne, caviar and canapés are included.
Approximate value: EUR €45 per person
St. Petersburg Romantic Canals
Board your private boat and admire some of the city's most famous attractions such as the Hermitage Museum, Peter and Paul Fortress and the Admiralty. Enjoy live-performances of well-known Russian folk songs and savor caviar and champagne or vodka.
Approximate value: EUR €39 per person
Yusopov Palace
This unique noble palace follows the different styles and trends in Russian architecture over the course of two centuries and represents a milestone in Russian art, culture, history and politics. The YUSOPOV PALACE boasts 180 sumptuously furnished rooms, and houses the private art collection of the Yusopov family. In this palace Gregory Rasputin was assassinated in 1916, and a waxwork tableau in the cellar recreates the scene of his murder
Approximate value: EUR €30 per person
Russian Dinner
Your Tour Director will accompany you to a typical Russian restaurant to savor some of the most famous specialties of this region.
Approximate value: EUR €36 per person
St. Petersburg in Depth
While in St. Petersburg take advantage of a series of optional visits conducted by your tour director and local experts; these are offered as a special package, designed to maximize sightseeing opportunities and enhance your stay. Should any of the visits be unavailable for operational reasons, a suitable alternative will be found. Visit PETER-AND-PAUL FORTRESS and CATHEDRAL, where most czars since Peter the Great are buried; the LOG CABIN that Peter the Great built himself, as he also was a carpenter; see the Church of Spilt Blood, with its onion domes one of the landmark of St. Petersburg and visit the Battleship AURORA. Plus much more! Please ask your Tour Director for further additions to this package and more information.
Approximate value: EUR €52 per person
CITY: Stockholm
Swedish Dinner
Your Tour Director escorts you to a fine restaurant where you dine in true Swedish style. Note: On summer evenings it may be possible to continue on to a colorful folk dancing show. If so, the price is EUR 69.00 per person.
Approximate value: EUR €57 per person
Wasa Ship Museum
See the most richly ornamented war vessel built in Europe. The WASA sank on her maiden voyage in 1628 and was raised in 1961. Note: this excursion can also be offered with Skansen Park for EUR 42.00 per person.
Approximate value: EUR €30 per person
Skansen Park and Open Air Museum
Founded in 1891, Skansen is said to be the oldest open-air museum in the world. Located on the island of Djurgarden, a royal park near the center of Stockholm, it provides accurate insight into Sweden's heritage and natural history based on well-documented knowledge. If you are lucky, you might also see moose and reindeer.
Approximate value: EUR €27 per person
Departure
Dates: April - September
Prices: From approx$3,299 USper person double
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