Scandinavia, Russia and Estonia

Day 1 - Arrive Copenhagen (2 nights)
Welcome to Copenhagen, capital of Denmark. After check-in, there’s time to unwind before enjoying a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.

Hotel: Copenhagen Marriott

Day 2 - Copenhagen sightseeing and at leisure
This morning our sightseeing tour includes a walking tour through the area around the Amalienborg Palace - an elegant quarter of 18th century buildings, Then we will walk through the historic centre seeing the 17th century Stock Exchange, the Christiansborg Palace, the cathedral and the 19th century Theatre Royal. Then we’ll see the Little Mermaid, the statue inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale. Afterwards there’s time at leisure. (Scandinavian breakfast) 

Day 3 - Copenhagen – Stockholm
This morning we cross the Oresund to Sweden and drive to beautiful Lake Vättern where we view the 17th century Brahehus Castle. From here we’re off to Stockholm with its cobbled streets and medieval buildings in the old town. (Scandinavian breakfast)

Hotel: Birger Jarl

Day 4 - Stockholm – At Sea
The charms of this city unfold on our morning sightseeing tour, which includes the Royal Palace and City Hall. Our Tour Director will also show us a Hidden Treasure of this fascinating city before time at leisure. This evening we will board our Silja Line ship for the overnight trip to Finland. (Scandinavian breakfast)

Day 5 - At Sea – Helsinki
We dock in Turku, then it’s a short drive to Helsinki. Here our sightseeing tour shows us Finlandia Hall, the Senate and Market Squares, broad boulevards and the domed Russian church. Then free time to shop and sightsee further. (Scandinavian breakfast) 

Hotel: Radisson Blu Seaside

Day 6 - Helsinki – St. Petersburg (3 nights)
An early morning departure as we travel into Russia, passing the timber centre of Kotka. From here we continue our journey through the forests of Karelia to our hotel in St. Petersburg for our three-night stay. This evening, we will enjoy complimentary champagne with dinner. Then perhaps visit a theatre for a Russian folklore show. (Scandanavian breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Park Inn Pribaltiyskaya

Days 7 & 8 - St. Petersburg sightseeing and at leisure
Featured on our sightseeing tour this morning are the Tsar’s Winter Palace, Nevsky Prospekt, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the statue of Peter the Great and a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress. During our stay we enjoy an included visit to the Hermitage Museum to see one of the world’s largest and most valuable art collections set in the splendour of the Winter Palace. On our final night in St. Petersburg, we will enjoy a Highlight Dinner in a typical restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Buffet breakfast / Highlight dinner)

Day 9 - St. Petersburg – Tallinn
Today our drive brings us to the Russian border where we cross into the Baltic state of Estonia. We continue via Rakvere to the Estonian capital, Tallinn, for dinner and overnight. (Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Reval Olympia

Day 10 - Tallinn sightseeing – At Sea
Today’s sightseeing tour explores the beautifully preserved streets and buildings of the old Hanseatic quarter and 15th century Luhike Jalg Gate. We visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and see the old town hall before time on your own perhaps to shop and sightsee further. Later, we drive to the port of Tallinn where we board our ship for the overnight mini-cruise from Estonia to Sweden. (Buffet breakfast)

Day 11 - At Sea – Stockholm – Hamar
Relax on board as we sail across the Baltic Sea for a mid-morning arrival in Stockholm. We travel across bridges over Lake Mälaren and through forests and farmland. Then into Varmland and along the banks of Lake Vänern past Karlstad and across the Norwegian border. We follow the Glomma River to Lake Mjøsa and beautiful Hamar. (Scandinavian breakfast / Dinner) 

Hotel: Rica Hamar

Day 12 - Hamar – Lillehammer – Geiranger (2 nights)
This morning we make our way to Lillehammer, host to the 1994 Winter Olympics. Then on through the Gudbrandsal Valley driving past the Jotunheimen Mountains, home of the Giants! Next we will visit a Stave church at Lom before beautiful scenic views near Dalsnibba Pass. Finally, we arrive in Geiranger. (Scandinavian breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Geiranger

Day 13 - Geiranger at leisure
After breakfast, enjoy a full day to relax in this breathtaking fjord. You may wish to consider an optional excursion to Trollstigen, or walk along marked trails through the landscape echoed in Ibsen’s Peer Gynt. Tonight, dinner is served at the hotel. (Scandinavian breakfast / Dinner)

Day 14 - Geiranger – Sognefjord (Leikanger)
This morning it’s a short ferry cruise along Geirangerfjord to Hellesylt, reboarding our coach for the journey via the Josetedal Mountains and Lake Jolstra. Next we’ll view the Bøya Glacier before a drive along the shores of Sognefjord to our hotel in Leikanger for dinner and our overnight stay. (Scandinavian breakfast / Dinner) 

Hotel: Sognefjord

Day 15 - Sognefjord (Leikanger) – Voss – Bergen
Today across the Sognefjord with supurb views of the fertile valleys and the salmon river of Laerdal. Then from here we continue through the ski resort of Voss to the port of Bergen. After viewing the colourful harbour, we head to our hotel tonight. (Scandinavian breakfast) 

Hotel: Radisson Blu Norge

Day 16 - Bergen – Geilo
Our morning orientation tour highlights Bergen’s landmarks including the 13th Century Haakon’s Hall and the bustling fish market. Then time is yours to explore this charming town. Next to Hardangerfjord and on across Eidefjord to the rugged landscape of the Hardangervidda and the resort of Geilo. (Scandinavian breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Highland

Day 17 - Geilo – Oslo
Today after breakfast, we enjoy a scenic drive to the Hallingdal Valley before our arrival in Oslo. Here a sightseeing tour shows us the medieval fortress of Akershus, the Royal Palace plus a visit to the Vigeland Sculpture Park. Our Tour Director will also show us another Hidden Treasure before time at leisure, maybe to see the Kon-Tiki raft? This evening we get together with our Tour Director and fellow
travelling companions for a festive Farewell Dinner. (Scandinavian breakfast / Farewell dinner)

Hotel: Scandic KNA

Day 18 - Depart Oslo
This morning it is time to bid farewell to our Tour Director and touring friends as our vacation comes to an end. Airport transfers are available, conditions apply. (Scandinavian breakfast)

Free airport transfers
Transfers on Day 1 at Copenhagen Airport will operate at 09.00, 12.00 and 15.30. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Copenhagen Airport at 07.30 and 11.00.

Important note
Visas may be required for this tour. Please speak with your travel agent at time of booking to assess your specific requirements.