Scandinavia-Scandinavian Capital Journey-Independent Travel

If you are searching for a diverse travel experience that showcases several areas of Scandinavia, this tour is an ideal combination of the capitals, countryside, open seas, fjords, mountains and rich traditions. The various components act as building-block modules, each adding its own additional opportunity to match your time available and budget level to your special interests, country preferences and even for finding areas of your family heritage.

Day 1: Overnight transatlantic flight from U.S. gateway city to Copenhagen

Day 2: Copenhagen Upon arrival in Copenhagen, your transfer will meet your at the airport and deliver your to your centrally located hotel. At one time only a small fishing village, Copenhagen is now the capital of Denmark and the country’s largest and most colorful metropolis. Take time to refresh and get acquainted with this cosmopolitan city.
Accommodations: Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel, D

Day 3: Copenhagen Today enjoy a three-hour city tour will introduce you Copenhagen and its many attractions, including the Royal Amalienborg, Christiansborg Palace, Geifon Fountain, Nyhavn and the famous Little Mermaid. Your afternoon is free to Explore and stroll down the famous pedestrian street—Størget. End with dinner at the festive grounds of Tivoli Gardens.
Accommodations: Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel, B, D

Day 4: Copenhagen – Oslo Take the morning to shop for any last-minute gifts before transferring to the DFDS docks to embark on your overnight cruise to Oslo. Savor your first Scandinavian smörgåsbord dinner while sailing the Kattegat.
Accommodations: DFDS, outside cabins, B, D

Day 5: Oslo Savor your delectable breakfast while cruising into the enchanting Oslo fjord. Upon disembarking, join a three-hour city tour to visit the Viking Ship Museum, Fram and Vigeland Sculpture Park. For a breathtaking finish, head up to Holmenkollen for a panoramic view of the city of Oslo. Enjoy dinner at your hotel tonight.
Accommodations: Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel, B, D

Day 6: Oslo – Ulvik After breakfast depart Oslo toward Ulvik. You will drive along the Halling Valley via Honefoss, ending in Geilo for lunch at the Bardøla Mountain Hotel and a bit of free time to explore. Continue your journey as you pass the Hardangerfjord, stopping to view the highest waterfall in Norway, Vøringfoss. From here it is a short ferry ride to picturesque Ulvik to enjoy dinner at the Rica Brakanes Hotel idyllically located on the banks of the fjord!
Accommodations: Rica Brakanes, B, L, D

Day 7: Ulvik – Bergen Continue your journey through the beautiful Hardangerfjord, famous for the many fruit orchards in Øystese and Norheimsund. Upon arrival in Bergen, take a two hour city tour that includes the Fish and Flower market, Bryggen Harbor, and the old Hanseatic Quarter. Culminate the day high above the city via the funicular to Mt. Fløien. The panoramic view is amazing!
Accommodations: Radisson SAS Hotel Norge, B, L, D

Day 8: Bergen – Flam – Balestrand After breakfast you will depart Bergen and drive via Dale to Voss. Descend the Nærøy Valley passing Stalheim Canyon to the fjordside village of Flam for an exhilarating ride on the famous Flam railway not to be forgotten! Depart and board the ferry through the narrow Aurland and Nærøy fjords, both branches of the Sognefjord – the longest and deepest fjord in the world. End the day with a short ferry ride to the beautiful and historic resort in Balestrand, nestled on the banks of the fjord. A sumptious dinner awaits!
Accommodations: Kvikne’s Hotel, family-run, fjordside hotel, B, D

Day 9: Balestrand After a traditional Norwegian smorgasbord you have a day to soak up the sun amidst the fjords. This area has beautiful hiking and scenery so enjoy! Or visit the local aquarium and art gallery.
Accommodations: Kvikne’s Hotel, B, D

Day 10: Balestrand – Geiranger Rise and depart by ferry to Fjærland and the largest glacier in Europe - Jostedal. After a visit to Skei, venture close to the world-famous Briksdal Glacier via open cars. A typical Norwegian lunch will be served with a spectacular view of the glacier. During the afternoon continue through Loen and Stryn to the picturesque village of Hellesylt. Here you board another ferry to witness some of the most magnificent, renowned waterfalls; the Bridal Veil and Seven Sisters, arriving late day in Geiranger. Dinner is included.
Accommodations: Union Hotel, charming, historical hotel, B, L, D

Day 11: Geiranger – Oslo Enjoy the inviting scenery from the top of the famous Serpentine Road before crossing the rugged Grotli Mountains to Lom, known for its 14th century Stave Church. Continue on via Lake Vågå before descending into the Gudbrands Valley, well-known for its farmsteads and graceful river. Lunch will be in Lillehammer, the site of the 1994 Winter Olympics, at the Rica Victoria Hotel. Continue along Lake Mjøsa, Norway’s largest lake, before arriving in Oslo early evening.
Accommodations: Holmenkollen Park Hotel, B, L, D

Day 12: Oslo – Stockholm Set your compass for the Swedish border, crossing the province of Värmland into Karlstad on Lake Vänern, the largest city in Sweden. Lunch will be served here before traveling through a serene landscape of forests and sparkling lakes before reaching the bustling city of Stockholm. Enjoy the nightlife with a short walk to Gamla Stan, Old Town.
Accommodations: Sheraton Stockholm Hotel, B, L, D

Day 13: Stockholm Your day begins with a four-hour city tour to see the Royal Palace, Parliament buildings, the Cathedral of Stockholm and charming Gamla Stan (Old Town). The highlights include a visit to City Hall to see the famous Blue and Gold Halls, where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded each year. After lunch at the hotel, your afternoon is free to explore Skansen, the Vasa Museum or take a canal tour.
Accommodations: Sheraton Stockholm Hotel, B, L

Day 14: Stockholm – Helsinki After a free morning in Stockholm, to do any last minute shopping, a transfer will take you to the pier for your Baltic Cruise to Helsinki. The Silja Line leaves at 5:00 p.m. and offers a wide variety of entertainment on board while cruising down the glorious archipelago.
Accommodations: Silja Line, outside cabins, B, D

Day 15: Helsinki Enjoy the delectable buffet breakfast before disembarking for your three-hour city tour of Helsinki. You will see Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Park and much more! Take the afternoon to explore, on your own, many of the attractions more in depth.
Accommodations: Radisson SAS Royal Hotel, B, D

Day 16: Helsinki – Home The tour ends after breakfast! A morning transfer to Helsinki’s airport is included or extend with one of the modules below!

Add Helsinki to St. Petersburg

Total Package Price: $7170 pp/dbl

July 01, 15, 29

Single supplement: $2715

Day 16: Helsinki – St. Petersburg After breakfast, transfer by coach to the rail station for your 7:42 a.m. departure to St. Petersburg. Upon arrival, make a visit to Peter and Paul Fortress as well as St. Issac’s Cathedral. Enjoy the welcome dinner at Ambassador Restaurant.
Accommodations: Hotel Ambassador, B, L, D

Day 17: St. Petersburg Today’s journey includes a guided panoramic tour of the city. Lunch is at the Hermitage Restaurant before your tour of the renowned Hermitage art museum and the Winter Palace.
Accommodations: Hotel Ambassador, B, L, D

Day 18: St. Petersburg Your memorable journey continues by hydrofoil to Peterhof, the summer residence of the tzars. Return by coach for lunch at Restaurant Adamant. Enjoy a free afternoon before your evening folklore show at the Nikolaevsky Palace including dinner at the Backstage Restaurant of the Mariinsky Theater.
Accommodations: Hotel Ambassador, B, L, D

Day 19: St. Petersburg Awake for your excursion to Pushkin including Catherine’s Palace. Lunch is at the Admiralty Restaurant before your transfer to the airport. Upon arrival, a guide will take you to your hotel for dinner.
Accommodations: Hotel Ambassador, B, L, D

Add St. Petersburg to Moscow

Total Package Price: $8810 pp/dbl

Single supplement: $2450

Day 20: St. Petersburg – Moscow After breakfast at the hotel, transfer by coach to the airport for your flight to Moscow. Upon arrival, a guide will take you to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Accommodations: Tverskaya Marriott Hotel, B, D

Day 21: Moscow Rise and join the tour of the Kremlin and Armoury Musuem. This three-hour tour is done on foot as coaches are not allowed in this area. You will pass by the Lenin Mausoleum, the grave of the Unknown Soldier, Coronation Church and the famous Vasilij Cathedral. Following is a guided tour of the Armoury Museum which features the largest collection of crown jewels including the famous 189-carat Olov Diamond! After lunch at the Godunov Restaurant, walk through Red Square to join the panoramic tour to visit The Saviour Cathedral and see Bolshoi Theater, Gorkij Park and much more!
Accommodations: Tverskaya Marriott Hotel, B, L, D

Day 22: Moscow This morning encompasses a guided tour of the WWII memorial on Poklonnaya Hill, followed by a visit to Bordodino Panorama—the largest panoramic painting of the Battle with Napoleon in 1812. Savor a Russian lunch at Sudar Restaurant before the guided tour of the famous Moscow Metro. Culminate your tour with a walk along the pedestrian street, Arbat. The afternoon is free to shop!
Accommodations: Tverskaya Marriott Hotel, B, L, D

Day 23: Moscow – U.S. Transfer to Moscow Airport for your transatlantic flight home.

NOTE: All add-on features can only be added to the feature program tour.