Norwegian Fjords with Baltic Highlights 12 days/11 nights: Oslo - Helsinki
15 days/14 nights: Oslo - St. Petersburg
18 days/17 nights: Oslo - Moscow  2008 Departure Dates and Prices: June 17, 24, July 4, 8, 15, 18, 22, 29, Aug 1
| $3,475 per person double | | | | | For dates above | $1,045 single supplement | Jul 4, 18 Aug 1 | $5,315 per person double | | For date above | $1,715 single supplement | | | | | | | | | | | Jul 4, 18, Aug 1 | $6,965 per person double | | For date above | $2,095 single supplement | | | | | | | | | |
Day 1: Arrive Oslo
Transfer from Oslo Gardemoen Airport to hotel. Dinner and overnight at Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel.
Day 2: Oslo - Ulvik After breakfast departure from Oslo, driving via Honefoss along the charming Halling Valley to the tourist resort town of Geilo. Buffet lunch at Bardola Mountain Hotel. After lunch cross the wild Hardanger Mountain Plateau to Fossli, stopping to view the thundering Voringsfoss Waterfall, the highest in Norway. Descent the amazing Mabodal Canyon to the idyllic Hardanger Fjord. Short ferry, followed by the drive around the Ulvik Fjord, to picturesque village of Ulvik. Dinner and accommodation Rica Brakanes Hotel, ideally located on the banks of the fjord.
Day 3: Ulvik - Bergen
After breakfast, start of scenic tour along the beautiful Hardangerfjord, famous for its many fruit orchards, arriving in Bergen mid day. Afternoon tour of Bergen, including a visit to the popular Fish and Flower Market, the famous Bryggen Harbour and old Hanseatic Quarter. You will also ride on the funicular to Mt. Floien, for the best views of the city and fjords below. Dinner and overnight at Radisson SAS Hotel Norge within walking distance of the old Bryggen Harbor.
 Day 4: Bergen - Fam - Balestrand
After buffet breakfast, depart from Bergen driving via Dale to the town of Voss. Descent the Naeroy Valley, passing the amazing Stalheim Canyon, to the fjordside village of Flam. Board your train for an exhilarating ride on the amazing Flam Railway to Myrdal. The descent from Myrdal to Flam offers opportunities for photo shots of waterfalls and mountain scenery. Back in Flam, board the M/S Lady Elisabeth for 2 hours cruise along Sognefjord, longest and deepest fjord in the world. After disembarking in Gudvangen at he head of the Naeroyfjord, 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 5: Balestrand
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 may also recommend a visit to the local aquarium and art gallery, or you may prefer to rent a bike or row boat from the hotel. 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 6: Balestrand - Geiranger
After breakfast departure from your hotel by ferry, for a 1-hour cruise along the fjord to Fjaerland. Continue by coach along the scenic route, passing under the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Europe, to the village of Skei. Descend to the beautiful 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 of views. Afterwards a typical Norwegian lunch will be served in sight of the glacier. During the afternoon, the tour continues via Loen and Stryn, to the picturesque village of Hellesylt. From here you go on board the ferry for a 1-hour 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 & overnight at Union Hotel.
Day 7: Geiranger - Oslo
More magnificent scenery today. Cross the Grotli Mountains to Lom, follow Lake Vågå and descend the Gudbrands Valley to the town of Lillehammer. Lunch in Lillehammer. After lunch the journey continues alongside Lake Mjosa, the largest lake in Norway, back to Oslo and Holmenkollen, home of the world -famous ski jump, offering unforgettable views of the city and Oslofjord far below. Dinner and overnight at the famous Holmenkollen Park Hotel.
 Day 8: Oslo - Stockholm
Depart Oslo by coach to the Swedish border. Cross into the province of Värmland, arriving in the city of Karlstad on Lake Vänern. Lunch in Karlstad. Reach the Swedish capital in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Sheraton Stockholm Hotel.
Day 9: Stockholm
Enjoy a 4-hour guided tour of the city. Sights include the Royal Palace, Parliament Buildings, Cathedral and Royal Theatre. Visit the enchanting Old Town (Gamla Stan) with its narrow cobbled streets and numerous antique shops, and the City Hall, where the Nobel Prize banquet is held each year. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon free in Stockholm. Overnight at Sheraton Stockholm Hotel.
Day 10: Stockholm - Helsinki
Morning free in Stockholm. Afternoon transfer from hotel to pier, to board a Silja Line luxurious cruise ferry for a 5:00 p.m. departure. Dinner onboard. Enjoy a choice of entertainment, bars, shops and casino on board. Overnight in 2-berth outside cabins with private facilities.
Day 11: Helsinki
Enjoy a buffet breakfast as you sail into Helsinki harbor. Enjoy a 3-hour guided tour of Helsinki. Sights include the Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Park & Monument and the Rock Church. In the afternoon you can explore the busy market place or the many souvenir shops close to the harbor. Dinner and overnight at Radisson SAS Royal Hotel.
 Day 12: Helsinki - St. Petersburg
The 11-night Oslo-Helsinki tour ends after breakfast at the hotel, with transfers to Helsinki Vantaa Airport to connect with individual flight departures.
Guests continuing to St. Petersburg have an early morning coach transfer from the hotel to the railway station for an early morning departure on the Finnish train “Sibelius”. Box lunch on train. Arrive St. Petersburg in the early afternoon. Transfer by coach from the railway station to the hotel, followed by a 3-hour guided tour. Famous sights include the Admiralty, Palace Square, Smolny Convent and St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Ambassador
Day13: St. Petersburg
After a buffet breakfast, go on a 3-hour visit to the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum and the State Rooms at the Winter Palace. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion by coach, starting with lunch in Peterhof. Visit Peterhof Grand Palace, the magnificent summer residence of all the Russian Tsars. Enjoy dinner today at a typical Russian restaurant. Overnight at Ambassador Hotel.
Day 15: St. Petersburg - Moscow
The 14-night Oslo-St. Petersburg tour ends after breakfast at the hotel, with transfers to St. Petersburg Airport to connect with individual flight departures.
Guests continuing to Moscow have an early morning coach transfer with guide assistance to St. Petersburg Airport, including luggage handling at airport. Flight from St. Petersburg to Moscow. Arrival in Moscow followed by coach transfer with English-speaking guide to your hotel, centrally located in the Russian capital. Moscow was founded in the 12th century, built as a wooden fortress on the banks of the Moscow River to keep out barbarian invaders from the east. Today it is a modern city with wide boulevards and green parks, yet proudly preserving its historic monuments and impressive buildings from previous eras. Dinner and accommodation at Tverskaya Marriott Hotel, a centrally located 4 star hotel.
Day 16: Moscow
Buffet breakfast at hotel. Morning tour of the Kremlin and Armoury Museum, with local English-speaking guide. This tour lasting approx. 3 hours has to be done on foot as no coaches are allowed inside the area. The Kremlin, which was the home, not only of the Tsars, but also of Lenin and Stalin, is surrounded by 7 metres thick walls and covers an area of 29 acres. You will pass by the Lenin Mausoleum and the grave of the unknown soldier, where brides still leave their wedding bouquets, to visit the Coronation Church of the Tsars, and the famous Vasilij Cathedral. The Armoury Museum contains the largest collection in the world of crown jewels and coronation robes, including the wedding dress of Catherine the Great and the famous189 carat Olov diamond. You will also see the golden horse-drawn carriages of all the Tsars and many other treasures. Lunch in Godunov Restaurant or similar. After lunch, walk through the Red Square to rejoin your coach for a 3 hours panoramic city tour, including a visit to Saviour Cathedral. On this tour you will see the amazing golden, blue and green towers of the Orthodox churches, the Bolshoy Theatre, Gorkij Park (Moscow’s largest entertainments park), the State University of Moscow, and numerous other famous sights. Return by coach to hotel. Dinner and accommodation at Tverskaya Marriott Hotel.
Day 17: Moscow
Buffet breakfast at hotel. Morning: Guided tour of the famous Moscow Metro, followed by a walk along the fascinating pedestrian street Arbat, known as the ’Montmartre of Moscow’. Lunch at the Old Tower Restaurant. Afternoon free for shopping in the GUM department store or exploring Moscow on your own. We can recommend a visit to the Pushkin Museum, famous for its collection of monuments from Ancient Egypt, or the popular Tretiakov Art Gallery. Dinner and accommodation at Tverskaya Marriott Hotel.
Day 18: Moscow Departure
Buffet breakfast at hotel followed by transfer with assistance to Moscow Airport for your flight home.
Price includes:
11 nights Oslo - Helsinki
- 10 nights accommodation including daily 3-course or buffet dinner and Scandinavian buffet breakfast in centrally located first-class hotels, all rooms with private facilities
- 5 lunches on days 2, 6, 7, 8 & 9
- 3-hour guided tours of Oslo, Bergen and Helsinki, and a 4-hour tour of Stockholm, all entrances included
- Ride on the Bergen Funicular to Mt. Fløien
- 2-hour cruise on the Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord, and a 1-hour cruise on both the Fjaerland and Geiranger Fjord
- Excursion in open car to the Briksdal Glacier
- Ride on the Flam Railway, Flam - Myral - Flam
- All ferry crossings
- Overnight cruise Stockholm – Helsinki, including accommodation in a 2-berth, outside cabin with private facilities, dinner and breakfast onboard
- Luggage assistance at all hotels
- Experienced tour escort throughout
- Transportation by modern deluxe coach with reclining seats
- Transfers airport/hotel on first and last days in connection with individual flight times
15 nights Oslo - St. Petersburg
All the services mentioned above, plus -
- 3 nights accommodation in St. Petersburg in rooms with private facilities, including daily 3-course dinner and buffet breakfast.
- 2 lunches on day 13 & 14 plus packed lunch on train Helsinki to St. Persburg
- Train Helsinki – St. Petersburg
- Coach transfers between hotels and railway stations in Helsinki and St. Petersburg
- Complete program in St. Petersburg, including a 3-hour city tour, visit to Peter & Paul Fortress, the Hermitage/Winter Palace, excursion to Peterhof, all entrances included, plus folklore show at Grand Duke Nikolas Palace with dinner
17 nights Oslo - Moscow
All the services mentioned above, plus -
- 3 nights accommodation in Moscow, including daily 3-course or buffet dinner and buffet breakfast.
- 3 lunches on days 15, 16 & 17
- Flight economy class St. Petersburg - Moscow, including luggage handling at airports, and guided transfers.
- Complete program in Moscow, including 3-hour city tour, 3-hour visit to the Kremlin and Armoury Museum, guided Metro tour, including all entrances and coach transfer between restaurants and hotel.
We offer competitive airfare from most U.S. cities - ask us for prices!  |
