Scandinavia & Russia
1 Sep - 30 Sep 2012
This unique escorted group tour gives you an opportunity to discover an incredible variety of cities, medieval towns, classic architecture, world famous museums, palaces and majestic landscapes. Our tour starts in Russia where we visit the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, before travelling by train to Finland and then north through the heart of Lappland. We board the Hurtigruten Ferries for a six day journey down the stunning coastline of Norway. During the course of “the world’s most beautiful voyage” we view majestic fjords, stunning mountains and fascinating towns. After disembarking in Bergen, we travel by rail to Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen. |
| ||||||||||||||
Moscow City Tour
The city tour visits the historical centre including views of Red Square, the Sofiiskaya Embankment with the building of the St. Sophia Cathedral and the panorama of the Kremlin walls. In addition, the tour takes you through the more modern areas such as the Lenin Hills and Poklonnaya Hill where there is a monument commemorating defenders of the city during the World War Two.
Kremlin & Armoury Tour
During this tour you will walk through the Kremlin grounds and visit the Armoury Chamber with its famous collection of Faberge eggs, jewels and royal thrones. The word Kremlin means a fortress or walled town and Moscow’s is the biggest and most famous. The earliest ramparts were of earth and wood, but successive rulers raised and strengthened the defences after every attack.
St Petersburg Tour
On our tour we visit the main architectural ensembles such as the Palace Square and Alexander’s Column, the Senate Square and the Bronze Horseman, buildings of Senate and Synod, St. Isaac’s Square with St. Isaac’s Cathedral and monument to Nicholas I, Mariinsky Palace, the Rostral Columns and the former Stock Exchange on the Spit (Strelka) offering a marvellous view of the Peter and Paul Fortress.
Hermitage Museum Tour
The largest museum collection in the world is spread throughout four buildings. The most famous of these is the Winter Palace, the former Royal residence. The next building to the east is the Small Hermitage, further east lays the Old Hermitage (facing the river) and the New Hermitage (facing Palace Square). An arched gallery spans the Winter Canal and leads to the Hermitage theatre.
Pushkin & Palace of Catherine the Great
After leaving St Petersburg we travel 25km to the town of Pushkin where we visit Catherine’s Palace. In 1708 Peter the 1st gave his wife Catherine Aleksejevna an estate on the outskirts of St. Petersburg. As the summer residence of Russian Czars for two centuries, Zarskoje Selo, later re-named Pushkin, was developed into one of the most magnificent and richest residences in Europe by the most famous architects and craftsmen of the time.
Helsinki
Helsinki, the capital of the Republic of Finland, is a modern city with over half a million residents and is situated on the Baltic Sea. Over 450 years of history, several architectural layers and the impact of different periods can be clearly seen in Helsinki. Finnish design has also made the country’s capital city world famous.
Tallinn Sightseeing Tour
The first leg of this tour is by bus and takes us though the most interesting parts of the city, with stops at the baroque Kadriorg Park, Song Festival Grounds and the seaside district of Pirita. We then take a walking tour through the winding, cobble stoned streets of the Old Town.
Lappland
The home of Santa Claus, reindeers and the midnight sun, Finnish Lapland offers diverse attractions introducing you to the most charming sides of the beautiful Finnish nature and local Sami culture in the far north of Europe. The natural attractions of Lapland include open fells, highland lakes, and wide taiga forests.
Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland in Finland, located at the northern Arctic Circle. There are eight different seasons this far north, each having its own type of daylight, temperature and natural phenomena. During the frosty twilight you can ride a snowmobile through snowy forests or over a frozen river. The Midnight Sun on the other hand, takes you cruising in a boat on the river.
Inari
With its 1,000 residents, Inari village is the second largest urban area in the municipality and the cradle of Lapland's Sámi culture. The Sámi Museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre have created a fascinating information package focusing on the indigenous Sámi people and the Northern seasons. During our stay in Inari we visit a local Reindeer farm where you can feed reindeer and try “Lappish lassoing”, a traditional reindeer herders’ skill. You’ll also hear stories about reindeer herding and Sámi Culture.
Norwegian Coastal Voyage
For more than a hundred years, the Hurtigruten ships have been a vital link for Norway’s coastal communities. During the course of the six day journey we dock at a variety of towns and fishing villages including: Tromso, Harstad, Trondheim and Molde.
Bergen City Tour
Bergen is "The Gateway to the Fjords of Norway" and a well established cruise port. It is an international city packed with history and tradition, a big city with small-town charm and atmosphere. Bergen is surrounded by one of the world's most spectacular tourist attractions - The Norwegian Fjords, which have now been included on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Norway in a Nutshell
This unique tour using public transport takes us through some of Norway’s most beautiful scenery. We travel by rail on the famous Bergen and Flåm railways, by fjord steamer along the arms of the Sognefjord and by bus through the dramatic Stalheim Gorge.
Oslo Grand Highlights Tour
During our tour we travel through the city centre and visit Vigeland Sculpture Park where the artist Gustav Vigeland has created 200 sculptures dealing with every aspect of human relations and emotions, Holmenkollen Ski Arena and the Viking Ship Museum. The tour continues to Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon-Tiki Museum and the Amundsen and Nansen’s Polarship Fram Museum.
Stockholm Sightseeing Tour
This sightseeing tour by motor launch shows Stockholm from a different perspective. You cruise on the city’s waterways and sail under 15 bridges, through two locks and around idyllic islands. You’ll travel on both the sea and Lake Malaren. This introductory tour shows off some of Stockholm’s well known sights and concludes back in central Stockholm.
Copenhagen Grand Tour
Our half day privately guided Grand Tour of Copenhagen covers all the major sights. Highlights of the tour include: the Tivoli Gardens, the colourful canal district, the National Museum and Christiansborg Palace, which is home to the Danish Parliament. We also visit the old Stock Exchange and Kongens Nytorv where you can see the Royal Theatre, world famous for its Royal Ballet.
|
Sat
1
Sep
|
Australia to SingaporeWe depart Australia today on our flight to Singapore. After spending a couple of hours at Singapore Airport we board a connecting flight through to Moscow. |
|
Sun
2
Sep
|
Singapore to MoscowOn arrival we are met by an English speaking representative and transferred to our hotel. Holiday Inn Lesnaya (3 nights) |
|
Mon
3
Sep
|
Moscow - City TourDuring our city tour we view ancient buildings and visit the historic centre of the city. Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Tue
4
Sep
|
Moscow - Kremlin and Armoury TourAfter breakfast, we tour through the Kremlin grounds and visit the Armoury Chamber with its famous collection of Faberge eggs, jewels and royal thrones. Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Wed
5
Sep
|
Moscow to St PetersburgIn the morning we transfer to Moscow Railway Station and board the Sapsan train for St. Petersburg. On arrival we transfer to our centrally located hotel. Hotel Dostoevsky (3 nights) Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Thu
6
Sep
|
St. Petersburg - City TourWe start our day with a guided city tour. In the afternoon we enjoy a private tour of the Hermitage where the largest museum collection in the world is spread across four buildings. Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Fri
7
Sep
|
St. Petersburg - Pushkin and Palace of Catherine the GreatToday we tour one of the most magnificent and richest residences in Europe. The palace contains exquisite decorative objects, furniture, Russian and West European paintings, unique collections of porcelain, amber, arms, decorative bronze and sculptures. Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Sat
8
Sep
|
St. Petersburg to HelsinkiWe have the morning at leisure before transferring to St. Petersburg Railway station for the train journey to Helsinki. Sokos Vakuuna Hotel (3 nights) Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Sun
9
Sep
|
Helsinki - City TourOur city tour covers areas of Helsinki such as the historical centre, the Presidential Palace, City Hall, the Parliament building, Finlandia Hall and the Opera House. Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Mon
10
Sep
|
Helsinki - Tallinn Sightseeing TourWe are transferred by private coach to the ferry terminal for the crossing to Tallinn. An experienced tour guide will provide commentary about Estonian history and contemporary life. We then enjoy a walking tour of the winding, cobble stoned streets of the Old Town. Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Tue
11
Sep
|
Helsinki to RovaniemiThis morning we depart Helsinki by train for the journey to Rovaniemi the capital of Lapland. On arrival at Rovaniemi Railway Station, we are transferred by private coach to our hotel. Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus (2 nights) Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Wed
12
Sep
|
Rovaniemi - Guided TourIn the morning we take a short guided tour of the Arktikum a one of a kind venue for experiencing the way of life, culture and history of the North. Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Thu
13
Sep
|
Rovaniemi to InariWe leave Rovaniemi behind and travel by private coach northbound to Inari through typical Finnish Lapland scenery. Hotel Korpikartano (2 nights) Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Fri
14
Sep
|
InariToday we enjoy a guided tour of the Sámi Museum and Northern Lapland Nature Centre. The museum is listed amongst the 3 best ethnic museums in the world. Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Sat
15
Sep
|
Inari to Norwegian Coastal VoyageWe transfer by coach to Kirkenes and board the MS Nordnorge for the start of our journey down the coast of Norway. Outside Cabin (5 nights). |
|
Sun
16
Sep
|
Norwegian Coastal VoyageFor more than a hundred years, the Hurtigruten ships have been a vital link for Norway’s coastal communities. During the course of our journey we dock at a variety of towns and fishing villages including: Tromso, Harstad, Trondheim and Molde. The ship spends between two and six hours at each port, thereby providing an opportunity to briefly explore the town before re-boarding. Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
|
|
Mon
17
Sep
|
Norwegian Coastal VoyageYour journey continues on the Norwegian Coastal Voyage. Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
|
|
Tue
18
Sep
|
Norwegian Coastal VoyageYour journey continues on the Norwegian Coastal Voyage. Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
|
|
Wed
19
Sep
|
Norwegian Coastal VoyageYour journey continues on the Norwegian Coastal Voyage. Meals included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
|
|
Thu
20
Sep
|
Bergen - City TourOn arrival in Bergen we are taken on a guided tour of the city. Afterwards we continue to the home of Norway’s most famous composer Edvard Grieg. We also stop at one of Bergen’s best panoramic viewpoints. Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz (2 nights) Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Fri
21
Sep
|
Bergen - Norway in Nutshell TourToday we enjoy a unique tour using public transport through some of Norway’s most beautiful scenery. We travel by rail on the famous Bergen and Flåm railways, by fjord steamer along the arms of the Sognefjord and by bus through the dramatic Stalheim Gorge. Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Sat
22
Sep
|
Bergen to OsloIn the morning we transfer to the station for our scenic rail journey to Oslo. We cross the windswept mountain plateau, then descend through valleys, lakes, waterfalls and forests before arriving into the capital city of Norway. Thon Hotel Opera (2 nights) Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Sun
23
Sep
|
Oslo - City TourGuided tour of the city including Vigeland Sculpture Park, Kon-Tiki Museum, Holmenkollen Ski Arena, Viking Ship Museum, Amundsen and Nansen’s Polarship Fram Museum. Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Mon
24
Sep
|
Oslo to StockholmWe travel by train from Olso to Stockholm the capital of Sweden. Scandic Park Hotel (3 nights) Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Tue
25
Sep
|
Stockholm - Under the Bridges of Stockholm TourOur day starts with a two hour ‘Under the Bridges of Stockholm’ tour. We cruise on the city’s waterways and sail under 15 bridges, through two locks and around idyllic islands. Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Wed
26
Sep
|
Stockholm - at leisureDay at leisure |
|
Thu
27
Sep
|
Stockholm to CopenhagenWe travel by train from Stockholm to Copenhagen. Clarion Collection Hotel Twenty Seven (2 nights) Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Fri
28
Sep
|
Copenhagen - TourWe start the day with a guided tour of Copenhagen’s major attractions including: the Tivoli Gardens, Little Mermaid, canal district and the colourful harbour. We also visit Amalienborg Palace the Winter residence of the Royal Family where there may be an opportunity to see the changing of the Guard. Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Sat
29
Sep
|
Copenhagen to SingaporeIn the morning we transfer to the airport for our departure flight back to Australia via Singapore. Meals included:
Breakfast
|
|
Sun
30
Sep
|
Singapore to AustraliaOn arrival into Singapore we change planes for our flight home to Australia. |
Tour Notes & Options
Prices based on twin share accommodation, please contact us for single pricing.
Extending Your Trip
We are happy to help plan and to make recommendations for further adventures in Europe.
contact us to begin planning your trip today!
Testimonials
Read what some of our customers had to say... here