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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
