Northern Capitals with Moscow 2012

Tours | Globus family of brands | Norway | Finland | Sweden | Europe | Russia | Copenhagen | Helsinki | Moscow | Oslo | Denmark | Stockholm

Itinerary:

Day	Description	View All +
Day 1	Arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark. 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. (D)	View Details +
Day 2	Copenhagen . 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. Afternoon at leisure, optional excursions are available. Tonight, visit TIVOLI GARDENS (mid-April to mid-Sept.), the city’s colorful amusement park. (B)	View Details +
Day 3	Copenhagen–Gothenburg, Sweden–Oslo, Norway . From Elsinore beneath Hamlet’s Kronborg Castle, 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. (B,D)	View Details +
Day 4	Oslo . 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 200-plus extraordinary bronze and granite sculptures, and visit the modern CITY HALL. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Optional excursions are available. (B)	View Details +
Day 5	Oslo–Stockholm, Sweden . 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. (B)	View Details +
Day 6	Stockholm . Stockholm, scene of Stieg Larsson’s Milennium, 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. (B)	View Details +
Day 7	At Leisure in Stockholm–Overnight Cruise to Helsinki, Finland . 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. (B,D)	View Details +
Day 8	Helsinki . 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 Olympic Stadium, and the SIBELIUS MONUMENT. Then, browse for souvenirs in Helsinki’s local arts and crafts OPEN-AIR MARKET. (B,D)	View Details +
Day 9	At Leisure in Helsinki. 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. (B)	View Details +
Day 10	Helsinki–St. Petersburg, Russia. A pleasant drive along the coast to the Russian border. After completing frontier formalities, cross the Karelian Isthmus on the way to St. Petersburg. (B)	View Details +
Day 11	St. Petersburg . 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 more than 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. (B)	View Details +
Day 12	St. Petersburg. 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. (B,D)	View Details +
Day 13	St. Petersburg, Russia–Moscow. This afternoon, journey by high-speed SAPSAN TRAIN to Moscow. (B)	View Details +
Day 14	Moscow . Morning guided sightseeing and orientation includes a visit to RED SQUARE, the center of this 850-year-old city. Visit the ARMORY MUSEUM in the KREMLIN, one of the oldest museums of Moscow, which began as a royal arsenal in 1508. Balance of the afternoon is at leisure. (B)	View Details +
Day 15	At Leisure in Moscow . Full day at leisure to enjoy Russia’s capital and largest city; ask your Local Host for suggestions. (B)	View Details +
Day 16	Moscow . Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)	View Details +

Highlights: Copenhagen Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, visit the Royal Reception Rooms in Christiansborg Palace; the Little Mermaid; Tivoli Gardens (mid-April to mid-Sept.)Elsinore Ferry crossing with a view of Hamlet’s castleGothenburg OrientationOslo Guided sightseeing, walk through Frogner Park and visit the City HallStockholm Guided sightseeing, visit the City HallStockholm-Helsinki Overnight cruise in first-class outside two-berth cabins with private facilities and included dinnerHelsinki Guided sightseeing, visit the Lutheran Cathedral, Sibelius Monument, and the open-air market St. PetersburgGuided sightseeing, visit St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Catherine Palace (if closed, visit Pavlovsk Palace instead), and the Hermitage Museum; farewell dinnerSt. Petersburg-Moscow By high-speed Sapsan trainMoscow Guided sightseeing, visit Red Square and the Armory Museum in the KremlinHeadsets throughout the tourNote:Security cruise and train regulations require clients’ family and first name, D.O.B., gender, and nationality at time of booking.Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.Slight changes to the day-by-day itinerary cannot be excluded.In the rare event that the Sapsan train is unavailable, alternative services will be provided. Security train regulations require clients’ passport details at time of booking.Notes: PRICE DETAILS: Dates and prices do not include international air travel. When planning your trip, allow one extra day before tour date for travel between the USA and Europe.Prices based on double room occupancy.Single room supplement: $1325, $1181 (July 27-September 14) Triple room reduction: $247, $210 (July 27-September 14)Extra nights per person in Copenhagen:in single room $205, in twin room $128, in triple room $114Extra nights per person in Moscow:in single room $190, in twin room $108, in triple room $82What's Included: MEALS: Full buffet breakfast daily (B); 5 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Copenhagen and a farewell dinner in St. PetersburgHOTELS: Full buffet breakfast daily (B); 5 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Copenhagen and a farewell dinner in St. Petersburg