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| Spectacular Scandinavia, The Baltics and St. Petersburg |
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Including
A Six Night Hurtigruten Cruise of the Norwegian Fjords
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| DENMARK |
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Elegant Copenhagen |
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Amailenborg, Christianborg and Rosenborg Palaces |
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| THE BALTICS |
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Riga, Latvia |
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Tallinn, Estonia |
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Kadriorg Park and Palace |
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| RUSSIA |
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"The Venice of the North" - St. Petersburg |
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The Aleksander Nevsky Cathedral |
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The Winter Palace |
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Fortress of St. Peter and Paul |
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| SCANDINAVIA |
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Norwegian Coastal Voyage |
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The Church in the Rock – Helsinki |
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The Royal Palace – Stockholm |
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The Kon Tiki and Viking Ships Museums – Oslo |
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The Flam Railway |
DAY 1
Departing Brisbane this morning on Singapore Airlines, we fly to Singapore, where we will connect with our non-stop flight to Copenhagen.
Overnight: In flight
DAY 2
An early arrival into Copenhagen where we will be met by our Tour Manager and transferred to our centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is free for us to relax and recuperate from the flight, or explore this beautiful city at our leisure.
Overnight: The First Vesterbro Hotel (or similar)
DAY 3
This morning we have a guided tour of the city with a local guide. Copenhagen is one of the most elegant cities in the world and we will see many of the attractions that made this city so famous - The Amailenborg, Christianborg and Rosenborg Palaces, the National Museum,
the Gefion Fountain, as well as the Hans Christian Andersen statue and the famous "Little Mermaid". The afternoon and evening are free for you to enjoy this wonderful city. (B)
Overnight: The First Vesterbro Hotel (or similar)
DAY 4
A morning transfer to the airport to join our flight to Riga. On arrival we will be met and taken on a tour of the capital of Latvia, before checking-in to our hotel, late this afternoon. Riga was established in 1201 and is the largest of the Baltic capitals. During this afternoon's tour we will see many of the most popular sights, including Riga Castle, The Dome Cathedral, the Gunpowder Tower etc. and many of the Art Nouveau architectural style buildings that are unique to Riga. The evening is free. (B)
Overnight: Radisson SAS Daugava Hotel (or similar)
DAY 5
We depart Riga this morning and cross into Estonia as we make our way towards Tallinn. En route, we will travel through the beautiful area of Sigulda, before making a stop for lunch in the attractive Estonian summer resort of Parnu. (B)
Overnight: Radisson SAS Hotel (or similar)
DAY 6
Tallinn is renowned for its charming blend of medieval tranquillity and modern urban life and this morning's tour will include many of the city's main attractions - The Town Hall, Kadriorg Park and Palace, the Aleksander Nevsky Cathedral, the Dome Church and the Song of Festival Ground for 30,000 choir singers. At the completion of the tour, there will be plenty of time to visit the Old Town, with its many shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes, all enclosed by a medieval wall with 66 towers. (B)
Overnight: Radisson SAS Hotel (or similar)
DAY 7
A travelling day, as we depart Tallinn early this morning and travel through northern Estonia to the Russian border. After completing the border formalities, we continue on to the city known as "The Venice of the North" - St. Petersburg. (B D)
Overnight: Hotel Oktiabrskaya (or similar)
DAY 8
St. Petersburg is justifiably recognised as one of the world's great cultural cities. Home to an extraordinary number of imperial palaces and museums, St. Petersburg offers the visitor an unparalleled educational experience and this morning we begin our visits to many of the most important museums and palaces. Our first visit will be to the famous Hermitage Museum. Located in five historical buildings, including The Winter Palace, this is one of the world's oldest and largest museums, containing more than 3 million items, exhibited in 400 halls. This afternoon, we continue our tour with visits to the Fortress of St. Peter and Paul, St. Isaac's Cathedral and many, many other venues of historical importance. This evening, dinner will be served at our hotel. (B D)
Overnight: Hotel Oktiabrskaya (or similar)
Day 9
Another full day of touring, as we drive to the outskirts of St. Petersburg to visit Petrodvorets. Established by Peter the Great and formerly known as Peterhof, this magnificent complex of palaces, stately parks, fountains, cascades and statues was meant to symbolise the grandeur of Russia. This afternoon we travel to Pushkin, to visit another of Russia's most famous attractions - Catherine's Palace. This Russian Baroque masterpiece is a truly magnificent sight. Approximately one hundred kilograms of gold was used to gild the exterior and interior ornaments. Returning to St. Petersburg, dinner will again be served at our hotel. (B D)
Overnight: Hotel Oktiabrskaya (or similar)
***Notes on travel in Russia***
Accommodation and food in Russia are of a lesser quality than the Scandinavian equivalent. And, whilst Hotel Oktiabrskaya is a basic 3 star hotel, it is superbly located and enables us to include more sightseeing than would be possible, if we were to use a hotel that was not as centrally located. Prospective travellers need to be prepared to accept this situation.
DAY 10
After two days full of sightseeing, a relaxing train journey through the Russian countryside, en-route to Helsinki, will be a well-deserved rest. Crossing into Finland, we arrive at Helsinki, where we will be met and transferred to our hotel. (B)
Overnight: Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel (or similar)
DAY 11
This morning's city tour includes visits to the Presidential Palace, City Hall, the Parliament Buildings, the Opera House and the Sibelius Park and Monument. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore this charming city at our leisure. (B)
Overnight: Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel (or similar)
DAY 12
After breakfast this morning, we transfer to the airport to join our flight to Stockholm. On arrival, we will be met and taken on a tour of the city. Sweden's vibrant capital is an interesting blend of the old and the new. No tour of Stockholm would be complete without visiting the Royal Palace and Gamla Stan (The Old Town), with its narrow cobbled streets. Checking-in to the hotel this afternoon, the rest of the day and the evening are free. (B)
Overnight: The Birger Jarl Hotel (or similar)
DAY 13
Today is completely free for us to explore the fascinating city at our own pace. Built on 114 islands, one of the best ways to discover the city is to experience it from the water, by taking one of the many sightseeing boats from beside Nybroplan or Stadshuskajen. Alternatively, a visit to the warship Wasa or the Skansen Museum is always worthwhile. Tonight, why not sample some of the local cuisine in one of the many restaurants found close to our hotel. (B)
Overnight: The Birger Jarl Hotel (or similar)
DAY 14
A transfer to the airport after breakfast has us in Oslo in time to do a city tour, before checking-in to our hotel. Oslo is the home of Frogner Park, with its unusual Vigeland Sculptures, as well as the Kon Tiki Raft Museum and the Viking Long Ship Museum - all of which we will see on our tour. The remainder of the day and evening are at leisure. (B)
Overnight: The Royal Christiania Hotel (or similar)
DAY 15
Today is all about scenery as we take the train to Bergen. Whilst the scenery is spectacular from the outset, it is the Flam Railway section that is truly awesome. Here you encounter some of Norway's wildest and most magnificent scenery on one of the world's steepest railway lines on normal gauge. The gradient is one in eighteen on almost 80% of the 20 km-long track, as the railway travels through twisting tunnels, that spiral in and out of mountains. Tonight is spent in Bergen - Gateway to the Fjords of Norway. (B)
Overnight: Radisson SAS Norge Hotel (or similar)
DAY 16
Bergen is not a large city, by European standards, but with its rich Hanseatic legacy and recognition as the "European City of Culture" in 2000, there is no shortage of things to do, until we board our Hurtigruten ship, late this afternoon. (B D)
Overnight: MS Polarlys
DAY 17
The first full day of our Norwegian Coastal Voyage begins as we round the Cape of Stadt, Norway's westernmost point, before arriving at the beautiful town of Alesund. Departing Alesund, our ship cruises slowly along the coast into Geiranger Fjord. There are few places where you can experience such contrasts and outstanding beauty as Geiranger Fjord. And, with almost 24 hours of daylight, we can enjoy the stunning scenery whilst we feast on the sumptuous cuisine on offer. After dinner, we dock at Molde, from where we have a panoramic view of 87 Romsdals Alps (B L D)
Overnight: MS Polarlys
DAY 18
Today's ports of call include Kristiansund, Trondheim and Rorvik. Founded in 977 A.D. Trondheim is Norway's third largest city and home to Nidaros Cathedral, Scandinavia's building dating from the Middle Ages. Heading out into Trondheimsfjord, we journey through more history, as we pass ruined abbeys and dungeons on the islet of Munkholmen, reminding us of ancient struggles. Leaving the longest stretch of the voyage behind, through the narrow Stokksendet and across the open sea of Folda, we pass around 6,000 islands and skerries, before arriving in Rorvik. This is the land of myth and legend …… and trolls !! (B L D)
Overnight: MS Polarlys
DAY 19
By the time we wake up this morning, we will have crossed the Arctic Circle. But, that is not the only highlight that we have in store for us today. At Ornes, we will see the grand houses of the ancient trading families, before continuing on to Boda. Large parts of the port were devastated by bombing in 1940, but we will have an opportunity to go ashore to view the Cathedral, with its Basilica and free standing tower. Shortly after entering the open sea of Vestfjord there is an astonishing phenomenon - The Lofoten Wall. These steep mountains plunge into the sea in a broad, long belt, blocking the whole of the horizon, as far as the eye can see. For 100 kilometres, these overwhelming, long ragged peaks appear to move closer and closer as we head for Stamsund, where we will arrive this evening. (B L D)
Overnight: MS Polarlys
DAY 20
The early-risers may have seen Harstad, but most of us will awake to find the ship sailing between Norway's two largest islands: Hinya and Senja. Then it is on to Tromso, the "Arctic City" made famous after numerous research and hunting expeditions left from here from 1850 to 1930. Here, we will have time at leisure for shopping and sightseeing. For the "Trivia Buffs" amongst us, today is the last day of the year that the sun will not set in Tromso !! Leaving Tromso, we sail past the Lyngen Alps, well-known amongst the mountain climbing enthusiasts as having some of the most challenging peaks and glaciers in Europe. (B L D)
Overnight: MS Polarlys
DAY 21
Today, we are in Finnmark, icebergs, wind and weather has created a harsher, more dramatic landscape. We will see both abandoned fishing stations and lively fishing ports bustling with activity. To many people, rounding North Cape is the highlight of the voyage. But in a journey packed with so many highlights, how do you choose one? Another port visited today is Honningsvag, which, like the rest of Finnmark, was burnt down during the Second World War, but is, today, one of the busiest ports in Norway. After, departing Honningsvag, we visit a number of small fishing villages, before we finish the last full day of our Hurtigruten cruise. (B L D)
Overnight: MS Polarlys
DAY 22
Our Norwegian Coastal Voyage ends on arrival in Kirkenes, at about 10:00 am. We will be transferred to the airport to join our flight to Copenhagen, via Oslo. On arrival into Copenhagen, we will be met and transferred to our hotel. A short time later we will make our own way to a local restaurant, for dinner and an opportunity to reminisce about the good times and memorable experiences that we have shared during the last three weeks. (B D)
Overnight: The First Vesterbro Hotel (or similar)
DAY 23
After breakfast this morning, we will be transferred to the airport to begin our journey back to Australia. (B)
DAY 24
An early arrival into Singapore, where we will connect with our flight to Brisbane, arriving early this evening.
Please contact us to learn more about this tour, or to reserve your place.
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