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Details Northern Capitals
This is one of our most popular vacations to this region - 13 days visiting all the northern capitals:
Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, and Helsinki. Plus we add a three-night stay in one of the most beautiful
hotels in St. Petersburg, Hotel Angleterre. For the overnight Baltic Sea crossing from Stockholm to
Turku (Finland's former capital and oldest city), we have first-class two-berth cabins. Special
features are charming Tivoli Gardens (open mid-April to mid-Sept.), magnificent Frogner Park, and,
above all, the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. Welcome and farewell dinners are included.
Year-Round (winter departures have a modified itinerary)
Day 1
Arrival in Copenhagen, Denmark
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| Time to rest or to start exploring Denmark's fun-loving capital. At 6 p.m. meet your Tour
Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
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Day 2
Copenhagen
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| 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 (if closed, admire the Danish Crown Jewels at ROSENBORG CASTLE). 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 statue. An optional afternoon excursion to the castles
of North Zealand is available. Tonight visit TIVOLI GARDENS (open mid-April to mid-Sept.),
the city's colorful amusement park. (FB)
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Day 3
Copenhagen-Gothenburg, Sweden-Oslo, Norway
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| At Elsinore board your FERRY for Helsingborg, then drive to Gothenburg, Sweden's thriving
second-largest city, with its beautiful parks, botanical gardens, and well-kept canals. In the
afternoon continue along the Skagerrak coastline to Norway. Evening arrival in Oslo. (FB,D)
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Day 4
Oslo
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| 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,
with optional excursion possibilities: see the amazing relics of Norway's glorious seafaring
past, and sample Norwegian specialties in one of Oslo's fine restaurants. (FB)
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Day 5
Oslo-Stockholm, Sweden
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| 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
Varmland, beautifully described in Selma Lagerlof's Saga of G Berling, on the way to
Karlstad on Lake Vanern. Pass the ancient garrison town of Orebro and modern Eskilstuna,
known for its stainless steel, and proceed to Stockholm. (FB)
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Day 6
Stockholm-Night Cruise to Turku, Finland
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| Stockholm is settled on 14 islands between Lake Malar and the Baltic Sea. This morning enjoy
Stockholm at your own pace, or join an optional excursion to the Wasa Ship Museum. Your included
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. Tonight board
your ship for the overnight BALTIC SEA CRUISE to Finland. (FB)
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Day 7
Turku-Lahti
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| After breakfast on board, dock in Turku, Finland's oldest city and former capital.
Your Local Guide will show you the medieval CATHEDRAL, and the lively market square.
Drive through Finland's fertile fields and dark forests towards Hameenlinna, birthplace of
Jean Sibelius. Visit the Iittala GLASS VILLAGE, widely known for its modern design in glass
products, before arriving in Lahti, an international winter sports center. (FB,D)
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Day 8
Lahti-St. Petersburg, Russia
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| Cross the border to Vyborg, the old trading center between the merchants of Novgorod
and Karelian hunters. In the afternoon traverse the Karelian Isthmus and arrive late afternoon
in St. Petersburg. (FB,D)
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Day 9
St. Petersburg
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| 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. See today with a Local Guide how the city has
been restored to its former splendor. Drive along elegant Nevsky Prospect, then admire ST.
ISAAC'S CATHEDRAL with its gilded dome and marble columns, followed by an excursion to Pushkin,
the home of Russia's last czar, for a visit to magnificent CATHERINE PALACE (if closed,
visit PAVLOVSK PALACE). (FB)
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Day 10
St. Petersburg
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| Today a highlight visit to 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. Afternoon at leisure; suitable optional
activities are available to enhance your stay in St. Petersburg. (FB)
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Day 11
St. Petersburg-Porvoo, Finland-Helsinki
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| Return to Finland through the Forest of Karelia and drive along the coastline to enchanting
Porvoo, one of Finland's oldest towns, for pictures of the colorful wooden houses. More coastal
vistas before reaching Helsinki, known as the "Daughter of the Baltic." (FB)
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Day 12
Helsinki
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| 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. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight
a farewell dinner at your hotel with the companions of a fascinating vacation. (FB,D)
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Day 13
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| Tour ends. (FB)
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Additional Information
Meals
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| - 12 full Scandinavian breakfasts (FB); 5 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome
dinner in Copenhagen and a farewell dinner in Helsinki
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City Highlights
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- COPENHAGEN Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing; the Little Mermaid; visit the Royal
Reception Rooms (if closed Rosenborg Castle); Tivoli Gardens (mid-April to mid-Sept.)
ELSINORE Ferry crossing with a view of Hamlet's castle GOTHENBURG Orientation OSLO Guided
sightseeing; visit Frogner Park and the City Hall STOCKHOLM Guided sightseeing; visit the
City Hall SWEDEN-FINLAND Overnight cruise in first-class twoberth cabins with private
facilities TURKU Guided sightseeing; visit the cathedral IITTALA Visit the Glass Village
VYBORG Stop ST. PETERSBURG Guided sightseeing; visit St. Isaac's Cathedral, Catherine Palace
(if closed Pavlovsk Palace) and the Hermitage Museum PORVOO Afternoon stop HELSINKI Guided
sightseeing; Sibelius monument; visit the Lutheran Cathedral, the Temppeliaukio Rock Church,
and the Open Air Market; farewell dinner
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- Please note surcharges may apply due to special events on in the different cities -
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