Norway : Northern Highlights and St. Petersburg and Moscow

Enjoy the tour through the Fjords, with the exciting addition of two russian cities

Our tour escorts have been specially chosen, not only for their outstanding knowledge of the countries and places you will visit, but also for their personal appearance and proven ability to look after people.  Likewise our uniformed coach drivers are employed not only for their years of driving experience, but also for their dedication to giving friendly service and attention to the needs of their passengers.

Itinerary

Day 1 - ARRIVE OSLO

Transfer from oslo Gardermoen Airport to hotel in connection with your flight arrival. Dinner and accommodation at Thon Hotel Opera, located in city centre facing the new Opera House and close to Oslo Fjord and Harbour. Your tour escort will meet you in the hotel lobby.   Meals included: Dinner

Day 2 - OSLO - ULVIK

After breakfast depart from Oslo, driving via Honefoss along the charming Halling Valley to the tourist resort town of Geilo. Buffet lunch at Bardola Mountain Hotel. After lunch cross the wild Hardanger Mountain Plataeu to Fossli, stopping to view the thundering Voringsfoss Waterfall with a vertical drop of 180m. the highest in Norway. Descend the amazing Mabodal Canyon to the idyllic Hardanger Fjord. Short ferry crossing, followed by drive around the Ulvik Fjord, a branch of the Hardanger Fjord, to the picturesque village of Ulvik. Dinner and accommodation at Rica Brakanas Hotel, ideally located on the bank of the fjord. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - ULVIK - BERGEN

After buffet breakfast, start of scenic tour along the beautiful Hardanger Fjord, famous for its many fruit orchards, via the towns of Oystese and Norheimsund, arriving in Bergen around midday. Afternoon 2 hours tour of Bergen, including a visit to the popular Fish and Flower Market, the famous Bryggen Harbour with its gabled packhouses, and the old Hanseatic Quater. You will also ride on the funicular to Mt. Floien, for the best views of the city and fjords way below. Dinner and accommodation at Radisson SAS Hotel Norge, centrally located on Ole Bull's Square, close to the pedestrian shopping streets and within walking distance of the old Brygen harbour. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 - BERGEN - FLAM - BALESTRAND

After breakfast depart from Bergen and drive via Dale to the town of Voss. Descend the Naeroy Valley, passing the Stalheim Canyon, to the fjordside village of Flam. Board your train for an exhilarating ride on the amazing Flam Railway to Myrdal, a masterpiece of engineering ascending 2.838 feet in less than one hour. The descent from Myrdal for Flam offers opportunities for photo shots of some exciting waterfalls and mountain scenery. After a short rest in Flam, board the sightseeing boat M/S Elisabeth for start of appox. 2 hours cruise along the narrow Aurlands and Naeroy Fjords. both branches of the Sogn Fjord, the longest and deepest fjord in the world. From the sun deck or the comfortable lounge, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of cascading waterfalls, sheer mountain cliffs, snow-clad peaks, and a variety of wildlife. After disembarking in Gudvangen at the head of the Naeroy Fjord, continue by coach across the Vika mountains to Vangsnes, for the short ferry crossing to the beautiful resort of Balestrand. Dinner and accommodation at Kvikne's Hotel, superbly located on the banks of the fjord and surrounded by mountains. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 - BALESTRAND - A DAY IN THE FJORDS

Day free in Balestrand, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the outstanding beauty and nature of the fjords, The day starts with a traditional Norwegian buffet breakfast in the hotel's elegent dining room. You may want to spend the morning relaxing on the hotel terrace, breathing in the fresh mountain air and enjoying the spectacular views. We can also recommend a visit to the local aquarium and art gallery, or you may prefer to rent a bike or rowing boat from the hotel, or even go on foot up to the nearest mountains. A walking tour of the village of Balestrand, with its historic buildings and other interesting sites can also be arranged. Dinner and accommodation at Kvikne's Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 - BALESTRAND - GEIRANGER

After breakfast depart from your hotel by ferry, from Dragsvik to Hella, followed by a scenic tour along the northern side of the Sogn Fjord to Sogonal. The tour continues by road to Fjaerland, passing under the Jostedal Glacier, the largest in Europe, to the village of Skei. Descend to the beautiful Nord Fjord, making a detour at Olden to visit the world-famous Briksdal Glacier. The journey up to the glacier will be made in open cars to give you the best views. Afterwards a typical Norwegian lunch will be served in sight of the glacier. During the afternoon the tour continues via Loen and Stryn, to the picturesque village of Hellesylt. From here you go on board the ferry for the one hour's cruise along the spectacular Geiranger Fjord, possibly the most impressive of all the Norwegian Fjords. During the cruise you will pass close by some magnificent waterfalls, such as the Bridal Veil and the Seven Sisters. Dinner and accommodation at the excellent Union Hotel, overlooking the Geiranger Fjord. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - GEIRANGER - OSLO

From the top of the famous Serpintine Road, you have the opportunity to digest sone amazing views of the fjord, before crossing the rugged Grotli Mountains to Lom, well known for its 14th century stave church. The tour continues via Lake Vaga, before descending the magnificent Gudbrands Valley to the popular tourist town of Lillehammer. Stop for lunch in Lillehammer. After lunch the journey continues alongside Lake Mjosa, Norway's largest lake, back to Oslo and Holmenkollen, home of the world-famous ski jump, offering unforgettable views of the city and Oslo fjord way below. Dinner and accommodation at the famous Holmenkollen Park Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - OSLO - STOCKHOLM

After breakfast depart from Oslo, continuing by coach towards the Swedish border. Cross into the attractive province of Varmland to arrive in the city of Karlstad on Lake Vanern, the largest in Sweden. Lunch in Karlstad. After lunch the tour continues through a landscape of forests and sparkling lakes to reach the Swedish capital in the late afternoon. Dinner and accommodation at the Shereton Stockholm Hotel, a really first class hotel, centrally located and overlooking the beautiful waterways of Stockholm. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 - STOCKHOLM

The day starts with a 4 hour guided tour of the city. Famous sights include the Royal Palace, Parliment Buildings, Cathedral, Royal Theatre, etc. You will also visit the enchanting Old Town (Gamla Stan) with its narrow cobbled streets and numerous antique shops. Highlight of the tour is a visit to City Hall with its impressive Blue and Golden Halls, where the Nobel Prize banquet is held each year. Lunch at hotel (instead of evening dinner). Afternoon free in Stockholm, with possibility to visit the famous Wasa Museum or take one of the popular canal tours. Accommodation at the Shereton Stockholm Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 - STOCKHOLM - HELSINKI

Morning free in Stockholm. Afternoon transfer from hotel to pier, for embarkation on a luxurious cruise ferry of the Silja Line. 17.00 hrs: departure of cruise from Stockholm, sailing slowly down the picturesque archipelago past numerous small islands. Dinner on board. Choice of entertainment, bars, shops and casino. Accommodation is in 2 berth outside cabins (seaside) with shower/WC. We recommend you bring an overnight bag for this cruise, to avoid having to bring suitcases to and from your cabin. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 - HELSINKI

Enjoy your buffet breakfast as you sail into Helsinki harbour. After disembarkation there is a 3 hour guided tour of Helsinki. Famous sights include the Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, Parliment House, Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Park & Monument, Underground Temple, and much more. During the afternoon you can explore the busy market place or the many souvenir shops close to the harbour. Finnish crystal and leather goods are an excellent buy. Dinner and accommodation at the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel, another first class hotel centrally located. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12 - HELSINKI - ST PETERSBURG

Early breakfast followed by transfer by coach from hotel to railway station. 07.42 hrs: Depart from Helsinki on Finnish train 'Sibelius' for St. Petersburg. Lunch box on train. 14.26 hrs: arrival in St. Petersburg. Coach transfer from railway station to hotel combined with visit to Peter & Paul Fortress, burial place of the Russian Tsars, and St. Isaac's Cathedral. Welcome dinner incl. shot of vodka and 1 glass of wine, and accommodation at Ambassador Hotel, a four star hotel located in the city centre, near the famous Marinsky Theatre. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13 - ST. PETERSBURG

Buffet breakfast at hotel . 09.30 hrs: 3 hour panoramic tour of the city by coach with local English-speaking guide. St Petersburg is a city of outstanding architectural beauty, famous for its magnificent palaces, cathedrals, fountains and bridges. 12.30 hrs: Lunch at the Hermitage Restaurant or similar. 14.00: tour of the world-famous Hermitage Art Museum and the State Rooms of the Winter Palace. Return to hotel. Dinner and accommodation at Ambassador Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14 - ST PETERSBURG

Buffet breakfast at hotel. 09.00hrs: depart by hydrofoil for Peterhof, the magnificent summer residence of all the Russian Tsars. Tour of the Lower Park including Monplaisir, Bath House (inside visit), Grand Cascades etc. Return to the city by coach. 13.30hrs: Lunch at the Restaurant Adamant, within walking distance of your hotel. 14.45hrs: 1 hour guided boat tour along the rivers and canals of St. Petersburg. This evening you will be taken to see a colouful Russian folklore show at the Nikolaevsky Palace, with snacks during the intermission. Dinner at the Backstage Restaurant of the Marlinsky Theatre. Accommodation at Ambassador Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15 - ST PETERSBURG - MOSCOW

For guests on the 14 night tour Oslo - St Petersburg, this ends after buffet breakfast at hotel with transfers to St. Petersburg Airport to connect with homeward flights. Buffet breakfast at hotel. 09.00 hrs: guests continuing to Moscow have excursion to town of Pushkin including tour of Catherine's Palace with its famous Amber Room. 12.00 hrs: Lunch at Admiralty Restaurant. After lunch coach transfer with guided assistance to St. Petersburg Airport, including luggage handling at airport. Economy class flight from St. Petersburg to Moscow. Arrival in Moscow followed by coach transfer with English-speaking guide to your hotel in the Russian capital. Moscow was founded in the 12th century, built as a wooden fortress on the banks of the Moscow River to keep out barbarian invaders from the east. Today it is a modern city with wide boulevards and green parks, yet proudly preserving its historic monuments and impressive buildings from previous eras. Dinner and accommodation at Tverskaya Marriott Hotel, a centrally located 4 star hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16 - MOSCOW

Buffet breakfast at hotel. Morning tour of the Kremlin and Armoury Museum, with local English-speaking guide. This tour lasting approx. 3 hours has to be done on foot as no coaches are allowed inside. The Kremlin, which was the home, not only of the Tsars, but also of Lenin and Stalin, is surrounded by 7 metres thick walls and covers an area of 29 acres. You will pass by the Lenin Mausoleum and the grave of the unknown soldier, where brides still leave their wedding bouquets, and visit one of the impressive Russian Orthodox Cathedrals. This will be followed by a guided tour of the Armoury Museum, containing the largest collection in the world of crown jewels and coronation robes, including the wedding dress of Catherine the Great and the famous 189 carat Olov diamond. You will also see the golden horse-drawn carriages of all the Tsars and many other treasures. 13.00 hrs: Lunch in Godunov Restaurant. After lunch walk through the Red Square to rejoin your coach for a panoramic city tour, including a visit to Saviour Cathedral. On this tour you will see the amazing golden, blue and green towers of the Orthodox churches, the Bolshoy Theatre, Gorki Park (Moscow's largest entertainment park), the State University of Moscow, and numerous other famous sights. Return by coach to hotel. Dinner and accommodation at Tverskaya Marriott Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17 - MOSCOW

Buffet breakfast at hotel. Morning: guided tour of the WW2 Memorial on Poklonnaya Hill, followed by a visit to Borodino Panorama - the largest panoramic painting of the Borodino Battle with Napoleon in 1812. Russian lunch at Sudar Restaurant. After lunch, guided tour of the famous Moscow Metro, ending with a walk along the fascinating pedestrian street Arbat, known as the 'Montmarte of Moscow'. Rest of the afternoon free for shopping in the GUM department store or exploring Moscow on your own. We can recommend a visit to the Pushkin Museum, famous for its collection of monuments from Ancient Egypt, or the popular Tretiakov Art Gallery. Dinner and accommodation at Tverskaya Marriott Hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18 - MOSCOW DEPARTURE

Buffet breakfast at hotel followed by transfer with assistance to Moscow Airport for your flight home. Meals included: Breakfast

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Prices

Norway - Northern Highlights + St Petersburg & Moscow - Prices From:
Dates	14 nights Oslo - St Petersburg	17 nights Oslo - Moscow
	Adult	Adult
03/07/2009 - 17/07/2009	£4,043	-
03/07/2009 - 20/07/2009	-	£5,128
17/07/2009 - 31/07/2009	£3,926	-
31/07/2009 - 17/08/2009	£3,952	£5,065
Notes
Prices are per person, based on two adults sharing.
14 nights tour departs 3, 17, 31 July. 17 nights departs 3, 31 July

Prices for single travellers:

Norway - Northern Highlights + St Petersburg & Moscow - Prices From:
Dates	14 nights Oslo - St Petersburg	17 nights Oslo - Moscow
	Adult	Adult
03/07/2009 - 17/07/2009	£5,151	-
03/07/2009 - 20/07/2009	-	£6,508
17/07/2009 - 31/07/2009	£5,060	-
31/07/2009 - 17/08/2009	£6,444	£6,444
Notes
Prices are per person.
14 nights tour departs 3, 17, 31 July. 17 nights departs 3, 31 July

What's Included?

• 14 nights Oslo - St Petersburg. 13 nights accommodation including daily 3-course or buffet dinner (lunch instead of dinner on second day in Stockholm) and buffet breakfast, in centrally located first class hotels, all rooms with private facilities.
• 6 lunches on days 2,6,7,8,13 and 14, plus packed lunch on train Helsinki - St Petersburg
• 3 hours guided tours of Helsinki and 4 hours Stockholm, all entrances included
•  Panoramic tour of Bergen incl. ride on the Bergen Funicular to Mt. Floien.
• Ride on the Flam Railway, Flam-Myrdal-Flam
• 2 hour cruise on the Sogn and Naeroy Fjords, and 1 hour cruise on  the Fjaerland and Geiranger Fjords.
• Excursion in open car to the Briksdal Glacier.
• All internal ferry crossings in Norway
• Overnight cruise Stockholm - Helsinki, incl. accommodation in 2-berth outside cabins with shower/WC, dinner and buffet breakfast on board.
• Train Helsinki - St Petersburg, including coach transfers between hotels and railway stations.
• Complete programme in St. Petersburg, including 3 hour city tour, visit to Peter & Paul Fortress, St Isaac's Cathedral, Hermitage Museum/Winter Palace, excursion to Peterhof, all entrances included, hydrofoil St. Petersburg - Peterhof, 1 hour canal tour, plus folklore show at Nikolaevsky Palace incl. snacks during intermission and dinner at Backstage Restaurant.
• Luggage assistance at all hotels
• Tour escort throughout
• Transportation by modern deluxe coach with reclining seats etc.
• Transfers airport/hotel on first and last days.  Transfers to/from a different airport than the one mentioned in the tour programme may incur a supplement.
• 17 nights Oslo - Moscow All the above mentioned services plus - 3 nights accommodation in Moscow, including daily 3-course or buffet dinner and buffet breakfast, in centrally located first class hotel, all rooms with private facilities.
• 3 lunches on days 15, 16 & 17
• Flight economy class St Petersburg - Moscow, including luggage handling at airports, and guided transfers.
• Excursion to town of Pushkin incl. visit to Catherine's Palace.
• Complete programme in Moscow, including panoramic city tour, 3 hour visit to the Kremlin and Armoury Museum, guided Metro tour, visit to WW2 Memorial and Borodino Panorama, incl. all entrances and coach transfers between restaurants and hotel.
• Return International flights from London Heathrow

What's NOT Included?

• Visa for Russia
• Travel insurance

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