RUSSIAN TOUR

MOSCOW AND THE NORTHERN CAPITALS

This is one of our most popular vacations visiting all the Northern capitals: Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, and Moscow. Guided sightseeing is included in all five cities. Plus we add a 3-night stay in St. Petersburg. For the overnight Baltic Sea crossing from Stockholm to Helsinki, we have first-class, two-berth cabins. Special features are charming Tivoli Gardens (open mid-April to mid-September), magnificent Frogner Park, Catherine Palace (if closed, Pavlovsk Palace instead), the Armory Museum in the Kremlin, and, above all, the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. Travel by high-speed Sapsan train from St. Petersburg to Moscow. A welcome dinner in Copenhagen and a farewell dinner in St. Petersburg are included, and a full day at leisure in Helsinki allows the possibility to join an optional excursion to Tallinn, capital of Estonia, known as one of the pearls of the Baltic countries.

All services in Moscow, including Local Host assistance, are provided by Monograms.

PRICES:

Starting from:

$4,500.00

(double occup)

$1325.00 extra

(single room)

Land Tour Only

PRICES

DO NOT

INCLUDE AIRFARE

HOTELS:

Copenhagen:  Imperial

Oslo: Clarion Royal

Stockholm: Radisson Blu

Helsinki: Radisson Blu

St Petersburgh: Angleterre

Moscow: Marriott Moscow

ALSO INCLUDED:

Full buffet breakfast daily

5 three-course dinners

Including a welcome dinner in Cophenhagen and a farewell dinner in St Petersburgh.

ITINERARY:

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. (Dinner)

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. (Breakfast)

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. (Breakfast, Dinner)

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. (Breakfast

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. (Breakfast)

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. (Breakfast)

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. (Breakfast, Dinner)

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. (Breakfast, Dinner)

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. (Breakfast)

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. (Breakfast)

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. (Breakfast)

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. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 13: St. Petersburg, Russia–Moscow

This afternoon, journey by high-speed SAPSAN TRAIN to Moscow. (Breakfast)

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. (Breakfast)

DAY 15: At Leisure in Moscow

Full day at leisure to enjoy Russia’s capital and largest city; ask your Local Host for suggestions. (Breakfast)

DAY 16: Moscow

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)