The Heart of Scandinavia and Russia 2012

	The Heart of Scandinavia and Russia 21 days/20 nights First/Superior First Class We are pleased to offer you the ultimate tour of Scandinavia and Russia, a quality first class tour at a leisurely pace during which you will experience Scandinavia whilst staying at good first class hotels right in the heart of each city. You will have time to explore the 3 capitals and you will travel through some of the most beautiful parts of the Norwegian Fjords and the South of Scandinavia. The scenic highlights include the longest fjord in Norway - The Sognefjord and the Briksdal Glacier. Whilst in the Fjord area you will stay at hotels belonging to "The Prominent Hotels of the Fjords of Norway". You will be travelling on the famous Flåm Railway and cruising the fjords by ferries and boat. Bergen, the Capital of the fjords, will surprise and enchant you. In Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo, there is plenty of time to enjoy the amenities on offer and to get to know these capital cities, each one of them with a distinct different atmosphere. From Stockholm you will travel Eastwards to explore the impressive and unforgettable Russian cities of Moscow and St Petersburg. Throughout the tour you will travel by first class coach and with one of our professional Tour escorts who will ensure you get full enjoyment out of these three weeks of your holiday. This tour is one of the best and most complete ones offered today in the market.
Day 1 Tuesday Copenhagen	Arrival transfer from the airport to your hotel. In the early evening your Tour escort will arrange a get-together to give information about the tour and give you a chance to meet your fellow travellers. Hotel in the centre of Copenhagen.
Day 2 Wednesday Copenhagen	Buffet breakfast at the hotel. The day starts with a 3 hours guided tour of the city. Famous sights include the Royal Amalienborg Palace, Christiansborg Palace, Gefion Fountain, Nyhavn and of course the Little Mermaid. Afternoon free for exploring this fairytale city. Hotel in the centre of Copenhagen.
Day 3 Thursday Copenhagen-Oslo	Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Morning free in Copenhagen. Your tour escort will be happy to advise you about places of interest to visit - we can suggest an optional tour to the three castles in North Sealand, including the Kronborg Castle of Hamlet. Afternoon transfer by coach from hotel to DFDS Seaways terminal for your overnight cruise to Oslo, departing at 17.00 hours. Enjoy your first Scandinavian smörgåsbord dinner as you cruise up the Kattegat. Accommodation in 2-berth outside cabins with shower/WC. We strongly recommend bringing an overnight bag for this cruise, to avoid having to carry your suitcases to and from the cabin.
Day 4 Friday Oslo	Buffet breakfast onboard. Enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast as you cruise along the enchanting Oslo Fjord. Arrival in Oslo around 09.30 hours, followed by 3 hours guided tour of the Norwegian capital. You will visit the world-famous Viking Ships Museum and the impressive Vigeland Sculpture Park. Evening free. Hotel in the centre of Oslo.
Day 5 Saturday Oslo	Buffet breakfast at hotel. Day free in Oslo. The bustling Aker Brygge Harbour, the Akershus Fortress, and other popular attractions are all within walking distance of your hotel. Your tour escort will assist you in planning your day and offer optional excursions. Hotel in the centre of Oslo.
Day 6 Sunday Oslo-Lofthus in Hardangerfjord	Buffet breakfast at hotel. Departure from Oslo, driving to the mountain resort of Geilo for a stop. The tour continues passing the wild Hardanger Mountain Pleateau and the highest waterfall, Vöringsfoss, with a vertical drop of 180 m. Descend to the lovely Hardanger Fjord where you will be spending the night at the traditional Ullensvang Hotel, situated at the waterfront. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7 Monday Lofthus-Balestrand	Buffet breakfast at hotel.Today you will travel to the Sognefjord starting with a short ferry trip before a scenic train journey from Voss to Flåm. This train journey is one of the most famous in Norway and gives fantastic views of the fjord. In Flåm you will take a 2 hours cruise along the Aurlands, Naeröy and Sognefjord. After this you have a breathtaking ascent of the Stalheim Canyon, with impressive views of the Naeroy Valley, its mountain peaks and waterfalls. Continue by coach over the Vika mountains to Vangsnes, followed by a short trip by ferry crossing the Sognefjord. Arrival in Balestrand in time for dinner and accommodation at the Kviknes Hotel, beautifully located overlooking the fjord.
Day 8 Tuesday Balestrand-Loen	Buffet breakfast at hotel.Departure from hotel by coach to Fjaerland. Visit to the glacier Museum. Continue by coach along the scenic route, passing the Jostedal Glacier (the largest in Europe) and 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 troll cars to give you the best view. During the afternoon the tour continues to Loen. Dinner and accommodation at the first class hotel Alexandra in Loen.
Day 9 Wednesday Loen-Bergen	Buffet breakfast at hotel. Depart Loen for Bergen. Once again we drive the scenic road around Nord Fjord and Skei before arriving at Forde for lunch. The journey continues with a short ferry crossing from Lavik to Oppedal. Arrive early evening in Bergen – a World Heritage City. Hotel in central Bergen.
Day 10 Thursday Bergen	Buffet breakfast at hotel. This morning you will enjoy a city tour of this beautiful Old Hansa Town, surrounded by 7 mountains. The tour escort will show you the Old Bryggen area and the popular Fish & Flower Market, the ancient Maria Church, Hanseatic Quarter, Old Bryggen Harbour and other famous sights. Hotel in central Bergen.
Day 11 Friday Bergen-Stockholm	Buffet breakfast at hotel. Departure transfer to international airport outside Bergen. We will take a flight to Stockholm – the capital of Sweden. Arrival at Arlanda International Airport in Stockholm. Transfer to your hotel in central Stockholm.
Day 12 Saturday Stockholm	Buffet breakfast at hotel. The day starts with a 3 hours guided tour of the city. Famous sights include the Royal Palace, Parliament Buildings, Cathedral, Royal Theatre, etc. You will also visit the 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 famous Blue and Golden Halls, where the Nobel Prize banquet is held each year. Afternoon free in Stockholm, with the possibility of visiting the famous Wasa Museum or take one of the popular canal tours. Hotel in central Stockholm.
Day 13 Sunday Stockholm	Buffet breakfast at hotel. Full day for independent activities. Your Tour Escort will help you with information and suggestions of what you can do and see in Stockholm during your free time. Tonight you will be served a farewell dinner. Hotel in central Stockholm.
Day 14 Monday Stockholm-Helsinki	Buffet breakfast . Morning free in Stockholm. At approximately 15.00hrs you will have a transfer from your hotel to the pier, to embark on the cruise ferry Silja Line. The ferry departs from Stockholm and slowly travels down the glorious archipelago past numerous small islands. Dinner on board. Choice of entertainment, bars, shops and casino. Overnight.
Day 15 Tuesday Helsinki-St.Petersburg	Buffet breakfast onboard. Enjoy your buffet breakfast as you sail into Helsinki. Directly after you disembark there is a 2 hours guided tour of Helsinki. Famous sights include the Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Park & Monument, Church in the Rock (if open to public) and much more. The tour ends at the rail station or the airport for a trip to St. Petersburg. Arrival transfer in St. Petersburg and the rest of the evening free. Accommodation at Hotel.
Day 16 Wednesday St. Petersburg	Buffet breakfast at hotel. St. Petersburg is an amazing city. Its imperial palaces and museums enjoy worldwide fame, while the Neva River and the many canals have deservedly given the city the title “The Venice of the North”. During the morning sightseeing tour we get acquainted with all the splendours of the city: the Peter-Paul Fortress, the Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Church of the Bleeding Savior, the Nevsky Convent and much more. The afternoon offers an optional visit to Peterhof, an uncontested masterpiece of Peter the Great, with the impressive Grand Palace, the Grand Cascade and Water Avenue and the wonderful parks. In the evening an optional visit to the Nikolaevsky Palace with an exiting Russian folklore show is on the program. Accommodation at Hotel.
Day 17 Thursday St. Petersburg	Buffet breakfast at hotel. In the morning we offer a visit to the worldfamous Hermitage Art Museum. The afternoon is reserved for an optional guided tour to Zarskoye Selo. In the evening enjoy an optional Russian dinner at Restaurant Na Zdoroviye. Accommodation at Hotel.
Day 18 Friday St.Petersburg-Moscow	Buffet breakfast at hotel. Transfer from your hotel for your transportation to Moscow by Sapsan express train. Arrival transfer in Moscow and checkin and accommodation at Hotel.
Day 19 Saturday Moscow	Buffet breakfast at hotel. Morning city tour of The Mother of Russia, is a genuine Russian city with the Kremlin and its onion domed cathedrals. The dramatic changes over the last decade have made the city to one of the most dynamic metropolis of the world. The morning sightseeing tour include all the highlights of the vast city including the Red Square with Kremlin, the Theatre Square with Bolshoi Theatre, Sparrow Hills with Moscow University and a visit to the famous Moscow Metro. In the afternoon is offered excursion to the Kremlin grounds with a visit to a cathedral. Accommodation at your hotel.
Day 20 Sunday Moscow	Buffet breakfast at hotel. The day offers an optionalexcursion to Novidevichy Convent, a 16th century cluster of sparkling domes , one of the city’s most beautiful group of buildings and full of history and treasures. The adjacent Novodevichy Cemetery is Moscow‘s most prestigious resting place after the Kremlin. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening you will be offered an optional of the Famous Russian Circus. Accommodation at your hotel.
Day 21 Monday Moscow	Buffet breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Moscow airport. Today is the day to say farewell to the tour, your travel companions and to the Heart of Scandinavia and Russia tour.

Rates in EUR:	5230 per person in triple (Please note that in Scandinavia a triple room is a double room with extra bed. This bed can be a very simple bed). In Russia we will confirm 1 double and 1 single since triple rooms are not available for 3 adults. 5230 per person in double. 2755 single supplement.
Hotels included or similar
	Copenhagen	First Skt Petri - Superior first class.
	Copenhagen-Oslo	DFDS: 2-berth outside cabins with shower/WC
	Oslo	Thon Hotel Opera – first class.
	Lofthus	Ullensvang Hotel - superior first class hotel
	Balestrand	Kvikne's Hotel - first class hotel.
	Loen	Alexandra Hotel - superior first class hotel
	Bergen	Radisson Blu Royal - superior first class hotel or Thon Hotel Bristol - superior first class hotel
	Stockholm	Scandic Grand Central hotel – superior first class
	Stockholm-Helsinki	Silja Line overnight ferry - outside double cabins
	St. Petersburg	Radisson Blu Sonya – first class hotel. Please note that hotel change may occur Please note that hotel change may occur. Please note that hotel change may occur.
	Moscow	Holiday Inn Lesnaya - first class hotel. Please note that hotel change may occur Please note that hotel change may occur.
Departures:	June 12 July 10, 31 August 21
Rates include:	Scandinavian buffet breakfast daily while in Scandinavia Russian buffet breakfast daily while in Russia 6 dinners Touring by first class air-conditioned motor coach plus full time service of a professional tour escort from SIS Scandinavia AB. DFDS Scandinavian Seaways Copenhagen-Oslo outside 2 berth cabins. 2nd Class tickets on regular train Flåmsbanan and ferry service. Local ferries in Norway according to programme. Electric "Trolls cars" to the Briksdal Glacier. Entries to Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Glacier Museum in Fjaerland and City Hall in Stockholm. Economy class one way flight ticket Bergen-Stockholm (max. 20 kg luggage). Sightseeing in capitals with local guide (in Bergen with tour escort). Twin/dbl bed accommodation at first/superior first class hotels listed or similar. Tour conducted in English, Spanish and/or Portuguese. Transfers as per program with English speaking drivers. No assistance. Overnight Silja Line ferry with buffet dinner and breakfast included. Economy class Train or air ticket from Helsinki-St. Petersburg-Moscow. (max 20 kg luggage) For groups of less than 15 passengers, no tour escort from SIS Scandinavia AB will accompany the group to Russia. Instead you will have local guides assisting you with sightseeing. Luggage handling of one suitcase per person at hotels SIS Scandinavia AB limits passenger luggage transportation to 1 piece of luggage of normal size (ie. max cm 60 x 80 x 35 or max inches 23,5 x 31,5 x 13,8) per person. Should this be exceeded SIS Scandinavia AB will have to charge an additional EUR 120 per piece of luggage for hotels, per tour. For extra bag on Flight OSL-STO an extra bag á 20kg is min EUR 120 not refunded, subject to confirmation (This excludes hand luggage). Itinerary and time are subject to changes without prior notice.
Important notice:	All overweight of luggage on flights will be paid by passenger directly. Overnight flight bags may also be carried but must remain in the passengers possession at all times. It is of the utmost importance that passengers have adequate travel insurance to cover last minute cancellations, medical emergencies, loss, damage and/or theft. Please be aware that a visa is required for Russia. All passengers will have to apply for this visa at their nearest Russian Embassy. In order for SIS Scandinavia AB to procure with the visa invitation letters we ask you to provide the following information immediately upon making a reservation: Full names (as in passport), gender of all passengers (male/female), nationality, passport number and dates of birth of each passenger. It is the passenger's final responsibility to ensure they have all necessary and adequate documents and permits to enter Russia. SIS Scandinavia AB reserves the right to make changes in the program and/or hotels if necessary. Always keeping the same standard and category.

2011-08-04/DT , NK5/9-2011

2011-09-07/WS