European river cruise

Scenic - Jewels of Russia with Spectacular Scandinavia

29 Day Jewels of Russia with Spectacular Scandinavia

Jewels of Russia with Spectacular Scandinavia

Days: 29

From: Moscow to Copenhagen

Countries Visited: Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark

Code: irss

Code_ERC: irss-2

( Brochure Price: $ 22,090 pp )

Our Price: $20,986 pp

Itinerary


1. Moscow
Welcome to Moscow. If you had a hundred years, you couldn’t exhaust all the wonder on offer here. Meals included: Dinner

2. Moscow
Start your day by seeing the city’s finest sights, before an insightful ride on Moscow’s Metro, which is guaranteed to surprise you. After lunch in a local restaurant, you’ll discover world-renowned sights such as Red Square and the stunningly beautiful St. Basil’s Cathedral. Though now more accessible to travellers from around the world, these incredible world icons still exude much of the enigma that has always defined them. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3. Moscow
Your day begins with a visit to the Kremlin, the intriguing seat of the former Soviet Union. In the State Armory, you’ll see priceless weaponry, jewels, and ceremonial robes. Tonight, witness a thrilling Russian folk show complete with traditional costumes and dances. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4. Moscow
Enrich Visit the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet a real cosmonaut and learn about the history of space exploration, with original exhibits and models relating to space technology, history and art. It’s a beautiful and out-of-this-world experience that will have you seeing stars. Enjoy a delicious lunch in a local restaurant.
Tonight, you’ll attend an internationally renowned Russian Circus, where you’ll get to rediscover your sense of wonder all over again. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5. Moscow
Freechoice Visit the State Tretyakov Gallery or explore the fascinating Museum of the Great Patriotic War commonly known as the World War II museum, where you’ll have an opportunity to see a vast collection of Russian military memorabilia. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6. Uglich
Part of the ‘Golden Ring’ of cities surrounding Moscow, Uglich is well worth a long, deliberate examination and your guided walking tour will show you the many highlights of this city. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7. Yaroslavl
Welcome to the fascinating and ancient city of Yaroslavl. In fact, dating back to 1010, it’s even older than mighty Moscow. Today you’ll have an opportunity to visit the Fine Art Museum, housed in the Governor’s mansion, featuring the impressive collection of Russian paintings. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

8. Goritsy
Explore the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery, built in 1397 and home to a wonderful collection of Russian Orthodox icons. Toast the occasion with a little vodka, the beverage integral to Russian culture for over 600 years. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

9. Kizhi Island
Dock at Kizhi Island, an open air museum with a precious collection of wooden churches and chapels. View the Church of the Transfiguration with its 22 timbered onion domes, easily amongst the most magnificent examples of wooden architecture in Russia, if not the world. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

10. Mandrogi
Enrich Explore this charming museum village and its distinctive buildings and perhaps try shashlik, a traditional meal similar to shish kebab. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

11. St. Petersburg
Start your day with a guided tour of this uniquely beautiful metropolis, followed by a lunch in a local restaurant. Then, visit the Hermitage, formerly the Winter Palace and home to the Tsars. Today it houses one of the world’s most magnificent art collections. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

12. St. Petersburg
Freechoice Explore Catherine’s Block and the fountains in the Lower Garden at Peterhof on a guided tour, or be seduced by the sheer extravagance of Peterhof’s Grand Palace, which was modelled on the Palace of Versailles. Alternatively, wander the incomparable Upper and Lower Gardens at Peterhof, including the Palaces’ majestic Fountains. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Freechoice Visit magnificent St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral in the city. Or discover the Yusupov Palace, where Rasputin was murdered. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

13. St. Petersburg
This morning visit Catherine’s Palace, famous for its grandiose white and gold façade and elaborate gardens.
Afterwards enjoy a highlight lunch at the old-world wooden Podvorie restaurant.
This afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore or relax as you please. Enrich Tonight you’ll be treated to a glass of sparkling wine, followed by a private Russian ballet concert at the majestic Palace of Prince Vladimir. The Palace was the last imperial palace to be built in St. Petersburg and is an eclectic combination of architectural styles that will dazzle and amaze you. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

14. St. Petersburg
Today you’ll enjoy a cruise through the city’s canals and get to glide under some of the city’s 400 bridges. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

15. St. Petersburg > Helsinki
After breakfast, your cruise comes to an end. Disembark your ship, and travel by the high-speed train to Helsinki for your two night stay. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

16. Helsinki
Start your day with a sightseeing tour that will take you to such sights as Senate Square, the Sibelius monument, Olympic Stadium and the lively harbour area. Following the city tour, we will take a short trip to the authentic open-air museum of Seurasaari. The museum is a tribute to the traditional Finnish way of life with colourful costumes, entertainment and architecture on display. Meals included: Breakfast

17. Helsinki > Stockholm
After breakfast today you will be transferred to the airport for your internal flight to Sweden and the archipelago that is Stockholm. Stockholm, said to be one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world, is built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges. The beautiful buildings, the greenery, the fresh air and the proximity to the water are distinctive traits of this city. Enjoy two nights stay at your hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

18. Stockholm
Your local guide will unveil the city’s most treasured hotspots during a city tour. You’ll also visit the Vasa Ship Museum, where the ornate warship ‘Vasa’ is now housed after it tragically sank in Stockholm harbour on its maiden voyage in 1628. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

19. Stockholm > Alesund > Loen
This morning we board our flight to Alesund, via Oslo. Upon arrival in Alesund we journey through the stunning Norwegian fjord region, before arriving at your hotel where you’ll enjoy two nights. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

20. Loen – Geiranger - Loen
This morning travel to Geiranger where you will cruise the magnificent Geiranger Fjord and sail past the ‘Seven Sisters’, ‘The Suitor’, and ‘The Bridal Veil’ waterfalls. This afternoon travel Troll’s ladder road, for spectacular and unforgettable views. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

21. Loen > Balestrand
Enjoy the unforgettable views of Geiranger fjord (weather permitting) from Dalsnibba before continuing to travel alongside spectacular mountains to Jostedalsbreen, the largest icefield in continental Europe covering 487 square kilometres. Enrich Visit one of the most photographed and impressive arms of the icefield, Briksdalsbreen, and have a truly Norwegian experience. Be taken by ‘trollcar’ up the glacier for a spectacular view of the glacier and magnificent waterfall. Continue your journey this afternoon to Balestrand, and arrive at your hotel, located at the junction of the majestic Sognefjord and Esefjord; it’s your home of the night. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

22. Balestrand > Bergen
This morning relax on-board a gorgeous fjord cruise before embarking on the steepest railway in Europe the world-famous Flåm railway. Amid spectacular scenery and roaring waterfalls travel to Myrdal before changing trains and continuing your journey to Norway’s second largest city, the Hanseatic fishing port of Bergen. Bergen dates back to the 12th century when the port was an important centre of European trade for the all-powerful German Hanseatic League.  Arrive in Bergen and admire the pretty multi coloured wooden buildings of Bergen, just down the way from your residence for the next two nights. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

23. Bergen
Today you’ll explore Bergen and drive to Troldhaugen, the former home of Edvard Grieg, Norway’s greatest composer. Freechoice Journey 320 metres up the funicular railway to Mt. Floien for a spectacular view of the city and fjord. Alternatively, visit Fantofte Stave Church. Tonight enjoy a magnificent dinner in one of Bergen’s most spectacular locations. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

24. Bergen > Lofthus
This morning we journey to Lofthus; situated on the shore of Sørfjorden, an arm of the Hardangerfjord this charming town is our home for tonight. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

25. Lofthus > Oslo
Today we drive through the scenic and breathtaking Hardangervidda, Europe’s highest mountain plateau and home to Norway’s largest herd of wild reindeer, before arriving in the Norwegian capital of Oslo, for your two night stay. Meals included: Breakfast

26. Oslo
The Bygdøy Peninsula, home to three famous museums, will be your first stop today. Wander the Viking Ship Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum and the Fram Polar Ship. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

27. Oslo > Copenhagen
Take a short flight to Oslo, the capital city of Norway. Upon arrival you’ll be met by a local guide for an insightful sightseeing tour through the city, before arriving at your hotel for your two night stay. Meals included: Breakfast

28. Copenhagen
Tour the wonderful Rosenborg Castle, built as a country summerhouse in 1606. You’ll also see the courtyard of Amalienborg Palace, home to Princess Mary and the Danish Royal Family. Freechoice Take an iconic cruise through the city canals, or visit Tivoli Gardens. Your welcome dinner tonight is at one of Copenhagen’s finest restaurants. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

29. Copenhagen
After breakfast you’ll be transferred to Copenhagen Airport for your onward or homebound flight with memories of a truly unforgettable trip. Meals included: Breakfast

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Cruise Highlights

Elegant wonders. When you first encounter Norway’s Geiranger Fjord you’re certain to leave with the inexplicable sensation that you’ve just experienced something special – in fact, something quite beyond words.. That’s what we mean when we talk of wonder, and you’ll have more than one such moment while exploring Russia and Scandinavia, whether it's waking up for the first time in Stockholm or your first encounter with a herd of Norwegian reindeer. Cruising down the majestic Volga through the beautiful Russian heartland may leave you with a lingering sense of amazement, as will witnessing the splendour of Peterhof’s Grand Palace in St. Petersburg. It’s impossible to tell exactly when that feeling will strike. All we know is that it will.