Scandinavian Fjords & Russia

Discover Norway’s spectacular fjords and Scandinavia’s great capital cities Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki before travelling by first class train to St Petersburg. Here, embark the elegant ms Tolstoy for a 12 night cruise along Russia’s legendary waterways, visiting places like the Golden Ring cities of Uglich, Yaroslavl and Kostroma and the incredible monuments of wooden architecture on Kizhi Island.

ms Tolstoy • Oslo • Norway’s Fjords • Stockholm • Helsinki • St Petersburg • Moscow

• APT Tour Director in Scandinavia
• Professional Cruise Manager

Itinerary

Day 1. Arrive in Oslo.
On arrival in Norway’s capital, you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure before an informal Welcome Reception.
Stay: Oslo.

Day 2. Oslo Sightseeing – Geilo.
This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of Oslo including the Kon Tiki Museum, a photo stop with view of the Holmenkollen Ski Jump and panoramic views over Oslo. Our sightseeing concludes with a visit to the unique Vigeland Sculpture Park. This afternoon we bid farewell to Oslo and head westwards to the charming mountain town of Geilo.
Stay: Geilo.
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Day 3. Flåm Railway – Naeroy and Sogne Fjords – Balestrand.
Take the train to Myrdal, where you journey on the famous Flåm Railway, descending about 900m to Flåm in the valley below. We enjoy lunch at the Fretheim Hotel overlooking the fjord, then cruise through the Naeroyfjord. Cross Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord before arriving in Balestrand.
Two Night Stay: Balestrand.
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Day 4. Excursion to Briksdal Glacier.
Enjoy a full day excursion to Briksdal Glacier. The glacier slope plunges from a height of 1,200m down to the narrow Briksdal Valley.
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Day 5. Vik – Bergen.
On our way to Bergen, we visit the famous Hopperstad Stave Church in Vik. In Bergen we take the funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen with spectacular views of the city. Tonight we enjoy a Hanseatic evening at a restaurant in Bergen’s historical district Bryggen.
Two Night Stay: Bergen.
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Day 6. Bergen Sightseeing.
This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bergen including the famous fish market. We continue to nearby Troldhaugen, the home of composer Edvard Grieg, now a living museum.
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Day 7. Hardanger Fjord – Lofthus.
We travel to Norheimsund where we take a cruise through the Hardangerfjord with views of mountains, waterfalls and orchards, arriving in Lofthus.
Stay: Lofthus.
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Day 8. Hardanger Plateau – Oslo.
Today we return to Oslo travelling over the spectacular Hardanger Plateau. Enjoy the rest of the day free.
Stay: Oslo.
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Day 9. Oslo – Stockholm.
Depart Oslo this morning, heading to the Swedish border. Cross into the province of Varmland and arrive in the city of Karlstad, where you enjoy an orientation tour, then continue to Stockholm.
Two Night Stay: Stockholm.
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Day 10. Stockholm Sightseeing.
This morning enjoy a half day city tour of Sweden’s capital including Fjellgatan Viewpoint and the famous Vasa Ship Museum, followed by a guided tour through the Parliament. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to explore on your own.
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Day 11. Stockholm – Helsinki.
After breakfast transfer to the airport for our short flight to Helsinki, Finland’s capital. Our city sights tour includes Upenski Cathedral and Tempelliaukio Church, also known as ‘Rock Church’. Tonight enjoy a special farewell dinner.
Stay: Helsinki.
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Day 12. Helsinki – St Petersburg – Embark cruise.
Bid farewell to Scandinavia today as you board the first class Sibelius Train to St Petersburg. Upon arrival, transfer to your floating hotel, the ms Tolstoy.
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Day 13. St Petersburg City Tour.
During a tour of St Petersburg, the fabled city of canals reveals Nevsky Prospect and Palace Square. Enjoy the afternoon to explore as you please, or join an optional excursion to Catherine’s Palace in nearby Pushkin.
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Day 14. St Petersburg, Peterhof Palace – Ballet Hermitage Theatre.
This morning after breakfast we explore the gardens and fountains of Peterhof Palace. The summer palace built by Peter the Great is sure to be a highlight. After free time this afternoon, we crown the day with a ballet performance at the Hermitage Theatre.
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Day 15. St Petersburg, Hermitage Museum.
Today we take a tour of the enormous Hermitage Museum. It is estimated that a person could spend days in the museum and still see only a fraction of the nearly three million artworks. As the ship departs St Petersburg tonight, enjoy Welcome Cocktails and Dinner aboard.
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Day 16. Lake Ladoga – Mandrogi – Svir River.
Early morning finds us cruising along the shores of Lake Ladoga and the scenic Svir River. Visit quaint Mandrogi, then cruise along the Svir River and through Lake Onega.
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Day 17. Lake Onega and Kizhi Island.
Arrive on Kizhi Island, one of the highlights of your cruise. Explore the Museum of Wooden Architecture and marvel at two of the few remaining original wooden churches in Russia: the Church of the Transfiguration – with its walls and 22 aspen cupolas, built entirely without nails – and the Church of the Intercession.
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Day 18. White Lake – Goritsy.
Today your ship cruises through the Volga-Baltic Canal and continues into White Lake. We stop at Goritsy for a city tour including the Monastery of St Cyril on the White Lake and the Museum of Icons, before re-boarding the ship for dinner.
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Day 19. Yaroslavl.
Go ashore at Yaroslavl, founded in the 11th century, where we embark on a city tour, which will take you to such places as the Transfiguration Monastery complex and the Church of Elijah the Prophet, then continue cruising along the Volga.
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Day 20. Kostroma.
Arrive in Kostroma, a cultural and commercial centre on the banks of the Volga River. Enjoy a comprehensive city tour including the Ipatiev Monastery, founded in the 13th century.
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Day 21. Uglich – Volga River.
We arrive in Uglich, one of the oldest and most beloved towns in Russia, where a special treat awaits: visit the homes of local families and enjoy a typical local breakfast. It was in Uglich that Ivan the Terrible’s son, Dmitry, was murdered in 1591. Explore the Transfiguration Cathedral and the Church of St-Dmitry-on-the-Blood.
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Day 22. Moscow City Tour.
Arrive in Moscow around lunchtime and embark on a city tour including the well-known Red Square and many other of the city’s most famous sights. Take a ride on the Moscow Metro, where each station is a living museum of mosaics, marble statues and crystal chandeliers. Tonight enjoy an optional performance of the Moscow Circus or discover what’s on offer around the city at night.
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Day 23. Moscow, Kremlin and Armory – Tretyakov Gallery.
This morning’s tour of the Kremlin also includes the Armory, which houses the opulent treasury of the Russian Czars featuring jewels, crowns, armour and the world famous Fabergé Eggs and royal carriages. In the afternoon visit the Tretyakov Art Gallery, featuring the world’s best collection of Russian icons and pre-revolutionary Russian art.
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Day 24. Fly Home.
Your Scandinavian and Russian holiday ends today after breakfast with a transfer to the airport.
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Departure Dates and Prices

**Number of travellers, per person price.

All prices are displayed in Australian Dollars (AUD)