VISIONS OF SCANDINAVIA & THE BALTICS 17 DAYS
17 Days: Copenhagen – Aarhus - Stavanger - Bergen – Balestrand – Flam – Oslokarlstad -Stockholm - Helsinki - Tallinn - Riga - Vilnius
Tour overview:
Embark 17 day tour of the Nordic and Baltic capitals, starting in Copenhagen, and ending in Vilnius, Lithuania. Experience beauty of the fjords while exploring iconic landmarks in each city, such as Copenhagen’s Nyhavn, Oslo’s Vigeland Sculpture Park, Stockholm’s Gamla Stran, and helsinki’s Suomenlinna Fortress. Immerse yourself in the medieval charm of Tallinn’s Old Town and admire the Art Nouvaeu in Riga. Customize your tour by including a visit to the Norwegian Fjords for a truly unforgettable experience.
Day 1 - Arrival to Copenhagen
"Welcome to Copenhagen capital of The Kingdom of Denmark. Arrive in Copenhagen and you will met & transfer to the Hotel . Discover the city at your own pace . You will meet your tour leader at the reception of the hotel. Time to be determined on expected arrival of the rest of the group (In case of later arrivals the meeting will be at next day’s breakfast).
Overnight in Copenhagen at Scandic Copenhagen or similar"
Day 2 - Copenhagen -Aarhus 190km
"Breakfast in the hotel. A local guide will take you for panoramic tour of the capital of Denmark, we will appreciate its old architecture, the district and the port of Nyhavn (Optional Classic Canal tour). In this thousandyear-old city, its historical charm offers at the same time everything expected of a modern metropolis: theatres, museums, restaurants, shops... Other points of interest that we will pass are the Amalienborg Palace – house of the royalty of Denmark, the Christianborg Palace where the Danish Parliament is located, the National Museum of History or the stock market building, among others. To end our tour, the very famous and well-known 'Little Mermaid' could not be missed. In the afternoon, departure to Aarhus taking the ferry in Odden.
Overnight in Aarhus at Scandic Aarhus City or similar."
Day 3 - Aarhus - Fjord Line 185 Km
"Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning panoramic tour with local guide through Aarhus; This is the second most populous city in Denmark and was named the European Capital of Culture in 2017. Its strategic location made it an important Viking city, and later a flourishing commercial place. Stop at the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral. Free time to continue discovering the city on your own. In the afternoon we will continue to the North of Denmark to reach Hirtshals where we will board an overnight cruise to Norway.
Dinner and overnight on board"
Day 4 - Stavanger - Pulpit Rock
"After arrival in Stavanger breakfast at hotel or restaurant. In the morning a panoramic walk with our Tour Leader to discover the charming old town of Stavanger. Rest of the day free. We recommend doing one of the two optional activities*:
Option A: Cruise on the Lysefjord (Lysefjord). This 3-hour cruise on the Lysefjord will get us close enough to one of the fjord's waterfalls to feel the spray and then to see the Pulpit Rock towering above all the other stunning scenery.
Option B: Lysefjord Cruise + Preikestolen (Pulpit) Climb (Travellers choosing Option B will not take the morning tour of Stavanger). See our option list.
*Travellers choosing Option B will not take the morning tour of Stavanger). Please note only one option can be selected.
Overnight in Stavanger at Scandic Stavanger City Hotel or similar."
Day 5 - Stavanger - Bergen 210 Km
Breakfast in the hotel. Continue driving to Bergen by taking ferry from Mortavika to Arsvagen and from Sandvikvag to Halhjem. Arrival in Bergen and free time for lunch. In the afternoon, panoramic tour of Bergen with a local guide to see the most emblematic places of the city, including the famous fish market and the Hanseatic quarter, a World Heritage Site (UNESCO). In the afternoon, you will have a chance to take a ride with the Floibanen funicular to the top of mountain Floyen. From there, you can admire the magnificent views of the city and its surrounding landscapes.
Day 6 - Bergen - Flam - Balestrand 200 km
"After breakfast we are heading to Voss to start our spectacular train trip ascending almost 900 meters with incredible views of the fjord. The train journey will start from Voss and take you to Myrdal station, which is a mountain railway station and junction, located about 13 km from the village of Flåm. In Myrdal, board the famous Flåmsbana - one of the steepest trainlines in the world. The train journey runs through fantastic nature, past the Rallar road, steep mountains, breath-taking waterfalls and no less than 20 tunnels. It offers so many viewpoints that many feel like travelling multiple times between the mountain and the fjord. Arrive to Flåm where you will have some free time to discover this village. The journey continues by cruise on the Sognefjord to our accommodation in Balestrand, a rural area surrounded by nature. Sognefjord - the King of Norway and the longest fjord in Norway. The initial part of the fjord, called Aurlandsfjord, is a 17-kilometer arm of the world’s second longest fjord, the Sognefjord (204 km). It is one of the most picturesque fjords in the world.
Overnight & dinner in Balestrand at Kviknes Hotel or similar."
Day 7 - Balestrand - Borgund church - Oslo 365 km
"Breakfast in the hotel. We will continue our route through mountains, valleys and incredible landscapes with numerous villages scattered by nature, taking the corresponding connecting ferries. We will make a stop to visit the Borgund Church, a wooden church dating back to 1,180 AD. In the afternoon we will continue to Lake Tyrifjord and arrive in Oslo.
Overnight in Oslo at Thon Hotel Europa or similar"
Day 8 - Oslo - Vigeland Park - karlstad 220 km
"Breakfast in the hotel. Guided tour of Oslo including Frogner Park with the Vigeland sculpture complex, passing the City Hall, the Royal Palace, and the modern Opera. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, departure to Sweden. Arrival in Karlstad, located in the delta formed by two of Sweden's great natural watercourses: the Klara River and the impressive Lake Vänern.
Overnight in Karlstad at Elite Stadshotellet Karlstad or similar."
Day 9 - karlstad - Stockholm 305 km
"Breakfast in the hotel. Departure to the East until reaching the Swedish capital, built on 14 islands. Surrounded by the Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, with its grand public buildings, palaces, rich cultural history and museums tell its beautiful 700-year history. Upon arrival to Stockholm you will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city with a local guide, visiting the old town or ""Gamla Stan"" with its network of small squares and cobbled streets, and we will see the exteriors of the Royal Palace, the Cathedral and the Parliament.
Overnight in Stockholm at Clarion Sign or similar."
Day 10 - Stockholm - Helsink
"Breakfast in the hotel. This morning is on your own. You can explore City by yourself. Stockholm is generally referred to as Beauty on Water, or Venice of the North, as the city is built upon 14 islands. Along a canal you can enjoy Swedish Fika or make last minute shopping (Optional Royal Canal tour). In the afternoon, board your overnight cruise to Helsinki. (Private transfer can be pre-booked in advance).
Overnight on board of the cruise."
Day 11 - Helsinki – Tallinn (Self Guided Baltic Extension)
Breakfast on board.
Welcome to Finland and its magnificent capital city Helsinki! Upon arrival to Helsinki you will enjoy a 2-hour Sightseeing Tour of Helsinki. Amongst others, you will see Senaatintori, the Senate square’s, and its magnificent architectural ensemble. Right around the corner near the harbour, you will find the Kauppatori, the picturesque market square, characterised by an abundance of flowers, fruits and busy traders. TheTuomio Kirkko (cathedral) is our next stop. It was built in the 19th century and has an impressive copper dome. Concerts are regularly taking place inside. Another church, the Temppeliaukio Kirkko is carved into the rock, which gives excellent acoustics. One of the last stops is the Uspenski Cathedral - the Orthodox Cathedral in neo-Byzantine style rears its mighty mass of red brick in the Katajanokka Island. Late afternoon transfer to the cruise-ship terminal, where you will embark on a 2-hour-cruise to Tallinn. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.
Overnight at Park Inn by Radisson Meriton or similar.
Day 12 - Tallinn
"Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning, 3-hour Sightseeing Tour of Tallinn with a local guide: The old town is located in the heart of Tallinn. Divided in two very distinctive parts: Toompea hill and The lower town, centered on Raekoja plats (the Town Hall Square) is still surrounded by a 2,5km-fortified wall. Through the itinerary, you will admire the Orthodox Cathedral Alexander Nevsky and the Toompea castle (home to the Estonian Parliament), The City Hall Square, the house of the Brotherhood of Blackheads, St Olaf and Niguliste churches. Rest of the day at leisure to continue exploring the city at your own pace, visit some more attractions, try the local cuisine do some shopping, etc.
Overnight at Park Inn by Radisson Meriton or similar."
Day 13 - Tallinn - Riga
"Breakfast in the hotel. Free time in the morning to further explore Tallinn! Afternoon departure towards Riga on a long-distance coach, with a short break in Pärnu, a bustling beach retreat with early 20th -century buildings, and a beautiful promenade where you can try a local snack before continuing to Latvia.
Overnight at Wellton Riverside Spa or similar."
Day 14 - Riga
"Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning, 3-hour Sightseeing Tour of Riga, where we visit the UNESCO world heritage sights as elegant Art Nouveau district, the old town with many medieval churches in it. Drive along central boulevards of Riga surrounded with beautiful city Canal Park and Bastion hill, many beautiful parks, New Opera house from the XIX century, the Riga Castle build for Riga's archbishop in the 14th century, largest in Europe Riga's Central market build from reused zeppelin hangars. During the walk along cobble streets of Riga we see impressive Powder Tower, Swedish barracks, and Swedish gate, ""Three Brothers”, Brotherhood of Blackheads building established there 600 years ago, majestic Dome Cathedral founded in 1211 with one of the best organs in Europe with nearly 7000 pipes, house of cats, Richard Vagner Street, and theatre where he conducted in 1830s, Great and Small guild houses. Rest of the day at leisure to continue exploring the city at your own pace, visit some more attractions and try the local cuisine
Overnight at Wellton Riverside or similar"
Day 15 - Riga - Vilnius
"Breakfast in the hotel Morning departure to Vilnius on a long-distance coach. On the way, after crossing the border to Lithuania, a short photo break at the impressive pilgrimage site Hill of Crosses, which origins remain a mystery. In the afternoon, 3-hour Sightseeing Tour of Vilnius. The Old Town, whose architectural ensemble of Central European Catholic inspiration contrasts with the Germanic influence found in the other Baltic capitals, offers a maze of winding streets, inner courtyards, old churches that seem jealously hide some mysteries. This tour notably includes Vilnius Cathedral and a visit to Saint Anne's Church (ext.): one of Lithuania's Gothic masterpieces.
Overnight at Congress Hotel or similar."
Day 16 - Vilnius
"Breakfast in the hotel. Wholeday at leisure; enjoy some last-minute shopping for Baltic souvenirs, try the local cuisine or choose some of the optional activities (Half Day tour to Trakai Castle with local lunch or Hot Air Balloon tour).
Overnight at Congress Hotel or similar."
Day 17 - Depart Vilnius
"Breakfast in the hotel. Depending on your departure time, you might still have some time to enjoy in the city. Transfer to the airport on Private basis."