NORTHERN CAPITALS (ZT) / 2010

Itinerary

DAY  1Arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark.

(Mon.) 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. (D)

DAY  2Copenhagen.

(Tue.) 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. An optional afternoon excursion to the castles of North Zealand is available. Tonight, visit TIVOLI GARDENS (mid-April to mid-Sept.), the city’s colorful amusement park. (B)

DAY  3Copenhagen–Gothenburg, Sweden–Oslo, Norway.

(Wed.) At Elsinore, 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. (B,D)

DAY  4Oslo.

(Thu.) 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 193 extraordinary bronze and granite sculptures, and visit the modern CITY HALL. Afternoon and evening at leisure, with optional excursion possibilities: see the amazing relics of Norway’s glorious seafaring past or sample Norwegian specialties in one of Oslo’s fine restaurants. (B)

DAY  5Oslo–Stockholm, Sweden.

(Fri.) 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. (B)

DAY  6Stockholm.

(Sat.) Stockholm is settled on 14 islands between Lake Mälar and the Baltic Sea. This morning, included 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. In the afternoon, enjoy Stockholm at your own pace or join an optional excursion to the Wasa Ship Museum. (B)

DAY  7At Leisure in Stockholm–Overnight Cruise to Helsinki, Finland.

(Sun.) 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. (B,D)

DAY  8Helsinki.

(Mon.) 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 strikingly modern TEMPPELIAUKIO ROCK CHURCH, the Olympic Stadium, and the SIBELIUS MONUMENT. Then, browse for souvenirs in Helsinki’s local arts and crafts OPEN-AIR MARKET. (B,D)

DAY  9At Leisure in Helsinki.

(Tue.) 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. (B)

DAY  10Helsinki–St. Petersburg.

(Wed.) A pleasant drive along the coast to the Russian border. After completing frontier formalities, cross the Karelian Isthmus on the way to St. Petersburg. (B)

DAY  11St. Petersburg.

(Thu.) 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 nearly a million victims. See today with a Local Guide how the city has been restored to its former splendor. Drive along elegant Nevsky Prospect, then, admire ST. ISAAC’S CATHEDRAL with its gilded dome and marble columns. Next, an excursion to Pushkin, the home of Russia’s last czar, for a visit to magnificent CATHERINE PALACE (if closed, visit PAVLOVSK PALACE instead). (B)

DAY  12St. Petersburg.

(Fri.) Today a highlight visit to 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. 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. (B,D)

DAY  13