Scandinavia and Russia Tour for 18-35 year old Young Professionals and Student Travelllers

Overview
For those who have done Europe and want a new travel challenge or anyone who enjoys getting off the beaten track, a tour of Scandinavia & Russia is a great remedy for the travel bug.

Day 2  Start Berlin/Copenhagen
Meet your travel buddies in Berlin this morning, then make your way to the Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen. Or, if you’re meeting the group in Copenhagen check-in to your hotel and head straight out into the action for a first glimpse of this cool canal city. Later, meet up with your fellow travellers and Tour Manager. Hotel (D)

Day 3  Copenhagen
Full of history, Copenhagen is a compact city with a really festive feel. Jump start your travels with a look into Denmark’s culture on our city tour, as your Tour Manager tells you the story behind the Little Mermaid statue, the Resistance Museum and the Royal Palace. Hostel (B)

Day 4  Copenhagen to Gothenburg
This afternoon it’s a change of scene as we cross into Sweden and journey to fun-loving Gothenburg. With Europe’s busiest port and a lively student population, Gothenburg is down to earth and serves up cafes, culture and the good times. This afternoon it’s a change of scene as we cross into Sweden and journey to fun-loving Gothenburg. With Europe’s busiest port and a lively student population, Gothenburg is down to earth and serves up cafes, culture and the good times. Hotel (B)

Day 5  Gothenburg to Gjovik
We pull into small-town Gjovik, which is set on Norway’s largest lake, for an overnight stop. Walk around the picturesque town and get a feel for traditional Norwegian village life. Otherwise, check out an impressive architectural and engineering feat: the Gjovik Olympic Mountain hall. This cavern is the world’s largest underground public arena – where there’s your chance to opt for a guided tour if you’re feeling up for it.  Hotel (B,D)

Day 6 Gjovikk to Geiranger Fjord  
Cruise past old farms and unspoilt wilderness to the alpine ski resort of Lillehammer, home of the 1994 Olympics and the impressive 136 metre ski jump! If you’re up for a bit of Olympic action yourself, have a go at bob-sledding in an adrenalin-pumping optional activity. This afternoon it’s your chance to get a taste of some awe-inspiring views as we jump on board a cruise and get out on the water of the Geiranger Fjord. The picture perfect scenes keep coming, complete with dramatic waterfalls pouring down the sides of massive sheer rock walls.  Hostel (B,D)

Day 7  Geiranger Fjord to Voss
Travel 25km (15.3 miles) through the impressive man-made marvel, the Laerdal Tunnel, which is the longest road tunnel in the world. You'll also get a back to nature on our journey through Norway's rugged wilderness and take in the spectacular Boyabreen glacier, as well as the Sognefjord.Hostel (B,D)

Day 8 Voss  
Chill out today or get into the action sport this region is famous for. You could take a hike through the mountains or try some adrenalin sports like white water rafting. You could even take a short train ride to picturesque Bergen - Norway’s second largest city. Hotel (B)

Day 9  Voss to Oslo
As Scandinavia’s oldest capital, this easy-going city oozes culture and has some amazing museums to visit. With free time, get inspired at Aker Brygge, Oslo’s cultural hub and central gathering spot for locals. Once an old ship yard, it’s now a popular shopping area with a sea-front promenade, galleries, cinemas and food stalls. Hostel (B,D)

Day 10  Oslo to Honningsvag
Your Tour Manager will introduce you to one of Oslo’s most famous spaces, the Vigeland Sculpture Park in Frogner Park. Packed with over 200 sculptures and bronzes, this outdoor gallery serves up heaps of local art and gorgeous greenery. Hostel (B,D)

Day 11 Honningsvag 
Meaning North Cape, with a free day in Nordkapp there’s your chance to explore this area in depth. Explore the city, or if you’re feeling like going local & doing something totally out of the ordinary you could go fishing for king crabs, the largest crabs in the world. There are lots of other outdoor activities on offer, like a hike to the northernmost point in Europe, if you’re feeling up for it. Later, you could wind down & enjoy a drink in the famous local Arctic ice bar. Hotel (B)

Day 12  Honningsvag to Oslo
This morning we travel through Lapland, home to reindeer & the Sami people, before boarding our flight back to Oslo. Tonight you could head out & meet some locals along the stunning new district around the Oslo Opera House. Hotel (B)

Day 13 Oslo to Stockholm  
Into Sweden today, we stop at the massive Lake Vanern and cruise through woodlands, lakes and gorgeous natural surrounds. With down time on the coach, chat to your new friends and keep your camera handy for photo ops of bears, moose and wolves. Get ready for the dramatic scenery of Sweden’s cosmopolitan capital, Stockholm. Surrounded by forests, deep blue waters and 24,000 islands, this cutting-edge city is one of Europe’s hot, creative capitals. Hotel (B)

Day 14 Stockholm  
This morning, there’s an option to visit to Stockholm’s stunning town hall, where the Nobel Peace Prize banquet is held. Learn about its unique architecture with our Local Guide. With its 8 million red bricks and 19 million gold mosaic tiles, this place will make your jaw drop. You’ll see the Royal Palace and perhaps the changing of the guard – a tradition dating back to the 16th Century. The old town is a great place to pull up a seat and try out classic Swedish food like salmon, herring or game as you take in the atmosphere. Hotel (B,D)

Day 15 Stockholm & sail to Helsinki
Free time this morning in the city to grab your last dose of Swedish cool then live the high life this afternoon as we board our luxurious cruise to Helsinki. Kick back with a drink on the deck and watch the sun set over the Baltic Sea, check out the shops of the Promenade deck or maybe try your luck at the casino tonight.  Overnight Cruise (B)

Day 16  Helsinki
A blend of Finnish and Russian influences, Helsinki is a 21st century city with a lot of quirky aspects. Your Tour Manager will take you to check out Temppeliaukio, a church cut out of solid rock, and to see the famous Sibelius Monument, a gravity-defying sculpture made out of 600 steel pipes. Helsinki is all about location, so with free time on your hands, head harbour side to soak up the great views and mingle with the locals at South Harbour Market. Rummage through stalls selling flowers and local foods, handicrafts, fresh fish and tasty baked goods. Hotel (B, D)

Day 17 Helsinki to St. Petersburg 
Leaving Helsinki today, the coach travels through pine forests and Finland’s vast wilderness, before crossing over the border into Russia, the world’s biggest country. Hotel (B, D)

Day 18 & 19 St. Petersburg  
Get a feel for the city’s UNESCO World Heritage centre and a look into Peter the Great’s imagination as our Local Guide uncovers many of St. Petersburg’s best-known sites. You’ll see St. the stunning Church of Spilt Blood and Amorality, the place where Alexander II was killed. The group takes a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit one of the world’s top art collections at The Hermitage gallery. There’s free time to walk along St. Petersburg’s main street, Nevsky Prospekt. There’s a bit of everything along this street; palaces, lavish shops, museums, churches and buildings from many different eras. Take advantage of an optional cruise on the Neva River and get another angle on the city from the water. Otherwise liven things up with your new friends and head to a bar or club to try out Russia's national drink, vodka. Hotel (B) (B)

Day 20  St. Petersburg to Novgorod
There’s a definite change of pace as we enter the peaceful, shady streets of Novgorod, an ancient fortress city. Filled with old churches and a Kremlin of its own, this lovely town once suffered terribly at both the hands of Ivan the terrible and, more recently, the Nazis. Hotel (B,D)

Day 21  Novgorod to Moscow
En route to Moscow, we make a stop in Klin, at the former home of famous Russian composer, Tchaikovsky, and see where the creator of Swan Lake and the Nutcracker worked. Later today, we arrive in Moscow, Russia’s economic powerhouse, political point of power and cultural core. As the country’s historical heart, this massive metropolis mixes up extravagance from the time of Tsar Royalty, relics from the Cold War and a new, progressive Russia.  Hotel (B,D)

Days 22 & 23 Moscow
With 2 full days, there’s plenty of time to uncover Moscow. Chalk up a truly local experience with a ride on one of the planet’s busiest subway systems. The Metro is packed with art that was installed under Stalin, meaning that Moscow’s metro stations double as fascinating historical art galleries. You can learn more about them in an optional tour and get an insider’s look at the art with our expert Local Guide. Hotel (B) (B,D)

Day 24 Moscow to Minsk
We pass by Borodino, where the bloodiest single day of battle took place during the Napoleon led invasion of Russia. Later, pull into the capital of Belarus, Minsk. Torn to the ground in World War II and then rebuilt by Stalin, Minsk became the model communist city of the Soviet era with its wide avenues, monumental buildings and vast squares. You’ll get a good look into its grand style on our city tour. Check out the Leninsky Prospekt and Victory Square as you get the background on Minsk from our Local Guide. Hotel (B,D)

Day 25 Minsk to Warsaw
Start the day with a visit to the 19th Century Brest Fortress, a stronghold of Russian resistance during the German invasion of Russia in World War II.Back on the coach, journey on to budding Warsaw. See how Poland’s capital started up again from scratch after World War II and see how it’s now looking to the future. Get a feel for the city’s buzzing café scene, relax with a drink, order some perogies (Polish dumplings) and soak up the vibes of this energetic city. Hotel (B,D)

Day 26 Warsaw
Go back in time as our Local Guide gives you a crash-course in Warsaw’s troubled history. You’ll see Warsaw’s Ghetto, Chopin’s park, as well as the Old Town. Hear how this town has been all about survival, being literally reduced to rubble, and how Warsaw then picked up the pieces, using these ruins to rebuild the city. Check out St John’s Cathedral and the Royal Palace, which was blown-up during World War II. Hotel (B)

Day 27 Depart Warsaw/Berlin
The tour ends after breakfast in Warsaw and it’s time to say farewell to your new friends. Otherwise catch a free transfer back to Berlin where your tour ends upon arrival. (B)

Dates and Prices  

Tour Highlights These highlights are included in the price of your tour.

Oslo   

Visit Frogner Park to see the Vigeland sculptures

See the City Hall and Parliament

Voss   

Explore the natural surroundings which make the town famous for extreme sports

Sognefjord  

See the longest and most spectacular fjord in Norway.

Geiranger

 See the stunning Geiranger Fjord.

Gjovik 

Scenic drive through unspoilt forests and lakes, known for bears, moose and wolves

Stockholm   

See Gamla Stan (the old town) and the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace

Helsinki  

See the Sibelius Monument, the Olympic Stadium and Senate Square

Visit the 'Church of the Rock'

St. Petersburg   

Guided tour of the Hermitage 

See the St. Peter and St. Paul Fortress 

See the church of the Spilt Blood and the Admiralty. 

Novgorod  

Guided tour of the old town

See the Millennium Bell 

Moscow   

Guided tour of the Kremlin 

Visit Red Square and see Lenin's Mausoleum and St. Basil's domed Cathedral 

See a performance by the Moscow Circus 

Minsk  

Locally guided city tour of Minsk 

Warsaw 

See the Old Town, St.John's Cathedral, the Royal Palace, Chopin's park and the Warsaw Ghetto