Day 8: June 21: Tallinn Estonia
This morning we will arrive into Tallin Estonia. One of the best kept secrets in Europe. Tallin is a beautiful port city which was established thousands of years ago along ancient trade routes. The original residents of Tallin built an enormous wall to protect their city and it was at one time completely enclosed within these walls. Though the city has expanded since its inception, a large portion of the original wall stands. We do not recommend purchasing a shore excursion from the ship. The ancient walled city is best explored on your own by wandering through the cobblestone streets of the "Old Town".
Day 9: June 22: Fun Day at Sea
In addition to relaxing, dining and being entertained, you will have a chance to meet with our special guest educator: Dr. S Michael Wilcox.
Day 10: June 23: Berlin Germany
Our Optional Shore excursion will take you from the port to Berlin with a full day tour of both the West and East side of Berlin.
Day 11: June 24: Aarhus Denmark
This will be our first time at this port of call. We do not know yet if we will offer a shore excursion or recommend you go ashore on your own. We will let you know within 2 months of your cruise.
Day 12: June 25: Oslo
The ship only spends a few hours in Oslo and then sales back to Copenhagen. We plan to get off the ship in Oslo Norway, instead of going back to Copenhagen. It always takes special permission to leave the cruise before it docks at its last port of call. The ship and the country have to agree. We will not have final answers for months, but expect approval as it has always come in the past. If everything goes as planed, we will depart the ship mid morning, do a city tour and then check into our 5 star luxury hotel ideally located to enjoy a free afternoon around the dock area of Oslo.
Day 13: June 26: “Norway in a Nutshell"
Today will be a full day of highlights you will never forget. With our last group, most said this was their best day in all the time they spent visiting the Scandinavian Countries, including Russia!. Below are the details on the “Norway in a Nutshell” Tour.
Norway in a nutshell ® takes you through some of Norway's most beautiful fjord scenery. You can experience the scenic Bergen Railway, the breathtaking Flam Railway, the Aurlandsfjord, the narrow Naeroyfjord (now included on UNESCO's World Heritage List) and the steep hairpin bends of Stalheimskleiva.
The Bergen Railway
The Bergen Railway is a unique experience on Northern Europe's highest-altitude railway line. One of the greatest challenges is the harsh and changeable weather. The line is exposed to deep low-pressure centres from the west, which can mean strong winds and heavy snow for part of the year. Keeping the railway open demands great effort and technical expertise. Today, skilled workers, effective equipment, tunnels and snow tunnels make the Bergen Railway one of the safest and most comfortable ways of travelling between Oslo and Bergen. The line was voted one of the 20 best railway experiences in the world in 1999.
The Flam Railway
The journey on the Flam Railway is regarded as one of the highlights of the Norway in a nutshell® tour. The 20-km-long train journey from the mountain station of Myrdal down to Flam, down beside the fjord, takes around 55 minutes. On the journey, you have views of some of the most magnificent mountain scenery in Norway with an ever-changing panorama of tall mountains and cascading waterfalls. The train moves slowly or stops at the best views.
Splendid Norwegian fjords - on UNESCO's World Heritage List!
Down at the picturesque village of Flam, there is time to eat and to wander around before continuing your journey by boat. The boat sails out the Aurlandsfjord and into the Naeroyfjord, one of the narrowest fjord in Europe. The Naeroyfjord is included on UNESCO's famous World Heritage List. Surrounded by towering mountains up to 1,800 metres high, this branch of the Sognefjord is amazingly beautiful. On the journey, you have excellent views of small traditional farms. If you are lucky, you will see goats grazing right beside the fjord and seals basking on rocks before the boat moors at Gudvangen.
Stalheimskleiva
The journey continues by coach up the steep and spectacular hairpin bends of Stalheimskleiva*. The road up to Stalheim Hotel has 13 steep bends. After enjoying the wonderful views of the Stalheimsfossen and Sivlefossen waterfalls, continues the journey on to Voss and further by train to Bergen.
Day 14: June 27: Oslo Norway - Copenhagen Denmark
Full Day tour of Oslo that will include the Viking Museum. The highlight of the day will be the Open Air Museum. Norway has gathered ancient homes, farm houses, schools, churches (even a Stave Church) from around Norway and created an authentic open air museum. Much like Plymouth Plantation near Boston and Williamsburg in Virginia, it is stepping back in time where everyone dresses as they did hundreds of years ago.
Day 15: June 28: Copenhagen – Home
Today we will transfer to the airport for your flight to Copenhagen. After our arrival you will have a full day tour of Copenhagen that will include a city tour. We will visit the Church that holds the original Christus. We will also visit one of the top 5 castles in the world: Fredericksburg Castle. We will overnight in Copenhagen. Today’s tour is included in your package, along with all transfers and deluxe hotel.
Day 16: June 29: Copenhagen – Home
Today you will transfer to the airport and your flight home.
It is sad to go all the way to St. Petersburg, Russia and end up missing the fantastic city of Moscow with Red Square. During the stop in St. Petersburg, many ships offer a one day tour to Moscow for about $900. There are two big problems with this idea. It takes two full days to visit St. Petersburg and about 2 ½ days to visit all of Moscow. Even if you could afford the price you would only have one day in St. Petersburg and 2/3 of a day in Moscow after you subtract the flying time.
We have the solution. For not much more than what the ship charges for one day, we have created an optional 5 day extension to your Scandinavian Cruise & Tour. This gives you plenty of time to fully experience Moscow, enjoy the ancient town of Lubeck, and enjoy a ferry ride from Germany to Copenhagen. All this for a little more than you would pay for one day on a ship tour.
What the Moscow Extension price includes:
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5 Star Luxury Marriott Hotel near Red Square – possibly the best hotel in Moscow |
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All tours, buses, guides, entrance fees and all transfers to and from hotels and airports |
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Svetlana is a close special friend to Fun For Less Tours. Her father was Stalin’s Air Marshall. She even went on Vacations with Stalin growing up. She witnessed the murders, disappearances and intrigue of Russia during the cold war. She will be with you the whole time you are in Russia and will share her life story. She only does with Fun For Less tours! |
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The ancient town of Lubeck, Germany including deluxe hotel |
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Ferry ride Germany to Copenhagen |
EXTENSION ITINERARY:
Day 1: June 9: Fly to Moscow
Today you will fly to Moscow.
Day 2: June 10: Moscow
Mid morning arrival. After clearing customs and the approx. 2 hour drive to Moscow, we will do an orientation tour around your hotel so you will know the area. We will check into our 5 star Marriott hotel near Red Square around 3pm. You will have the rest of the afternoon free to explore.
Day 3, 4, 5: June 11. 12. 13: Moscow
You will experience almost 3 full days of touring in and around Moscow. A partial list of what you will enjoy while in Moscow: Full city tour, Red Square, the Kremlin, Lenin’s Tomb, the GUM Store, Moscow Circus, Izmailovo Market (the best shopping in Russia), Novodevichy Cemetery (the most unique cemetery in the world), the fantastic Metro and a lot more. You will have plenty of time to explore and shop.
Day 6: June 14: Lubeck
Fly to Germany where you will overnight in the ancient town of Lubeck. You will love the old buildings and sidewalk cafe’s. We will stay in a wonderful deluxe hotel.
Day 7: June 15: Copenhagen
This morning early we will travel to the port for our ferry ride from Germany to Copenhagen Denmark. Upon arrival we will join with the non-extension group in Copenhagen and do a city tour before boarding our ship. This is day 2 on the main group schedule. Everything from this point will be according to the regular group schedule.
