Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki, mountains and lakes, an overnight cruise on the Baltic, and the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg in 13 days.

Day 2 Copenhagen. Guided morning sightseeing in Scandinavia’s largest and liveliest metropolis. See the Church of Our Savior and the Stock Exchange on the way to Christiansborg Palace, where you visit the elegant ROYAL RECEPTION ROOMS (if closed, admire the Danish Crown Jewels at ROSENBORG CASTLE instead). Drive past the National Museum and the Royal Theater, stop for pictures of Amalienborg Palace with its lovely flower gardens, and view the world-famous statue of the wistful Little Mermaid watching the harbor. Optional afternoon excursion to the castles of North Zealand. Tonight enjoy the bright lights and animation of TIVOLI GARDENS (open mid-April to mid-Sept.), the city’s colorful amusement park. (FB)

Day 3 Copenhagen-Oslo, Norway. At Elsinore board your ferry bound for Helsingborg, then motor northwards to Gothenburg, Sweden’s thriving second-largest city, with its beautiful parks, botanical gardens, and well-kept canals. In the afternoon follow the scenic island route along the Skagerrak coastline to Norway. Evening arrival in Oslo. (FB,D)

Day 4 Oslo. Norway’s capital is a study in farsighted urban planning, seeking growth in harmony with nature. Morning sightseeing features such landmarks as the National Theater, Parliament, and the Royal Palace. Stroll through magnificent FROGNER PARK with Gustav Vigeland’s 193 extraordinary bronze and granite sculptures. Visit the modern CITY HALL and the RESISTANCE MUSEUM in the lavish grounds of Akershus Fortress. Afternoon and evening at leisure, with optional excursion possibilities: see the amazing relics of Norway’s glorious seafaring past, and sample Norwegian specialties in one of Oslo’s fine restaurants. (FB)

Day 5 Oslo-Stockholm, Sweden. Trace the King’s Road, formerly a mighty link between the northern capitals connecting Oslo, Stockholm, Turku, Helsinki, and St. Petersburg, and once dutifully maintained by local farming families. Cross the Swedish border to scenic Värmland, the area so 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. (FB)

Day 6 Stockholm-Night Cruise to Turku, Finland. The Swedish capital owes its beauty to its unique setting on 14 islands between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. This morning enjoy Stockholm at your own pace, or join an optional excursion to the Wasa Ship Museum. Your 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. Kungsgatan’s smart shops and the skyscrapers and futuristic condominiums on the shores of Lake Mälaren form a striking contrast to the Old Town sights. Tonight board your overnight Baltic Sea cruise ship to Finland. (FB)

Day 7 Turku-Lahti. After breakfast on board, dock in Turku, Finland’s oldest city and former capital. Morning sightseeing includes the medieval CATHEDRAL, and the lively market square. Enjoy Finland’s unique landscape of fertile fields and dark forests as you drive towards Hämeenlinna, birthplace of Jean Sibelius. A special visit to the Iittala GLASS VILLAGE, widely known for its modern design in glass products. Enjoy vistas of beautiful Aulanko Park before arriving in Lahti, an international winter sports center. (FB,D)

Day 8 Lahti-St. Petersburg, Russia. Cross the border to Vyborg, the old trading center between the merchants of Novgorod and Karelian hunters. In the afternoon traverse the Karelian Isthmus, the land bridge between the Gulf of Finland and Lake Ladoga, and arrive late afternoon in St. Petersburg. (FB,D)

Day 9 St. Petersburg. Founded by Peter the Great, few cities in the world match the grace of St. Petersburg. Construction began in 1703, and the city eventually spread over 100 islands linked by 700 bridges. It suffered severe damage during the revolution of 1917 and later during World War II, when a cruel 900-day siege claimed more than half a million victims. See today 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. Afternoon excursion to Pushkin, the home of Russia’s last czar, for a visit to magnificent CATHERINE PALACE (if closed, visit PAVLOVSK PALACE). (FB)

Day 10 St. Petersburg. 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. Among the exhibits are celebrated works by Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci, and the major French impressionists. Afternoon at leisure; your tour director will suggest a suitable optional activity to enhance your stay in St. Petersburg. (FB)

Day 11 St. Petersburg-Helsinki, Finland. Return to Finland through the luxuriant Forest of Karelia. Then west along the coastline to enchanting Porvoo, one of Finland’s oldest towns, for pictures of the colorful wooden houses and a leisurely break. More coastal vistas before reaching Helsinki, known as the “Daughter of the Baltic” and Europe’s northernmost capital. (FB)

Day 12 Helsinki. Sightseeing with a local guide features City Hall and Parliament House, the Presidential Palace, the monumental railroad station, the great LUTHERAN CATHEDRAL, and the strikingly modern TEMPPELIAUKIO ROCK CHURCH. Leave town for an orientation tour to the Olympic Stadium and the Sibelius Monument. Then browse for Finnish souvenirs in the Helsinki local arts and crafts OPEN AIR MARKET. Time in the afternoon to shop for those last mementos and to catch up on your postcards, recalling an unforgettable journey to the northern capitals. Tonight enjoy your farewell dinner with the companions of a fascinating vacation. (FB,D)

Day 13 Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB)

*airfares not included 

Included Features

COPENHAGEN Sightseeing with local guide, the Little Mermaid, visit the Royal Reception Rooms (if closed Rosenborg Castle) & Tivoli Gardens (mid-April to mid-Sept.), ELSINORE Ferry crossing with view of Hamlet’s castle, GOTHENBURG Orientation, OSLO Sightseeing with local guide, visit Frogner Park, the City Hall & the Resistance Museum, STOCKHOLM Sightseeing with local guide, visit the City Hall, SWEDEN-FINLAND Overnight cruise in first-class two-berth cabins with private facilities, TURKU Sightseeing with local guide, visit the Cathedral & market square, IITTALA Visit the Glass Village, VYBORG Stop, ST. PETERSBURG Sightseeing with local guide, visit St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Catherine Palace (if closed Pavlovsk Palace) & the Hermitage Museum, PORVOO Afternoon stop, HELSINKI Sightseeing with local guide, visit the Lutheran Cathedral, the Temppeliaukio Rock Church & the Open Air Market

SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS: Skagerrak coastline, King’s Road, Värmland area, Baltic Sea, Aulanko Park, Gulf of Finland, Lake Ladoga, Forest of Karelia

MEALS: 12 full Scandinavian breakfasts (FB); 5 three-course dinners (D) including welcome and farewell dinners

INSIDE VISITS as shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable

Quality Hotels

COPENHAGEN Imperial (F) or Radisson SAS Scandinavia (SF), OSLO Clarion Royal Christiania (F), STOCKHOLM Scandic Sergel Plaza (SF), LAHTI Salpaus (F), ST. PETERSBURG D’Angleterre (SF), HELSINKI Radisson SAS Royal (SF)

Note: Security cruise regulations require clients’ family and first name, D.O.B., gender, and nationality at time of booking