Russia & Scandinavia (Start Riga)

Russia & Scandinavia (Start Riga)

For those who have done Europe and want a new travel challenge or anyone who enjoys getting off the beaten track, a tour of Russia and Scandinavia is a great remedy for the travel bug. Starting in the jewel of the Baltics, Riga, your trek into the former USSR takes you from a small town known as Mini Stalingrad, to the bright lights and spy movie feel of Moscow, to the heart of former Tsarist Russia, St Petersburg. Time for a complete change of pace in the second half of the tour where the beauty of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark will leave you breathless. Reindeer, glaciers, fjords and spectacular scenery prove that Scandinavia really is just like the postcards.

Length: 23 days
Accommodations: n/a
Meals: Dinner, Breakfast
as per itinerary
Sightseeing: Latvia, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark
Transportation: Coach, Ferry, Cruise Ship
Return to Tour

Itinerary

  1. Day Icon-day1 Arrive Riga

    After checking-in to your hotel, take the opportunity to begin your exploration of Riga or just relax until this evening, when you meet up with your Tour Manager and fellow travellers.

  2. Day Icon-day2 Riga

    Today, we take in the sights of Riga and its World Heritage listed city centre. Renowned for its stunning art nouveau architecture, the city is a photographer's dream. Take a stroll through the Central Market and pick up some Latvian delicacies.

  3. Day Icon-day3 Riga to Velikiye-Luki

    Today we cross into Mother Russia and travel routes that were once tread by soldiers in famous battles of World War II. Our stop in Velikiye-Luki gives you a taste of what's to come. The city has been almost completely rebuilt since 1943 due to the war, a perfect example of Russian resilience.

  4. Day Icon-day4 Velikiye-Luki to Moscow

    On to the nation's capital today, Moscow. Home of the Kremlin, former KGB Headquarters and the famous St. Basil's Cathedral.

  5. Day Icon-day5 Icon-day6 Moscow

    Two full days to discover all Moscow has to offer. Vist some of the city's popular museums and enjoy a ride on the famous Moscow Metro. Walk through the Kremlin or shop at Russia's largest department store on Red Square.

  6. Day Icon-day7 Moscow to Novgorod

    From bustling capital to ancient fortress city. Today we travel to what was once the stronghold of the early Tsars, Novgorod. Visit the old Kremlin with its imposing fortress walls and touching World War II war memorials

  7. Day Icon-day8 Novgorod to St. Petersburg

    Today we travel to what some still consider the true capital of Russia, St. Petersburg. Named after Peter the Great, the city was built to be Russia's "Window on Europe". We visit Peter's summer palace, Petrodvorets, famous for its baroque architecture and intricate gardens.

  8. Day Icon-day9 St. Petersburg

    Our local guide takes us around St. Petersburg this morning. Step back in time as we tour the Hermitage which now holds what remains of the personal art collection of Catherine the Great. Later, take a stroll along the busy Nevsky Prospekt and perhaps take in a performance of the world famous Russian Ballet tonight.

  9. Day Icon-day10 St. Petersburg to Helsinki

    Today we farewell the former Soviet Union, making a short stop in the medieval city of Vyborg, before entering Finland. We travel through pine forests and reindeer sanctuaries to the quirky capital, Helsinki.

  10. Day Icon-day11 Helsinki

    Helsinki is an interesting mix between Finnish, Swedish and Russian ideals, having been occupied by its neighbours for a large portion of its history. Shop along main street Mannerheim, visit the Olympic stadium or maybe take the Hydrofoil across to Estonia's capital, Tallinn.

  11. Day Icon-day12 Helsinki to Stockholm

    More free time in Helsinki this morning before we board our luxurious overnight ferry to Stockholm. Chill out on the upper deck and watch the sun set over Finland as we sail away, shop on the Promenade deck or be pampered in the onboard leisure centre.

  12. Day Icon-day13 Icon-day14 Stockholm

    Two full days in Stockholm and plenty to do! Wander the narrow streets of Gamla Stan (the old town), visit the Royal Palace and see the changing of the guards. Maybe visit the Vasa or Skansen museums.

  13. Day Icon-day15 Stockholm to Elverum

    Today we begin our Norwegian adventure. We cross the border from Sweden and make our way towards Elverum. En-route, we pass by Lake Vanern, Sweden's largest inland sea.

  14. Day Icon-day16 Elverum to Geiranger

    Amazing scenery will captivate you today as you hop, skip, and jump through Lillehammer, Lom, and on to Geiranger. First, the Olympic town of Lillehammer with its perfect lakeside location and hilltop ski jump. Then Lom, a small town well-known for its stave church. And finally on to Geiranger, home of the second largest fjord in Norway.

  15. Day Icon-day17 Geiranger to Voss

    Another memorable scenery day with stops in Skei, Sognefjord (largest fjord in Norway) and Flam before arriving at our destination, Voss. Why not make the most of the amazing photo opportunities with a ride on the famous Flam railway?

  16. Day Icon-day18 Voss

    A free day to explore this beautiful region. Relax and enjoy the scenery, explore Voss town centre, or take the chance to do adventure activities such as white water rafting.

  17. Day Icon-day19 Voss to Oslo

    A day of rugged scenery as we travel through the Telemark region and across the Hardangervidda to the capital of Norway, Oslo.

  18. Day Icon-day20 Oslo to Gothenburg

    Free time in Oslo today before journeying to Gothenburg in Sweden.

  19. Day Icon-day21 Gothenburg to Copenhagen

    Leave behind the cool, student-vibe of Gothenburg and experience the sights and sounds of the Denmark’s cosmopolitan capital on a sightseeing tour.

  20. Day Icon-day22 Depart Copenhagen

    Time to swap addresses and say farewell to your new-found friends as your tour ends after breakfast.

Tour Map

Highlights

All these highlights along with city sightseeing are included in your tour price!

Included
  • Riga: See the Powder Tower, Riga Castle and the Doma Cathedral - the largest church in the baltic states
  • Velikiye-Luki: See the city that was known as 'Little Stalingrad' after a battle in World War II
  • Moscow: Guided tour of the Kremlin; Visit Red Square and see Lenin's Mausoleum and St. Basil's domed Cathedral; Travel on the Moscow Metro; See a performance by the Moscow Circus
  • Klin: See Tchaikovsky's house
  • Novgorod: Guided tour of the old town; See the Millennium Bell
  • Petrodvorets: Visit the garden and see the fountains of the Tsars' Summer Palace
  • 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.
  • Vyborg: Orientation of the town
  • Helsinki: See the Sibelius Monument, the Olympic Stadium and Senate Square; Visit the 'Church of the Rock'
  • Stockholm: See Gamla Stan (the old town) and the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace
  • Elverum: Scenic drive through unspoilt forests and lakes, known for bears, moose and wolves; Stay in this beautiful riverside town
  • Lillehammer: Visit the 1994 Winter Olympics town and see the ski jump.
  • Lom: See one of the few remaining medieval stave churches in Norway
  • Geiranger: See the stunning Geiranger Fjord.; Photo stop at the most scenic spot in Scandinavia.
  • Skei: See the incredible Boyabreen glacier
  • Sognefjord: See the longest and most spectacular fjord in Norway.
  • Laerdal: Drive through the world's longest road tunnel - an engineering marvel.
  • Flam: Scenic drive along the Aurlandsfjord.
  • Voss: Explore the natural surroundings which make the town famous for extreme sports
  • Hardangervidda: Scenic drive through the Telemark region, famous as the area in World War II for the destruction of the heavy water plant.; Visit Europe's largest mountain plateau, home to the Telemark Ski.
  • Oslo: Visit Frogner Park to see the Vigeland sculptures; See the Holmenkollen ski jump; See the City Hall and Parliament
  • Copenhagen: See the Little Mermaid, the Resistance Museum and the Royal Palace
Accomodations
  • 21 nights twin or triple share accommodation: 20 nights in hotels & 1 night onboard a cruise boat
  • 21 continental breakfasts (B) & 12 three-course dinners (D) – as per itinerary
  • Hotel tips, local taxes & service charges
  • Please note: The first and last days have been designed to allow you to start and finish the tour without needing extra nights accommodation
Contiki Difference
  • Experienced, professional Tour Manager & Driver
  • Local Guides in Moscow and St. Petersburg
  • Modern, air-conditioned coach with power points for charging
  • Ferry crossing as per itinerary
  • Sightseeing tours of all major cities
  • Free Contiki Travellers Guide
  • Free Contiki document wallet

Optional Excursions

Please Note

Europe Optional Excursions (prices vary)
The optional excursions below are a guide of what may be available on this tour in 2009. Complete details will be updated in early 2009.

Moscow

Moscow Metro Tour (Euro 9.00)
See the local view of Moscow on a guided tour of Stalin's "Palaces for the Workers" - the stations of the Moscow Metro. Underneath the city is one of the world's largest and most intriguing galleries where the icons of Communism can still be seen.
Guided Tour of Armoury Museum in Kremlin (Euro 24.00)
Experience the full glory of the Kremlin with a guided tour of the Royal Armoury to see the collected treasures of the Tsars. The museum houses a collection of priceless Faberge Eggs, and personal possessions of the Romanov dynasty from the time of Peter the Great.
Guided Tour of Missile and Military Museum (Euro 12.00)
A chance to learn about the awesome military power that existed in the USSR. See missiles, tanks, fighter jets, and an array of military nostalgia from the Cold War era and take the opportunity to buy souvenir pendants, flags and other trinkets.
Tour of Statue Park and Gorky Park (Euro 10.00)
Enjoy an afternoon south of the river as you visit two of the most famous parks in Moscow. The 'Statue Park' surrounds a famous art gallery and contains many statues from the communist era, including the only remaining statue of Stalin! Our guide will make history come alive with personal accounts of life behind the "iron curtain". Then time to explore the world-famous Gorky park. Entrance into both parks is included.

St. Petersburg

Guided Tour of Siege of Leningrad Memorial (Euro 8.50)
Visit the World War II memorial to the one million people who lost their lives during the Siege of Leningrad. Our guide takes us through the memorial and explains the historical significance of the siege, and the impact on the people of the city.
Evening Canal Cruise (Euro 15.00)
Join us on an evening cruise weaving through the canals of the Neva River to discover why St. Petersburg is known as the "Venice of the North". Glimpse the famous Aurora battleship and the drawbridges that are opened every night.
Guided Tour of Peter and Paul's Fortress (Euro 11.50)
We visit Peter the Great's original fortress which was constructed over 300 years ago to protect the newly built city of St. Petersburg. Our visit includes entry into the Cathedral to see the final resting place of all the Tsars from Peter I to Alexander III, and the tombs of the last Tsar Nicholas II and his family. An interesting journey through Russian Imperial history.
Mumu Traditional Dinner (Euro 23.00)
An evening at a traditional restaurant named after Ivan Turgenev's famous story of Mumu the dog. Your chance to try beef stroganoff - a dish created in the Stroganoff Palace of St. Petersburg. The dinner consists of a three-course meal including a glass of champagne and coffee.
Russian Ballet Performance (Approx. Euro 60.00 - 70.00)
This is your opportunity to see world-famous Russian Ballet in the city where the 'Nutcracker' & 'Swan Lake' came to life. For over 270 years St. Petersburg has been the home of ballet, producing such greats as Anna Pavlova and Rudolf Nureyev. If there is one place in the world to experience ballet, St Petersburg is it!

Helsinki

Day Trip to Tallinn (Euro 42.00)
Add another country to your trip by catching a hydrofoil to Tallinn - the capital of Estonia. Wander the cobbled streets of the old town which has been dramatically rebuilt since the fall of the USSR.

Stockholm

Tour Of The Town Hall (60.00 Swedish Krone)
Visit one of the most outstanding examples of modern architecture in Europe. The town hall was completed in 1923 and is the venue every year for the Nobel Prize banquet. A local guide will explain the various styles of architecture which make this building so unique, including the room containing 19 million gold mosaic tiles.
Stockholm Dinner (325.00 Swedish Krone)
Join your travel companions and sample a traditional Swedish meal in a funky restaurant in the heart of the city. A tempting array of local specialties awaits.

Geiranger

Geiranger Fjord Cruise (110.00 Norwegian Krone)
Join us on a cruise which travel books say is not to be missed! We cruise along the fjord taking in the magnificence and beauty of waterfalls and age-old mountains. The cruise includes English commentary and is sure to be one of the highlights of your tour.

Flam

Flam Railway (310.00 Norwegian Krone)
This train trip provides some of Norway's wildest and most magnificent scenery - taking in rivers that cut through deep ravines, amazing waterfalls and snow-capped mountains while travelling on one of the world's steepest railways.

Voss

White Water Rafting (720.00 Norwegian Krone)
Experience the thrills of white water rafting in the most picturesque setting imaginable! You'll travel through rapids in the company of your tour mates and a highly professional rafting team. Full equipment (including safety helmets and wet suits) is included in the cost. (Subject to weather conditions).

Copenhagen

Carlsberg Brewery (45.00 Danish Krone)
Your chance to taste Denmark's most famous beer at the brewery where it's made. The Jacobsen Brewhouse is an exhibition of beer culture and classic brewing skills comprising interactive displays, special effects, stables with famous Jutland horses and the world's largest collection of bottles. At the end of the visit enjoy your included beer in the bar with panoramic views of the shining copper beer kettles where Carlsberg's special beers are brewed.