20 Day Stunning Russia & Scandinavia. Moscow St Petersburg Helsinki Stockholm Copenhagen Hellesylt Geiranger Flam

Transcription

1 20 Day Stunning Russia & Scandinavia Moscow St Petersburg Helsinki Stockholm Copenhagen Hellesylt Geiranger Flam

2 20 Day Stunning Russia & Scandinavia FROM $6,999 PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE World-renowned for its untouched landscapes and knockout panoramas, Scandinavia is a nature lover's paradise. You'll explore the region's greatest hits on this 20-day odyssey that snakes between Norway, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Estonia and even Russia. Book Now Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 1

3 DAY 1 Meals included Home Moscow 4 Izmailovo Vega, or similar Your small group tour through unmissable Russia and Scandinavia awaits! Your holiday will begin with an international flight to Moscow. Zdrastvutye, as they say! Welcome to Russia. The great city of Moscow has survived centuries of revolution and a tumultuous past. From the days of the tsars, through the communist era to the growing pains of democracy, it hasn t always been smooth sailing. Beneath its modern veneer a sign of Russia's recent embrace of capitalism Moscow is a fascinating, historic city with a wealth of sights to see. Please note: Some flights might depart the night prior. DAY 2 Moscow Meals included Breakfast 4 Izmailovo Vega, or similar This morning you will meet your guide and visit the mausoleum of Russia s most famous revolutionary Lenin. He was the initiator of the 1917 Russian revolution that ushered in the era of communism. You will visit and be amazed by his austere eternal resting place on Red Square. You ll then enter the Kremlin grounds with a local guide, home to the oldest and most important churches in the country, where many Tsars and Tsarinas are laid to rest. Walk through the soaring towers and cathedrals of the political and spiritual heart of Russia before entering the Armoury Museum, home to an eye-bulging former royal collection of ambassadorial gifts, Faberge eggs, coronation robes and glittering jewels. In the evening your guide will organise an included local meal so you can enjoy your first taste of delicious Russian cuisine with new friends. DAY 3 Meals included Breakfast Moscow St Petersburg Train: Grand Express - 1st Class, or similar This morning you are free to enjoy some time at leisure to explore the fascinating city of Moscow at your own pace. Your guide will be available to help make suggestions and advise transport options, or you can choose to enjoy one of our bonus Inspiring Sights options to enhance your experience. Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 2

4 You may choose to include two (2) optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package. Optional Inspiring Sight (1 of 3) - Explore Moscow s Underground - Go beneath street level on this tour of the spectacular and mind-bending Moscow Metro! Be awed by the architecture and the propaganda and listen to the Soviet stories from a well-connected local. Finish above ground, looking up to Stalin s skyscrapers and get the inside scoop on what goes on behind those walls. This evening we transfer to Leningradsky railway station where we ll board an overnight train to Saint Petersburg (approx. 8 hours) on the Grand Express train. This train journey is the most famous and romantic way to travel between two cities and is still popular among locals. Your 1st class private cabin will consist of 2 lower beds (not bunks) making for a comfortable night's sleep. There's hot water available for making drinks or instant meals, tea and coffee. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase on board and most trains also have a dining car. DAY 4 Meals included Dinner St Petersburg 4 Grand Tchaikovsky, or similar We arrive into St Petersburg early and transfer to our hotel. In the instance that the rooms are not ready on arrival, your leader will take you for breakfast in town and get some orientation in the city. St Petersburg is truly one of Europe s, and the world s, finest cities. Today you will explore one of Russia s most spectacular sights the stunning Hermitage Museum. One of the largest and oldest museums in the world, it was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great and houses one of the world's premier art collections. Your tour will begin around 10am and continue until around 2pm, however, you are then of course free to continue your own independent exploration if you wish. There is a cafe inside the museum for when you need a break to recharge! The Hermitage boasts over 2.7 million exhibits and displays a diverse range of art and artefacts from all over the world and throughout history (from Ancient Egypt to the early 20th century Europe). The collection includes works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian, a unique collection of Rembrandts and Rubens, many French Impressionist works and several sculptures by Rodin. Experts have calculated that if you watch each item for no longer than a minute and spend 8 hours in the Hermitage daily, it will still take you almost 15 years to view all the museum s exhibits, it s that gigantic. In the evening, you ll get the chance to discover authentic Russian culture on a food tour that takes you from the oldest market through to a modern residential neighbourhood where you ll be welcomed into a local s home for an Inspiring Taste dinner! Dig into a traditional home cooked meal paired with tastings of vodka and Crimean wines, then play some typical Russian games with your hosts. This is the best (and tastiest!) way to uncover the real St. Petersburg from those that know it best! Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 3

5 DAY 5 St Petersburg Meals included Breakfast, Dinner 4 Grand Tchaikovsky, or similar Today is free for you to see some more of this fabulous city. Relax, explore or enjoy one of our bonus Inspiring Sights options to enhance your experience. You may choose to include two (2) optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package. Optional Inspiring Sight (2 of 3) - A day in the eyes of a local - Join this St. Petersburg tour to discover the gritty greats and strange sights of the 'burg and make some new friends along the way! Visit the city s oldest and most beautiful railway station, discover metro station art relics and enjoy a vodka in a bar famous amongst the locals. DAY 6 St Petersburg Helsinki Meals included Breakfast 3 Scandic Hakaniemi, or similar This morning, your Russian tour guide will take you to Finlyandski train station to board the high-speed Allegro train to Helsinki. Your Russian guide will not accompany you on this journey, however, your Scandinavian guide will be waiting for you when you arrive into Helsinki station. The train terminates in Helsinki so rest assured, there is no chance of missing your stop. On arrival, your Scandinavian guide will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel. DAY 7 Meals included Breakfast Helsinki Tallinn Helsinki 3 Scandic Hakaniemi, or similar Today your guide will accompany you on a short trip to Estonia! Travel to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia and spend some time exploring the cobbled streets and alleyways filled with medieval houses and endless charm. Tallinn is an historic city dating back to the medieval times and it was first recorded on a world map in It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997 for its well-preserved old town. Enjoy free time to explore the old town on foot or enjoy our Inspiring Sight. Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 4

6 You may choose to include two (2) optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package. Optional Inspiring Sight (3 of 3) - City Bike tour - Ride at a relaxed pace and admire the surroundings, meet other people, ask some questions and discover interesting things to do in Tallinn including Kadriorg Palace and Park, Presidential Palace, Laulupidu Song Festival Grounds, Maarjamäe WWII Memorial, Pirita beach and the the seaside promenade. Approximately 16 km, hours easy cycling with regular stop (walking is not possible). DAY 8 Helsinki Stockholm Meals included Breakfast, Dinner Ferry: Viking Line, or similar You have a free day to explore Helsinki at your own pace, before you meet again in the evening for a dinner. After dinner we board an overnight ferry to Stockholm. DAY 9 Stockholm Meals included Breakfast 3 Frey's Lilla Radmannen, or similar Wake up this morning ported in Stockholm and take a short walk with your guide to your hotel. After check-in, we enjoy a grand tour of the city. See Stockholm and its surrounding areas by land, sitting in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach and listening in your own language to expert commentary. Afterwards, the guide will then join you on the boat, waiting to take you out to sea and from the water you will see a picturesque Stockholm at its most spectacular. The remainder of the day will be free so you can explore the city at your own pace, perhaps visit a museum or just stroll around and take in the sights. DAY 10 Stockholm Copenhagen Meals included Breakfast 4 First Twentyseven, or similar After breakfast this morning, accompany your guide to the station to board a fast train to Copenhagen. The journey takes around 5 hours, so sit back and enjoy the scenery. On arrival, your guide will escort you to your hotel where you can spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Denmark s capital sits on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager. It s Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 5

7 linked to Malmo in southern Sweden by the Öresund Bridge. The city's historic centre contains Frederiksstaden, an 18thcentury rococo district and home to the Royal Family s Amalienborg Palace. DAY 11 Copenhagen Meals included Breakfast 4 First Twentyseven, or similar After breakfast, your guide will take you on a tour of the city. Start by sitting in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach, listening to commentary on the surrounding sights. We stop for 30 minutes at Amalienborg Palace where you will see the famous changing of the guards. There will also be a photo opportunity at The Little Mermaid and you will see many famous buildings like the Royal Danish Opera House. After this it is time to get on-board one of the boats for a cruise around the harbour and canals. The boat goes through the picturesque canals of Christianshavn and Frederiksholm where historical buildings are to be enjoyed side-by-side with more modern architecture. Enjoy the evening at your leisure. DAY 12 Copenhagen Embark on Fjords cruise Meals included Breakfast, Dinner Ship: MSC Meravigila or MSC Poesia, or similar Today you will be transferred to the port to board your spectacular cruise of the Norwegian coast and its jaw-dropping fjords. This is your chance to take in some of the world s most extraordinary natural beauty. Upon boarding your deluxe vessel, check-in to your cabin and relax on deck as your ship makes its way out of port. Ship: MSC Meravigila (24th April, 31 July, 14 August, 28 August departures) Ship: MSC Poesia (14 May departure) DAY 13 At Sea Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Ship: MSC Meravigila or MSC Poesia, or similar Enjoy the many restaurants, activities or entertainment options onboard your ship as it makes its way from Denmark to the coast of Norway Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 6

8 DAY 14 At Sea Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Ship: MSC Meravigila or MSC Poesia, or similar Ship: MSC Meravigila This morning we port at Hellesylt, the cosy little town on the shores of the Geirangerfjord. If you want to know more about what it means to live on the shores of a Norwegian fjord, visit the Geiranger centre, about a kilometre from the town centre. If you enjoy hikes on foot but you don t want to exhaust yourself, take the fjord s southern coast route to Homlong, where you will find a small bar selling excellent, freshly made snacks. Ship: MSC Poesia Enjoy the many restaurants, activities or entertainment options your ship has to offer as it makes its way from Denmark to the coast of Norway. DAY 15 Flam / Bergen Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Ship: MSC Meravigila or MSC Poesia, or similar Ship: MSC Meravigila - Flam To reach Flåm, your MSC ship will navigate into the Sognefjord, the longest of the hundreds of Norwegian fjords. Extending over 204 kilometres and 1,308 metres deep, it is a record-breaking fjord in which your ship will head southward to reach the southern end of the Aurlandsfjord. The landscapes here are truly unique and will make your journey unforgettable. Nature is revealed in its most beautiful and wild landscape. Mesmerising gorges, rifts and waterfalls heights will astound and you ll spot numerous mountain farms where cattle are raised and excellent cheese is produced. Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 7

9 Ship: MSC Poesia - Bergen Bergen s maritime tradition is age-old and exudes history. You can take a walk amidst the wooden homes built on the side of the hill and along the long, narrow passages typical of Bergen. Take time to visit the original wooden church of Fantoft, built in 1150 but transferred here only in Along the shores of Lake Lille Lungegårdsvann, you can find many art galleries and a museum with a collection of paintings by Edward Munch. In Troldhaugen, there is a museum home to the most famous Norwegian composer, Edvard Grieg, who worked and lived here in a small cottage on Lake Nordås DAY 16 Flam / Stravanger Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Ship: MSC Meravigila or MSC Poesia, or similar Ship: MSC Meravigila - Stavanger The region of Stavanger is known especially for its fjords and in particular the Lysefjord. The mountain walls drop almost a thousand metres vertically along the 42 kilometres of coast, for that is the depth of the sea in this narrow passage. Another tourist attraction is Kjerag, a peak rising 1100 metres above sea level that dominates the Lysefjord, with its northern face plummeting into the sea. But it s a little lower down, at about 980 metres that you find a natural masterpiece generated by the elements: the Kjeragbolten, a massive rock jammed between two rock faces. Ship: MSC Poesia - Flam To reach Flåm, your MSC ship will navigate into the Sognefjord, the longest of the hundreds of Norwegian fjords. Extending over 204 kilometres and 1,308 metres deep, it is a record-breaking fjord in which your ship will head southward to reach the southern end of the Aurlandsfjord. The landscapes here are truly unique and will make your journey unforgettable. Nature is revealed in its most beautiful and wild landscape. Mesmerising gorges, rifts and waterfalls heights will astound and you ll Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 8

10 DAY 17 At Sea / Hellesylt and Geiranger Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Ship: MSC Meravigila or MSC Poesia, or similar Ship: MSC Meravigila - At Sea Enjoy the many restaurants, activities or entertainment options your ship has to offer as it makes its way from Norway to the coast of Germany. Ship: MSC Poesia - Hellesylt and Geiranger This morning we port at Hellesylt, the cosy little town on the shores of the Geirangerfjord. If you want to know more about what it means to live on the shores of a Norwegian fjord, visit the Geiranger centre, about a kilometre from the town centre. If you enjoy hikes on foot but you don t want to exhaust yourself, take the fjord s southern coast route to Homlong, where you will find a small bar selling excellent, freshly made snacks. DAY 18 At Sea / Kiel Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner N/A Ship: MSC Meravigila - Kiel Today, arrive into Kiel. Kiel became the Imperial military port of Germany in 1871 and, when its canal was opened to connect the Baltic and the North Seas in 1895, the town began to control the largest artificial waterway in the world. A spacious promenade along the pier will give you the chance to admire a variety of vessels of all sorts, including the dinghies of the sailing school and, from the wet dock in front, the best view you can get of Kiel. Ship: MSC Poesia - At Sea Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 9

11 Enjoy the many restaurants, activities or entertainment options your ship has to offer as it makes its way from Norway to the coast of Denmark. DAY 19 Disembark cruise Copenhagen Home Meals included Breakfast N/A As your cruise arrives back to Copenhagen and you disembark, you will be met and transferred from the port to Copenhagen Airport to board your flight home. We hope you have enjoyed your inspiring vacation through Russia, The Baltics and Scandinavia and we hope to see you again. DAY 20 Home Meals included N/A Arrive home today, with memories to last a lifetime. Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 10

12 Inclusions WHAT'S INCLUDED Return international airfares with Emirates All airport & port transfers 11 nights mostly 4 star accommodation throughout 7 nights on-board the brand new MSC Meraviglia mega ship Overnight 1st class on the 'Grand Express' sleeper train from Moscow to St Petersburg, the most famous and romantic way to travel between two cities 17 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners The services of a professional English speaking escorted tour guide throughout Dedicated transportation plus all rail tickets & ferry tickets Incredible sightseeing including all entry fees as per the the itinerary SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS Moscow - Red Square Moscow - Lenin's mausoleum Moscow - The Kremlin and Armoury Museum St Petersburg - Hermitage museum St Petersburg - Homecooked dinner Helsinki - Enjoy free time to explore the city Tallinn - Walk the UNESCO cobbled streets of the old town Stockholm - Enjoy a city tour by canal cruise Copenhagen - See the changing of the guard at Amalienborg Palace Copenhagen - See the famous Little Mermaid & Royal Danish Opera House Copenhagen - Join a canal cruise through Christianshavn and Frederiksholm Norway - Witness the spectacular Geirangerfjord Norway - Watch as your ship navigates the cliff walls of the Sognefjord Norway - Enjoy the quaint beauty of Flam INSPIRING STAYS Spend 1 night on-board the Grand Express in a 1st Class sleeper cabin travelling the romantic route between Moscow and St Petersburg. Stay 7 nights on-board the spectacularly new premium mega-ship, MSC Meraviglia (excluding the 14th May, 4th June departure). Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 11

13 INSPIRING SIGHTS The choice between 2 of 3 bonus sightseeing experiences to enhance your journey. You may choose to include two (2) optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package. Explore Moscow s Underground Live like a local in St Petersburg Enjoy a bicycle tour of Tallinn's Old City The remaining three inspiring sights may be purchased prior to departure if you would like to participate in all optional inspiring sights. INSPIRING TASTE Be welcomed into a local s home in St Petersburg and enjoy a traditional home cooked meal paired with tastings of vodka and Crimean wines. DEPOSITS Secure your package with a deposit of $2,500 per person. You will then be invoiced for final payment 120 days prior to departure. CRUISE DETAILS Meraviglia - For further information on your cruise, click HERE. Poesia - For further information on your cruise, click HERE. Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 12

14 CABIN UPGRADES Upgrade your cruise cabin: Oceanview: $350 per person in addition to the package price. Balcony: $750 per person in addition to the package price. Please follow the 'book now' prompts to make your selection. HOW TO EXTEND YOUR STAY Some customers like to enhance their holiday by arriving early and/or staying behind. If you wish to do so, please follow the following steps: 1. Follow the book now prompts. 2. After selecting your departure date and completing your bedding configuration details, please select if you wish to 'arrive early' and/or 'stay behind' in the 'extra services' field. 3. In the 'special requests', field please specify your extension requirements. 4. Complete the remaining booking requirements and click pay now. 5. After finalising your purchase a member of our reservations team will be in contact with you to discuss your extension request. A $150 per person supplement plus any fare difference applies if you wish to confirm your extension. You will be contact after purchase for collection of this payment. All additional accommodation and sightseeing is at your own arrangement. Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 13

15 DUBAI STOPOVER PACKAGE Dubai Stopover Package - $599 per person 3 nights superior room at the Pullman Jumeirah Lakes Towers or similar Breakfast daily Return private transfers Resort Fee not included - approximately AED $20 (AUD $7.50) per night payable locally. If you wish to book the Dubai stopover package either before and/or after your tour please request 'Dubai stopover package' in the 'Special Requests' field prior to making your purchase. You will then be contact to collect payment after paying your tour deposit. The $150pp extension supplement does not apply if selecting this option. Fine Print BOOKING PROCESS Follow the Book Now prompts Select your travel dates, departure city, number of travellers, room preference and any extra services. Click Checkout to login or create an account. You ll need an account to review your details and download documentation. Click Pay Now to proceed to payment. Note - all payments are processed by our trusted gateway Paypal where you a given two options. Pay using your Paypal account Pay using your credit card by proceeding as a guest a Paypal account is not required Once your order is complete, you will be prompted to complete a booking form so that we can fulfil your booking. Your booking is confirmed once your booking form is submitted and you can begin the countdown to your Inspiring Vacation! Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 14

16 AIRFARE INFORMATION Full service airline used will be Emirates (Etihad Airways, Qatar Airlines or Singapore Airlines if unavailable) Flights will require a minimum of 1 transit (maximum 2). All tickets will include 23kgs checked baggage Once ticketed, flights are non-refundable. Any changes will be subject to the airline rules and change fees. Full names as per passport (including all middle names) are required. Any airline schedule changes or cancellations are beyond our control. EXCLUSIONS Visas Travel insurance (recommended) Tipping Anything not mentioned in the itinerary Optional activities Personal expenses On-board gratuities Shore excursions MSC GRATUITIES EUR 10 per person, per cruise night - For your convenience MSC Cruises will automatically add a daily Service Charge to your shipboard account, based on your chosen itinerary and the number of days for which the services are actually provided. The Service charge serves to ensure MSC maintains the highest quality standards of service to their guests. TRAVEL INSURANCE We strongly encourage all travellers to purchase travel insurance to protect yourself against the unexpected. We have partnered with QBE Insurance to offer our customers competitive rates for their Travel Insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover, earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points and save 25% on retail rates. Simply click HERE to arrange your policy. Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 15

17 DOCUMENTATION Final documentation including e-tickets and hotel details will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT The supplement for your entire journey will be dependent on your chosen cabin type as follows: Inside cabin - single supplement is $3,699 per person in addition to the twin share price. Oceanview cabin - single supplement is $3,899 per person in addition to the twin share price. Balcony cabin - single supplement is $4,299 per person in addition to the twin share price. LAND ONLY A $1,500 per person reduction from the twin share price applies if you wish to arrange your own airfares. Should you wish to purchase land only, please select this option in the booking process, under 'Departure City'. Please note that airport transfers will not be included when purchasing the Land Only option. We can still arrange airport transfers for you, however it will come at an additional cost: Arrival: AUD 125 per vehicle (1-2 pax) Departure: AUD 198 per vehicle (1-3 pax) Please let your Dedicated Support Agent know if you would like us to arrange transfers for you. TRIPLE SHARE Not available Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 16

18 PREMIUM ECONOMY UPGRADE Not available. BUSINESS CLASS UPGRADE Available from an additional $6,500 per person in addition to the standard price (subject to availability). Please specify this as a 'Special Request' when completing your booking and you will be quoted for the additional fare. In the event your selection is unavailable or that you are dissatisfied with the quote, you will be provided with a full refund. ITINERARY The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land. RUSSIAN LETTER OF INVITATION This will be provided with your final documentation in order to obtain your Russian visa prior to departure. OPTIONAL TOURS Explore Moscow's Underground - $109pp A day in the eyes of a local - $105pp Tallinn City Bike tour - $49pp You will be contact prior to departure to arrange payment for your chosen optional tours. GROUP SIZE 4-16 people Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 17

19 CHILDREN Children must be 2 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are the same price as adults. ACCOMMODATION The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences however any changes are beyond our control. Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 18