Capitals of the North

Write your own epic tale of enchanting capitals on this unforgettable journey through Northern Europe, which begins in Copenhagen. Spend a leisurely afternoon connecting with its hygge atmosphere along the colourful façades of Nyhavn, before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception and evening orientation drive. This evening, check in to your Stays With Stories accommodation, the historic Phoenix Hotel in the heart of Copenhagen’s most elegant district. The hotel may be stylishly renovated but its walls whisper the secrets of its rich history since the late 17th century. (WR) Stay: Phoenix

Join a Local Specialist today for a sightseeing tour of the iconic sights of Copenhagen. See the beloved Little Mermaid, immortalised in Hans Christian Andersen's woeful tale, the Renaissance Stock Exchange, and the exquisite Royal palaces of Amalienborg and Christiansborg. Spend your afternoon strolling through the city's streets or embrace your inner child in Europe's oldest amusement park, the Tivoli Gardens. An afternoon at leisure could see you stroll down Strøget and rub shoulders with the locals. Enjoy coffee and people-watch along the Langelinie promenade or consider an Optional Experience visiting the stunning Danish Riviera. (B)

For now, it’s a fond farvel to Copenhagen and a bright and cheery hej to Sweden, as you cross the Øresund by ferry and wind your way north, through the Swedish countryside past Gothenburg to Norway. You’ll want to keep your camera at the ready to capture the scenic landscapes that line your route to Oslo, Norway’s modern buzzing capital, where the Norwegian philosophy of friluftsliv can be felt along the flower-lined boulevards and bustling waterfront promenades. (B) Stay: Scandic Solli

Join your Local Specialist this morning for a sightseeing tour of Oslo. See the medieval fortress of Akershus, the elegant Royal Palace and Oslo Opera House and visit Vigeland Sculpture Park. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city on your terms. You could choose instead to embark on an Optional Experience to sail across the Oslofjord to learn about Norwegian explorers. (B)

We cross the border into Sweden today and continue via Karlstad on Lake Vänern, the largest lake in the European Union. Passing Örebro, we arrive in the island-ringed capital of Stockholm. (B) Stay: Elite Palace

Join your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour this morning, including sights of Stockholm's historic mother church, Storkyrkan, the Royal Palace and a visit to City Hall. This evening Connect With Locals over dinner during a Be My Guest eco-friendly experience of Swedish hospitality amidst the former hunting and fishing grounds of Swedish kings. (B/BMG)

Spend your day exploring the city on your own or perhaps join an excursion to the Vasa Museum showcasing the 17th-century warship reclaimed from the seabed. This evening, we board an overnight ferry and cross the Baltic bound for Finland. (B)

After an early arrival in Helsinki, meet your Local Specialist for an introduction to the city's iconic sights and its Swedish and Russian heritage. See the modern marble façades of Finlandia Hall, the Senate and the colourful stalls in Market Square. Enjoy a Regional Dinner with your fellow travel companions. (B/RD) Stay: Holiday Inn City Centre

We depart Finland and journey to the imperial city of St. Petersburg where Peter the Great's magic touch on its pastel-hued façades and elegant canals provides the perfect introduction to our adventure through Russia. Tonight, dinner is served at your hotel. (B/D) Stay: Park Inn by Radisson Nevsky

Explore opulent royal history and the might of imperial Russia on a sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. View the magnificent Tsar's Winter Palace, Nevsky Prospekt, St. Isaac's Cathedral and the statue of Peter the Great, whose inspired vision for this Baltic settlement saw it rival even the most sophisticated of European capitals. Explore the Peter and Paul Fortress on an included visit before we Connect With Locals, meeting some of the students of St. Petersburg's Theatre for canapés and an unforgettable stage performance at our Be My Guest experience. Learn how your visit will support the theatrical education of St. Petersburg’s youth during your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

Later, Dive Into Culture as you join a Small Group Sightseeing visit with a Local Specialist to the Hermitage Museum. Occupying five buildings on the banks of the Neva, the Hermitage features some three million artefacts, representing the development of world culture and art from the stone age to the 20th century. This evening, consider a theatre visit to enjoy a fascinating Russian Folklore performance. (B)

The narrow lanes and grand boulevards of St. Petersburg are ours to explore today. Admire the ornate domes and colourful mosaics of the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood and the gold-plated dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral. Consider joining an Optional Experience to cruise the River Neva and the canals of St. Petersburg. (B)

After a hearty breakfast, enjoy some time at leisure before boarding a train to the Russian capital. En route, contemplate the tumultuous and captivating history of an ancient city that oozes grandeur, and the indomitable spirit of the Russian nation which saw it send the first man to outer space. Straddling the Moskva River, this city is the country's political, economic, religious and financial hub – and your home for the next three nights. (B) Stay: Hilton Leningradskaya

The imposing Red Square - the site of grand celebrations and beautiful architecture - takes centre stage this morning during a guided sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. Visit inside St. Basil's Cathedral and see the Kremlin Walls and towers before spending some time at leisure exploring the sights. Perhaps stroll along the banks of Moskva River or join an Optional Experience to admire the exquisite underground art and history showcase that is the Moscow Metro. (B)

Kick-start your morning immersing yourself in the kofe culture of Moscow, before taking to its streets to learn about its triumphs and defeats. Consider visiting one of the city's fascinating museums, explore the city's extraordinary literary and artistic heritage or take an Optional Experience to the 14th-century Sergiyev Posad, a place of pilgrimage and the largest religious and cultural centre in Russia. This evening, we toast to the magic and magnificence of Mother Russia, joining our fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner. (B/FD)

Say a fond farewell to Russia and newfound friends after your memorable holiday comes to an end after breakfast. (B)