Welcome to Iceland – the land of Fire and Ice Arrival in Iceland and transfer to the city centre by regular shuttle bus service. Take a stroll in the centre of this small town, which is also the northernmost capital city in the world. You can ask at the reception of your hotel for a wakeup call, so you don’t miss out on the Northern lights show. Overnight in the Fosshotel Reykjavik / Klettur Hotel or similar Read more

1 night in Reykjavik

Breakfast in the hotel. Enjoy the Golden Circle Excursion The Golden Circle tour allows you to visit some of Iceland‘s most stunning sights; Geysir geothermal area, the waterfall Gullfoss, and the UNESCO site Þingvellir National Park as well as to learn about growing vegetables in a country which doesn’t get much daylight for most of the year. Geysir geothermal area is in South Iceland, near Laugarvatn Lake. The area is named after the biggest, and now mostly dormant, geyser Geysir and all geysers in the world owe their name to it. The biggest attraction today is the active Strokkur, which shoots up a column of water up to 30 metres (98 ft.) into the air every few minutes. Gullfoss is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland and rightly so. The three-step waterfall is a part of the glacial river Hvítá and falls into a 62-metre (105 ft.) deep canyon. For the first half of the 20th century, there were ideas about using the waterfall to generate electricity, but thankfully nothing came of it. The UNESCO site Þingvellir National Park is geologically and historically significant. Apart from being the location of the oldest parliament in the world - Alþingi, it is also a place where you can see the Mid-Atlantic ridge above ground. The Eurasian and North-American tectonic plates pull the country apart by a couple of centimeters per year. Overnight in the Fosshotel Reykjavik / Klettur Hotel or similar Read more

1 night in Reykjavik

Breakfast in the hotel Enjoy the South Shore Excursion South Iceland is known for being one of the flattest regions on the island. Because of that, most of all grain farming in Iceland is done there. The high mountains to the north, shield the area from the harshest winds from the north. Among the stops on this tour are at the gorgeous Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. Seljalandsfoss is part of the Seljandsá river, which has its origins in Eyjafjallajökull glacier. What makes Seljalandsfoss so famous and interesting is that you can walk behind it. We recommend you bring either a raincoat or a waterproof coat along if you want to take this short walk. Skógafoss, another famous Icelandic waterfall, is the starting point of the Fimmvörðuháls walk over to Þórsmörk. The waterfall was also used in the films Thor: The Dark World and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. We will also stop at Reynisfjara black sand beach, with the Reynisdrangar rock formations and columnar basalt. It is one of the most spectacular beaches in Iceland but can be dangerous, and we kindly ask our guests not to go too close to the ocean and go by guidelines. In 1973 a United States Navy DC plane ran out of fuel and crashed on the black beach at Sólheimasandur, in the South Coast of Iceland. Fortunately, everyone in that plane survived. Later it turned out that the pilot had simply switched over to the wrong fuel tank. The remains are still on the sand very close to the sea. There is actually no road or clear track to the plane wreck and it takes a bit longer walk to reach it. Additionally, we will stop by Sólheimajökull and walk up to a small lake which has formed in front of the retreating glacier. Highlights •Sólheimajökull •Vík •Reynisfjara •Reynisdrangar •Skógafoss •Seljalandsfoss Overnight in the Fosshotel Reykjavik / Klettur Hotel or similar Read more

1 night in Reykjavik

After breakfast, enjoy the last minute shopping in Reykjavik, or if time allows you, chose one of the optional activities. Flight from Reykjavik to Bergen (via Oslo). Arrival in Bergen. Welcome to the Kingdom of Norway – a country with the most beautiful fjords on Earth. Transfer to the city center upon arrival. Today you will meet your tour-escort, and rest of the group, to depart for the adventure in the Norwegian fjords. Read more

1 night in Bergen

Breakfast in the hotel. Discover Bergen – the world heritage city. Bergen is the Gateway to the Fjords of Norway. As a UNESCO World Heritage City and a European City of Culture, the Bergen region has the ideal combination of nature, culture and exciting urban life all year around. Meet your local guide at the reception of your hotel and enjoy a walking tour of the city of Bergen. Pass through the most emblematic places such as the Hanseatic Bryggen, with the church of Mary, the Hakon fortress and the famous fish market. You can visit the Fløibanen Funicular, which will take you on the top of the Mountain Fløyen, for overall view of the city. To get a real taste of Norway, we would recommend to choose one of our optional activity: Sightseeing Cruise with light dinner (17:00, approx. 1,5 hrs.) Bergen Food tour (15:00, approx. 3 hrs.) Overnight in a hotel in Bergen (B) (Example: Augustin Hotel / Zander K / Grand Terminus) Read more

1 night in Bergen

Breakfast in the hotel. Morning walk to the Bergen port where you will embark a cruise to Balestrand. Enjoy the views of Sognefjord, the King of Fjords. Departure from Bergen: 08:00 (schedule subject to change) Arrival in Balestrand: 11:55 Upon arrival in Balestrand – short walk from port to your hotel. Dinner time will be advised by your escort. Overnight in a hotel in Balestrand (B/D) (Example: Hotel Kviknes, Dragsvik, Balestrand) Read more

1 night in Balestrand

Breakfast in the hotel. Day at leisure to explore the region on your own OR you can opt for a FULL DAY EXCURSION TO FJÆRLAND Round-trip Balestrand - Fjærland including Bøyabreen, Supphellebreen and a visit to the Norwegian Glacier Museum. We sail in through the beautiful Fjærland fjord with amazing views of the steep mountains, the green fjord itself and vibrant landscape. We arrive at Fjærland where the glacier meets the fjord. Here we wait for a shuttle bus which takes us to the Norwegian Glacier Museum. Enjoy Ivo Caprino's panoramic film about Jostedalen Glacier and the fascinating exhibition. The trip continues by coach to the two glaciers –Supphellebreen and Bøyabreen – before the coach takes us back to Fjærland. The full-day excursion concludes with a boat trip back to Hella/Balestrand. Coach to the glaciers and museum entrance are included in the round-trip fare. We recommend that you book this excursion when you book the tour as we cannot guarantee availability if booked upon arrival in Norway. Please advise your tour escort on first or second day of the tour. Overnight in a hotel in Balestrand (B/D) (Example: Hotel Kviknes, Dragsvik, Balestrand) Read more

1 night in Balestrand

Breakfast in the hotel. Your journey on the Sognefjord continues today, Sognefjord - the King of Norway and the longest fjord in Norway. The initial part of the fjord, called Aurlandsfjord, is a 17-kilometer arm of the world’s second longest fjord, the Sognefjord (204 km). It is considered to be one of the most picturesque fjords in the world. Arrive in Flåm, where you will have some free time to discover this beautiful village. Departure to Myrdal by train. Myrdal station is a mountain railway station and junction, located about 13 km from the village Flåm. Board the famous Flåmsbana - one of the steepest trainlines in the world. The train journey runs through fantastic nature, past the Rallar road, steep mountains, breath-taking waterfalls, through 20 tunnels and offers so many viewpoints that many feel like travelling multiple times between the mountain and the fjord. Schedule (*subject to change) 11:55 Cruise Balestrand Flåm – arrival to Flåm at 13:25 16:05 Panoramic train from Flåm – arrival to Myrdal at 17:02 17:53 Bergen Railway train from Myrdal – arrival to Oslo at 22:27 or 23:00 Overnight in a hotel in Oslo Examples (Clarion the Hub / Scandic Holberg / St. Olav Plass) or similar Read more

1 night in Oslo

Breakfast in the hotel. Meet the local guide at the reception of your hotel and depart for 3 hrs city sightseeing of this vibrant capital city starting at 11:00am. Guided tour of the city including the Frogner Park, with all sculptural Vigeland, the museum of Viking ships (entrance not included), showing three original Viking Age ships, the Royal Palace, City Hall and Akershus Fortress. Rest of the day at leisure Overnight in a hotel in Oslo (B) Examples (Clarion the Hub, Scandic Holberg, Thon Opera) Read more

1 night in Oslo

Breakfast at the hotel Transfer to Oslo Central Station and boarding on the direct train to Stockholm. A comfortable train journey will take us from Norway to Sweden in about 5 hours. . N.B. due to construction works on the rail line between Oslo & Stockholm, the train journey can be replaced by a bus service (no supplements or discounts will be offered). Arrival in Stockholm and transfer to the cruise-ship harbour. Stockholm is generally referred to as Beauty on Water, or Venice of the North which is understandable, as the city is built upon 14 islands. It is surrounded by Lake Mälaren, and by the Baltic Sea. City's grand public buildings, palaces, rich cultural history and museums tell her 700 year-old history beautifully. Dinner & overnight on board COSTA MAGICA (inside cabins) Read more

1 night on board of cruise

Full Board included on the cruise. Departure from Stockholm at 07:00 – Day at sea Costa Magica is a captivating ship, inspiring us to explore and appreciate its nuances Designed by the American architect Farcus, it expresses his vision and seems literally suspended between the sky and sea. Dinner & overnight on board COSTA MAGICA (inside cabins) Read more

1 night on board of cruise

Full Board included on the cruise. Today we will arrive in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, also known as The Daughter of the Baltic. Surrounded by the sea, it is a particularly pleasant city that offers a graceful mix of Scandinavian and Russian influences, which emerge from the architecture of its monuments. Guided tour of the city including: the Tuomiokirkko Cathedral and the colourful market, the amazing rock church (entrance included) and the Sibelius Monument, which recalls a giant organ. You can decide to terminate the city tour back on the boat for lunch (transfer is included) or to stay a little longer in the city center and then come back to the boat on your own, but remember to be back to the ship on time for the departure. Dinner & overnight on board COSTA MAGICA (inside cabins) Read more

1 night on board of cruise

Full Board included on the cruise. Arrival in St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg is Russia's second-largest city after Moscow, and throughout history, it has been known by a few different names. In the more than 300 years since it was established, St. Petersburg has also been known as Petrograd and Leningrad, though it's also known as Sankt-Peterburg (in Russian), Petersburg, and just plain Peter. Today we will enjoy a full day city tour with a local guide, including visits of the Hermitage, St. Isaak Cathedral, the Church of the Savior on Blood, a lunch in a local restaurant and a canal boat tour. Tonight our ship will stay docked in St. Petersburg. Dinner & overnight on board COSTA MAGICA (inside cabins) DAY 13 COSTA MAGICA – RUSSIA – ST. PETERSBURG (arrival at 07:00 & night at the pier Read more

1 night on board of cruise

Full Board included on the cruise. Second day of visits in St. Petersburg. During the tour we will admire the Peter and Paul Fortress & Cathedral that is the first construction of St. Petersburg put up by Peter the Great in 1703 to provide protection from the Swedes. It lost its military significance before it was completed. Its guns never saw any action and were put to use as a flood -warning signal, and the fortress housed a political prison for two hundred years. After a lunch in a local restaurant, we will visit also the spectacular Peterhof. Set in magnificent gardens, Peterhof is reminiscent of Versailles and was only used by royalty for State occasions. The pendulous chandeliers, paintings are originals; as they were fortunately removed before the German occupation. The gardens are dotted with the fountains, charming pavilions and summer houses, including the Monplaisir, Peter's original villa with bright and airy galleries facing the sea. Dinner & overnight on board COSTA MAGICA (inside cabins) Read more

1 night on board of cruise

Full Board included on the cruise. Arrival in Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia. Tallinn represents a medieval enclave perched on top of a hill looking overlooking the Baltics. Among the remains of the medieval battlements and towers, dominated by the simple arrows of Protestant churches, the cobbled and narrow streets lead through the city until the old square animated by its restaurants, shops, the passing of the little blue train and horse-drawn carriages. 4 hours guided tour: The old town is located in the heart of Tallinn. Divided in two very distinctive parts: Toompea hill and The lower town, centered on Raekoja plats (the Town Hall Square) is still surrounded by a 2,5 km-fortified wall. Through the itinerary, you will admire the Orthodox Cathedral Alexander Nevsky and the Toompea castle (home to the Estonian Parliament), The City Hall Square, the house of the Brotherhood of Blackheads, St Olaf and Niguliste churches. Dinner & overnight on board COSTA MAGICA (inside cabins) Read more

1 night on board of cruise

Full Board included on the cruise. Arrival in Stockholm. Meeting with a local guide for a 4 hours city tour. The sightseeing starts and ends at the harbour. The visit shows the central area with the City Hall, the old town (Gamla Stan) and the Royal Palace, the Concert House both famous because of the Nobel prices awards celebrations, the Opera Theatre, the island of Djurgården with its parks hosting many museums. You can decide to enjoy the rest of the day in the city center to visit some of the most popular attractions, such as the Vasa Museum, one of Scandinavia's most visited museums. It is here that you will find in all its glory, the unique and well preserved warship Vasa from 1628, embellished with hundreds of wooden sculptures. Another “must see” once you are in Stockholm is Skansen, world’s oldest open-air museum, showcasing the whole of Sweden with houses and farmsteads from every part of the country. (Return to the boat on your own). Dinner & overnight on board COSTA MAGICA (inside cabins) Read more

1 night on board of cruise

Breakfast on board. Transfer to the airport and departure. (Airport transfer by private taxi possible to pre-book in advance) End of our services See you soon in Scandinavia, Iceland & the Baltics