Day 1: Departure from Los Angeles
Departure from LAX with Finnair.
Overnight: Flight. Meals: on flight
Day 2: Arrival Stockholm (time difference: +9 hours from PST)
Arrival in Helsinki for transit, arrive Stockholm at 5 PM local time. Transfer from airport to hotel for check-in.
Accommodation: Hotel in Stockholm. Meals: on flight
Day 3: Stockholm Walking Tour
- Stockholm City Hall (Stadshuset): from 1923, is one of Sweden’s most famous buildings, and the venue for the annual Nobel Prize banquet held on December 10 each year. Our tour includes a visit to the Blue Hall, the Golden Hall, the Council Chamber, and the Gallery of the Prince.
- The Royal Palace of Stockholm: is His Majesty the King’s official residence. Construction started in 1697 and opened in 1754. Visitors can enter the reception rooms with splendid interiors from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Rikssalen (The Hall of State) with Queen Kristina’s silver throne, and Ordenssalarna (Halls of the Orders of Chivalry), as well as King Gustav 3rd’s Museum of Antiquities, the Tre Kronor Museum and the Treasury.
- The Nobel Prize Museum: The man behind the Prize; Alfred Nobel (1833-1896), was an inventor, entrepreneur, scientist and businessman. He is known for inventing dynamite and holds 355 patents. He lay the foundation for the prize in 1895 when he wrote his last will, leaving 31 million SEK to fund the prizes. Since 1901, the Nobel Prize has been honoring men and women from around the world for outstanding achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology/medicine, literature, and peace work.
Accommodation: Hotel in Stockholm. Meals: Breakfast at hotel / dinner
Day 4: Stockholm Walking Tour: Vasa Museum / Free Time
Today, sneakers on; we will visit the Vasa Museum, followed by free time for participants to check out attractions of their own choice.
- The Vasa Museum is a maritime museum in Stockholm, Sweden. Located on the island of Djurgården, the museum displays the only almost fully intact 17th-century ship that has ever been salvaged, the 64-gun warship Vasa that sank on her maiden voyage in 1628.
- Then we will allow free time to enjoy museums and attractions of your own choice. The following attractions on Djurgården is within 15 minutes walking distance from Vasa Museum (The following mentioned attractions are optional and NOT included in tour price):
- ABBA The Museum: Opened in 2013. Sweden’s most popular pop band.
- Nordic Museum: Dedicated to the cultural history and ethnography of the Nordic countries.
- Grøna Lund: Sweden’s oldest Amusement park from 1883.
- Djurgårdsstaden: Historical houses from 1880’s.
- Skansen: the oldest open-air museum and zoo in Sweden located on the island Djurgården in Stockholm, Sweden. It was opened on 11 October 1891 by Artur Hazelius to show the way of life in the different parts of Sweden before the industrial era.
Accommodation: Hotel in Stockholm. Meals: Breakfast / dinner
Day 5: The Royal Palaces / Cruise Stockholm-Turku
We will drive west of Stockholm to Drottningholm Palace, then to Gripsholm Castle.
- Drottningholm Palace: is the private residence of the Sweden’s royal family. It opened in 1699 and it is comparable to Versailles. It is a World Heritage Site because of its beauty and important history. The Palace is situated on the Island of Lovön in Lake Mälaren just outside Stockholm City.
- Gripsholm Castle: The castle was built in the 16th century at the initiative of King Gustav Vasa. Gripsholm Castle has five hundred years of history. It features Sweden's finest examples of state apartments from the time of the House of Vasa, as well as one of Europe's best preserved 18th century theatres. Situated near the city of Mariefred by the Lake Mälaren.
On the way back, we drive directly to the Viking Terminal for cruise to Turku (Finland), departure at 8pm.
Accommodation: Viking Line Cruise. Meals: Breakfast / dinner
Day 6: Turku Tour
Arrive the city of Turku at 7.35 AM. We will drive to Hotel Radisson Blu Marina in Turku for breaksfast buffet. Turku (Åbo) is the oldest city in Finland, and a former center of commerce going back as far as the 13th century. Turku was the capital of Finland until 1812, when the Russian emperor decided to move the capital to Helsinki.
We will visit:
- Turku Cathedral: Turku is the residence of the Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran church. During the excursion we will visit the main church of Finland, Turku Cathedral, where daily worship takes place. The cathedral is considered one of the most valuable architectural monuments in the country.
- Turku Castle: The fortress of Turku Castle has stood at the edge of the river Aura since the 1280’s. During its history it has been a defensive bastion, a majestic court, an administrative center, a prison, a storehouse and a barracks. Nowadays the castle is a must-visit tourist attraction in Finland. The halls and chambers of the castle have witnessed major turning points and dramatic events in history – from the misfortunes of incarcerated prisoners to royal visitors and the elegance of court life. The comprehensive exhibition of Turku Castle presents the castle’s history up to the present day. The elegant rooms of the Bailey are styled with period furniture, costumes and treasures from the museum’s collection.
- Luostarinmäki Open Air Museum (Luostarinmäen Käsityöläismuseo) from the Medieval Age. These are the only wooden houses that survived the fire of 1827 in Turku, still standing in their original building sites. The houses have been furnished as craftsmen’s homes and workshops, representing over 30 different trades. The museum tells the story of pre-industrial urban craftmanship.
Accommodation: Hotel in Turku. Meals: Breakfast / dinner
Day 8: Helsinki Tour / Suomenlinna Fortress
Today we will have a sightseeing in Helsinki with a local licensed tour guide. We learn about Helsinki’s history and culture while we see the main monuments and cultural landmarks in the city. We will see the:
- Olympic Stadion (Summer Olympics 1952) from outside
- Continue to Sibelius Park and Monument. Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) was a famous Finnish composer and violinist.
- Uspenskin Cathedral, completed in 1868, is the largest Orthodox Church in Western Europe.
- Helsinki Cathedral opened in 1852. It is famous for the stunning white façade and neoclassical architecture.
- Senate Square makes up the oldest part of central Helsinki. Landmarks and famous buildings surrounding the square are the Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki, and the Sederholm House, the oldest building of central Helsinki dating from 1757.
- Old Market Hall
- Esplanadi Park is the famous green heart in Helsinki. Originally planned by the principal architect of Helsinki, Carl Ludvig Engel.
- Ferry from the Helsinki Market Square to the UNENSCO-listed Suomenlinna sea fortress, spread across six islands.Accommodation: Hotel in Helsinki. Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Day Tour “Explore the Medieval Charm of Tallinn”
Just 2 hours away with a ferry, we find the capital of Estonia. Step into a fairytale as you wander through the cobblestone streets of Tallinn’s enchanting Old Town—one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. Discover gothic churches, ancient towers, cozy cafés, and vibrant local markets. From panoramic views at Toompea Hill to the historic Town Hall Square, Tallinn is a perfect blend of old-world charm and modern culture. This tour is a walking tour on our own with tour leader (no authorized tour guide).
Accommodation: Hotel in Helsinki. Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Drive Turku – Helsinki / Fly Helsinki – Los Angeles
Check out of hotel, drive to Helsinki Airport. Fly to Los Angeles with Finnair. Departure at 4 PM. Arrival 5 PM in Los Angeles same day.
Accommodation: overnight flight. Meals: Breakfast at hotel / meals & drinks at flight
