Hermes Tours

All Gay Northern European Treasures!

Day 1 –Saturay, July 21, 2012 - Arrive in Copenhagen (D)
Upon arrival in Copenhagen, please make your way to our hotel. You’ll have the afternoon free to stroll one of the world’s most eco-friendly cities. More than a third of its citizens commute to work by bicycle. This evening join us for our Hermes welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2 - Sunday, July 22, 2012 - Copenhagen (B)
After breakfast, we begin our Scandinavian exploration with a morning tour of the city. First, explore the rococo interiors of the grand Amalienborg Palace, winter home of the Danish royal family. Then stroll the delightful grounds of Tivoli Gardens, the second oldest amusement park in the world and home to the world’s oldest roller coaster and Ferris wheel. The rest of your day is at leisure to discover this booming cultural center of northern Europe.

Day 3 - Monday, July 23, 2012 - Stockholm (B)
Journey by train today to Sweden’s capital, whose city center sits on an archipelago of 14 islands. Upon arrival, you’ll have time on your own to get acquainted with this city that is so intimately tied to the sea, perhaps strolling the inviting lanes of the Old Town.

Day 4 - Tuesday, July 24, 2012 - Stockholm (B)
Our morning tour includes a visit to Skansen Park; its remarkable open-air museum replicates Swedish life before the industrial age. Continue to the sprawling Royal Palace, where the country’s monarchs keep their offices. Your afternoon is at leisure.

Day 5 - Wednesday, July 25, 2012 - Stockholm/Overnight ferry to Helsinki (B)
You have the entire day to yourself, perhaps to do some island-hopping on the city’s extensive ferry system. Many of the city’s major museums and monuments are on the charming island of Djurgarden, where you’ll also find lovely waterfront promenades. Tonight, board an overnight ferry bound for Helsinki.

Day 6 - Thursday, July 26, 2012 - Helsinki/Train to St. Petersburg (B)
Today’s exploration of Finland’s capital includes the magnificent Church of the Rock, built into a natural rock foundation. You’ll also visit the island of Seurasaari, a pastoral wonderland of remarkably preserved wooden houses that celebrate Finland’s agrarian roots. This afternoon, we board our high speed train for the 3.5 hr ride to St. Petersburg, Russia.

Day 7 - Friday, July 27, 2012 - St. Petersburg (B)
Today we explore the breathtaking Hermitage Museum. Catherine the Great started this collection in 1764 with 317 paintings. Today, it holds the largest collection of paintings in the world. We also visit the Peter & Paul Fortress. The afternoon is free for you to explore this elegant city on your own.

Day 8 - Saturday, July 28, 2012 - St. Petersburg (B, D)
On today’s full-day tour, we journey outside the city to Peterhof, a luxurious Imperial estate built in 1710 on the shore of the Gulf of Finland by Peter the Great. We’ll also marvel at the rococo Catherine Palace, summer residence of Russian tsars. Join us tonight for a special Hermes Farewell Dinner.

Day 9 - Sunday, July 29, 2012 - Depart for home / Extend to Moscow (B)
Fly home today or join our optional extension to Moscow (more details to follow).

Moscow Optional Extension

Day 9 - Sunday, July 29, 2012 - Extend to Moscow (B, D )
We have a free day today to further explore St. Petersburg. There is so much to see and do! Late afternoon we board our overnight train to Moscow.

Day 10 - Arrival Moscow - City Tour (Part I) (B, L)
Upon our arrival in Moscow we enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant. After our bellies are well nourished we embark on our tour of the city.

Start in Red Square. Pictures do not do this place justice. The massive square flanked by Saint Basil's cathedral, The Kremlin, Lenin's Tomb and more. After touring Saint Basil's we enter the political center of Russia; the Kremlin. The Kremlin is not just where the political elite come to work but also a complex full of rich historical treasures. We enjoy guided tours of the Cathedrals and the Armory Chamber.

After stopping for lunch we continue our tour of Moscow with a stop at the GUM department store. Built in the 1890s this is much more than a place to shop but another display of Russian architecture. By 1917 GUM housed more than 1200 stores!

We check into our hotel and the rest of the afternoon/evening is free for you to enjoy as you wish.

Day 11 - Moscow City Tour (Part II) (B, L)
After breakfast we begin second day of touring with a visit to Novodevitchy Convent. The Novodevichy Convent was founded in 1524. It was built as a fortress at a curve of the Moskva River and became an important part of the southern defensive belt of the capital, which had already included a number of other monasteries.

After our included lunch we continue our tour with a leisurely sightseeing cruise along the Moskva River with wonderful views of the city.

Enjoy a walk along famous Arbat street. Arbat Street has existed since the 15th century and thus one of the oldest streets in the Capital. In the 18th century, the Arbat came to be regarded by the Russian nobility as the most prestigious living area in Moscow.

We complete our tour of the city underground. The Moscow Metro is known for the ornate design of many of its stations, which contain examples of socialist realist art.

Day 12 - End of Tour (B)
Our tour ends today after breakfast. Because Moscow has 2 main airports (in opposite directions) we have not included a transfer to the airport today. You may take a taxi to the airport of if you prefer you can arrange for a transfer for you.