Scandinavia & Russia 2013

   PART 1

We did a short 22 days trip of Scandinavian and Russia in May- Jun 2013. Here is my tour.

23 May :  Delhi departure by Aerofloat Flt SU 233 at 0410, Arrival at Moscow at 0905. Had a coffe  Moscow Airport. Then departed by Areofloat Flt SU2658 at 1055  and arrived at Copenhgen at 1135. Took metro from airport to city center and walked to stay at  Hotel Vesterbro Gade, 200 mtrs from Central Rail Station. Had a rest for 2 hours and later walked around the City         

             

Christianburg Palace

24 May : Copenhagen. Site Seeing of Copenhagen today. Walked past  Tivoli, which is a theme park for Kids. Walked to Town Hall, Christiansburg Palace, Amalienborg Palace, Marble Church, Gefion Fountain and finally to see the Little Mermaid. On return walk saw the Rosenborg Castel, and Round Tower.

Town Hall

Amalienborg Place

Marble Church

Gefion Fountain

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Little Mermiad

Rosenborg Castel

25 May Copenhagen. Today we went inside the Town hall and took a tour. Came back to hotel after walking around the city.Took a local tram to Ferry Terminal for DFDS Seaways. Had a  Inside Cabin to sleep, which was comfortable.Went around the Ferry boat saw the shopping stores and enjoyed the scenic views from the deck.

26 May: Oslo.Got up early and had BF with good spread on the ferry resturant. Went on deck to enjoy the view of arriving port of Oslo. At 09.45 Arrived in Oslo.

      Walked about one km to Thon Hotel Opera , at The Central Rail Station. It is a very good hotel very centrally located next to the central station. Had rest and then took a tram to see the famous  Vigeland Sculpture Park. Returned by tram to Raduspl.It is a see side market.

Had our lunch and walked to see the  Akershus Fortress & Castle. there  is nothing much to see except for views from a height. 

Akershus fortress& Castle

Vigeland Sculpture Park

Thon Hotel art work

27 May:Oslo.   Today after BF went to train station and took a train at 08.05  for Mydral. The journey ,  Arr  12.44  5 hr journey. Fantastic journey with great vies. There was snow and temp outside dropped to 3C. Remember this is 26 May. snow from train

FLAM rail Inside

Kjosfossen Falls

Had a brief halt and boarded a nicely decorated train for a short but most beautiful journey. Its worlds most talked about FLAM  rail and the journey was down hill. We departed atl 13.27. 


First halt was the famous waterfall for which train stops. The waterfall of  Kjosfossen is 225 Mtrs water Falls and is next to train platform. There are many waterfalls enroute . After a great journey we arrived at  Flam at 14.25.

View from Train

On the Ferry Deck

We then took a ferry at 15.30 from the the rail Platform. The ferry boats are very nice with very comfortable seating and huge glass windows for view.The ferry journey is very scenic and we arrived at 16.55 at Balestrand. Our luggage was taken by a van and we walked for 10 mins  to our Hotel Balestran . The hotel was a small but very well maintained with excellent views.

We then walked around this small town. Indeed it is Extremely  beautiful place. Hotel does not have Dinner facility.The day light is avilable up to 10pm, so you can walk around for longer time. 

Farewell Balestrand

 28 May: Balestrand. Walked to ferry terminal and took the ferry at 07.50  for Bergen. The ferry journey  sail through very beautiful and largest fjord Sognefjorden. 

Views of   fjord Sognefjorden

                 

At  11.40 we arrived at  Bergen ,

Bergen

 walked 200 mtrs to stay in  Augustine Hotel. 

At Night

 After a bit of rest we waked through Fish & Flower Market. took the  Funicular Train to Mount Floyen and then walked back though a little long path to city. 

In Trolly to go to Top

On The Mount Floyen

See the Bergen Below

29 May:In Beregen, Today we went and saw Nykirken Church from outside and went to see Bergen. 
In the afternoon went and saw Bergen Fortress.  

Bergen Fortress

 Later walked to Station and took one of the best night trains to Osla. Departure at  23.10 Dep and arrival at Oslo in the morning at 6.27 AM. 

30 May: Oslo. Checked in hotel  Thon Hotel Opera . rested and took breakfast. Then went to see the  and  The Royle Palace, Parliament and Oslo Cathedral, all these are in one direction walkable from hotel. 

Royle palace

Church

Oslo Central Station 

After lunch went to see the beautiful Opera House across the hotel.

              

Inside Opera House

Inside Opera House

Opera Glass and Reflection of opposite side

31 May: 



















Stockholm.  after break fast took the train at 1005  for Stockholm via Kongsvinger.  Arrived at 11;22  Departed for Karlstad at 11.33. finally arrived at  Karlstad 13.15 aand departed at 13.30  to arrive  Stockholm at 15.55. the trains are in time hence change of trains was not a problem. The train staff generally waits for connecting trains.Went to Hotel Scandic Norra Bantorget.  200mtr from Rail stn.
After little rest went to see the famous  Vasa Museam where the sunken ship has been recovered and placed with full beauty.

Vasa Museam

There after walked through Gamala Stan saw the Stockholm Marathon,The Royale Palace and Nobel Peace Museum.

Outside Vasa

Royale Palace

Marathon

Nobel Peace Museam

                             

01 Jun: 



  










Stockholm. today went to the The City Hall in the morning after a longish walk as we lost the way. 

Out side City Hall

City Hall Golden Room

              






After lunch took a tram to ferry station for ferry  at 17.00 Dep for Helsinki.   Tallink Silja Line,  Inside Cabin Silja Symphony was very comfortable. Went around to see the shopping stores and scenic beauty from the deck.

Shopping Store on Ferry

Ferry Deck