Royal Discoveries in Russia & Scandinavia

Family tour of cultural and historical heritage

Royal palaces, ships and a modern-day royal wedding were all part of a family journey to Russia and Scandinavia designed to coincide with the fairytale wedding of Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling, now Prince Daniel. Beginning in St. Petersburg, the family met the specially selected private guide who showed them the many highlights of the city. Lakani arranged a special after hours private visit of the world famous Hermitage which allowed the family access without the usual crowds. On a full day excursion they enjoyed the magnificent splendor and beauty of the palaces of Pushkin. They spent their last evening in Russia at a ballet at the famous Marinsky Theatre.

A short flight took the family to Helsinki where they dined overlooking the Baltic Sea, took a private cruise through the Helsinki archipelago, and visited the fortress of Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the medieval town of Porvoo, the family strolled the ancient narrow lanes lined with quaint wooden houses.

Cruising to Stockholm aboard a luxury steamer, the summer evening light disguised the late hour and afforded lovely views of the islands along the way. Arriving the next morning, the family joined in the excitement of Northern Europe as prominent citizens and royalty from all over the world gathered for the largest royal wedding in decades. Five hundred thousand people lined the streets hoping for a glimpse of the royal couple, including this small Lakani group who were well positioned to snap the photo above.

In Stockholm they toured the Vasa Museum which houses the impressive 17th century warship built by Swedish Royalty.

On their last day they cruised the city’s waterways to the 16th-century Swedish Royal Palace, Drottningholm. It was a beautiful ending to this tour of palatial elegance and rich cultural heritage.

“It was a hard trip to leave because it was the perfect combination of historical interest, beauty and of course the fantastic wedding.”
–N.L. Family