Jewels Of The Baltics And Scandinavia

2012 Season
Departs From: Copenhagen

From 1,642EUR

Length:  16 days from Copenhagen to Stockholm, or 17 days incl. travel

Overview

Denmark’s capital is the starting point on this exploration of the countries surrounding the Baltic Sea. Begin with guided sightseeing in Copenhagen before a ferry crossing takes you to Rostock, Germany, to board your motorcoach. Travel to fascinating Berlin, Germany’s once-again capital; to Poland, with overnights in Poznan and Warsaw; and to Vilnius, Lithuania, where guided sightseeing reveals how this city was influenced by the many invaders who left their marks. Visit the baroque Palace of Rundale on the way to Riga, Latvia’s capital and one of the most beautiful cities in the Baltics. Guided sightseeing shows off the highlights, then cross Gauja National Park and enter Estonia, with a stop in the seaside town of Parnu. Spend two nights in Tallinn and explore its Old Town, then on to Russia for guided sightseeing in Peter the Great’s splendid St. Petersburg. Traveling on the stretch of land between Lake Ladoga and the Baltic Sea, cross back from East to West and arrive in Helsinki, Finland’s capital. See Senate Square and the Cathedral, then embark on an overnight ferry to Stockholm, Sweden, to see the main highlights on a guided tour—the perfect end to a perfect vacation.

Duration:  16 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
26 May, 2012	10 June, 2012
02 June, 2012	17 June, 2012
09 June, 2012	24 June, 2012
16 June, 2012	01 July, 2012
23 June, 2012	08 July, 2012
07 July, 2012	22 July, 2012
21 July, 2012	05 August, 2012
04 August, 2012	19 August, 2012
18 August, 2012	02 September, 2012
25 August, 2012	09 September, 2012
01 September, 2012	16 September, 2012
15 September, 2012	30 September, 2012
22 September, 2012	07 October, 2012

City Highlights

Headsets throughout the tour

Visits to Berlin, Warsaw, Rundales Pils, Parnu

Notes:

Security cruise regulations require clients’ family and first name, D.O.B., gender, and nationality at time of booking.
Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

Scenic Highlights

Gauja National Park

Day 1   Copenhagen, Denmark. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the Danish capital. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)

Day 2   Copenhagen–Ferry Crossing–Berlin, Germany. A morning to enjoy the famed charmes from the past and present, including the Little Mermaid, and the rococo Amalienborg complex of Royal Palaces. In the afternoon, head for Gedser for the two-hour ferry crossing to Rostock. Then, onward by road to Berlin for an overnight. (B)

Day 3   Berlin–Poznan, Poland. The optional morning sightseeing is a must for all who wish to experience the fascinating mix of history-laden past and the confident present. In the afternoon, cross the River Oder into Poland for an overnight in Poznan. (B,D)

Day 4   Poznan–Warsaw. Touring eastwards this morning through pleasant agricultural lowlands, reach the Polish capital, Warsaw, in time for the optional sightseeing with a Local Guide. This is an excellent introduction to Warsaw’s historic center, and you ll see why Warsaw is considered to be a Phoenix "par excellence," as European cities go. (B)

Day 5   Warsaw–Vilnius, Lithuania. Journey northeast by way of Bialystok towards Augustów and Suwalki. We then reach the biggest of the three Baltic states, Lithuania. Overnight in quaint Vilnius—the wedding-cake pretty capital since the 13th century and UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B,D)

Day 6   Vilnius. On the included sightseeing walk, visit the historic streets of the Old Town. Later in the afternoon, enjoy some leisure time or take the optional excursion to visit the medieval Trakai Castle on the shores of a picturesque lake. This evening there’s an optional folklore dinner. (B)

Day 7   Vilnius–Rundales Pils, Latvia–Riga. An interesting journey today as you travel right across Lithuania into Latvia for a stop in Pilsrundale to visit the restored baroque Palace of Rundale, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. The palace was built by the great architect Rastrelli, who also designed the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. More lovely countryside before reaching the capital of Latvia, Riga. (B,L,D)

Day 8   Riga. On the included tour of the Old City with a Local Guide, walk through the narrow streets to the town center. Founded in 1201 by Bishop Albert, head of the Order of Teutonic Knights, Riga still bosts a multicultural population. (B)

Day 9   Riga–Parnu, Estonia–Tallinn. A very interesting itinerary today since it will start with a drive through Gauja National Park, known as “Livonian Switzerland.” After an included lunch in the lively, historic seaside town of Parnu, take a stroll to the sandy beach, before continuing to Tallin for the next two overnights. (B,L)

Day 10   Tallinn. Start the day with an included walking tour to appreciate Tallinn’s history and beauty. The Old Town, now on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is certainly the most interesting part of the city. Also worth noting are the Hanseatic merchant houses, the mile-long town wall, the medieval Town Hall, and the House of the Brotherhood of the Blackheads. (B,D)

Day 11   Tallinn–St. Petersburg, Russia. Drive east today towards the border town of Narva and cross into Russia. Then, start the journey to St. Petersburg, considered by most travelers to be Russia’s most fascinating city. (B,L,D)

Day 12   St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg was created in 1703 by the iron will of Peter the Great. He made it the capital of all the Russias and ensured that it should rival any other European capital in splendor, beauty, and distinction. The included city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the palaces, parks, monuments, squares, wide boulevards, and 600 bridges that delight visitors with their symmetrical beauty; the River Neva adds to the city’s charm. (B)

Day 13   St. Petersburg–Vyborg–Helsinki, Finland. Realize the huge expanse of Russia as you take a last glimpse of St. Petersburg. Set off north, traveling through dense pine forests dotted with numerous lakes. Cross into Finland and head for Helsinki. (B)

Day 14   Helsinki–Overnight Baltic Sea Crossing to Stockholm, Sweden. The included tour of the Finnish capital covers the sedate Empire-style palace on Senate Square and the cathedral. The afternoon is free for your own exploration. In the evening, embark on the Silja Line ferry to Stockholm. On board you can enjoy music, dancing, and shopping. (B)

Day 15   Stockholm. Dock in Stockholm, perhaps the most beautiful of the Scandinavian capitals. The effect of its crystalline waters flowing through the city’s intersecting canals gives a luminous appearance to palaces, castles, and parks. The best way to see and appreciate the highlights of Sweden’s capital is to join the included sightseeing tour with a Local Guide. (B,D)

Day 16   Stockholm. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Meals:  Buffet breakfasts (B); 3 lunches (L); 7 dinners (D)

Hotel Information:  COPENHAGEN Quality Dan (F) at Kastrup, BERLIN Best Western Queens (F), POZNAN Novotel (F), WARSAW MDM (ST), VILNIUS Uniquestay Centrum (ST), RIGA Radisson Blu Latvija (F), TALLINN Kreutzwald (F), ST. PETERSBURG Park Inn Pulkowskaja (F), HELSINKI Scandic Continental (F), STOCKHOLM Quality Nacka (ST)

Guides

Local Guides for city sightseeing in Copenhagen, Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm. Services of a professional Tour Director while touring

Transportation

If transport to or from airport is required, please let us know. Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Ferry Gedser-Rostock. Overnight cruise from Helsinki to Stockholm will be in shared 2-berth cabins with private facilities


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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