Day 1 - Arrive Copenhagen, Denmark
Arrive in Copenhagen and transfer to your luxury vessel
this afternoon. Join fellow guests for an onboard welcome
reception this evening.
Day 2 - At Sea
Leave Copenhagen behind and settle into your luxury small
ship as it makes its way toward Poland. The enrichment
program begins today with the first presentations by your
guest speakers, who provide insight on the history and
culture of the countries on your itinerary. You may also
take advantage of the ship facilities, including relaxing
lounges, panoramic fitness room and sauna.
Day 3 - Gdansk, Poland
Spend the day as you wish in Gdansk, with shore excursions led by our experts on the ground. Perhaps take a guided walking tour through Old Town, visiting the Golden Gate, Artus Court, Gdansk Town Hall, St. Mary’s Church and Neptune’s Fountain before strolling along the Moltawa River. Alternately, visit the Museum of the Second World War, take a scenic countryside drive and pay an introspective visit to the Stutthof concentration camp. Or traverse the Brick Gothic Srodmiescie district to the European Solidarity Center, where you learn about the Solidarity Movement and see where the August Agreements were signed. Finally, choose to visit the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, followed by a lunch of local specialties. Back on board your luxury cruiser, attend a talk by Nobel Peace Prize recipient and former president of Poland Mr. Lech Walesa, followed by cocktails and a meet-and-greet.
Day 4 - Klaipeda, Lithuania
Explore the port city of Klaipeda on an optional walking
tour of Old Town, visiting the old castle grounds, German-style
warehouses and Theatre Square with its Simon Dach
Fountain, followed by a visit to the new Museum 39-45.
Alternately, stop by the oldest Lithuanian brewery for a tour
and tasting, or visit a nearby cattle farm. Return to the ship
in time for lunch and enjoy a relaxing afternoon cruising.
Day 5 - Riga, Latvia
Soak up the charms of Latvia with a day trip to its quirky capital, Riga. Join a walking tour of the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and attend an organ concert in the Dome Cathedral. Discover Riga’s famed Art Nouveau-style architecture, which encompasses about one-third of the city center buildings. Opt for a walking stroll featuring some of the most remarkable façades, and visit the Art Nouveau Museum, with its authentic 1903 interior. Foodies can choose to whet their appetites with a visit to the bustling Central Market followed by a hands-on cooking class in one of Riga’s top restaurants. For a more active experience, a bike ride takes you through Riga’s Old Town as well as the park-like Great Cemetery, where you learn about Latvian family traditions.
Day 6 - Stockholm, Sweden
Arriving in Stockholm this afternoon, choose from one
of several excursions ashore. Perhaps take a walking tour
of Gamla Stan (Old Town), reveling at the Storkyrkan
cathedral and Stortorget; then, visit the Royal Palace.
Alternately, explore Stockholm City Hall, with its iconic
spire featuring the Swedish national coat of arms. You may
instead see a 17th-century Swedish warship and recovered
artifacts at the Vasa Museum, followed by a drive through
the city center. Or take a thrilling guided tour from the
rooftop of the Old Parliament House. Finally, you may
partake in a Nordic food experience, sampling Swedish
specialties from local purveyors.
Day 7 - Stockholm
Continue exploring Stockholm, perhaps visiting Drottningholm Palace and Theater. Art lovers can take an art tour, starting at Milles Garden and proceeding to Waldemarsudde, former home of landscape painter Prince Eugen. See his work and collection of Swedish turn-of-the-19th-century art. This afternoon, either soak up the breathtaking views of Stockholm from the city’s rooftops, visit the famous 17th-century ‘Vasa’ warship or take a guided walk through Old Town.
Day 8 - Tallinn, Estonia
Disembark in Tallinn and take a guided walking tour of
the city’s Old Town, admiring Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
and vistas from atop Dome Hill. Then, see the main square,
home to the Town Hall, St. Mary’s Cathedral and the oldest
pharmacy in Europe. End the day sampling medieval dishes
at a neighborhood restaurant. Opt for a taste of nature,
leaving the city behind for a brisk bog walk through the
enchanting Estonian forest. Or instead, drive past Tallinn’s
Old Town en route to Lahemaa National Park, where you
sample Estonian vodka or herbal teas alongside local nibbles
at Palmse Manor.
Day 9 - Helsinki, Finland
Uncover the charms and traditions of Helsinki on a number
of included excursions. Take a panoramic tour and see
Embassy Park and Helsinki Cathedral in Senate Square.
Continue along Mannerheim Street — Helsinki’s main
thoroughfare — and see the Parliament House; the National
Museum of Finland; Finlandia Hall, the stadium that hosted
the 1952 Olympics; and the new Opera House. Then visit
the unique underground Temppeliaukio Church and the
Sibelius Monument. Alternately, explore medieval Porvoo,
which includes a guided cruise along the Porvoo River and parts of the Gulf of Finland archipelago. At Haikko Manor,
sit down to a waterfront lunch. Return to Helsinki for a brief
city tour, stopping at Sibelius Park and Senate Square before
passing the Market Square, Uspenski Cathedral and the
Presidential Palace. Others may decide to relax like a local
with a Finnish sauna experience and nature walk.
Day 10 - St. Petersburg, Russia
Bid farewell to your ship and crew and disembark in
St. Petersburg for three days of exploration. Art
connoisseurs can view the famous Impressionist collection
at the Hermitage General Staff Building, including works
from Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh and Matisse. History buffs
can tour St. Isaac’s Cathedral, adorned with ornate mosaics,
icons and columns of malachite and lapis lazuli. Should you
prefer, visit Peter and Paul Fortress as well as the Fabergé
Museum. Finally, you can partake in a cooking class, where
you prepare brilliantly hued Russian borscht alongside a
local chef. Then, check in to your luxurious hotel, where
your luggage awaits. Gather early this evening to pay an
after-hours visit to the opulent Hermitage Museum, seeing
its collection of artworks from the Stone Age to modern
times.
Day 12 - St. Petersburg
Enjoy further exploration of St. Petersburg for the next two
days. Gain early access to Rococo-style Catherine Palace
and its storied Amber Room. Continue to Peterhof, viewing
the breathtaking Grand Cascade. Stroll through the park
and witness the palace of Monplaisir before returning
to St. Petersburg by private hydrofoil. Alternately, view the Impressionist collection at the Hermitage Museum,
followed by a visit to St. Isaac’s Cathedral, or visit Peter and
Paul Fortress and the Fabergé Museum. This evening, enjoy
a private farewell dinner, complete with live entertainment.
The next day, select from the excursions you may have
missed, or enjoy time exploring on your own.
Day 13 - Depart St. Petersburg
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home, or continue on A&K’s group extension to Moscow.