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JEWELS OF THE BALTICS & SCANDINAVIA -
2010
17 days incl. air, or 16 days from
Copenhagen to Stockholm (CO-6930)
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Vacation Overview
Denmark’s capital is the starting point of this vacation
that explores the countries surrounding the Baltic Sea. Begin with a
guided sightseeing tour of Copenhagen before a ferry crossing takes you
to Rostock, Germany. Board your motorcoach and travel to the fascinating
city of Berlin, Germany’s “once-again” capital. Continue to Poland with
overnights in Poznan and Warsaw, Poland’s capital. Cross the Lithuanian
border and arrive in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania since the 13th
century. A guided tour reveals how this city was influenced by the many
invaders who left their marks. Travel across Lithuania to Latvia. Visit
the delicate baroque Palace of Rundale, the former summer residence of
the Duke of Courland, on the way to Riga, Latvia’s capital and one of the
most beautiful cities in the Baltics. A guided sightseeing tour of Riga
shows you the highlights, including the Riga Castle and the Dome
Cathedral. Cross Gauja National Park before entering Estonia, with a stop
in the seaside town of Parnu. Spend two nights in Tallinn, Estonia’s
capital, and enjoy a guided tour to explore its Old Town, now a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Travel to Russia to reach Peter the Great’s
marvelous St. Petersburg, considered by most travelers to be Russia’s
most fascinating city. A guided sightseeing tour shows you the best of
the city. Traveling on the stretch of land between Lake Ladoga and the
Baltic Sea, cross back from East to West and reach Helsinki, Finland’s
capital. Your stay in Helsinki includes free time and a tour featuring
the Senate Square and the Cathedral. Embark on an overnight ferry to
Sweden. Dock in Stockholm, Sweden’s capital, and enjoy the main city
highlights on a guided tour. What a perfect ending to your Eastern Europe
and Scandinavia vacation. This is a trip of a lifetime!
Itinerary
Day 1 Fri.
BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day 2 Sat.
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 3 Sun.
COPENHAGEN-BERLIN, GERMANY
A morning to enjoy Hans
Christian Andersen’s friendly city. Sightseeing includes the Little Mermaid sitting on her rock
by the Langeline Promenade, and the rococo Amelienborg Palace. In the
afternoon, drive to Gedser for the two-hour ferry crossing to Rostock.
Then, past Lake Plaurer to Berlin for an overnight. (B)
Day 4 Mon.
BERLIN-POZNAN, POLAND
No longer divided but
every bit as fascinating, Berlin is the new German capital shadowed by a
tragic past yet clearly set for a bright future. The old West Berlin now
merges with the new East Berlin into a harmonic blend of imperial and
contemporary architectural styles. See it all on the optional sightseeing
tour. Also take a stroll down the Kurfürstendamm, aptly described by
novelist Tom Wolfe as the “longest coffee shop in Europe.” In the
afternoon, cross the River Oder into Poland for an overnight in Poznan.
(B,D)
Day 5 Tue.
POZNAN-WARSAW
Warsaw
Travel eastwards this
morning across the flat Polish lowlands to the country’s capital, Warsaw.
This afternoon, join the optional sightseeing with a Local Guide. This is
an excellent introduction to Warsaw’s historic center, magnificently
restored after massive wartime destruction. (B)
Day 6 Wed.
WARSAW-VILNIUS, LITHUANIA
Journey northeast by way
of Bialystok towards Augustow and Suwalki. Cross the Lithuanian border
for the relatively short drive to Vilnius for an early evening arrival.
(B,D)
Day 7 Thu.
VILNIUS
Vilnius has been the
capital of Lithuania since the 13th century and the old town reflects in
its architecture the influence of the various peoples who have at
different times been the dominant force. Lithuanians, Russians, Jews,
Muslims, and Swedes all contributed to the creation of this city. After breakfast,
join the included city sightseeing tour. The itinerary will take in St.
Stanislav’s Cathedral, Gedeminas’ Castle, St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s
Church, St. Anna’s Church, the Gate of Dawn, and the old university.
Later in the afternoon, enjoy some leisure time or take the optional
excursion to visit Trakai Castle. This evening there’s an optional
folklore dinner. (B)
Day 8 Fri.
VILNIUS-PILSRUNDALE, LATVIA-RIGA
An interesting journey
today as you travel right across Lithuania into Latvia for a stop in Pilsrundale
to visit the 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 Riga. (B,L,D)
Day 9 Sat.
RIGA
The capital of Latvia is
rightly considered one of the most beautiful towns in the Baltics. On the
included tour of the old city with a Local Guide, you will be briefed on
some of the most eventful parts of the city’s 800-year history. Founded
in 1201 by Bishop Albert, head of the Order of Teutonic Knights, the old
town is a mixture of narrow streets, parks, river banks, and a canal
flanked by old houses and lofty church spires. The main sights in the old
town are Riga Castle and the Dome Cathedral. (B)
Day 10 Sun.
RIGA-PARNU, ESTONIA-TALLINN
A very interesting
itinerary today since it will start with a drive through the Gauja
National Park, known as the “Livonian Switzerland,” a land dotted with
castles, parks, picturesque countryside, and a variety of fauna and flora
seen only here. The park is traversed by the Gauja River. Next, head to
the Baltic coastline for the drive to the Estonian border and a stop in
Parnu, Estonia’s most fashionable seaside resort. Then, travel northwards
to Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, for two overnights. (B,L,D)
Day 11 Mon.
TALLINN
Start the day with an
included sightseeing 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)
Day 12 Tue.
TALLINN-ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
Drive east today towards
the border town of Narva with the impressive Hermann Fortress. Then,
start the journey to St. Petersburg, considered by most travelers to be
Russia’s most fascinating city. (B,L,D)
Day 13 Wed.
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. Palaces, parks,
monuments, squares, wide boulevards, and 600 bridges delight visitors with
their symmetrical beauty, and the River Neva adds to the city’s charm.
During World War II the city was besieged for 900 days and much of it was
destroyed, along with hundreds of thousands of its inhabitants. This
morning’s included sightseeing excursion will acquaint you with the best
of the city’s highlights. (B)
Day 14 Thu.
ST. PETERSBURG-VYBORG, FINLAND-HELSINKI
Realize the huge expanse
of Russia as you take a last glimpse of St. Petersburg. Set off north,
traveling between Lake Ladoga to the east and the Gulf of Finland to the
west, before crossing into Finland and its capital, Helsinki. (B)
Day 15 Fri.
HELSINKI-BALTIC SEA CROSSING-STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
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 16 Sat.
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 17 Sun.
YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
(B)
Note:
Security cruise regulations require clients’ family and first
name, D.O.B., gender, and nationality at time of booking.
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
Airport transfers may be included when you make your
international flights arrangements.
Dates
and Prices
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Departure
Details
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Departure
Date
|
Tour
Start Date
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Return
Date
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Land/Cruise
Price Only
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Status
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4/30/2010
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5/1/2010
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5/16/2010
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$2,355.00
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Available
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5/14/2010
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5/15/2010
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5/30/2010
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$2,355.00
|
Available
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5/28/2010
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5/29/2010
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6/13/2010
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$2,399.00
|
Available
|
|
6/11/2010
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6/12/2010
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6/27/2010
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$2,399.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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6/25/2010
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6/26/2010
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7/11/2010
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$2,399.00
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Available
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7/9/2010
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7/10/2010
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7/25/2010
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$2,399.00
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Available
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7/23/2010
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7/24/2010
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8/8/2010
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$2,399.00
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Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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8/6/2010
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8/7/2010
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8/22/2010
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$2,369.00
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Available
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8/27/2010
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8/28/2010
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9/12/2010
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$2,369.00
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Available
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9/10/2010
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9/11/2010
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9/26/2010
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$2,369.00
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Available
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9/24/2010
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9/25/2010
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10/10/2010
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$2,355.00
|
Available
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Popular Departure - due
to itinerary and time of year, this departure historically sells out
quickly. Early booking is encouraged.
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