Copenhagen City Tour
Excursion Code: E-CPH1
Duration:  approx. 3 hrs
Level: easy to moderate
Price: $57
Copenhagen – the capital of the Kingdom of Denmark since 1417 – is a city in which the modern developments of the 20th century, far from spoiling the atmosphere of history and old-world charm, have been blended with the older buildings and monuments to form a thriving and harmonious environment. On this tour, which is an ideal introduction to the city, you will pass the main highlights within Copenhagen: Town Hall Square, Tivoli Gardens, the New Carlsberg Glyptoteque, the National Museum, Christiansborg Castle – home of the Danish parliament, the old Stock Exchange Børsen as well as the residence of the Royal Family – Amalienborg Palace and the beautiful park, Amaliehaven, at the seafront. During the tour, photo stops are made at the Little Mermaid – the diminutive statue, which has become the world famous symbol of Copenhagen, as well as at Amalienborg Palace before returning to the starting point.

Note: This tour involves limited levels of activity and is therefore considered suitable for all. Tour may be operated in reverse order.

Charming Dragoer Village & Panoramic Copenhagen
Excursion Code: E-CPH2
Duration:  approx. 4 hrs
Level: moderate to more difficult
Price: $82
On this tour which is an ideal introduction to the city, you will pass the main highlights within Copenhagen including the Town Hall Square, Tivoli Gardens, the New Carlsberg Glyptoteque, the National Museum, Christiansborg Castle – home of the Danish parliament (photo stop), the old Stock Exchange and the residence of the Royal Family – Amalienborg Palace and the beautiful park, Amaliehaven, at the seafront (stop). After completing the tour of Copenhagen, drive across the bridge and over to the island of Amager. The beautiful little village called Dragør is located here. In the early sixteenth century, King Christian II invited a group of farmers from the Netherlands to settle here and produce food for the royal household. Twenty-four families arrived, and they and their descendants stayed for three centuries. You still find many Dutch names on the doors in Dragør. Dragør is a cosy village dominated by its characteristic yellow painted houses, red roofs and cobblestone streets and a charming harbour front. During a stroll in the narrow and charming streets you hear about the history of this beautiful small village. The tour of ends at the local hotel, where coffee will be served. Before you return to the pier, a photo stop is made at the Little Mermaid – the diminutive statue which has become the world famous symbol of Copenhagen.

Note: Incl. coffee/tea and pastries. This tour involves some activity and is therefore not considered suitable for passengers having difficulties walking. Tour may be operated in reverse order.

Harbor Cruise & Christiansborg Castle
Excursion Code: E-CPH3
Duration:  approx. 3.5 hrs
Level: moderate
Price: $100 
The tour begins at the quayside with a short sightseeing tour through the city to see highlights that cannot be seen from the boat. You will pass by the Gefion Fountain, Copenhagen's famous fountain and the Church of St. Alban, consecrated in 1897. Traveling through the “Frederiksstad” you will soon arrive at your first stop Amalienborg Palace the residence of the Royal Family during the winter months. The palace consists of four equal size rococo palaces, surrounding a square with a statue of King Christian IV. Here your guide will show you around and tell you about the history of the royal family. Continuing the tour on the coach the next sight to be passed is the famous Nyhavn area. It was constructed in the late 16th century and soon became the favourite haunt for sailors, today it is a fashionable area with sidewalk cafes and restaurants. After arriving at Christiansborg Castle you have a guided tour inside the royal reception rooms. The castle was originally built as residence for the royal family, but has never been used that way as the King preferred Amalienborg Palace. Today it houses the Danish Parliament. You then continue to one of the highlights in this tour – the leisurely canal cruise which allows you to explore Copenhagen from the water. You will pass many exciting spots during your cruise while your guide tells you about the history of the city.  After “Holmen’s Church” and the old Stock Exchange you proceed into the canals of Christianshavn. Boats lie side by side along the jetty – people strolling along the canal in front of the picturesque buildings. Further down the harbor you will see the spectacular Church of our Saviour and the newly opened Copenhagen Opera House located right opposite the Amalienborg Palace. Finally you visit the Little Mermaid, a must see in Copenhagen. Disembark the boat in Langelinie pier for the short walk back to the ship.

Note: Incl. Christiansborg Castle, harbour cruise. This tour involves some activity and is therefore not considered suitable for disabled passengers. In case of extremely high tides the canal tour may be rerouted. Tour may be operated in reverse order.

 

HELSINKI - April 28, 2011

Highlights of Helsinki and Concert
Excursion Code: E-HEL1
Duration:  approx. 3.5 hrs
Level:  easy
Price: $112
Sauna, Sisu and Sibelius are three words often associated with the Finns. Jean Sibelius, the renowned Finnish composer lived outside of Helsinki but was a frequent visitor at the Kämp restaurant, the City Hall and many other places. This city tour will give you a good introduction as you drive through the neo-classical Senate Square, surrounded by public buildings built in the old center in the mid-19th century. You see the Esplanades and drive to the Mannerheim Street passing several historically important buildings and parks. You will make a photo stop at Senate Square and visit the Cathedral with a tall green dome surrounded by four smaller domes. The church was built in 1830–1852 in neoclassical style and was designed by Carl Ludvig Engel. After that you will enjoy a classical musical performance in the German Church. Before the concert there will be a short introduction about Sibelius and his life. Return to the pier.

Note: Incl. concert at church.

ST. PETERSBURG - April 29, 2011

Important: Please note that excursion participants will not need a Visa. If you choose not to purchase the excursion, and explore St Petersburg on your own, you will need to apply for a personal tourist Visa. If so, please contact your travel agency. This needs to be arranged through specialist agencies and via the Russian embassy in your country of residence. Please contact your travel agency.

Video-taping and taking pictures in Russian museums often carries an extra fee (between 2 to 8 Euro), which has to be paid directly to the venue.

Panoramic City Tour      
Excursion Code: E-STP1
Duration:  approx. 3 hrs / afternoon
Level:  easy
Price: $38
St. Petersburg is situated on the banks of the river Neva and numerous islands of its delta. This panoramic city bus tour starts with a drive along the banks of the Neva where a rich parade of sights can be enjoyed; the ochre painted Menshikov’s Palace, the impressive building of Peter the Great’s 12 Ministries, the Academy of Sciences and The Chamber of Curiosities. You continue past the Artillery Museum and pass along the Petrograd side where Art Nouveau architecture flourished at the end of the 19th century. You will see the Aurora cruiser, which signalled the start of the revolution in 1917 by firing a single blank shot from its bow gun. You then cross the Trinity Bridge, from where one can observe the Summer Garden, the oldest park in the city. The coach approaches one of the main landmarks of St. Petersburg – the Church of Resurrection on Spilled Blood built on the site where Alexander II was assassinated on March 1, 1881. We will also pass Nevsky Avenue; Russia’s most famous street that has figured prominently in Russian history and literature. From here the coach turns into the Isaac’s Square dominated by the majestic Saint Isaac Cathedral. We will also pass Decembrists Square on our way back to the ship.

Note: Tour may be operated in reverse order due to current traffic circumstances.

Canal Cruise & Peter and Paul Fortress
Excursion Code: E-STP/
Duration:  approx. 3 hrs / afternoon
Level:  moderate
Price: $50
Start your tour with an interesting cruise over the canals of St. Petersburg to enjoy the view of ancient houses and palaces built along the river banks. Continue the tour with an inside visit of Peter and Paul Fortress, located on a small island in the Neva river delta. The magnificent Cathedral of the Saints Peter and Paul was built between 1712 and 1733 and has been burial church of the Romanov dynasty.  It is considered to be the birthplace of the city and is the city’s highest building at 404 feet. Visit of the fortress and the Peter-and-Paul Cathedral.

Note: Incl. 1 hour Canal boat cruise, entrance fee. Please note, that there is no heating in the boat and we therefore recommend to wear warm clothes. This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties.

 

Catherine Palace, Russian Lunch & Isaac Cathedral 
Excursion Code: E-STP2
Duration:  approx. 8.5 hrs / full day with lunch
Level:  moderate to more difficult
Price: $152
A one-hour drive will take you to Tsarskoe Selo (Puschkin) the former Royal summer residence, with lots of parks and palaces. This masterpiece of world architecture was designed by architect Rastrelli in 1752 for Empress Elizabeth, who named it Catherine Palace in honour of her mother, Catherine I, who originally owned the estate. Rastrelli used a hundred kilograms of pure gold for the exterior gilding and contemporary visitors even complained that the palace blinded their eyes on sunny days! During the tour of the palace you will see the great Staircase and the impression of golden corridors. Of special interest is the Amber Room of the palace, which was once considered to be the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. The amber wall panels were presented to Peter the Great in 1717 by King Friedrich Wilhelm. The existing Amber Room is now a successful restoration. The restoration work is still ongoing in some rooms of the palace after the destructions of the Second World War. After the tour of the palace you may enjoy a short walk in the park. The 1400 acres of grounds are dotted with charming pavilions set around the central lake.
A one-hour transfer will bring you back to St. Petersburg where you will enjoy a traditional Russian lunch served at one of the best local restaurants.
A special treat of the tour is a visit to the magnificent St. Isaac Cathedral (1818 – 1858) which is named after St. Isaac of Dalmatia whose Saint’s Day (May 30) coincides with Peter the Great’s birthday. The vast and opulent interior covers 4 000 sq m. The church is filled with hundreds of impressive 19th century works of art. Some 100 kg of pure gold went into gilding the huge dome. The décor of the church was very expensive since the architect used Russian rose marble, gray marble from Finland, green from Genova/Italy and yellow from Sienna/Italy. The floors are finished in Russian, Italian and French marble. 14 colored marble and 43 other types of semiprecious stones and minerals were used for the decoration of the Cathedral.

Note: Lunch is included. This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties. The terrain may be uneven or steep. Photo and Video Costs are not included.

Hermitage Museum with Gold Room
Excursion Code: E-STP8
Duration:  approx. 3.5 hrs / morning
Level:  easy to moderate
Price: $112
May be combined with excursion E-STP5.

This tour begins with a short drive through the city to the Hermitage Museum. Located on the banks of the river Neva the Winter Palace is home to the Hermitage Museum. The enormous complex comprises five buildings and displays one of the greatest art treasures. A part of the 18th century baroque Winter Palace served as residence of the Russian Tsars, the museum was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great as an exclusive court museum. Today the museum contains more than 3 million exhibits, which rival the Louvre and Prado in architectural, historical and artistic magnificence.
Next building on your way is the Small Hermitage, famous for its exquisite decoration with a marble colonnade, crystal chandeliers and the amazing Peacock Clock. In the Old Hermitage you will see a splendid collection of Italian Renaissance including masterpieces of Leonardo da Vinci and Rafael.
A highlight of this tour will be a visit to the Gold Room. Recently opened after a considerable restoration the Gold Room presents a significant collection of archeological finds – the famous Scythian and Greek gold, numerous royal gifts and a fabulous collection of Western European jewellery made by the most prominent jewellers of the time.

Note: This tour may involve some waiting before entering the Hermitage and approx. 2 hours of walking.  Due to the vastness of the museum, it is not possible to see it all and the areas to be visited will be established by the curator upon arrival. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility.

Walking Tour of St. Petersburg     
Excursion Code:  E-STP5
Duration:  approx. 3.5 hrs / afternoon
Level:  moderate to more difficult
Price: $44
May be combined with excursion E-STP8.
This unique tour is specially designed for people who enjoy walking and seeing a city on foot. A coach will take you from the pier to the downtown area of St. Petersburg and finally proceed to the Bronze Horseman, the most famous monument to the founder of St. Petersburg – Peter the Great. According to a 19th century legend, enemy forces will never take St. Petersburg while the "Bronze Horseman" stands in the middle of the city. From this square you start your walk along the river Neva embankment towards the main square of the city. Then you approach the Palace Square, considered to be the main square of the city. Here you board the coach to continue to the Square of Arts, dominated by the famous monument to Alexander Pushkin. The square itself is a remarkable architectural ensemble and, at the same time, has become one of the most important cultural centres of the city. Every single building facing the square is either a theatre or a museum.  The coach will be waiting on the square while you explore it, and will take you back to the ship along the city’s main street – Nevsky prospect. It is lined with magnificent architectural ensembles and offers a wealth of cultural interests: libraries and museums, palaces and beautiful mansions, numerous theatres and movie houses, clubs, cafes and restaurants.
Note: This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties. The terrain may be uneven or steep

Old Town Walking Tour, incl. Folk Show
Excursion Code: E-TLL1
Duration:  approx. 3.5 hrs
Level:  moderate
Price: $52
A UNESCO World Heritage Site – Tallinn is a wonderfully preserved city of the Hanseatic League. Departing from the pier, your coach will circle around the Old Town, offering magnificent views of the medieval city walls. You disembark and start your guided walking tour in the Upper Town with its watch-towers, graceful spires and winding, cobbled streets. Visit the Russian Orthodox Church, inaugurated in 1900 and the 13th century Gothic style Dome Cathedral. You can view the exterior of the Castle which is now the seat of Estonia’s Parliament. Built on a cliff top the Upper Town provides a superb vantage point from which to admire the red-gabled roofs and spires of the Lower Town. Your tour continues as you follow your guide to the Lower Town. Here you will see the apothecary, which opened in 1422, the Great Guild House and the 15th century Gothic Town Hall. At Blackhead´s, a medieval guild house, you can enjoy a typical folk show. During the show coffee and cake will be served. On the grounds of the Dominican Convent is a colorful market, St. Catherine’s arts and crafts centre, where you can enjoy some free time before rejoining your coach and returning to the pier.

Note: Not suitable for guests with walking difficulties. Incl. folk show and coffee/cake.

Panoramic Tour Tallinn
Excursion Code: E-TLL4
Duration:  approx. 3 hrs
Level:  easy
Price: $36
On this panoramic tour of Tallinn you’ll drive through the city’s cultural heart towards the Cathedral Hill (Toompea). You’ll make a stop at the Tall Herman Tower, one of the three remaining towers from the Knights of the Sword Castle. From the base of the nearby cannon tower you’ll have a wonderful panoramic view of Tallinn’s upper town with its churches and spires. Continue your tour towards Kadriorg Park, a highlight with its charming Baroque palace, designed as a summer residence for Peter the Great. On your drive through this beautiful park you’ll stop at the Song Festival Ground, a natural amphitheater officially said to hold about 150,000 people. It is the venue of many great national song festivals that played such an important role as Estonians campaigned for their independence. Drive to Pirita, where you visit ruins of the St. Bridget’s Convent. As you return to the harbour you’ll drive past the Pirita yacht harbour, the summer residence of count Orlov and the delightful statue of Rusalka, Estonia´s mermaid.

Best of Tallinn by Bicycle
Excursion Code: E-TLL3
Duration:  approx. 3.5 hrs
Level:  more difficult
Price: $52
A great way to discover the recreation area of Tallinn is by bike. You get close to all sights whilst being active at the same time. The route will take you straight from the harbor to the romantic Kadriorg Park and Palace, founded by Peter the Great. You will see the Estonian President’s Residence, modern art museum KUMU, the Estonian Song Festival Grounds and the Memorial complex, a monument of the Soviet times. After passing a contemporary residential area you will reach Pirita beach and the Olympic Yachting Centre. You return to the harbor via the seaside bike road with panoramic views of both the Old Town and the new city centre. Bikes, helmets and vestswill be supplied to all participants at the pier before departure.
 
Note: approx. 8.5 miles by bicycle, incl. bike, helmet, safety vests and instructions.

Lahemaa National Park
Excursion Code: E-TLL6
Duration:  approx. 7 hrs
Level:  moderate to more difficult
Price: $96
This tour gives an opportunity to experience rural Estonia including unique landscapes, nostalgic seaside villages and attractive old manor houses. One of the highlights is the Palmse Manor, an 18th-century baronial property in the heart of the magnificent Lahemaa National Park. With its wooded park, orchards and romantic swan lake it is one of the most beautiful and best-restored estates in the Baltic countries. Created in 1971 to preserve the distinctive landscape of northern Estonia, this protected area was the first to be designated a national park in the former Soviet Union and covers an impressive 280 square miles. Partly a wetland the park offers an opportunity to have a walk in the bog. After a 45-minutes drive to Lahemaa National Park walk on the Viru bog hiking trail. Drive through Võsu and Altja village to Palmse, incl. a photo stop at the village of Altja and the manor house of Sagadi. After arriving in Palmse visit of the manor followed by a coffee break with cake. On the way back to the ship short stop in the upper part of the Old Town of Tallinn.

Note: Incl. coffee break with cake and snack.

Castle Ruin & Idyllic Fishing Village Gudhjem
Excursion Code: E-GU1
Duration: approx. 4 hrs
Level:  moderate to more difficult
Price: $78

Leaving the village of Gudhjem you will be taken on a tour through some of Bornholm’s most remarkable nature. The island offers scenic landscapes, cliffs and beautiful villages. At the northern tip of the island you'll find the impressive medieval fortress of Hammershus. It's the largest castle ruin in Northern Europe and the most popular attraction on Bornholm - a place to capture your imagination and bring the history of Bornholm and times gone by to life. Your guide will take you through this remarkable place and tell you more about it. On the way to Rønne we will pass the village Hasle – one of the old fishing villages of Bornholm. Rønne is the largest town in Bornholm with 14,000 inhabitants and located on the west coast. Your guide will take you through the old streets where you will see old houses as well as the old church originally built by German mariners in the Middle Ages and Denmark’s oldest active theatre dating back to 1823. Leaving Rønne it is time to go inland to visit the village Østerlars where we will pay a visit to the largest round church on Bornholm. The church probably dates back to 1150 and was used both as a place of worship and for protection against enemies from the sea. The roof was added much later when the church had lost its importance as a defensive structure. An inside visit will be made. Returning to Gudhjem your guide will take you through the town to tell you about its history before returning to pier.
Note: Tour may be operated in reverse order. In case of service an alternative church may be visited.

South of Bornholm
Excursion Code: E-GU2
Duration: approx. 4 hrs
Level:  moderate
Price: $78 
Leaving the main town of Bornholm, Rønne – we will soon be on our way through the countryside  and Almindingen nature reserve to Dueodde. Not far from here we will do a stop in one of the many spectacular round churches that Bornholm is well known for. These churches were originally built as a kind of fortification with arrow loops for the knights to shoot at the enemy. Later the cone shaped roofs where added and the churches were used for more peaceful purposes. On the southern tip of the island, Dueodde, you find beautiful beaches – wide and spacey and some of the whitest sand you will ever find. We will take a walk through the dunes where we will see the modern Lighthouse from 1962.

From Dueodde we will drive north along the coast to Svaneke. Svaneke is Bornholm’s smallest town and maybe the most beautiful. There will be a possibility to walk around in this little town and visit the lollipop factory, buy homemade chocolate in the chocolate shop at Svaneke Brewhouse or see glass blowers’ working before you return to Rønne.
   
Note: Tour may be operated in reverse order.

Bornholm on Wheels
Excursion Code: E-RØN1
Duration: approx. 5 hrs
Level:  more difficult
Price: $40

A nice and more active alternative to see this charming island is to do a sightseeing tour on bike! In Gudhjem you collect your bicycle and then following the routes and by-ways you are off for an independent exploration of Bornholm – travelling at your own pace. Bornholm offers a 155 mile bicycle route network with many car-free stretches through forest and countryside.

Note: No guide. Incl. bicycle, helmet