Expedition Details
Traveling aboard the National Geographic Explorer, discover the magnificent cities of the Baltic Sea. Meet former presidents Lech Walesa and Mikhail Gorbachev, stroll through medieval towns, visit the great maritime capital of Stockholm, and spend three days in stunning St. Petersburg.Trip Highlights
- Meet with Lech Walesa, former President of Poland in Gdańsk; and Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the Soviet Union in St. Petersburg.
- View one of the world's greatest art collections at the Hermitage Museum, and stay at St. Petersburg's five-star Grand Hotel Europe.
- Venture into the medieval Old Towns of Lübeck, Riga, and Tallinn, designated UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- Explore the tiny islands of the Stockholm Archipelago by kayak or on nature walks.
- Moscow - Pre-Trip Extension, 4 Days
Itinerary - 16 Days
Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Copenhagen, Denmark
Depart on an overnight flight to Copenhagen. Enjoy lunch and stop to see the famous "Little Mermaid" statue, which honors the work of Denmark's favorite author, Hans Christian Andersen. Embark the National Geographic Explorer and enjoy a welcome dinner on board tonight.
(L,D)
Day 3 — Lübeck, Germany
Today the ship turns toward the northern coast of Germany, and makes its way into the canals of Lübeck, the medieval capital of the Hanseatic League. Glide along the canals on a boat ride, examine the Hanseatic and Renaissance architecture, and take a walking tour after lunch.
(B,L,D)
Day 4 — Christiansø and Bornholm Islands, Denmark
Travel by Zodiac to the small island of Christiansø. Wander through an artists' village that occupies the site of an 18th-century castle. Continue to the larger island of Bornholm, and explore the ruins of Denmark's largest fortress.
(B,L,D)
Day 5 — Gdańsk, Poland
Poland's Solidarity movement was born in the Gdańsk shipyards. Today, visit the Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers and a museum detailing the history of the fall of communism in Poland. In Gdańsk's charming Old Town, tour Artus Court, a magnificent 15th-century guildhall. Then, by special arrangement, meet with the former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Lech Walesa.
(B,L,D)
Day 6 — At Sea
As the National Geographic Explorer continues north toward Riga, enjoy a relaxing day on board.
(B,L,D)
Day 7 — Riga, Latvia
A member of the Hanseatic League, Riga is renowned for its architectural diversity—a combination of romantic, art nouveau, neo-Gothic, neo-baroque, and ultramodern styles. Venture into its 14th-century castle, and take a walk around the Great Guild Hall Square in the heart of the old city.
(B,L,D)
Day 8 — Visby, Gotland, Sweden
Known as the "city of ruins and roses," Visby was once an important Viking trading post and has been inhabited for more than 5,000 years. Browse an impressive collection of Viking artifacts at the Fornsal Museum, explore the walled old city, and wander through a display of local flora at the botanical gardens.
(B,L,D)
Day 9 — Stockholm
Spend the day discovering the charming city of Stockholm. Visit the Vasa Museum to see its notorious 17th-century warship—the prize of King Gustavus Adolphus's navy that sank on its maiden voyage. Then stroll the cobbled streets of Gamla Stan, Stockholm's pastel-hued Old Town dating back to the 13th century.
(B,L,D)
Day 10 — Stockholm Archipelago
The ship navigates the stunning islands of the Stockholm Archipelago today. This afternoon, explore pristine shores on hikes or by kayak. Gather for a meal of local specialties tonight.
(B,L,D)
Day 11 — Mariehamn, Aland Islands, Finland
Politically part of Finland, linguistically Swedish, and culturally autonomous, the Aland islanders are proud inhabitants of a naturally beautiful archipelago that is also home to a wonderful maritime museum. We'll explore by foot, as well as Zodiac and kayak.
(B,L,D)
Day 12 — Tallinn, Estonia
Enclosed by walls and turrets, Tallinn's Hanseatic Old Town is one of the Baltics' best preserved medieval cities. On a walking tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site, stroll past the bustling cafés and galleries of the Town Hall Square, and visit the Church of St. Nicholas. From the top of Dome Hill, gaze at a skyline that bristles with pointed gables and spires. If you wish, have dinner ashore and explore the city by night.
(B,L,D)
Day 13 — St. Petersburg, Russia
As the Explorer noses into the port of St. Petersburg, take in views of this glorious city. Visit the opulent Catherine Palace in Pushkin, and attend an optional musical performance in Catherine the Great's private theater at the Hermitage this evening.
Grand Hotel Europe (B,L)
Days 14 & 15 — St. Petersburg
Experience Peter the Great's spectacular "window to the West" during the next two days. Step into the Peter and Paul Fortress, the burial place of most modern tsars, and visit the golden-domed St. Isaac's Cathedral. Admire the treasures of the Hermitage Museum and explore the cascading fountains of the summer palace at Petrodvorets.
(B, L, D daily)
Day 16 — St. Petersburg/U.S.
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
(B)
Optional Extension
View LargerExpedition Team
A diverse team of experts, including naturalists, historians, and a National Geographic photographer, will accompany each expedition aboard the National Geographic Explorer. See one of the members of our extraordinary team below.
Sisse Brimberg
Sisse Brimberg and Cotton Coulson, based in Denmark, are two highly experienced photographers who have also been partners in marriage for 30 years. Collectively they have photographed over 50 stories for National Geographic magazine and National Geographic Traveler during the past 32 years. They have spent most of their careers working in Europe shooting stories from the Arctic and Scandinavia, to Italy and France. Both Sisse and Cotton have been awarded prizes by Pictures of the Year International, the National Press Photographers Association, White House Press Photographers Association, and Communication Arts.
Sisse will join the following departures:
Sep 06 - 21, 2010 • Aug 28 - Sep 12, 2011Sep 05 - 20, 2011
This trip is offered in association with Lindblad Expeditions.
Expedition Costs
Airfare is not included in the expedition cost. Economy airfare from Newark to Copenhagen, and return from St. Petersburg to New York, is $995 (subject to change).
Special Offer
Book by October 29, 2010 and receive the following per person savings on our August 28 and September 5, 2011 departures:
$1,000 off Category 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 cabins
$1,500 off Category 6 and 7 cabins
