Expedition Details
Traveling aboard the National Geographic Explorer, discover the magnificent cities of the Baltic Sea. Visit the great maritime capitals of Stockholm and Helsinki; see the historic shipyards of Gdańsk, Poland; stroll through medieval towns; and spend three days in the cultural mecca of St. Petersburg.Trip Highlights
- 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.
- Meet with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Lech Walesa, who led the Solidarity movement that transformed Poland.
Itinerary - 16 Days
Days 1 & 2 — U.S./St. Petersburg, Russia
Depart on an overnight flight to St. Petersburg. Upon arrival, check into our centrally located five-star hotel. Gather for a welcome dinner tonight.
Grand Hotel Europe (D)
Days 3 & 4 — St. Petersburg
Experience Peter the Great's spectacular "window to the West." Step into the Peter and Paul Fortress, the burial place of most modern tsars; visit the golden-domed St. Isaac's Cathedral; and admire the treasures of the Hermitage Museum. Explore the cascading fountains of the summer palace at Petrodvorets. Then enjoy a night on your own to discover the city's fine restaurants and attend an optional musical performance in Catherine the Great's private theater at the Hermitage.
(Day 3 B, L, D; Day 4 B, L)
Day 5 — St. Petersburg
Visit the opulent Catherine Palace in Pushkin, and enjoy a traditional Russian lunch. This afternoon, embark the National Geographic Explorer, docked within sight of the Hermitage, and take in views of this glorious city as we glide out along the Neva River.
(B,L,D)
Day 6 — 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 7 — Helsinki, Finland
Awaken in regal Helsinki, and set out on a walking tour that highlights the Russian influence on Finnish architecture. See the magnificent Cathedral Tuomiokirkko; meander through a busy open-air market; and take a ferry ride to the Suomenlinna Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
(B,L,D)
Day 8 — Stockholm, Sweden
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 9 — 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 specialities tonight.
(B,L,D)
Day 10 — 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 11 — 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 12 — At Sea
As the ship continues south toward Poland, enjoy a relaxing day on board.
(B,L,D)
Day 13 — 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 14 — 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 15 — 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 Han-seatic and Renaissance architecture, and take a walking tour after lunch.
(B,L,D)
Day 16 — Copenhagen, Denmark/U.S.
After breakfast, disembark in Copenhagen. Stop briefly to see the famed statue of "The Little Mermaid." Then continue to the airport for your flight home.
(B)
Optional Extension
- Moscow - Pre- or Post-Trip Extension, 4 Days
View LargerExpedition Team
Accompanying each expedition is a diverse team of experts — from naturalists to regional specialists — who will share their knowledge and insights on the wildlife, landscapes, and local culture. See one of the members of our extraordinary team below.
Gilbert Grosvenor
Gilbert Grosvenor is the Chairman of the National Geographic Society’s Board of Trustees and the Education Foundation. He retired in 1996 as President—the fifth generation of his family to serve in that position. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004. Alexander Graham Bell, Gil’s great-grandfather, was the Society’s second President.
Gilbert will join the following departure:
Sep 05 - 20, 2009
This trip is offered in association with Lindblad Expeditions.
Expedition Costs
Airfare is not included in the expedition cost. Economy airfare from New York to St. Petersburg, and return from Copenhagen to Newark, is from $995 (subject to change).
Special Offer
Receive $1,500 off per person plus complimentary round-trip airfare between New York and Copenhagen/St. Petersburg.
This offer is available on the September 5 and 13, 2009 departures.
