Travel-Learn Program

When: August 10, 2012 - August 21, 2012 (iCal)

Description

Embark on this voyage to some of Northern Europe’s legendary ports aboard Oceania Cruises’ elegant MARINA. Discover distant monarchies, Baroque palaces, and stunning cosmopolitan harbors as we cruise to the reborn Baltic States. Sail from Copenhagen to the German port of Warnemunde and stroll along its seaside promenade. Visit Gdansk, a medieval Polish city with a shipyard famous for the modern Solidarity movement. Then it’s on to Latvia’s capital, Riga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dubbed the “Paris of the Baltics.” In Estonia, take in Tallinn’s stunning architecture and then head to imperial St. Petersburg, a city of beautiful palaces and onion-domed cathedrals. Finally, we visit Helsinki before concluding our journey in Stockholm. An optional Copenhagen Pre-Cruise and Stockholm Post-Cruise programs will be available. Vivid memories await us as we sail the legendary Baltic Sea.

Activity level: Moderately Active

Featuring Faculty Host

Professor Vida Johnson

Download the program brochure.

For Early Booking Incentive and to avoid disappointment of a sold out program, register now!

Cost

From $8,998 per person, double occupancy, includes air, on space available basis.

Contact

For more information,contact Usha Nand Sellers Ed. D., Director Tufts Travel-Learn Program, at usha.sellers@tufts.edu or 617-627-5323.

Itinerary

Day 1-Depart the U.S.A

Day 2-Arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark and transfer to Marina

At each port of call, our travelers may explore on their own, or select optional excursions as described below, available at additional cost.

Day 3-Berlin (Warnemünde), Germany

Discover Warnemünde and its Gothic Church, market square, and seaside promenade. Or, take a scenic drive to Berlin, and see landmarks including the Brandenburg Gate and Charlottenburg Palace. Stroll down Unter den Linden, see the site of the Berlin Wall, and take a boat ride along the city’s canals. Explore on your own and perhaps visit one of the many museums.

Optional excursions include: Amazing Rostock, Highlights of Warnemünde, the Streets and Canals of Berlin, Echoes of the Past-Jewish Heritage, Mecklenburg Countryside & Narrow Gauge Railway, Fairy Tale castle Schwerin, and Medieval Flavors of Rostock

Day 4-Rønne (Bornholm), Denmark

Largely rebuilt after World War II, Rønne retains the historical charm because even the new buildings reflect the older architecture. Don’t miss its charming Old Town, the 14th-century St. Nicholas Church, or the massive round-tower castle and its military museum in the south of Rønne.

Optional excursions include: Cold War Prelude-Occupation of Bornholm, Sea Glass Studio & Round Church, and the Best of Bornholm

Day 5-Gdańsk (Gdynia), Poland

Discover the old medieval quarter of this Baltic jewel and see the handsome Golden Gate, the astonishing 15th-century Artus Court, beautiful St. Mary’s Church, and Oliwa Cathedral, renowned for its three pipe organs. Consider a visit to Solidarity Monument Square and the famous shipyard where workers rallied against the communist government. Or perhaps see Malbork Castle, a picturesque 13th-century fortress once home to Polish kings.

Optional excursions include: Highlights of Gdańsk, Historic Gdańsk & Oliwa, Panoramic Gdańsk, and Stutthof & Gdańsk City Tour.

Day 6-Visby, Sweden

Explore this former Hanseatic League town with its narrow, winding lanes, medieval church ruins, and impressive St. Mary’s Cathedral. Or visit a Bronze Age burial in the midst of farmland and take in the cliff top view of the dramatic coastline.

Optional excursions include: Medieval Visby, Visby Walk and Historical Museum, and A Taste of Gotland.

Day 7-Riga, Latvia

The capital of Latvia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, vibrant Riga has been deemed the “Paris of the Baltics.” Cobbled medieval streets, Art Nouveau architecture, large parks, and a historic Old Quarter make Riga a top destination.

Optional excursions include: Turaida and Sigulda, Riga-Jewish Heritage Tour, Art and Architecture of Riga, and Charming Riga-The Pearl of the Baltic.

Day 8-Tallin, Estonia

Stroll through this beautifully preserved medieval town and discover its upper and lower levels, the Guild Houses, Baroque palaces, the famous Apothecary shop, and the exquisite Town Hall. Or visit a recreated rural Estonian village by the sea.

Optional excursions include: Highlights of Tallinn, Gothic Treasures of Tallinn, and Tallinn & Old Town.

Day 9 & 10-St. Petersburg, Russia

Explore breathtaking St. Petersburg and cruise its canals. Consider a visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress, the fabulous onion-domed cathedrals, and the palaces – from the immense Winter Palace, now the Hermitage Museum, to the fabled Catherine’s Palace and Peterhof outside the city. Perhaps attend a ballet performance or a traditional Russian song and dance show, or take a day trip to Moscow. Highlights in Moscow include the Kremlin Towers, the Armory Museum with the world famous Fabergé eggs, Cathedral Square, Red Square, Lenin’s Tomb, and St. Basil’s Cathedral.

Optional excursions include: Highlights of St. Petersburg, The Hermitage- a Wealth of Art and History, Yusupov Palace and Canal Cruise, Evening of Russian Song and Dance, Peter the Great’s Grand Palace-Peterhof, St. Isaac’s Cathedral-Kazan Cathedral & Spilled Blood Cathedral, Catherine’s Palace in Pushkin, Jewish Heritage of St. Petersburg, Exclusive Peterhof Pavilions of Russian Tsarinas, and The Best of Moscow.

Day 11-Helsinski, Finland

See the city’s historical buildings as well as its striking modern architecture, and visit its parks and open-air market. For a different perspective, take a harbor cruise past forests, villas, and Suomenlinna fortress, a ruined fortification spanning five islands. Or visit historic, colorful Porvoo, Finland’s second oldest town.

Optional excursions include: Highlights of Helsinki, Scenic Helsinki Harbor Cruise, Picturesque Porvoo, Suomenlinna Fortress, Beautiful Haikko Manor, Nordic Walk & Sauna, and Discover Helsinki by Vintage Tram.

Day 12-Stockholm, Sweden

Disembark Marina and transfer to the airport for return flight.

Optional shore excursions are preliminary and subject to change.