Scandinavia, Russia & Baltic Cruise
August 28-September 6, 2008
Activity Level: Level Three

When the golden twilight stretches into the next day’s dawn, this MSC cruise on the beautiful cruiseship Lirica, will wind its way through the Sandinavian archipelagos to reveal the true essence of Northern Europe. Drift past the Little Mermaid to fun-loving Copenhagen. Step back in time as the fairy tale towns of Tallinn and Visby, both surrounded by medieval walls, are revealed.
From the ancient czarist capital of St. Petersburg and the treasures of the Hermitage to the stunning natural beauty of the Scandinavian landscape – aboard and ashore, this Northern European cruise is more than just another destination.

Days One & Two:
Our flight departs on August 28 from Omaha, arriving early afternoon August 29th. We overnight in Copenhagen, giving you ample time to explore this fascinating Scandinavian city before we are transferred to our cruise ship the afternoon of August 30th.

Beautiful Copenhagen. You will feel the Danish influence around every corner as you explore this wonderful city. Experience the City Hall Square with its famous pedestrian street Stroget. Visit the Tivoli Gardens, and history will come alive at the Old Stock Exchange with its distinctive dragon spire and Royal Theatre. And of course your trip to Copenhagen would not be complete without seeing their most famous landmark, the statue of The Little Mermaid, honoring Denmark’s favorite author, Hans Christian Andersen.

Stockholm, Sweden. Cruise the pristine islands of the Swedish Archipelago as we approach Stockholm in early morning. This fascinating capital of Sweden is made up of 14 rocky islands, connected by more than 50 bridges.

Visby, Sweden dating back centuries and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995, Visby is surrounded by medieval walls. Experience the cobbled streets, quaint cottages, spectacular flower gardens, fascinating shops and visit the St. Mary’s Cathedral, which has been beautifully restored. St. Petersburg, Russia is considered the cultural heart of modern day Russia. Built by Peter the Great in the 18th century, St. Petersburg recently celebrated its 300th anniversary. While here, visit the Hermitage, showcasing an unrivalled collection of Russian art, along with Palace Square, the focal point of Russia’s great political struggles. Take in the spectacular Peterhof, the brilliant summer residence of royalty and see the statue of Peter the Great.

Kiel, Germany is considered the “City of Fresh Air”. Kiel is the capital of Schleswig-Holstein. This stop will feature churches dating back to the 13th century,the Old Maritime Museum and City Hall. Kiel’s famous castle has now been rebuilt to house a modern concert hall. Explore the fascinating architecture of Europlaplatz and shop in their many pedestrian neighborhoods.

Tallinn, Estonia - Medieval Capital
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia is filled with Old World charm. Visit the Old Town of the city, which is like a museum of medieval architecture, then don’t miss visiting The Town Hall Square, which functioned as a marketplace even before the Town Hall itself was built. The square was used for celebrations, but also for executions. Today, the square is a social focus of the city, filled with outdoor cafes in the summer, as well as open-air concerts, handicraft fairs and medieval markets.

Be sure to take in the Kiek in de Kök, the most powerful cannon tower in 16th-century Northern Europe, or The Viru Gates originally built in the years 1345-1355, the main entryway in the Town Wall, or you may want to explore the 14th century Toompea Castle or the Medieval Dome Church.

Day 10 After deboarding our cruiseship the morning of September 6th, we catch our flight back home with wonderful memories of our Northern European Cruise.

Cruise Itinerary:

Cruise Day 1 - Sat: Port: Copenhagen
Departure: 6:00 PM

Cruise Day 2 - Sun: Port: Kiel
Arrival: 8:00 AM Departure: 4:00 PM

Cruise Day 3 - Mon: Port: Visby
Arrival: 2:00 PM Departure: 7:30 PM

Cruise Day 4 - Tues: Port: Stockholm
Arrival: 8:30 AM Departure: 4:30 PM

Cruise Day 5 - Wed: Port: Tallinn
Arrival: 9:00 AM Departure: 4:00 PM

Cruise Day 6 - Thurs: Port: San Petersburg
Arrival: 7:00 AM Departure: 7:00 PM

Cruise Day 7 - Fri: Port: At Sea

Cruise Day 8 - Sat: Port: Copenhagen
Arrival: 9:00 AM

For more information write to: tconcepts@hamilton.net or call 402-694-5731 or 800-759-1006.

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