Scandinavian Fjords & Gems of the Baltic Cruise

Scandinavian Fjords & Gems of the Baltics Cruise – Ms Veendam

10-night ‘Gems of the Baltic' Cruise with ports of call in Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm, Visby, Warnemünde and Aarhus

Copenhagen city tour including ‘Little Mermaid', Rosenborg Castle, view of Amalienborg Castle and an evening tour of Tivoli.
Rail journey on the famous Flam Railway

Itinerary

Day 1. Arrive in Oslo.
On arrival in Oslo, Norway's capital, you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Tonight meet your travel companions during an informal Welcome Reception hosted by your Tour Director.
Oslo, Hotel Bristol.

Day 2. Oslo Sightseeing – Geilo.
This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of Oslo. We continue to the Kon Tiki Museum showcasing Thor Heyerdahl's original Kon Tiki raft, followed by a photo stop with view of the Holmenkollen Ski Jump and panoramic views over Oslo. Our sightseeing concludes with a visit to the unique Vigeland Sculpture Park. This afternoon we bid farewell to Oslo and head westwards to Geilo, a charming mountain town on the way to Norway's fjordland.
Geilo, Dr Holms Hotel.
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Day 3. Flåm Railway – Naeroy and Sogne Fjords – Balestrand.
A day of spectacular scenery and travel experiences awaits! We take the train to Myrdal, where we journey on the famous Flåm Railway, descending about 900m to Flåm in the valley below. Marvel at waterfalls cascading down the steep, snow-capped mountains and farms clinging to sheer slopes. We enjoy lunch at the Fretheim Hotel overlooking the fjord, then cruise through the Naeroyfjord, only 250 metres wide at its narrowest point and recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Cross Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in the world before arriving in Balestrand for our two night stay in guaranteed fjord view rooms.
Two Night Stay: Balestrand, Kvikne Hotel.
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Day 4. Excursion to Briksdal Glacier.
Today enjoy a full day excursion to Briksdal Glacier, a side arm of the Jostedal Glacier icefield. The glacier slope plunges from a height of 1200 metres down to the lush, narrow Briksdal Valley. After lunch at the mountain lodge, we continue in open cars to the foot of the glacier, passing beautiful scenery and crossing the foaming glacier river twice. We return to Balestrand in the afternoon.
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Day 5. Vik – Bergen.
On our journey to Bergen, we visit the famous Hopperstad Stave Church in Vik, reckoned to be one of the oldest stave churches, built around 1140. We arrive in the charming city of Bergen, where this afternoon we take the funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen with spectacular views of the city framed by the sea, fjords and mountains. Tonight we enjoy a Hanseatic evening with dinner at a restaurant in Bergen's historical harbour side district Bryggen
Two Night Stay: Bergen, Radisson SAS Norge.
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Day 6. Bergen Sightseeing.
This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bergen including the famous fish market. We continue to nearby Troldhaugen, the home of composer Edvard Grieg, now a living museum comprising an exhibition centre. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to explore Bergen.
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Day 7. Hardanger Fjord – Lofthus.
We travel to Norheimsund where we take a cruise through the famous Hardangerfjord with views of towering mountains, waterfalls and idyllic orchards. We arrive in Lofthus, Norway's largest fruit-growing village, where the green hills stretch towards the Folgefonna Glacier.
Lofthus, Hotel Ullensvang.
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Day 8. Hardanger Plateau – Oslo – Copenhagen.
Today we return to Oslo travelling over the spectacular Hardanger Plateau. We take a short flight from Oslo to Copenhagen, the Danish capital.
Two Night Stay: Copenhagen, First Skt Petri Hotel.
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Day 9. Copenhagen Sights.
This morning we enjoy a tour of Copenhagen including the famous ‘Little Mermaid' and Rosenborg Castle, housing the Danish Crown Jewels. We continue to Amalienborg Palace, the prime residence of Princess Mary's Danish Royal Family. Every noon, when the Royal family is in residence, the Royal Guard change accompanied by a brass band. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore on your own. Tonight we take an evening tour of the Tivoli, beautifully lit up at night, where we enjoy a special dinner.
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Day 10. Embark cruise.
Spend the morning at leisure in Copenhagen before transferring to your luxurious Holland America Line ship ms Veendam. Your exciting 10-night Gems of the Baltics cruise begins at 5.00 p.m. as your ship departs Copenhagen.
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Day 11. At Sea.
Enjoy a full day at sea to relax and perhaps take time to familiarise yourself with your new surroundings.
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Day 12. Tallinn, Estonia.
This morning arrive in Estonia's capital Tallinn. One of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe, charming Tallinn boasts a web of winding cobblestone streets dating back to the 11th to 15th centuries. Stroll along medieval walls and towers in the Old Town or visit the Baroque Palace in the Upper Town. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is famous for its gleaming mosaics and icons. Or maybe go shopping for linen, a local speciality.
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Day 13. St Petersburg, Russia.
Spend the next two days in St Petersburg, Peter the Great's magnificent ‘Window on Europe,' combining its fascinating Russian heritage with a distinctly European outlook and considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Explore the glories of imperial St Petersburg on an optional excursion or visit the fabulous Hermitage Museum at the Winter Palace, with its world renowned art collection.
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Day 14. St Petersburg, Russia.
Another day in St Petersburg allows for optional excursions to Peterhof Palace with its stunning gardens and fountains or marvel at the Amber Room at Catherine's Palace in nearby Pushkin. Depart St Petersburg at 6.00 p.m
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Day 15. Helsinki, Finland.
Early arrival in Helsinki, one of Europe's most scenic capitals, surrounded by sea and shaped by its bays and off-shore islands. Perhaps take an archipelago cruise, walk the esplanade shopping streets or explore the city's highlights on a sightseeing tour. The more adventurous can even take a flight across the Arctic Circle to Lapland!
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Day 16. Stockholm, Sweden.
There is so much to see in Stockholm, sprawled on 18 islands and often referred to as the ‘Venice of the North.' Stockholm is an ideal place to explore on foot. The central part is relatively small, and things are easy to find. Maybe cruise the sparkling waterways and navigate narrow, medieval streets. Watch the changing of the guards at the Royal Palace or sail into Viking history with a visit to the impressive Vasa Museum.
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Day 17. Visby, Sweden.
Spend the morning in Visby, the ‘Town of Roses and Ruins.' Its history tells of the Viking Age and a flourishing medieval period, still present in the immaculate cobblestone streets. A former Viking site on the island of Gotland, Visby was the main centre of the Hanseatic League in the Baltic from the 12th to the 14th century. Explore one of Sweden's most popular vacation resorts on your own or on an optional city tour.
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Day 18. Warnemünde / Berlin, Germany.
The popular local recreation area of Warnemünde is situated north of the Hanseatic town of Rostock and is one of the most beautiful traditional German resorts on the Baltic coast. Maybe take the opportunity of an optional excursion by train to Germany's exciting capital Berlin with time to explore this once divided city. See the Berlin Cathedral, Checkpoint Charlie, Unter den Linden Boulevard and the stunning Brandenburg Gate. Or, browse the lively Kurfürstendam for the latest fashion, delicate hand-painted porcelain and enjoy a snack of beer and bratwurst.
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Day 19. Aarhus, Denmark.
In Aarhus' Old Town, history comes alive. The Old Town's urban museum boasts 75 historical buildings and period interiors giving visitors ample opportunity to make them feel that they are back in a Danish market several centuries ago. Alternatively, you may wish to take an optional excursion to Legoland.
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Day 20. Depart Copenhagen.
Your wonderful cruise comes to an end this morning after breakfast as you transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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2007 Departure Dates & Prices (AU$)

Port Taxes are additional – add $469.00

What's Included

Inclusions

• Oslo, City tour including Kon Tiki Museum, Holmenkollen Ski Jump and Vigeland Sculpture Park
• Rail journey on the famous Flåm Railway
• Cruise Naeroyfjord, the narrowest and Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in the world
• Full day excursion to Briksdal Glacier
• Vik, Hopperstad Stave Church
• Bergen, funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen
• Bergen, city tour including the famous fish market, historic Bryggen district and Edvard Grieg's house at Troldhaugen
• Hardangerfjord cruise from Norheimsund to Lofthus
• Copenhagen city tour including ‘Little Mermaid', Rosenborg Castle and view of Amalienborg Castle
• Copenhagen, evening tour of Tivoli
• 10-night ‘Gems of the Baltic' Cruise with ports of call in Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm, Visby, Warnemünde and Aarhus

Finest Dining – Includes 46 Meals

• 19 Full breakfasts (B)
• 11 lunches (L)
• 16 dinners – multi-choice or buffets (D)
• Hanseatic evening with dinner at Bergen's harbour side district Bryggen
• Special dinner at Tivoli, Copenhagen

Outstanding Places to Stay

• Two nights Balestrand with guaranteed fjord view rooms of the spectacular Sognefjord
• Two nights Bergen and Copenhagen
• Overnight in Oslo, Geilo and Lofthus
• 10-night ‘Gems of the Baltics' Cruise on board Holland America's ms Veendam in guaranteed outside staterooms

Additional Information

• Single supplement available on application
• Tour Notes. Port charges – add A$285 per person
• Arrival/Departure Transfers on first and last day of package – add A$140 per person
• All departures are guaranteed
• Cruise Upgrades available Contact Us for further details
• Cruise operated in conjunction with Amadeus Waterways
• Pre/Post Tour Accommodation. We offer accommodation before and/or after your tour Contact Us for further details

Tour Notes

• Add Port Charges/Taxes ms Veendam – $469.00 per person
• Dep 24 Jun only: Port Charges/Taxes – add $522.00
• Single travellers must pay single supplement for port charges with Holland America Cruises. Please ask for details.
• Cruise segment are based on ocean-view stateroom Category F. Upgrades to higher categories available on reguest.
• Cruise portion is unescorted
• Note: The cruise itinerary is a guideline only, depending on your choice of optional shore excursions at own expense

The APT Difference

• Services of professional APT Tour Director
• Arrival and departure transfers on first and last day
• Gratuities on land portion of itinerary
• Gratuities on land portion of itinerary

Air$aver Airfares

• International airfares to Copenhagen are not included in the price of your tour. At the time of making your booking, let APT's experts secure you the best airfares available.

Additional Information

• Europe – What to Bring pdf
• Europe – While on Tour pdf
• Europe Travel Documents pdf

Notes:
Airfares not included
Verandah categories are available on a request basis
Taxes are subject to change