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The Little Sea of Great Cultural Treasures:
Travemuende to Hamburg
MS Bremen September 8-21, 2012
Voyage BRE1218
"Over several centuries, large kingdoms, mighty trade associations and the power of belief left
their mark on the cities along the coasts of the Baltic Sea. A veritable treasury for those
interested in culture and history - look forward to exciting insights.“ - Olaf Gräber,
architecture expert |
| Date |
Destination |
| 8-Sep-2012 |
Individual travel
arrangements to Travemuende, departure 19.00 hrs |
| 9-Sep-2012 |
Binz/Ruegen, from 7.00 to 13.00 hrs |
| 10-Sep-2012 |
Gdansk/Poland, from 7.00 to 24.00 hrs |
| 11-Sep-2012 |
Kaliningrad/Russia, from 8.00 to 17.00 hrs |
| 12-Sep-2012 |
Klaipeda/Lithuania, from 7.00 to 15.00 hrs |
| 13-Sep-2012 |
Riga/Latvia, from 9.00 to 18.00 hrs |
| 14-Sep-2012 |
Relaxation at sea |
| 15-Sep-2012 |
St. Petersburg/Russia, arrival 7.30 hrs |
| 16-Sep-2012 |
St. Petersburg, departure 18.00 hrs |
| 17-Sep-2012 |
Helsinki/Finland, from 8.00 to 14.00 hrs |
| 18-Sep-2012 |
Stockholm/Sweden, from 8.00 to 17.00 hrs |
| 19-Sep-2012 |
Visby/Gotland, from 7.00 to 14.00 hrs |
| 20-Sep-2012 |
Relaxation at sea, passage through the Kiel
Canal |
| 21-Sep-2012 |
Hamburg, arrival 7.00 hrs. Individual travel arrangements from
Hamburg |
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A Journey through Eventful Times
Setting course with the small BREMEN for
Germany's largest island ensures an incomparable first stage of your cruise. On Ruegen, you will
enjoy the stylish atmosphere of the seaside resort Binz. The latter is the starting point of
the expert excursion: The hunting castle Granitz*, during which you will explore this
edifice surrounded by dense forest and modelled on an Italian Renaissance castle together with the
art expert Marta Adams. Alternatively, you can go back even further in history with the
architecture specialist Olaf Gräber and discover Ruegen on the expert excursion: Between
romanticism and chalk cliffs*. In Gdansk, you will encounter the legacy of a magnificent
past. On the expert excursion: Gdansk - glorious city architecture of the Hanseatic League*
with Olaf Gräber, you can admire impressive buildings such as the town hall, Artus Court and St.
Mary's Church - one of the largest brick churches in the world. The expert excursion: Art on the
move between St. Mary's and national museum* also takes you to St. Mary's Church. In this
context, Marta Adams graphically describes to you how, after an eventful journey, the famous
triptych "The Last Judgment" by the Bruges painter Hans Memling ended up here. There was a time
when the Teutonic Order was just as powerful as the Hanseatic League. The imposing Malbork
Castle, gem among the castles of the Order*, impressively bears evidence to this fact.
Kaliningrad, the former Koenigsberg which you will get to know on the excursion
Kaliningrad - an enclave*, was also founded by the Teutonic Knights. Experience the city's
eventful past intensively on the expert excursion: Between philosophy and a new beginning*
with Olaf Gräber, in the course of which you will also visit the grave of Immanuel Kant. The focus
of Marta Adams' expert excursion: Diversity of churches in Kaliningrad*, on the other hand,
is not on philosophy, but on religion. Follow in the footsteps of another famous German from
Klaipeda to the Curonian Spit*. The wild beauty of the dune landscape already
fascinated the writer Thomas Mann, who found a personal sanctuary here. In Riga, whole parts
of the city reflect the grace of art nouveau architecture. Enjoy Riga's historic charm* on a
guided walk through the historical centre, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Alternatively,
you may wish to join Marta Adams on the expert excursion: On the trails of the Blackheads*,
during which she will reveal to you how this association of foreign merchants enhanced the city's
cultural life.
The Splendour of the Tsars in St. Petersburg
Two unforgettable days lie ahead
of you when you set out to discover the full glory of St. Petersburg - for instance on
waterways to Saint Isaac's Cathedral*. The roof of the breathtaking domed building was covered
with around 100 kg of pure gold. Peterhof and Hermitage* with their imposing gardens,
palaces and the precious paintings of one of the greatest art museums in the world are equally
magnificent. Our art aficionado Marta Adams grants you a look behind the scenes of a ballet school
on the expert excursion: Tradition and art of Russian ballet* - crowned by a little concert
at Sheremetev Palace. The reconstruction of the legendary Amber Room which you will admire with
Olaf Gräber on the expert excursion: Catherine the Great, splendour of the baroque era* is a
radiant highlight.
Scandinavian Impressions
After St. Petersburg, you will be thrilled by another
proud daughter of the Baltic Sea: Helsinki. There, you will encounter a mixture of
architectural styles which at first sight do not belong together - classicism, art nouveau and
functionalism have brought forth impressive buildings. Marvel at the highlights of
Helsinki*. On the expert excursion: Jean Sibelius and the hill of art*, Marta Adams
masterfully combines architecture and music, while Olaf Gräber's expert excursion: Alvar Aalto -
a functionalist architect* takes you to modern masterpieces. Subsequently, you will find that
the city of Stockholm in itself is a masterpiece. Embark on a boat tour and discover the
scenic perspectives of the Swedish capital from the water*. Or join Marta Adams on the
expert excursion: Drottningholm Palace* and pay a visit to the royal residence. The oldest
Swedish university and the adjacent cathedral - the only Scandinavian cathedral to be built
following the French example - will take centre stage during the expert excursion: Uppsala -
architecture between education and faith* with Olaf Gräber. A formerly significant hub of the
Hanseatic League awaits you off the coast of the mainland with Visby on Gotland. Conclude
your multifaceted "Expedition Knowledge" with a hike* up the hill of Hallbroslott and enjoy
the fantastic views.
* These arrangements are not included in the cruise price. The
shore activities listed here are in the planning stage and are subject to
changes.
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5% early booking discount if booked before February 11, 2012!¹
²United States
Dollar prices are based on the current Euro to Dollar exchange rate as of
January 9,2012 and are subject to change. These rates do not include airfare.
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Each month our cruise experts select great itineraries that will be sailing within the next
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Check back next month to see what itineraries have been added to our 'top picks' list.
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